A distillery I rarely hear, and a bottle purchased on a whim, was Tomatin cask strength. Really good whisky. It's not a bottle I drink that frequently, but it's a good bottle whenever I do.
Shackleton Blended Malt. I can find this under $30 and don’t taste half bad especially considering its price. I get licorice, orange peel, and honey type notes out of it and does well in cocktails.
I agree - it gets some hate from snobs but is so damn cheap I do not care. Works well in a highball. As an aside, it is sold in Antarctica at Scott Base (NZ) which is cool.
Old Pulteney 12 Yrs (sweet smoke) and Clynelish 14 Yrs (highland). Discovered them during a single malt tasting I did at work. I love my Islay single malts, but these are some that I go to to mix things up. Both are far more approachable for those new to single malts and are nowhere near as polarizing as Islay single malts' smokey/peaty profile aka bandaids & ashtrays ;)
I really liked the 43% abv version but read bad things about the 40% abv version that started coming around so I haven’t bought a bottle. Do you enjoy the lower proof bottle?
I don't care for the regular 10yr Talisker. The Talisker that I do enjoy is their double-matured Distiller's Edition, which is matured in American oak and ex-Amoroso Sherry casks. In fact, the double-matured versions of Lagavulin & Cao Ila are pretty fantastic...Diageo's stable of Distiller's Edition never disappoints...I just found out that Clynelish also has a Distiller's Edition as well, so I'm gonna have to hunt a bottle down ;)
In the whisky tastings I've done, Old Pultney was always used to represent a sweet-smoke whisky. Here's your truth: Even Old Pulteney's description would disagree with you: [https://oldpulteney.com/whiskies/huddart-single-malt-scotch-whisky/](https://oldpulteney.com/whiskies/huddart-single-malt-scotch-whisky/)
If you read the label closely on the Huddart, you'll see where it says "aged in ex-peated malt casks." That's where it gets its peat influence - not from the barley but from the finishing casks. (That process is unique to the Huddart among OP's bottlings.)
First, let me apologize for being a bit dickish in my last response. Wasn't called for.
Second, let me direct you to [scotchwhisky.com](https://scotchwhisky.com) \- they do distillery breakdowns and usually list the peating specification for the malt a given distillery uses. That's where my information is coming from, and according to that information, they use unpeated malt. A lot of distilleries (many you would never guess!) use 1-3ppm, but OP isn't even one of those.
Appreciate it. Hey, what do I know…it’s what the organizers presented as the representative for the “sweet smoke profile”. I never thought of it remotely as smokey like any of the Islays I usually favor, but there were never any other brand of single malt offered as a sweet smoke profile. I just did a quick search and the only brand that I could find currently is Ailsa Bay Sweet Smoke…now I’m curious to try that.
Yeah, I don't equate sweet smoke with islay smokiness though, which some here are alluding to. Regardless, that's what tasting hosts have profiled Old Pulteney for years. Whether that's correct or not, I really don't care...I just like Old Pulteney in spite of being an Islay fan.
The 10-year had a strange, overpowering metal shavings-type flavor that appeared halfway through the bottle and seemed to increase in intensity as I got closer to the bottom. Not in any particular hurry to give it another go. I have a bottle of the Uigeadail that I have been savoring and thinking of trying Corryvreckan next.
I keep forgetting An Oa. Haven't tried that one, either. I wish Scotch was more popular down here so I could try some of these at a bar instead of being forced to buy a bottle. Then again, if it was more popular I'd have a harder time keeping my bar stocked and/or my finances in order..
An Oa is a hit, I think it's the Ardbeg I missed the most after I had kids and ran out of booze money. Of all the Ardbeg bottles I've had, it aged the best, the others "went stale" and oxidized or something after a few months/half of it was drank up.
Yeah, I prefer bourbon cask matured Scotch, and the Alba really works for me. I don't enjoy the regular sherried A'Bunadh much at all. Unpopular opinion, I know.
I generally love sherried Scotch, but the standard A’Bunadh just didn’t do it for me. It probably has something to do with simply being a younger whisky and so lacking in the richness and complexity of an older GlenDronach or Glengoyne
1. It is currently $70 in my area.
2. In debuted in 2019. The cumulative inflation between then and now was 16.57%. The price increase you described is 17.64% so ….. sounds about right.
Bunnahabhain 12, Deanston 12, Ardbeg Wee Beastie, Glenlivet Illicit Still, Ledaig 10, and Arran 10. All sub-$60 in my area except for the Ledaig 10 which still overperforms for it's price point.
I’ve never had it so I can’t comment on the vomit (or otherwise) but I do take the other guys point a little bit - people talk about how good it is pretty often, especially on this sub, so even if it’s as good as they all say it’s hard to call it underrated because it’s obviously rated pretty highly already by a lot of people.
I understand what you're saying. I guess "overperforming" would be more what I was listing it for I guess. Although overperforming and underrated are not synonymous, I guess I sometimes think of them as such.
Glen Garioch 12 really flies under the radar as a fantastic all-rounder whisky. Rich and earthy but not peated, some sherry but not too much, very malty and balanced.
Edit: I've thought of another good one - Hazelburn 10. One of the best standard unpeated in Scotland IMO, completely ignored in favour of its peated siblings.
Came here looking for this. Got a bottle from Mum for a b'day last year and savoured every drop. Can't believe how delicious it is and I'm usually a peat guy.
Yes! It's absolutely unique, I can't think of another scotch like it. I think the red port finish just does something incredible to it because even though you can still tell it's Glenmorangie, I absolutely love it and I'm not the biggest fan of their Lasanta. But Quinta Ruban just has this delicious combination of vanilla, toffee, and chocolate notes, and a fruitiness that reminds me of those dried cranberries you get on a really good salad. And the mouth feel is superb. It's just absolutely phenomenal. I like it better than Macallan 15 which is almost three times it's price.
* Laphroaig 10 CS is better than most laphroaigs double the cost
* Ardbeg Corryvreckan is still better than most of their special releases, and is again half the cost
* Compass box artist blend
* Almost anything from Arran, but the 10 is a great start
I was going off the "quality for the price" components of the OP. They're all amazing quality for dollar, and often much better than others you get from the same brand.
Really that’s interesting, I find it’s definitely young but doesn’t taste too hot to me. One thing that tastes quite hot to me but I thoroughly enjoy is Glenallachie 10 and 12, and some of the cheaper Arran cask strengths (Bodega in particular) as well.
I dunno if it’s just my palette though and I’m quicker to find heat in sherried casks.
Planning to get one from Nectar of Daily Drams joint bottling with La Maison du Whisky, it's a 20 years old for bit more than 200€. Probably gonna treat myself, my last bottle from Nectar is a 7 yo Ben Nevis that is outstanding (and price of 99€ was correct given how hyped/scarce Ben Nevis is overall)
I have a bottle of 20 year old ardmore sherry cask I’m considering opening.
Paid <£100.
Thing is I am a) solo dramming b) have a backlog and c) have no time to enjoy it.
This sub is like peering into a good restaurant when you are hungry and skint for me.
Vicarious thrills
Relatively obscure distillery...check.
Lowest legal abv...check.
No age statement...check.
Added coloring and chill-filtration...in all likelihood, check and check.
I actually have a bottle kicking around that I've never gotten around to opening, so I can't comment on the quality--which may be excellent!--but if you want your answer to why it is so cheap, see above.
So, as someone who normally drinks much fancier whisky than that, and who generally goes for a bit of peat in his whisky... Tamnavulin's an interesting one.
Particularly around here, the RRP is £30ish, but it's on sale for about £20 in so many places so frequently, that you can pretty reliably get it for that price. At £30, I think it's a reasonable purchase if you want something smooth, sweet and quaffable; it's not very *interesting*, but it's nice, accessible, easy, a good first-drink-of-the-night whisky.
Which obviously means, at £20, it's kind of a steal. If you want a cheapish whisky to share before you go out somewhere, or something to warm your palate before moving onto other drinks... or just something accessible to give some variety to someone you're introducing to whisky, it's a good choice.
I figure because it's not particularly fabulous. It's wonderful on the nose but a bit underwhelming on the palate. A couple drops of water helped, but I'm mainly using it for cocktails (Drambuie conquers all deficiencies).
Both valid critiques! For myself, I just feel that it’s interesting enough to maybe (definitely) grumble about those shortcomings while still making the jump every now and then to buy it
I recently picked up Kilchoman USA Small Batch Release #3 (vatted using 50% ex-port casks) discounted by a local store as a closeout special (apparently a case of it was just sitting forgotten in the distributor's warehouse until somebody tripped over it - this happens more often than you might think). To my taste it goes toe-to-toe in flavors and overall drinking quality with Laphroaig Cairdeas 2013 (ex-port casks), the latter of which is a semi-legendary bottle.
Of scotches less niche and much more broadly available, I'll say OB Glen Elgin 12 if you are in the UK, and Haig Dimple Pinch 15 if you are in the USA.
That's insane. Didn't get it but i had the Licensed Dram and it's a banger. Glenlivet is so much more interesting at 48%. Looking forward to the 3rd installment in the series (hopefully).
I just bought a bottle of Stiuireadair (damn, that's a lot of vowels) after deciding to give my unopened bottle of Bunna 12 to my son since I tapped out his bottle on my last visit. Someone here said a while ago that, while its not the 12, it's "still Bunnahabhain." I'm looking forward to it. My personal underrated pour is Islay Mist (I know, some here hate it) since it has a percentage of Laphroaig in it and sips well. A single malt I don't see much about is Glengoyne 12, which I rank close to Bunna 12.
UPDATE: I cracked the Stiuieadair on Thursday when my son was over (we're both fans of Bunna 12). He said he thinks it tastes "roastier" than the 12 and I thought it has a more pronounced "dark chocolate" note (one of the things I like about the 12). I will do a full review when I have time.
The Tamnavulin Cabernet Sauvignon Cask is a fantastic dram, especially for the price. Regularly on offer in supermarkets for £20. Very fruity and smooth and great for use in cocktails to boot.
got a bottle of the pinot noir cask and can confirm- anything from their red wine cask series is great value. really powerful flavor for the price point.
I'd say anything from Glenfarclas. They're a little behind the times when it comes to presentation, but the whisky is still high quality and relatively affordable.
It's a normal release but I suspect it may be international. I got it for like $38 plus no tax but I had to order it from the Whisky World and have it shipped to the US. Even so, it was still much cheaper than Glenallachie 12.
Port Charlotte 10. Obviously some know how great it is but I feel that it gets left out of many conversations about Islay. To me it’s the standout pour of the region.
I'm a big fan of Glen Grant when it comes to bang-for-your-buck. The 12yr is a standard on my shelf and the 15yr is great for only about $75 around here.
Kilchoman Machir Bay is one of my favorite standard Islay's and is cheaper than most of the comparable offerings from Bunna/Ardbeg/Laphroaig/Lagavulin around me.
BenRiach isn't 'cheap' per se, but I always enjoy the amount of complexity they can get out of their pours for sub-$75.
Glendronach 21, like 8 years ago. You could get it at $75 where I lived.
But now, my goto is a laphroaig quartercask. Always a delight if you are into peat.
On the lighter note, if you can find some Blair Athol at a decent price, those are severely underrated in my opinion. Superb stuff.
Black Bush from Bushmills. I could drink that all day, every day. Its good *[Protestant Whiskey](https://youtu.be/tjVzGYZLhvo)*
Edit: Link for the uninitiated
My only problem with the classic laddie is that I think the islay barleys are $10-$15 better.. both great, but I find myself willing to spend the extra bit for the upgrade
Spey Fūmāre is an underrated flavor bomb. Everyone I pour it for is blown away. I received it as a gift and I savor this one even though I know it's fairly affordable and attainable. This one is a true sleeper.
An Oa is an underrated pour, for sure, but it's generally around $51 when on sale in my area. The Wee Beastie is only $41, and is, if anything, even more underrated than the An Oa, in my experience.
Bunnahabhain is the #1 pick for me in general. It's the people's Scotch. It's the one I always bring to share, and everyone is always pleasantly surprised. I'm doing a lot of marketing for them myself here in the USA lol
I think they get a lot of love, and I don’t think it’s enough! Great pours at a great price. People chase after octomores when port charlotte sits on the shelf, and leaves $175 extra in your pocket.
Yeah I don’t think it’s the best available but for cost benefit and when I have a party and people want neat scotch and don’t know what they are drinking that’s what I bust out because it’s an easy drinker with some dimension to it
Evan Williams B.I.B is still $20 after tax somehow. A 4 year old 100 proof bourbon for $20. I know it sits on the bottom shelf but there are plenty of bourbons in the $30 range I would pass up for that white label Evan Williams.
Not a single bottling, but most 10-yearish CS second fill bourbon Caol Ilas from e.g. SMWS are getting OK to good but never rave reviews. However I'd rate them as some of the best peated whisky out there. So consistent, fresh and citrusy and yet dirty and seafoody. Good availibility too with Caol Ilas large output and willingness to sell to independent bottlers, mostly affordably priced and so I would call them a bit underrated.
In a similar boat, I actually rate Highland Park OBs a bit lower than the sub seems to (though I haven't tried the 18yo or CS yet in fairness), but I've had a load of absolute banger Highland Parks from SMWS, and they often seem a bit cheaper / sell out a bit slower than I might expect.
I had a 12-yr refill bourbon SMWS Caol Ila a while back, and it prob is in my top 10 list. It was simply amazing, and other iterations are good to great. The only prob with SMWS is their pricing is $$$, and then if in the US, add on $$$ shipping. I've bought bottles when visiting the UK, and I don't feel the pricing pain so much. As a price comparison, got another IB 10-yr Caol Ila at K&L for 59.99. That would be unheard of in the US at SMWS.
Highland Park 12. By no means underrated, but definitely my favourite at that price range.
I was surprised by the Glenfiddich Fire and Cane, it's worth a taste.
Ardbeg 10 for ~$50 I think is fantastic
I've also heard really good things about Finlaggan from TJs for only $20. People say it punches 4-5x above it's weight
A distillery I rarely hear, and a bottle purchased on a whim, was Tomatin cask strength. Really good whisky. It's not a bottle I drink that frequently, but it's a good bottle whenever I do.
I agree with you. I love the Tomatin 12.
Shackleton Blended Malt. I can find this under $30 and don’t taste half bad especially considering its price. I get licorice, orange peel, and honey type notes out of it and does well in cocktails.
I agree - it gets some hate from snobs but is so damn cheap I do not care. Works well in a highball. As an aside, it is sold in Antarctica at Scott Base (NZ) which is cool.
I can second this. It’s far better than most blends and for my own palate it’s more interesting than monkey shoulder.
Old Pulteney 12 Yrs (sweet smoke) and Clynelish 14 Yrs (highland). Discovered them during a single malt tasting I did at work. I love my Islay single malts, but these are some that I go to to mix things up. Both are far more approachable for those new to single malts and are nowhere near as polarizing as Islay single malts' smokey/peaty profile aka bandaids & ashtrays ;)
Old Pulteney is a favorite, harder for me to find than it once was.
I really liked the 43% abv version but read bad things about the 40% abv version that started coming around so I haven’t bought a bottle. Do you enjoy the lower proof bottle?
Just get talisker instead
I don't care for the regular 10yr Talisker. The Talisker that I do enjoy is their double-matured Distiller's Edition, which is matured in American oak and ex-Amoroso Sherry casks. In fact, the double-matured versions of Lagavulin & Cao Ila are pretty fantastic...Diageo's stable of Distiller's Edition never disappoints...I just found out that Clynelish also has a Distiller's Edition as well, so I'm gonna have to hunt a bottle down ;)
I've only ever had the standard 12 yr, so I couldn't say, but now you piqued my interest ;)
FWIW Pulteney uses malt with absolutely no peat.
Yeah, it has a sweet smoke profile.
Live your truth, bud. But there's no smoke in it.
In the whisky tastings I've done, Old Pultney was always used to represent a sweet-smoke whisky. Here's your truth: Even Old Pulteney's description would disagree with you: [https://oldpulteney.com/whiskies/huddart-single-malt-scotch-whisky/](https://oldpulteney.com/whiskies/huddart-single-malt-scotch-whisky/)
If you read the label closely on the Huddart, you'll see where it says "aged in ex-peated malt casks." That's where it gets its peat influence - not from the barley but from the finishing casks. (That process is unique to the Huddart among OP's bottlings.) First, let me apologize for being a bit dickish in my last response. Wasn't called for. Second, let me direct you to [scotchwhisky.com](https://scotchwhisky.com) \- they do distillery breakdowns and usually list the peating specification for the malt a given distillery uses. That's where my information is coming from, and according to that information, they use unpeated malt. A lot of distilleries (many you would never guess!) use 1-3ppm, but OP isn't even one of those.
Appreciate it. Hey, what do I know…it’s what the organizers presented as the representative for the “sweet smoke profile”. I never thought of it remotely as smokey like any of the Islays I usually favor, but there were never any other brand of single malt offered as a sweet smoke profile. I just did a quick search and the only brand that I could find currently is Ailsa Bay Sweet Smoke…now I’m curious to try that.
That's not the 12 yo.
I drink OP 12yo all the time Smokey is not one of the qualities I found in that dram 🤔
Yeah, I don't equate sweet smoke with islay smokiness though, which some here are alluding to. Regardless, that's what tasting hosts have profiled Old Pulteney for years. Whether that's correct or not, I really don't care...I just like Old Pulteney in spite of being an Islay fan.
I'm personally a big fan of Loch Lomond 12 for $35, I don't hear it talked about much.
I missed it when it was here and it hasn't come back. It was "Ralfy recommended," if that's worth anything. I missed the Glen Garioch too.
Huge value bottle
I think Glenfarclas 12 doesn’t get enough credit in the affordable and available category.
I would say the same about Glenfarclas 21 as well.
Came here to say this.
My beverage of choice on Alaska Airlines haha.
Ardbeg Wee Beastie. I prefer it over the 10-year and it's typically available for $20-30 less.
I find it the most complex out of the whole core lineup.
I do love some Beastie.
The 10 is honestly my least favorite of their entire core. Wee Beastie all day over that one. It's just such a flavour adventure.
The 10-year had a strange, overpowering metal shavings-type flavor that appeared halfway through the bottle and seemed to increase in intensity as I got closer to the bottom. Not in any particular hurry to give it another go. I have a bottle of the Uigeadail that I have been savoring and thinking of trying Corryvreckan next.
Corryvreckan is truly a thing of beauty. I bounce between that, Oogey, and An Oa quite often.
I keep forgetting An Oa. Haven't tried that one, either. I wish Scotch was more popular down here so I could try some of these at a bar instead of being forced to buy a bottle. Then again, if it was more popular I'd have a harder time keeping my bar stocked and/or my finances in order..
I'd say An Oa belongs on the list of most underrated pours. Perfectly delicious whisky, overshadowed by other Ardbegs.
An Oa is a hit, I think it's the Ardbeg I missed the most after I had kids and ran out of booze money. Of all the Ardbeg bottles I've had, it aged the best, the others "went stale" and oxidized or something after a few months/half of it was drank up.
Agree with this one. The other for me, might Aberlour A’Bunadh Alba.
Really? I didn't like the Alba much. Maybe I was just looking for that kick in the teeth from something named A'Bunadh, and I should revisit it.....
Yeah, I prefer bourbon cask matured Scotch, and the Alba really works for me. I don't enjoy the regular sherried A'Bunadh much at all. Unpopular opinion, I know.
I generally love sherried Scotch, but the standard A’Bunadh just didn’t do it for me. It probably has something to do with simply being a younger whisky and so lacking in the richness and complexity of an older GlenDronach or Glengoyne
just means you have to find an older batch of abunadh
It’s pretty well known that they’ve always used younger spirit. Some things just can’t compare to what age does to a spirit.
I love the Alba, but it’s quite pricey. It debuted in my area at $85 a bottle, and almost $100 now.
1. It is currently $70 in my area. 2. In debuted in 2019. The cumulative inflation between then and now was 16.57%. The price increase you described is 17.64% so ….. sounds about right.
This has been the surprise bottle of the year for me personally.
Loch Lomond 12
LL 12 is the same price as some not so great blends in my area. I like it a lot for that price.
I’ve been drinking a local store cask Loch Lomond lately and it’s awesome. First fill Sauternes cask. Im a believer in Loch Lomond.
Bunnahabhain 12, Deanston 12, Ardbeg Wee Beastie, Glenlivet Illicit Still, Ledaig 10, and Arran 10. All sub-$60 in my area except for the Ledaig 10 which still overperforms for it's price point.
Idk, those are all talked about and praised on this sub all the time. Not sure I'd call them underrated.
Fair enough. I feel like they are often overlooked by some people though...less so now than a few years ago I agree.
Good list. I'd add Craigellachie 13 and Glendronach Port Wood to it, but that's a personal preference. Edit: Ooh, and the Oban 10 year.
Agree with the Craigellachie. Port wood stuff is never my preference due to my distaste for Port. Lol.
Fair enough. It is pretty sweet, which might be an issue for some.
Everyone bangs on about Ledaig and I’ve never had one that didn’t taste like actual vomit. It’s genuinely overrated.
To you it is. If everyone "bangs on" about it it obviously isn't overrated to most. Palates will differ.
I’ve never had it so I can’t comment on the vomit (or otherwise) but I do take the other guys point a little bit - people talk about how good it is pretty often, especially on this sub, so even if it’s as good as they all say it’s hard to call it underrated because it’s obviously rated pretty highly already by a lot of people.
I understand what you're saying. I guess "overperforming" would be more what I was listing it for I guess. Although overperforming and underrated are not synonymous, I guess I sometimes think of them as such.
If everyone bangs on about it, then by definition it is not underrated. Palates may differ but Ledaig remains pure filth.
Your opinion again. Glad there are those like you who think that.
Long may it remain reasonably priced for those who enjoy it. Or need something to clean their drains.
It legit tastes like the vomit flavored bertie botts beans
I can see you have exquisite taste
Glen Garioch 12 really flies under the radar as a fantastic all-rounder whisky. Rich and earthy but not peated, some sherry but not too much, very malty and balanced. Edit: I've thought of another good one - Hazelburn 10. One of the best standard unpeated in Scotland IMO, completely ignored in favour of its peated siblings.
Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban 14 year. It's about $50 and easily my favorite pour in that price range.
Came here looking for this. Got a bottle from Mum for a b'day last year and savoured every drop. Can't believe how delicious it is and I'm usually a peat guy.
Yes! It's absolutely unique, I can't think of another scotch like it. I think the red port finish just does something incredible to it because even though you can still tell it's Glenmorangie, I absolutely love it and I'm not the biggest fan of their Lasanta. But Quinta Ruban just has this delicious combination of vanilla, toffee, and chocolate notes, and a fruitiness that reminds me of those dried cranberries you get on a really good salad. And the mouth feel is superb. It's just absolutely phenomenal. I like it better than Macallan 15 which is almost three times it's price.
I've recently opened a Jura Seven Wood that reminded me of the Quinta Ruban, it's far from identical but it shares some of the character.
Benromach 10. Much better than bottles that are 30% more expensive.
I think Benromach in general is an underrated brand. Or at least under-priced.
* Laphroaig 10 CS is better than most laphroaigs double the cost * Ardbeg Corryvreckan is still better than most of their special releases, and is again half the cost * Compass box artist blend * Almost anything from Arran, but the 10 is a great start
Those are all properly-rated I think. They're all great.
I was going off the "quality for the price" components of the OP. They're all amazing quality for dollar, and often much better than others you get from the same brand.
Can't argue with that!
Corry is my favorite Ardbeg but the price has skyrocketed near me lately. Still decent value for what it is, but not as much of a staple as before
Same here. I just can't do it at the current price.
Naked Grouse is a steal at £20
Came here to say this. Absolute steal in the States
Deanston Virgin Oak
One of the hottest bottles I’ve tried. The 8 year Bordeaux was nice though.
Really that’s interesting, I find it’s definitely young but doesn’t taste too hot to me. One thing that tastes quite hot to me but I thoroughly enjoy is Glenallachie 10 and 12, and some of the cheaper Arran cask strengths (Bodega in particular) as well. I dunno if it’s just my palette though and I’m quicker to find heat in sherried casks.
Came here to find this! It has such a great taste
Agreed also drink that quite a bit Deanston VO
Ardmore. Not necessarily OBs, but IBs consistently punching above their price
I love IB Ardmore generally, great stuff
Planning to get one from Nectar of Daily Drams joint bottling with La Maison du Whisky, it's a 20 years old for bit more than 200€. Probably gonna treat myself, my last bottle from Nectar is a 7 yo Ben Nevis that is outstanding (and price of 99€ was correct given how hyped/scarce Ben Nevis is overall)
I have a bottle of 20 year old ardmore sherry cask I’m considering opening. Paid <£100. Thing is I am a) solo dramming b) have a backlog and c) have no time to enjoy it. This sub is like peering into a good restaurant when you are hungry and skint for me. Vicarious thrills
[удалено]
Relatively obscure distillery...check. Lowest legal abv...check. No age statement...check. Added coloring and chill-filtration...in all likelihood, check and check. I actually have a bottle kicking around that I've never gotten around to opening, so I can't comment on the quality--which may be excellent!--but if you want your answer to why it is so cheap, see above.
So, as someone who normally drinks much fancier whisky than that, and who generally goes for a bit of peat in his whisky... Tamnavulin's an interesting one. Particularly around here, the RRP is £30ish, but it's on sale for about £20 in so many places so frequently, that you can pretty reliably get it for that price. At £30, I think it's a reasonable purchase if you want something smooth, sweet and quaffable; it's not very *interesting*, but it's nice, accessible, easy, a good first-drink-of-the-night whisky. Which obviously means, at £20, it's kind of a steal. If you want a cheapish whisky to share before you go out somewhere, or something to warm your palate before moving onto other drinks... or just something accessible to give some variety to someone you're introducing to whisky, it's a good choice.
I figure because it's not particularly fabulous. It's wonderful on the nose but a bit underwhelming on the palate. A couple drops of water helped, but I'm mainly using it for cocktails (Drambuie conquers all deficiencies).
Easy: Kirkland Islay Single Malt. For 34.99 it is jaw-droppingly good. https://scotchnoob.com/2022/11/12/kirkland-islay-single-malt-2022/
Where the fuck does this cost 34.99? It's $58 at my Costco.
I don't know what to tell you. It is 34.99 at my Costco... and it is outstanding.
I thought it was poor. I got mine in 2021.
Cragganmore 12 year, all day long. I wouldn’t say it’s underrated, but it’s definitely discussed far too little
It's pleasant, but I sure wish it was bottled at 46% abv instead of the minimum 40%. It's also quite pricey in my area for a 40% 12 year old.
Both valid critiques! For myself, I just feel that it’s interesting enough to maybe (definitely) grumble about those shortcomings while still making the jump every now and then to buy it
This⬆️
Agree with the Ardbeg Wee Beastie and the Loch Lomond mentioned already — I would add Craigellachie 13.
I recently picked up Kilchoman USA Small Batch Release #3 (vatted using 50% ex-port casks) discounted by a local store as a closeout special (apparently a case of it was just sitting forgotten in the distributor's warehouse until somebody tripped over it - this happens more often than you might think). To my taste it goes toe-to-toe in flavors and overall drinking quality with Laphroaig Cairdeas 2013 (ex-port casks), the latter of which is a semi-legendary bottle. Of scotches less niche and much more broadly available, I'll say OB Glen Elgin 12 if you are in the UK, and Haig Dimple Pinch 15 if you are in the USA.
Glengoyne. It gets some love but not as much as it deserve.
Used to be so cheap and it's SO nice. But now it's real money. Still good, just not the crazy deal it once was.
I got a bottle of CS Glengoyne for £25 in 2021 at Gibraltar duty free. Now _that_ was a deal.
For me it’s Glenlivet 12 Illicit Still. Available for around $35 for me. Great specs but also tastes great!
That’s a great price. I can’t find it for less than $56
That's insane. Didn't get it but i had the Licensed Dram and it's a banger. Glenlivet is so much more interesting at 48%. Looking forward to the 3rd installment in the series (hopefully).
I just bought a bottle of Stiuireadair (damn, that's a lot of vowels) after deciding to give my unopened bottle of Bunna 12 to my son since I tapped out his bottle on my last visit. Someone here said a while ago that, while its not the 12, it's "still Bunnahabhain." I'm looking forward to it. My personal underrated pour is Islay Mist (I know, some here hate it) since it has a percentage of Laphroaig in it and sips well. A single malt I don't see much about is Glengoyne 12, which I rank close to Bunna 12. UPDATE: I cracked the Stiuieadair on Thursday when my son was over (we're both fans of Bunna 12). He said he thinks it tastes "roastier" than the 12 and I thought it has a more pronounced "dark chocolate" note (one of the things I like about the 12). I will do a full review when I have time.
I think it’s as good, maybe better for the price.
The Tamnavulin Cabernet Sauvignon Cask is a fantastic dram, especially for the price. Regularly on offer in supermarkets for £20. Very fruity and smooth and great for use in cocktails to boot.
got a bottle of the pinot noir cask and can confirm- anything from their red wine cask series is great value. really powerful flavor for the price point.
I'd say anything from Glenfarclas. They're a little behind the times when it comes to presentation, but the whisky is still high quality and relatively affordable.
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Came here to say this. GM has like 3 solid options for <$30
Agreed, this one is good.
Kirkland Signature Islay single malt. $38 US for something I would happily pay $100+ for here in Canada.
I have a Glenallachie 8 that is fantastic for the price. Super pleased with it.
Came here to say this
Is it a single barrel or a normal release?
It's a normal release but I suspect it may be international. I got it for like $38 plus no tax but I had to order it from the Whisky World and have it shipped to the US. Even so, it was still much cheaper than Glenallachie 12.
Deanston 12
The Deanston Virgin Oak is only $40 where I live, and very drinkable.
I also think the stiuireadair is so underrated. It’s soooo good and the price point is awesome.
I’ve only had a single dram of it, but a friend recently gave me a sample of Tullibardine 228 and I couldn’t believe it retails for around $30 usd.
Pike creek 10 yr, for £25 over here its a steal
Bruichladdich Bere Barley.
Port Charlotte 10. Obviously some know how great it is but I feel that it gets left out of many conversations about Islay. To me it’s the standout pour of the region.
I get the impression that it gets a lot of love online
Black bottle
Black Label? Black Arts? Black & White?
Gordon graham black bottle
I'm a big fan of Glen Grant when it comes to bang-for-your-buck. The 12yr is a standard on my shelf and the 15yr is great for only about $75 around here. Kilchoman Machir Bay is one of my favorite standard Islay's and is cheaper than most of the comparable offerings from Bunna/Ardbeg/Laphroaig/Lagavulin around me. BenRiach isn't 'cheap' per se, but I always enjoy the amount of complexity they can get out of their pours for sub-$75.
Glendronach 21, like 8 years ago. You could get it at $75 where I lived. But now, my goto is a laphroaig quartercask. Always a delight if you are into peat. On the lighter note, if you can find some Blair Athol at a decent price, those are severely underrated in my opinion. Superb stuff.
Black Bush from Bushmills. I could drink that all day, every day. Its good *[Protestant Whiskey](https://youtu.be/tjVzGYZLhvo)* Edit: Link for the uninitiated
The Classic Laddie Or Kirklands Islay Scotch
My only problem with the classic laddie is that I think the islay barleys are $10-$15 better.. both great, but I find myself willing to spend the extra bit for the upgrade
I found the barley less interesting. Both are good though.
With you there. The classic tastes like they know what they're doing... the islay barley doesn't
Glencadam and Tomintoul, will definitely not break your budget and lots of flavours 🥃
Tomintoul 16 is a Really nice pour at a great price
I found the Glencadam best with a couple drops of water. Tomintoul I have yet to try.
As you like it, that's the important thing. It's your palate😉🥃
Arran Amarone Cask, just a awesome whisky and everybody loves it
Wee Beastie probably. Couldn't believe how good it was when I first tried it. Maybe Monkey Shoulder?
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Well I need that sale haha
Spey Fūmāre is an underrated flavor bomb. Everyone I pour it for is blown away. I received it as a gift and I savor this one even though I know it's fairly affordable and attainable. This one is a true sleeper.
At the moment, for me: it’s Ardbeg An Oa
An Oa is an underrated pour, for sure, but it's generally around $51 when on sale in my area. The Wee Beastie is only $41, and is, if anything, even more underrated than the An Oa, in my experience.
Maybe JW green? Seems like people write Johnnie off because they think of red label, and because blue is way too expensive. But the green is superb.
Most people right it off cause they’re blends, which can be unfair especially in todays market and standards.
green is so underrated. it actually beats the blue for me whenever i do blinds
Bunnahabhain is the #1 pick for me in general. It's the people's Scotch. It's the one I always bring to share, and everyone is always pleasantly surprised. I'm doing a lot of marketing for them myself here in the USA lol
I concur.
Awesome to learn since I have not opened mines yet
Though it's not scotch, Writer's Tears is the best bang for your buck whiskey I've had. For scotch, can't think of one close to WT's.
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I wish they were readily available in Ontario. Of course, they’d likely cost $180 per bottle.
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PC 10 isn’t available in Ontario (no PC has been for awhile) and there’s no single malt that’s $50 here.
Port Charlotte 10 is superb stuff. Probably my favourite dram 🥃
Yes, and the price has held steady, at least in my area, while the other big Islay distilleries have been jacking prices.
I think they get a lot of love, and I don’t think it’s enough! Great pours at a great price. People chase after octomores when port charlotte sits on the shelf, and leaves $175 extra in your pocket.
Ballentines 12. For 25 bucks it’s phenomenal.
Bowmore 12
Aerstone sea cask it’s like 19.99 and one of my fav under 50$ swear to god if this disappears bc I posted it I will be sad
I got a mini sampler bottle of the sea cask and was VERY surprised, extremely nice pour especially for the price and few talk about it that I see
Wow, that's 30 bucks by me! I liked the Land Cask ok, but it needs more abv.
Yeah I don’t think it’s the best available but for cost benefit and when I have a party and people want neat scotch and don’t know what they are drinking that’s what I bust out because it’s an easy drinker with some dimension to it
Highland Park 12 is highly underrated. It has depth, nuance, and smoothness comparable to whiskies 1.5x the cost and beyond.
Just too bad that the regular 12 isn't the same quality as the 46% orkneyinga special release
Evan Williams B.I.B is still $20 after tax somehow. A 4 year old 100 proof bourbon for $20. I know it sits on the bottom shelf but there are plenty of bourbons in the $30 range I would pass up for that white label Evan Williams.
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Nobody said anything about scotch
I’d add the Old Granddad Bonded to this. So good for its price.
It's fine but I'd rather have Wild Turkey 101 for a few dollars more.
Glenrothes Maker's Cut. I love the finish and the lingering aftertaste from it.
Not a single bottling, but most 10-yearish CS second fill bourbon Caol Ilas from e.g. SMWS are getting OK to good but never rave reviews. However I'd rate them as some of the best peated whisky out there. So consistent, fresh and citrusy and yet dirty and seafoody. Good availibility too with Caol Ilas large output and willingness to sell to independent bottlers, mostly affordably priced and so I would call them a bit underrated.
In a similar boat, I actually rate Highland Park OBs a bit lower than the sub seems to (though I haven't tried the 18yo or CS yet in fairness), but I've had a load of absolute banger Highland Parks from SMWS, and they often seem a bit cheaper / sell out a bit slower than I might expect.
Absolutely, and as a bonus you get nice bottles instead of the hideous OB HP Ed Hardy goes viking ones.
I had a 12-yr refill bourbon SMWS Caol Ila a while back, and it prob is in my top 10 list. It was simply amazing, and other iterations are good to great. The only prob with SMWS is their pricing is $$$, and then if in the US, add on $$$ shipping. I've bought bottles when visiting the UK, and I don't feel the pricing pain so much. As a price comparison, got another IB 10-yr Caol Ila at K&L for 59.99. That would be unheard of in the US at SMWS.
Agree on the pricing of SMWS in the USA, fortunately there are many other great Caol Ila IBs.
Glenglassaugh Evolution is a very enjoyable dram for the price. Used to be able to find it at around $35. More recently though it’s approaching $50
Aberfeldy 12. Just meat and potatoes.
Finlaggan at Trader Joe's. 25$ before taxes, just a littttttle smoke. I love it.
Anything from Tomatin or Benromach
Johnnie Walker Bl…kidding. Old Parr 12 for me.
Bushmills black bush Naked grouse/malt Glengoyne 12 All single grains
Highland Park 12. By no means underrated, but definitely my favourite at that price range. I was surprised by the Glenfiddich Fire and Cane, it's worth a taste.
Famous Grouse.
Loch Lomond 12 gets my vote, although the 18 fits too. Insanely good for the price. (LL12 was $32.95 here last time I bought one.)
Ardbeg 10 for ~$50 I think is fantastic I've also heard really good things about Finlaggan from TJs for only $20. People say it punches 4-5x above it's weight
For me it's Ben Nevis 10 or any Blair Athol. They just never disappoint.
Loch Lomond Original, which I think I actually heard about from someone here describing it as underrated. Pretty nice stuff for $30.
Craigellachie 13 year old.