Bloody mean, that is what it is. I love malt whiskey. Gordon & MacPhail has released a 70 year old Mortlach single malt. And even though my brain tells me it probably is not really that great after all those years, a 70 year-old malt would be so wonderful to at least try. But this is so, so far out of any price range that I would ever consider. Never going to know what it is really like. 20 cl, that’s maybe three small glasses, really only two! For the measly price of $4,000! You want the full-sized, well not quite, it is only 700ml, but it is silver capped. It is only $15,000. Some people have said it looks like a perfume bottle. Who would pay that for a bottle of booze? Well it is malt. There are people with that kind of money. There are people who will buy it just to put it on the shelf, clearly visible, just so everyone can see that they can afford it. There are people who will buy it just to make their friends, well acquaintances, beg for a taste. There are people who will buy it just to sit alone and have a taste all by themselves knowing that they are better because they can afford it while others cannot. And perhaps there are a few who will buy it just to see what a 70 year-old malt really taste like.
You see, I really like malt whiskey - excuse me, excuse me, excuse me - malt WHISKY. Barley malted by soaking in water then allowing it to germinate to fermentable sugars. The germination is halted by heating with some level of peat smoke to add a smoky aroma and flavour (as my granddad taught me to spell it damn it, no matter how much my teachers tried to break me of the habit!) to the whisky. And there are so many, many varieties. The blends can be nice, but oh those single malts!
Drinking the malt? Easy. Take bottle of single malt. Your choice which, they are so different, try lots. Do not add water. Do not add ice. OK, Ok, if you are new, add a little water, but not much, I think you spoil it, but that is just me. There are many who think a little dash of water is needed to finish many single malts. It is all OK if you make the choice yourself. I do think the glass should be a nice crystal. I don’t think it has to be a fancy snifter. But I love the sound and feel of good crystal! Just me. I happen to like a glass of water, sometimes iced, on the side. By the way, also crystal, if at all possible. Small, very small sips. Hold in mouth. Let the vapors fill your nose and all of you sinuses from within. Drink very, very slowly. The taste are as complex as a good cabernet (my other liquid love). When your mouth feels dry, drink the water. You will be amazed at the complex taste of the residual whiskey brought out by the water. Some very subtle flavors you may not have noticed before. If you haven’t figured it out yet, as rules go - this is bullshit. This is how I like it. You should have your malt how you like it. Just please don’t have a good single malt mixed with anything but plain water or ice. IT UPSETS THE UNIVERSE!
Have tried a bunch. Have many, many more to try. The ones I like may not be the ones someone else likes. That is part of what makes it special.
Some of the more recent “tries” in no particular order along with what I thought, just in case you care are below.
Dahlwhinnie 15 Year Old — Highland — A gentle drink with great subtle tones I really like. Taste of citrus, honey and a mild peat tone. Easy drinking.
Oban 14 Year Old - West Highland — This is supposed to be really great. To me, the taste of cigar KILLS it dead for me! (I am an approaching violent non-smoker!) By the way - peat is not cigar. A good peat flavor absolutely ain’t a cigar taste! Peat is smooth and earthly. Cigar is just plain nasty, dirty, filthy, yuck! Just my less than humble opinion.
The Glenlivet 15 Year Old French Oak Reserve - Highland Speyside — This one is mellow, smooth very easy to drink. Not what I would call highly distinctive, but OK.
The Glenlivet Nadurra 16 Year Old aged in American oak — Highland Speyside — Has a taste of flowers, sweet spice, oak. Is smooth but it is very strong. I think ya gotta try it.
The Glenlivet 18 Year Old - Highland Speyside — This one is mellow, oak, floral, aftertaste not unlike butterscotch. Light smoky lingering taste. Very nice.
Dalmore 15 year Old - Highland — Taste of citrus, vanilla, sherry, mild on the peat. This one is easy to drink but not extremely distinctive. Personally not one I will buy again.
Glenfiddich 15 Year Old Solera Reserve - Highland Speyside — Kind of spicy oak wine yet smooth like a good red, with a mild peat taste. Worth having.
Highland Park 15 Year Old - Orkney Islands - A little sweet, fruit taste. Distinctly peat. Leaves a really nice feel in your mouth and sense of the peat in your nose without overpowering. Good, not great.
Battlehill 16 Year Old - I really cannot give you a lot of information of this brand. I picked it up at Total Wine on a bit of a flyer. The 16 Year Old is labeled as distilled at MaCallan. All I can tell you is the bottle is worth the dollars. Smooth, a little spice, very mild peat, a little citrus. They offered an 18 as well as a 15 and a 12 Year Old at Total Wine. Distilled at various distillers. Respectable prices.
Laphroaig 10 Year Old - Isle of Islay - When I want lots of peat it is either this or Compass Box Peat Monster. They are distinctly different. This one is perhaps a little sweeter. I like both when in the mood.
Compass Box The Peat Monster - Yes this is a blend, but I have to say Compass Box has attracted my attention, this one especially. Over powering at first but then - it really grows on you - give it a try - not for every time - but worth having.
Just thought I would share. Oh, one last little detail. I think the most I paid for any of the bottles I mentioned above (all 750 ml) would be a little under $100 (I cannot quite remember what I actually paid for The Glenlivet 18). That is just about 160 times less for the same volume as that 70 year-old single malt in its special silver-capped bottle! Think I will pass and stick with what I got. It is pretty damn good.
Is Still Here
