Just picked some of this up. It's ok, but not really any better than a Beam, etc. It doesn't hold a candle to Elijah Craig 18 year, but then it's less than half the price so I didn't expect much. Ok by itself, and cheap enough to where I don't mind mixing it.

"but not really any better than a Beam, etc. It doesn't hold a candle to Elijah Craig 18"

Maybe not the Craig 18 but Beam for sure. But taste is in the mouth of the beholder.

But taste is in the mouth of the beholder.

Agreed. I think I spoiled myself with the expensive stuff.

Not if it was analyzed by Robby the Robot on Altair 6 in Forbidden Planet.

Maker's Mark! But, most of the time, I only have enough money for Kentucky Deluxe. The good thing about kentucky deluxe is if by accident, I drink my fuel for my stove, I won't know the difference.

Depends on the time of year. As a rule I like cask strength iterations of Laphroig, Aberlour, & Macallan because of the relative weight savings vs a typical 40-43% offering. Laphroig is great in cold weather because of its heavily peated nature that just feels "warmer" going down;) I find Lowland malts nicer in the warmer months because they are less heavily bodied & more crisp, grassy, lemony ie. Bladnoch or Auchentoshan. My overall favorites, I think, are the offerings from Macallan. The Macallan 25 YO Anniversary offering is so good that I can't believe it is crafted by the hands of mere mortals!
For all you single malt enthusiasts wanting to try something new, try the Japanese malts from Yamazaki (12 YO, 18 YO). They are not legally "Scotch" but surprisingly good.

James it sounds like you know your stuff. I sell Yamazaki and when I would mention that it is a Japanese malt, accounts scoff at it. Quality stuff indeed!!!! Nice mentino there.

My go-to bourbon is Bulleit Kentucky bourbon. Handsome bottle, 90-proof, and has a fairly unique flavor. A delicious one.

+1 for Lagavulin. The smokey peat taste reminds me of camping even when I drink it in my living room.

But my Czech ancestry dictates that I mostly bring Slivovitz, a flamingly strong plum brandy that burns all the way down.

Tastes amazing and is bottled at ~57%.

A perfect blend of taste and weight savings.

unfortunatly i cannot buy it in France and my last bottle is gone.
so regular one , Lagavulin, Laphroaig or Springbank untill i visit Skye again

Pendleton....

Although it's not a whiskey,Johnny Walker black is always a top choice for me as I prefer it neat and unless I get some intense snow I don't have ice at my disposal (would that classify as multi use gear?). For whiskey; While I love me some JD, Jameson & Crown Royal Black (smokey and bold for those who haven't tried it), Crown Royal Cask No.16 is excellent for the trail. It's aged in cognac casks and has an almost sweet after taste, great for an after dinner unwind or with your coffee in the morning. Especially preferred for winter hiking.

Johnnie Walker is indeed a Whisky (Scotch Whisky).

Just tried some 18-year The Yamazaki single malt whiskey, distilled in Japan. Fabulous stuff. Nice and smooth. Liked it so much I had my local liquor store order a bottle for me.

technically all scotchs are a whiskey (ever order a scotch in ireland? :)) but that's like saying all nazi's are skinheads but not all skinheads are nazi's

:)

I'll drink to that Mike!

Hopefully with a nice malt whisky. :)

I've ordered many a Scots malt whisky in Ireland btw. :)

Edited by MikefaeDundee on 03/11/2011 11:50:06 MST.

http://dinersjournal.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/12/04/whiskey-versus-whisky/