More About Malts

We've had so many wonderful bottles of single malts these 2 months. Again, I've favorites from all the selections. By now, whether a bottle is cask strength isn't even a consideration anymore. It's simply indicative that one might need to open up the single malt with crisp water for varied flavors.

Matured in a bourbon cask, the limited edition 30 y.o Auchentoshan 1978 is a surprisingly simple and soft dram. The taste has been described as "butter shortbread with tangerine zest". Quite so. I just like the idea of having a bottle of whisky that's bottled in the same year I was born.

At a social event, someone mentioned about "the very little known and obscure Lagavulin 16 y.o" is one of his preferred bottles and how difficult it was to buy a bottle in Singapore. I had to stop myself from rolling the eyes. I could order you a carton of it! I was so tempted to say, "That's a very reliable bottle. by the way, I really like the Lagavulin 1993 Distillers Edition." I know, it'd terribly rude of me. But I can't help it. I love it when people think I'm yet another silly woman who doesn't know anything about single malts. Now, back to said bottle of my preferred Lagavulin. It's double matured in a bourbon cask, then in a cask of Pedro Ximenez sherry. The taste is layered and smooth, with a slight peat that greatly enthralls me.

Not all 30 y.o single malts taste good. However, the Glenfiddich 30 y.o turned out to be a most pleasant find. Lush, woody, rich and mellow, the Speyside single malt is quite popular on the table, suitable even for beginners. Its honeyed notes are deceptive and seductive.

The Bunnahabhain 35 y.o 1971 vintage is a total winner for me. I love (some) Islay malts. I like most bottlings of Bunnahabhain. Or could it simply be the magic in the Margadale River which lies north of the distillery?

But the one (+ few) Islay malt I'm not digging is the Smokehead. In particular, this expression of a 18 y.o Extra Black. It's just too smoky for me. Same with Laphroaig, Caol Ila and most of them all, Ardbeg. I can do a dram or so to end off an evening. But I'm unable to have it as the one drink throughout.

With each passing month, the reservoir of knowledge about single malts builds up with more and more bottles sampled in not just a tasting portion. But well, we alcoholics kinda buy the whole bottle for ourselves. Not exactly to share because each of us will eventually pick our respective favorites after a couple of gentleman's pours.