Source
r/Scotch•
Polymerabbit

I need more peat.

I've been in love with whisky for about 18 months now, but it was only on Monday that I managed to look past all the things people were saying about islays being all harsh and too smokey and picked up a bottle of Talisker 10 (yeah I know, Isle of Skye).

After spending a lot of time with mostly sherried cask stuff I was blown away by how different it was. It was almost as if I had licked a moss covered rock covered in sea spray (that for some reason tasted really good). All in all I was just amazed at the earthy flavours given to it by the peat, so today I went out and bought bottles of Laphroaig 10 and Lagavulin 16 (along with a glencairn).

The result? I'm now kinda short on cash but have 3 of the best whiskies that I've ever tasted sitting on my desk and want to know what there is out there that packs even more of a peaty punch (Octomore 6.1? Ardberg Uigeadail?).

Posted Oct 28, 2014, 10:46 AM UTC

1523
TheMemeIsALieLaphroaigian Slip•

Congratulations! Laphroaig cask strength, Uigeadail, Corryvrekan, Octomore, Port Charlotte are all nice and big peat moments.

6
PolymerabbitOP•

I must say that I'm very, very tempted to try some of the cask strength stuff.

1
SeienShinI have a Dram•

Don't forget Kilchoman!

4
PolymerabbitOP•

I've seen the name mentioned a number of times on here. Is there anything in particular that I should get by them? The only thing available to me is the Machir bay.

1
SeienShinI have a Dram•

The peat is vegetal and fresh. Reminds me of wet hay in a barn being eaten by cattle. The Machir Bay is a good whisky, but their 100% Islay and their single cask releases is where it's at.

3
DworgiRequiem for a Dram•

Machir Bay's a good intro to their stuff. It's not my favourite, but it's very good regardless.

1
It_sAlwaysMe•

BEWARE! First of all Laphroaig is my favorite scotch. I recently received a bottle of the CS as a birthday gift and was given a prompt punch in the face when I took a sip. It's incredibly strong, I still think it's great, but I had to put in a little water to open it up a little bit and mellow it out. It is far and away the most peaty, iodine flavored thing I have ever tasted. I can't think of a peatier punch than this one packs, so if you're really looking for something like that, this one is the way to go.

2
PolymerabbitOP•

I meant cask strength whiskey in general, not just the Laphroaig CS. I probably would've picked up the A'bunadh already were it not for the poor reviews of batch 48. As soon as a good batch comes my way I'll snap it up instantly.

That said, I wouldn't mind trying something that pushes me right out of my comfort zone like Laphroaig CS (though it's probably safer to try and find some place that serves it rather than just buying a whole bottle).

1
mentel42White Light / White Peat•

Everyone here is truesome, Islay is glorious. Why not start with Ardbeg 10 & Caol Ila 12 to augment what you have. The other Ardbegs are super, too. (Corryvrecken, Uigedail). If you like Talisker 10 see if you can get Talisker Storm for a good price

Some other suggestions, Longrow (peated Campbeltown malt), Ledaig (peated Tobermory), and look for Independent Bottlings. I have a Blackadder Smoking Islay that is just smoky ass-kickery in a bottle.

6
PolymerabbitOP•

Why not start with Ardbeg 10 & Caol Ila 12 to augment what you have?

That's likely the best route. It's probably rather silly to try the Uigeadail before having had the Ardberg 10.

3
DramLover•

Was just going to mention Ledaig, not one that seems to be on the radar for a lot of people but a great peated whisky.

1
storrgie•

Ardbeg 10

3
PolymerabbitOP•

I think that at this point I'm almost obliged to pick up a bottle.

2
KTRyan30Really fruit fly? That was discontinued.•

I had a very similar eye opening about a year back and here's what I've learned. first shop around for your peat bombs, Lagavulin 16, Uigeadail, Octomore vary in price more than any other single malts I've seen with $50+ swings from store to store.

I personally enjoy some variety in in my peaty whiskys, this is my current range:

Smoke offset with creamy vanilla - Port Charlotte

Rich medicinal smoke - Lagavulin 16

Just peaty smokey goodness - Laphroaig Cask Strength

Raw, bonfire like smoke, offset with a just a touch of sherry - Uigeadail

Rich, thick, smoked vanilla and chocolate desert - Octomore

Also if you enjoy Talisker 10, try and find Talisker Distillers Edition for a reasonable price. For a small jump in cash you get an enormous jump in quality.

3
PolymerabbitOP•

Thanks for that summary. I'm really liking the sound (and price) of the Port Charlotte.

1
CertainStars•

Thanks for the tips. I have the Lagavulin, the Laphroaig CS, and the Uigeadail, so I've added Octormore and PC to my shopping list.

1
inscrutablemike•

Ardbeg Uigeadail in particular takes the peat/smoke level up to "bacon".

3
zacapa47•

laph QC does that very well

1
[deleted]•

[deleted]

1
HapGil•

Talisker Storm, no age statement but its very similar to drinking a peat campfire.

1
88Specialist•

http://www.masterofmalt.com/samples/ this is a solid place to start. I kinda went nuts one night and had ordered a pack from this place well worth a try.

1
sexylion•

If you can get your hands on the 10th Anniversary of Compass Box's Peat Monster you will not regret the purchase.

1
Superfluous_Twat•

Octomore is certainly a great peated scotch. But it's not the punch you'd expect. It's like being gently lifted up by a giant monster made out of peat, then gingerly dropped onto a giant pile of feathers, on the beach, next to a bonfire with seaweed in it. Bruichladdich has a very light, high-elevation peat, so they really can get away with making the highest ppm whisky. It's damn good stuff though.

So if you really want that punch-you-in-the-face peat, try more cask strength laphroaig or a kilchoman. Laph cairdeas is really nice if you can find the 2013 port wood. Ardbeg Uigeadil is great stuff, with a lot of sherry influence in it. Corryvrecken is just as smoky, but less sweet and more campfire-y. They're both great.

1