Single Malts.

[tslex]

For me, it's all about Islay.
The more peat smoke the better. Lagavulin 16 is my going away favorite, but hard to find these days. Ardbeg 10 is a close second, and always on hand (and what I'm drinking right now). Laphroaig 10, or the Quarter Cask will do as well.
I also have a fondness for Talisker. It's not an Islay (indeed, the only whisky made on the Isle of Skye) but it definitely works.
What say you pipers, what's your favorite dram?

 

[amiller]

The truth is a number of the cheaper american moonshines or small batch bourbons have been really doing it for me lately. But I still love glenlivet french oak if you like the smokeness... wow.

 

[topd]

Me too... I really like Glenlivet 15 year Old French Oak. Another of my "Go To's" is Balvenie

Double Wood. It's one of the least expensive Balvenie Malts, but does it for me.

 

[judcole]

In the winter, it's the Lagavulin 16, hands down.

At other times of the year, I tend to want a less peaty taste, so I turn to Highland Park 12 or Talisker 10.

 

[carlomarx]

My choice is Knappogue, a single malt Irish whisky.

 

[pipeinhand]

Laphroaig, Aberlour and Glenfarclas.

 

[philobeddoe]

Lagavulin 16 is all I would ever drink if the price was cheaper, as is stands I drink Laphroaig 10 yr. most of the time and save the Lagavulin for times when I can really sit back and savor the moment. I tend to enjoy most any Islay but have had a hard time finding a Highland that suits my tastes. The best Highland I have tried thus far was the Glenmorangie aged in Sauternes casks, quite taty indeed, but too sweet for every day drinking. I also enjoy Kentucky Bourbon and Tennessee Whisky as well, especially Woodford Reserve and George Dickel 12 yr..

 

[erichbaumer]

I definitely love both Lagavulin 16 and Talisker, but in my case the latter just barely edges out ahead. I also like the Laphroaig 10yr, but have yet to try the Quarter Cask. I didn't find Ardbeg to be all that peaty, but that could just be me. Still very good, but It's more similar to Balvinie for my tastes.

Also, for a sweeter treat, the Macallan Triple Cask is a great treat.

 

[northernneil]

I'll more than likely never be able to afford it, but I really enjoy the Macallan 18 year. Only really had one bottle (just shy of $200), and it will be a while before I have another one. But that doesn't change how good it was

 

[4dotsasieni]

"The Famous Grouse" Glenturret 10 year old - maybe Scotland's oldest single malt, distilled at the Glenturret Distillery in Crieff since, I think, 1775. But I've only seen it on sale in the U.K. Perhaps available at the Heathrow duty-free shops.

 

[ciderguy]

Ardbeg 10 really hits the spot for me.

 

[neverknowsbest]

I'm with the OP on the Lagavulin 16.

 

[joemcdds]

I am really fond of wild turkey 101...but for special times eagle rare bourbon...the best..

 

[jbbaldwin]

I enjoy the Laphroig 10 and the Quarter Cask immensely, but the sleeper Islay for me is Jura - it's a great bargain compared to the others, IMO.

 

[tslex]

Many interesting notes here.
No surprise, perhaps, that so many on this board enjoy the peaty/smoky selections.
I've never tried Jura, but after reading up on it I think I should. Not really exactly precisely an Islay, I guess, as it's on its own island. But certainly a close cousin.
I've never run across Glenturret, but I am told the distillery has one of the niftiest visitor centers of all. I'm not especially a Highland fan, but would welcome the chance to try this one, if only for the history.
I have had the Knappogue Irish and like it very much (if I'm not drinking single malt, I tend toward Irish whiskey anyway, as I don't like most blended Scotches).

 

[lestrout]

Do folks who prefer the peatier/smokier Scotches also prefer Latakia?
hp

les

 

[ravkesef]

Do folks who prefer the peatier/smokier Scotches also prefer Latakia?

Good point. We like the smoky taste found in the pea tier Scotches, such as Lagavulin and Laphroig.

 

[philobeddoe]

Lestrout, yes, I enjoy peaty scotch and Balkan tobaccos. They compliment each other immensely as well.

 

[tslex]

Interesting, lestrout.
Devoted Latakia guy here, so you may be on to something.

 

[jbbaldwin]

I've never tried Jura, but after reading up on it I think I should. Not really exactly precisely an Islay, I guess, as it's on its own island. But certainly a close cousin.

I hesitated to call it an Islay, but thought it was close enough. It's been a nice dram for me.
The Orkneys have been my favorite over the years, but they've gotten to be so expensive that I will pass them over for something more reasonably priced.
I'm a fan of latakia - Nightcap, Ten Russians, etc., and also like the peaty single malts. They go well together.