Having recently finished up the last of my birthday present, I decided I needed to celebrate the birth of our nation in an appropriate manner. I have a strict rule about not drinking during the day unless I have people over, so now the wait …
… the peaty goodness begins after dinner. I’ve heard the 30 year Laphroaig is wonderful, but at 230 bucks a bottle, it’s a bit steep for me. I’ve also had Caol Ila recommended to me, which is another Islay scotch. I found exactly one bottle in the entire State of Pennsylvania, which I plan to snatch up at my earliest convenience.
UPDATE: After posting this, Bitter quite correctly pointed out that I had just announced the last remaining bottle of Caol Ila in the entire state was to be had, and that it would not be out of the realm of possibility for an intrepid reader to beat me to the punch, and buy the bottle. So my earliest convenience became now. So now the last bottle for sale of Caol Ila in the entire PA Liquor System is owned my me.
You have some good sipping in that bottle. Peaty is right, too!
And the best part is that when you try to share it with friends, many folk will take one sip, make a face, and hand you back the glass, to drink along with your own glass. It’s like doubling your volume of Scotch!
Just did that with Bitter. More for me! She isn’t a whiskey drinker, but she likes highland scotches. Islay scotches are a bit much for her, but I like them.
Given that you like single malts, I hope you know about Mark Gillespie’s WhiskyCast podcast and newsletter. He just did a whole series of podcasts from the Islay Festival.
I’m a bourbon drinker myself but I’ve learned a ton about single malts whiskys.
I like bourbon as well. In fact, I haven’t had a whisky style I haven’t liked.
I’m mostly a Bourbon fan, but my lady’s son brought over a bottle of The Glenrothes from his home in Glasgow.
Smooth….. uncannily smooth. I’d suggest you find a bottle, if you can. It’s not rare, but it’s damn sure not plentiful, either.
Jim
Sunk New Dawn
Galveston, TX
Caol Ila’s really tough to find! I’ve found a grand total of one store in my state that sells it, and I’m not positive they’re not just clearing old stock.
If you’re looking for a surprisingly good bridge between bourbon and scotch, try Jameson’s 12. It reminds me a little of Knob Creek with a tiny bit of scotch’s kick.
I’m surprised it’s that hard to find Islay scotches in PA. I’m in NH and I don’t have any trouble finding quite a few. I wish I could find more. My favorites are (from most peat/iodine to least IMHO):
Ardbeg
Laphroig
Lavagulin
Cao Ila
Talisker
I really have to be in the mood for Ardbeg. It is very strongly peaty. I think my favorite is a tie between Cao Ila and Talisker. A little different but both excellent.
We have a few liquor stores in MA that have tastings that are a bit hazardous. I usually need a ride. I don’t know how you can do a tasting with scotch and not get loaded.
Being 6’3″ and 250lbs helps a lot in that department. I can drink quite a bit and still be under the legal limit.
NH has a good state liquor system compared to PA. PA is the worst I’ve experienced. Virginia’s is better, by far. New Hampshire was too, in my limited experience with it some time ago.