Peaty Scotch for a Newbie

[cabaiguan juan]

I’m looking for a newbie peaty scotch. Every google search I do starts with Laphroaig Quarter Cask. What’s your thought on that or what other recommendations do you have? Remember I’m a newbie so don’t trick me into Peat 100

 

[The Black Cloud]

@H. Vachon

I just happened to see your posts in another thread and figured you'd know a thing or two.

 

[H. Vachon]

I think Ardbeg ten year is a fantastic newbie scotch. It’s not gonna be overpowering, but most Ardbeg scotch uses peated malt. As I said in the other thread, Peat Monster is like one of my all time favorites. The Islay region is like the Mecca of peaty scotch. So as a rule of thumb any time any scotch made in Islay is going to have that distinct flavor you are looking for. But as you mentioned, if you are new to it, some Islay scotches will be super overpowering.

 

[Not A Nice Person]

I find the Laphroaig Quarter Cask pretty intensely . . . medicinal. It might be a tad much to start with. The regular one, or if you can find it, the glorious Cask Strength, might be better bets.

If you're looking to just try a bit of peat on your palate to see what you think of it, Johnny Walker does a peated blend that's quite nice, and Highland Park's Viking Honor has a good bit of peat, but not nearly so much as an Islay.

~Boar

 

[thinde]

Bowmore 12 is a peaty scotch that’s not in your face like the Caol or Laphroaig and so is Ardbeg, as mentioned above. Also, rather than an Islay try a Speyside. They are not as peaty as the Islay but its still there. There’s plenty of good single malt products out there that won’t break the bank.

 

[cabaiguan juan]

Bowmore 12 is a peaty scotch that’s not in your face like the Caol or Laphroaig and so is Ardbeg, as mentioned above. Also, rather than an Islay try a Speyside. They are not as peaty as the Islay but its still there. There’s plenty of good single malt products out there that won’t break the bank.

Thanks. I’ll will look at the Speyside too.

 

[cabaiguan juan]

I think Ardbeg ten year is a fantastic newbie scotch. It’s not gonna be overpowering, but most Ardbeg scotch uses peated malt. As I said in the other thread, Peat Monster is like one of my all time favorites. The Islay region is like the Mecca of peaty scotch. So as a rule of thumb any time any scotch made in Islay is going to have that distinct flavor you are looking for. But as you mentioned, if you are new to it, some Islay scotches will be super overpowering.

Ardbeg 10 is on my radar

 

[cabaiguan juan]

I find the Laphroaig Quarter Cask pretty intensely . . . medicinal. It might be a tad much to start with. The regular one, or if you can find it, the glorious Cask Strength, might be better bets.

If you're looking to just try a bit of peat on your palate to see what you think of it, Johnny Walker does a peated blend that's quite nice, and Highland Park's Viking Honor has a good bit of peat, but not nearly so much as an Islay.

~Boar

When you say JW, do you mean Double Black

 

[Not A Nice Person]

When you say JW, do you mean Double Black

That's the one. I couldn't remember the name.

~Boar

 

[Scap]

Broke my liver last night, but making notes from this thread for after I recover.

 

[H. Vachon]

Broke my liver last night, but making notes from this thread for after I recover.

Atta boy. Putting in the good old fashion research!

 

[Scap]

Went shopping.
Came home with this

 

[H. Vachon]

Went shopping.
Came home with this
View attachment 28298

Nice! I just spent far too much time trying to choose between Ardbeg and Laphroaig

 

[cabaiguan juan]

Went shopping.
Came home with this
View attachment 28298

What came with the bottle?

 

[Scap]

What came with the bottle?

Some cups. It's like a ceramic coated metal cup. Think old school camping gear.

Drank a finger this evening, a bit medicinal, but the peat added a rich campfire smell just like Latakia pipe tobacco. I can see this growing on me.

 

[CMontoya79]

The only “peaty” scotch I’ve had is Highland Park 12. I liked it, mainly because the peat smoke balance each other nicely. It was pretty easy to drink. It was a shooter gift and I’d definitely consider picking up a full size bottle.

 

[cabaiguan juan]

Ok. Need help with this decision:
Ardbeg 10 or Bowmore 12? Which one should I choose given the above?

 

[thinde]

IMHO.....the Bowmore is smoother than the Ardbeg but both are reasonably priced.

 

[H. Vachon]

Make that 2 for Bowmore. But you can’t go wrong either way!

 

[cabaiguan juan]

Bowmore it is. Thanks for the input.