@@JeffWhisky Yes to Islands as a region. As for regions, I like the house style idea that they bring, but feel that the interesting ones are usually the ones that spin the style on its head. For example: Indie Ardmores.... most people will fail to identify them(as Highland) on a blind taste, myself included!
yes to both - although it should be a separate thing, today the science of whisky has made it so any good distillery can produce a style to match any of the regions. Today I think it's better to talk of strong smokey style, a light apple style, a rich sherry style, etc vs Islay, Highlands, or Speyside... Your own list for example has picked outstanding bottles but several completely off profile for their geography. I'd suggest a Bunny 12 CS 2022 to anyone who wants a top bottle, but I could get angry looks if I suggested that was what Islay is all about. Then they go and buy a bottle of Wee Beastie and want to slap me.
I think this a hard one! I would go the following way: Lowlands: Bladnoch 11 yo. Highlands: Deanston 12 yo. Islay: Kilchoman Sanaig Campeltown: Springbank 10 yo. Islands: Ledaig 18 yo. Speyside: Maybe a weird one.... but can we include an indie Benrinnes? The taste of the highlands bit cracked me up hahah
I will allow an indie Benrinnes depending what indie bottler it is? I really need to try Bladnoch and glad the Highlands bit was worth it. Made a grammar error in it which I didn't spot till publishing! Cheers.
@@JeffWhisky Don't worry! I didnt spot it! I was thinking either a Carn Mòr Benrinnes (particularly that 2008 12yo batch!) or a SMWS. Both are usually great quality!
@@carlossanders8427 I will allow either of them! The only Benrinnes I have got is a Floral & Fauna one which I picked up dirt cheap but not opened yet. Cheers
Not that I already have enough to think about these days....now this! I will need more time to contemplate the idea. I'll get back to you. Cheers and great choices!
Up for the challenge Jeff. I went into my personal whisky rating spreadsheet and selected my highest ranked whisky from each region that I've owned. I did skip over IB's, like SMWS, Mossburn, etc and limited releases. So, for better or worse, here's my list: Highland: Glenglassaugh Evolution Speyside: Benromach CS Lowland: Lochlea; The Sowing Edition Campbeltown: Kilkerran 12 Islay: Bunnahabhain 18 (My overall top single malt) Islands: Isle of Raasay Dun Cana
I didn't think about checking my spreadsheet to see what is my top ones. Need your brains for these videos, I didn't really plan it! Interesting picks Tom, how many of these core bottles are beaten by IBs? Cheers
@@JeffWhisky A few: Highland: Loch Lomond AqvaVitae Bottle tied with SMWS 149.3 A Walk in the Woods Speyside: Benriach - SMWS - 12.29 - Can't Cedar Wood For The Apple Trees
Love the picks. Pretty hard to choose only one per region, especially omitting the picks from the video, but I'd go for: Lowlands: Lochlea Sowing Edition (I have the Second Crop) Highlands: Clynelish 14 Speyside: Tamdhu 15 (getting very expensive unfortunately) Campbeltown: Springbank 10 (the obvious one, but for a reason) Islands: Highland Park 12 (why cant we have 46% 😢) Islay: Port Charlotte 10
@@JeffWhisky ha, got me to rewatch the entire video there 😂 In Speyside, I'd probably have picked one of the Glenlivet 12 Special Releases (Illicit Still/Licensed Dram) as a compromise between the typical spirit characteristics of the region and my personal preferences, despite me actually liking both the Craigellachie 13 and Benromach (pick any) more. I'd also agree with Ledaig 10/18 probably being my overall favorite island whiskies currently (though there's going to be some stiff competition from the new distilleries in this region). And I really love the Laphroaig spirit, enough for me to even put up with the 40% 10 every once in a while (maybe add a drop of 10 CS to boost it). So I'm with you on the distillery, but haven't had the 10 Sherry Oak yet. It's waiting to be opened once I've finished off some bottles though, so looking forward to that. Oh, and of I'm being realistic about recommending a Campbeltown whisky to someone, it'll be the Kilkerran 12 over Springbank for obvious reasons...
Yes Jeff! Wish I could give you TWO thumbs up for naming my Craigallechie 13 best of Speyside. Great video, and I can't wait for Phil and Wade to fill us in...weigh in on... Ugh...give us their picks.🤦
Brilliant idea, Jeff ! I've been thinking about that & of other sensitive topics like that, but that said, it might be too long to answer here but I have to think of it & give my take about it at some point. As you said, with all the styles produced today in Scotland itself, many releases are going against the grain (lol, I had to do it) & defy the latest official regions statements. Cheers ! 🥃
Cheers Greg! It is one that really requires a full debate and plenty of thought to it, I know this video doesn't even scratch the surface. Very much enjoyed the grain pub!
did a similar series earlier this year, I can relate to all your picks. FTR: my picks were Tamdhu 10 for Speyside, Port Charlotte Islay Barley for Islay, Daftmill for the Lowlands, Springbank 10 for Campbeltown, and Ardmore for the Highlands. Because, you know, i'm an expert too 😛😎
Ooh, I must have missed this Menno, will go back and find them. All the pics sound solid but I don't know if I will call you a expert... expert asshatter though! Cheers Menno, happy holidays!
@@JeffWhisky and to you. May 2024 allow you good health, much sleep , great whisky and loud shirts! And now you're out of the Dramface closet, surely you're an expert too 😉🥃
Highlands. Tomatin or Ben Nevis Speyside. Glenlivet NB Arran is very much a traditional Speyside 'style' Islay. Ardbeg Lowlands. Bladnoch Campbeltown. Springbank Islands. Highland Park
What can i say? Im shocked! 😅 very good and interesting topic. We are lovers of whisky not regions but....🤷♂️. Who of us doesnt like breake the rules? Diversity its that what makes our whisky journey fantastic. Nice to have favourite one from every region and compare it to other whisky enthusiasts. Cheers and to the next one 👍😁🥂🙋🏻♂️
Excellent picks Jeff… there are some cracking new distilleries that are making lots of superb whisky… so without specific bottles, I will say: Highlands Ardnamurchan Lowlands Bladnoch Islands Ledaig Islay Bunnahabhain and Bruichladdie Cambeltown Springbank Kind regards, ciao 👋 S.
Agree with Kilkerran 12 for Campbeltown and Craigellachie 13 for Speyside. I would go for Ledaig 10 for Islands, but I haven't tried the 18. Highlands would be Ardnamurchan Cask Strength 02.22. Lowlands is Kingsbarns Dream to Dram, and Islay is Kilchoman Sanaig. And, yes, if we are going to keep referring to Scottish regions then Islands should be a region. Personally, I don't care which region the whisky is from, as long as it's good, well-presented, and affordable.🙂
I know Phil is a very busy chap and has done a similar video in the past. If he manages to one day, that's great but there is no pressure with these challenges! Cheers
I think islands should get there own separate category especially with so many new distilleries opening up, easier to separate them all. Heres my list: Highlands - Tomatin 18 Speyside - Tamdhu 12 Lowlands - Clydeside stobcross Campbeltown- Kilkerran 16 Islands - Ledaig 18 (give Lagg a few more years and they will overtake Ledaig) Islay - Kilchoman Sanaig
@JeffWhisky definitely give it a good try. However, my experience with Tomatin 18, it needs time to breathe. Once it gets past the shoulder of a bottle, it's phenomenal. If you buy a bottle, the first 3-4 drams are alright but nothing special. Same with a 5cl bottle or a sample, it doesn't do it justice. Maybe just my weird tastebuds. Hope this helps.
Great video! Here are my picks: Highlands: Glencadam 21y/ Lowlands: Bladnoch Talia/ Campbeltown: Springbank 15Y/ Islay: Port Charlotte PAC:01/ Islands: Torabhaig Allt Gleann/ Speyside: The Balvenie Peat Week 14Y
Torabhaig Allt Gleann - now that is a great pick and love the Week of Peat bottles. Bladnoch is on the list to try next year as I haven't yet Is Talia your favourite? Cheers
Great and distinctive Mr. Slapper runthrough. Enjoyable and informative... and of course not agreeiing with your picks, though your Speyside and Campbeltown choices are great whiskies. Slàinte mhath
Great choices, I’d go for the quarter cask over the 10 sherry but I’m officially going to buy the craigellachie 13 for Xmas, I’ve seen you talk glowingly about it a few times now, I’ve been convinced cheers 🔥
Ooh, that is interesting, I have been sat with the quarter cask and I am yet to really connect with it. I am 99.94 percent sure you will enjoy that Craigellachie 13 it really is the people's favourite! Cheers buddy!
Great video Jeff. I think everybody more or less treats the islands as a 6th region so I say yes it should. Interesting pick for the lowlands. Glasgow distillery has been on the radar for a bit without me ever buying a bottle so I think I might take a punt on that peated cs. My picks would be Highlands - Ardnamurchan CS Lowlands - Lochlea CS Speyside - Craigellechie 13 Islands - Ledaig Rioja Cask Islay - PC10 Cambeltown - Kilkerran 16
Ooh, I like this one but with my limited knowledge and experience it may be quite difficult. Highlands - Balblair 15 Speyside - GlenAllachie 15 Lowlands - not had many but I'll go for a supermarket staple of Auchentoshan Three wood Islands - A bit pricey but Talisker 18 Campletown - Kilkerran 16, my WOTY Islay - Probably misplaced this one but Bunna 12 CS. I am hoping santa brings me Laphroaig 10 Sherry for Christmas though and that may change my list. Have a great Christmas Jeff
Jeff challenged me to do so. And this is my list! Islands: Arran, Sherry Reserve or whatever the actual name of it is! Islay: I’m not a fan of Islay so I’ll say the one I didn’t hate the most was the Caol Ila 12. Campbeltown: Haven’t had many Campbeltown but tried a Kilkerran so by decoy it is on my list. No idea what age it was though. Highlands: Glencadam ! Anything Glencadam as I tried them a lot throughout the entire year at whisky festivals. Lowlands: Lochlea! Even though I do also like Glenkinchie too. I loved the Lochlea Sowing Crop second edition and the Glenkinchie Distillers Edition. Speyside: Tamdhu and Cardhu! Both amazing Speysiders
Great list. I did my own and it looks like this Lowlands: Glengoyne Teapot dram (It's a bit of a grey zone here and lack of experience of Lowland whisky, but I agree with Allan, The Wisky friend, the new make spirit is made in the Highlands but it becomes wisky in the casks in the warehouse in the Lowlands). Highlands: Edradour 12yo Caledonia Speyside: Craigellachie 13yo Islands: Arran Sherry Cask The Bodega Campbelltown: Springbank 10yo Islay: Port Charlotte 10yo I would be quite happy with these 6 beauties for the rest of my life. Cheers
Cheers Mats that is a very strong list with many meaty drams. Yeah Glengoyne certainly "should" be an Lowland and I think now they should start declaring it as they suit the region. Either way hope you get to try more Lowland whiskies as there are some amazing ones like Lochlea, Glasgow and Kingsbarn, Cheers.
Nice concept, video and picks! Late to the party, but here are mine: 1. Lowland - Kingsbarns Dream to Dram (I’ve only had 3 bottles from this region, the others were Auchentoshan 12 and Glenkinchie 12) 2. Highland - Glendronach 18 3. Speyside - Craigellachie 13, but since you got first dibs on it, I’ll go with Benromach 15 4. Islands - Arran 14 (I have an open bottle and 2 spares; I’ll nurse those until Arran releases the new 14😁) 5. Campbeltown - Longrow 18 6. Islay - Kilchoman Loch Gorm
Hi buddy Jeff Whisky . Nice pick of you and this is my: Highland: Arrnamurchen AD or CS Speyside: Craigellachie 13 (Bagger whisky) Lowland: Kingsbarnes Campbeltown: Kilkerran 16 or 8 CS (Krraken stuff) Islay: Lagavulin 16 (My pick for this time )or Laphroaig 10 CS (My top Whisky of The Year) Islands: Ledaig 10 or Arran QC But all the time is more whisky to taste . Have a good time and cheers or Na zdrowie from Poland
I am all for Scotch just becoming Scotch and we categorise Whisky by style like TWE do: Elegant and Floral Fresh Fruit and Vanilla Dried Fruit and Nut Malt and Honey Rich Fruit and Spice Peat and Fruit Maritime and Smokey Rich and Peaty Covers it all!
A problem I have with compiling a list like this is that I have bottles going back to when regions were more of a thing, but are now very difficult and/or expensive to get, so saying that my quintessential Lowland is Littlemill doesn't help most people...
@@JeffWhisky There have always been outliers, but I find it is more common nowadays for distilleries to try to make multiple different styles (e.g. both peated and unpeated or every cask type imaginable).
Love this theme, as this is how I began my whisky journey. Even now, I try to keep one of every region on the shelf. My 6 would be: Deanston 12 (Highlands); Craigellachie 13 (Speyside); Bladnoch 11 (Lowlands); Ledaig 10/18 (Islands); Glen Scotia 15 (Campbeltown); Kilchoman Machir Bay (Islay).
You are breaking all the rules! The purists are shaking in their boots. Do you feel that Regions are no longer valid as some of your favourites are contrary? Cheers!
@@tomgstew Great way to look at it. A brilliant beginning starting point especially when you discover a bottle you love and looking to reach out further. I do imagine someone expecting a soft orchard fruity drop when pouring a Craigellachie 13. Cheers.
Sorry, but you'll have to come get us over here in America. Just can't recommend a 12 yr Killkerran when it's a US$100 bottle. At least it's not a Springbank 10 at US$120 which is what we see here. Instead I can get a Glen Scotia 15 at US$72 that makes me a very happy kitty.
Wow, I would take Kilkerran 12 well over the extra $20 for Springbank 10. In my view it is worth the extra $28 dollars on the GS 15 but would leave a bit of a sour taste at that cost. Does Kilkerran last longer on shelves in America now?
Does it sit? What would you do if a 10 yr entry level bottle was £100?? Springbank sits for sure, Killkerran isn't around as much but still sits to some extent. Personal choice, but I'll take two GS 15's to that one Springbank 10 any day. No, not the same but I'll be enjoying a favorite far past when a single bottle is gone.