Would Daily

"Goggles Pizzano" (gogglespizzano) 01/07/2018 at 16:40 • Filed to: scotch

8

35

Last night was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Wanting to sip a whisky that didn’t break the bank and was good enough, I pulled out my 375ml bottle (1/4 gone) of The Glenlivet Founders Reserve. It’s the cheapest single malt available in my market ($50 CDN for 750ml). Couldn’t finish the glass. Forgot just how awful it was. sideshowbobrakeinface.gif

Did some online research before I left the house this morning. I considered Grants Family Reserve blend ($24 CDN) as I’d had a bottle before and finished it within the year (a good sign), but it was distinctly...well...a $24 blend. Thought about Johnnie Walker Black too, but was looking for something with a little less character. And at $55...I could get a single malt.

Without trying it before and based on reviews and cost ($57 CDN) I picked up a bottle of Aberlour 10. Wow. It’s bottled at 40% so adding water is kind of out of the question, but with this quality, there’s really no need either. Wow. Rich, tasty, very drinkable. Could be priced at $70 $80 and would still be worth every penny. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! has it for $32 US and Americans could probably find it in local shops for $25.

As a daily: 10/10

Thomas Donohue > Goggles Pizzano 01/07/2018 at 16:54

1

I’ve only ever seen the 12, as well as the 16(?) and 18. Perhaps the 10 isn’t a US import?

MoM lists the twelve for $42 USD, but it’s is $70 in NJ. So I’m guessing the 10 would be in the $50 range if you could find it. I’ve never tried any of them, but will keep my eye out.

Going with some Talisker 10 tonight.

Goggles Pizzano > Thomas Donohue 01/07/2018 at 17:00

0

Don’t necessarily look for a bottle that looks like the one I’ve posted. There’s also a short stubby version. Same whisky, different bottle. Price aside, there are many online reviewers which prefer the 10 to the 12.

If it means anything, this review is from Talisker fanboi perspective. ;-)x

Svend > Goggles Pizzano 01/07/2018 at 17:05

1

Got to love Master of malt.

You can buy by the dram and try loads of whiskies/whiskeys for not much outlay.

I’ve had Aberlour a few times and is drinkable even if your not a Scotch whisky drinker.

Thomas Donohue > Goggles Pizzano 01/07/2018 at 17:07

1

Yeah, any bottle I’ve ever seen was the smaller, stubby ones. A quick search didn’t turn up the 10 locally, but good to know it’s out there.

Goggles Pizzano > Svend 01/07/2018 at 17:08

1

Got to love Master of malt.

Stop rubbing it in, can’t import. :-)x

CB > Goggles Pizzano 01/07/2018 at 17:21

1

Bowmore is usually my go-to, and that’s usually around $55-$70 CAD for their lower end.

Svend > Goggles Pizzano 01/07/2018 at 17:22

0

Sorry mate.

Maybe after brexit. Fingers crossed. Lol.

Question. Surely it can be sent if it’s a gift? Without incurring any tax penalty?

Goggles Pizzano > CB 01/07/2018 at 17:26

0

In this instance I was looking for something unpeated. The first and only Bowmore I’ve tried was their 12. Did not like (but that’s just me, a long time ago). Which isn’t to say I wouldn’t like some of their other offerings, I just haven’t finished trying all the other distilleries yet...

Aaron M - MasoFiST > Goggles Pizzano 01/07/2018 at 17:29

1

I recently picked up Oban Little Bay for $41 USD. No age statement so I wasn’t expecting much, but it is a nice blend. Definitely worth seeking out if you can find it.

Goggles Pizzano > Svend 01/07/2018 at 17:37

0

Funny you should mention. Some Scottish friends are leaving to go back for a year. They keep telling me to make a list but I’m quite worried about customs as the tax penalty is huuuuuge. A £65 bottle explodes to $400 CDN.

Although, Foodquig, a local online reviewer, has received a box of samples. They were opened by customs but no fees or taxes were applied. This bodes well.

Svend > Goggles Pizzano 01/07/2018 at 17:41

1

If you want a bottle sent. Just let me know.

I can always add a birthday card or cover story.

Goggles Pizzano > Aaron M - MasoFiST 01/07/2018 at 17:43

0

I actually have 1/3 bottle left of Little Bay. Purchased it to replace my dead 14. The only reason I still have it is because it’s lumped in with my “take it slow” finer stuff. $110 here and damn good.

Aaron M - MasoFiST > Goggles Pizzano 01/07/2018 at 18:17

1

...$110?? Ho-ly shit. It and Talisker Storm are both $41 at a liquor store near my office and both likely serious bargains. We recently found Scapa for $70 at a New Hampshire state liquor store and it’s one of my new favorites...but I cringe to think how much it costs if Little Bay is $110.

Goggles Pizzano > Aaron M - MasoFiST 01/07/2018 at 18:37

0

Scapa 14 was a favorite. Haven’t had the courage to pick up a non-age statement. Had a look at our site and it’s “only” $75. Not too bad.

gmctavish needs more space > Goggles Pizzano 01/07/2018 at 19:00

1

I might have to try this. Good to know the Glenlivet Founders Reserve is to be avoided, I’ve had the 15 and it was simply lovely, but it’s also $75-$80.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Goggles Pizzano 01/07/2018 at 19:31

0

Another Canadian Oppo! Whereabouts are you from?

gin-san - shitpost specialist > Goggles Pizzano 01/07/2018 at 19:56

1

Great choice, Aberlour is great stuff.

Wolfie > Goggles Pizzano 01/07/2018 at 19:57

1

For few more you can get the aberlour 16

merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc > Goggles Pizzano 01/07/2018 at 21:14

0

My uncle is a fan of the aberlour abundh cask strength one. Supposed to be really good.

Richard > Goggles Pizzano 01/07/2018 at 21:34

1

The Alexander Murray 18 being sold by Costco under the Kirkland brand is worth a try

Tgmathis12 > Goggles Pizzano 01/07/2018 at 21:36

1

Have you found Monkey Shoulder? It’s a blend of (supposedly) Balvenie, Glenfiddich, and Kininvie. Priced around $30-35 US. I’d like to know your opinion on it. I’m an “up and comer” to the scotch world and I found it, bought it, loved it and introduced it to the man who introduced scotch to me. He loves it too! No peat, no smoky flavor. Hopefully you can find some, if you haven’t already.

Goggles Pizzano > gmctavish needs more space 01/07/2018 at 21:46

1

If you like Balvenie, you owe it to yourself to try this one. Over Christmas I had a Glenfiddich 12 which goes for about the same price as The Glenlivet. It wasn’t bad. Sharp, and forgettable though.

Goggles Pizzano > merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc 01/07/2018 at 21:50

1

Heard the same thing. I’m not into hugely sherried whiskies but this one has tempted me. If I ever need a new world of flavors to explore, I’ll know where to start.

Goggles Pizzano > Wolfie 01/07/2018 at 22:01

0

Master of Malt shows it as double the cost. It isn’t available here anyway. I really wanted to keep it as cheap as possible and make what I found my house whisky. I want to be able to sit down on a Friday eve, have a dram, and not think what it’s costing me.

Goggles Pizzano > Richard 01/07/2018 at 22:07

0

Haven’t heard of Alexander Murray before. Interesting. We can’t buy in supermarkets here but I just learned of Trader Joe’s Caol Ila. Might get a friend to pick me up a bottle next time he’s in the US.

Goggles Pizzano > Tgmathis12 01/07/2018 at 22:43

0

Off the beaten track somewhere in Speyside; starting your journey in a great place. I can’t speak of Monkey Shoulder as I haven’t tried it yet. Heard good things though.

If you like that, and want to try something in the same style but a little more upscale ($42 if Monkey is $30), you may like Scallywag. It’s another Blended Speyside Malt. No color added, non-chillfiltered, bottled at 46%. Excellent.

And doggo.

Ichiban1 > Goggles Pizzano 01/08/2018 at 00:01

1

Have you ever tried a Tomatin 12?

Z_Stig > Goggles Pizzano 01/08/2018 at 08:13

1

I picked up some Deanston 12 year for 50 USD at Total Wine recently. It was quite good IMO and pretty good value too, I say.

Goggles Pizzano > Ichiban1 01/08/2018 at 10:06

1

I have not, but over the last few months I kept an eye out for Tomatin Legacy. I only found one bottle in a private shop. Unfortunately it was priced well above the 12 (and wrongfully so) due to rarity in my region.

Goggles Pizzano > Z_Stig 01/08/2018 at 10:15

0

Did you pick it up on a whim? Someone else in this thread mentioned the bottom end of the Tomatin line. When looking online for great value whiskies the names of these three distilleries pop up over and over. So much so, there must be some truth to it.

Ichiban1 > Goggles Pizzano 01/08/2018 at 10:23

1

The 12 is the only bottle I’ve ever bought from Tomatin, not because I choose not to but because I rarely see Tomatin being stocked at shops. I’ll start looking harder for the Legacy also.

But your suggestion for Aberlour is spot on. My Scottish friend’s favorite and he always has one on hand. uh..but it’s only sold in one location according to this data base...weird...and this database is usually pretty reliable.

https://www.wine-searcher.com/find/aberlour+ten+old+single+malt+scotch+whisky+speyside+scotland/1/usa#t2

Given that I’m Japanese, I would have to suggest one, which is the Hibiki Harmony. US$ 70 - US$80 range. Just a delight. The bottle design is just all class for extra points.

Goggles Pizzano > Ichiban1 01/08/2018 at 10:38

0

As a value proposition Japanese whiskies have lost their draw here. Almost all are now considered top shelf. Oh how it would have been great to have an interest 5 years ago. I still may buy a bottle though, but it’ll be for special occasions.

Ichiban1 > Goggles Pizzano 01/08/2018 at 10:43

1

Yeah, it’s insane what’s happened to the prices.

Z_Stig > Goggles Pizzano 01/08/2018 at 12:11

1

I had heard some good things about Deanston beforehand; once I was at the store, I decided to take a flyer on it.

RPM esq. > Goggles Pizzano 01/08/2018 at 16:26

1

This is my daily as well. And I keep a bottle of Aberlour A’bunadh (highly recommended) in my desk drawer at work for when it’s needed or warranted.