Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site glacier.ARPA Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!bellcore!decvax!decwrl!glacier!reid From: reid@glacier.ARPA Newsgroups: net.wines Subject: Single-malt Scotch tasting Message-ID: <3326@glacier.ARPA> Date: Sun, 19-Jan-86 12:46:08 EST Article-I.D.: glacier.3326 Posted: Sun Jan 19 12:46:08 1986 Date-Received: Tue, 21-Jan-86 08:25:48 EST Sender: reid@glacier.ARPA Organization: Stanford University, Computer Systems Lab Lines: 66 From: Wilkins@sri-ai (David Wilkins) Results of tasting: Single Malt Whiskey 10 January 1986 Lowest score is best, last columns show division of votes. Each scotch was ranked as being first through 8th by 12 experienced tasters. The tasting was organized by Ross Bott. All the scotches were 12 years in wood except the Laphroaig which was 15, and the Johnnie Walker which likely had some in the blend that never saw wood. Total Points Scotch Cost Ident 1st 2nd 3rd 8th 35 Legavulin 24.00 A 3 4 3 0 36 Laphroaig 15 years 30.00 G 4 4 1 1 61 Highland Park 23.00 B 1 1 2 1 64 Bunnahabhain 26.00 F 1 1 2 1 64 Glenfarcas 104 27.00 H 1 0 1 1 68 Oban 20.00 D 0 1 3 4 70 The McCallum 26.00 E 2 2 0 4 70 J Walker Red 12.00 C 0 0 1 1 Summary of Results and my personal tasting notes: The group showed a strong preference for the top 2, but the other 6 were tied. I liked my top 3 better than the others, those being the Laphroaig, Legavulin and Highland Park in that order. All three of these are very intense whiskeys with deep flavors, lots of oak, lots of peat, lots of malt, and a great finish. The Laphroaig is its old shit-kicking self: very intense, with wonderful huge flavors, complex, good balance and finish. This one is better balanced than the Prime Malt though much more expensive also. The Lagavulin is a classic, big-flavored scotch with good balance, lots of peat, and fairly smooth. I hadn't had it before and it was a pleasant surprise. The Highland Park had a more subtle nose than the other two with hints of pear/apple, and was smooth and creamy with a great balance of flavors. I liked my next three about equally -- the Glenfarcas, Oban, and Bunnahabhain. The Glenfarcas had a big nose with cirtrus and orange peel. In the mouth, it was big and rich with some peat and a long finish, but was a bit too hot and sharp from the alcohol. The Oban was unique with a distinct nose of pears and green apples. In the mouth, smooth, creamy, rich, pears, with an interesting finish. Good stuff if you feel like pear brandy instead of peaty scotch. The Bunny had a subtle, peaty, complex nose with fruity overtones. In the mouth it was smooth and peaty with a long creamy finish, but a sort of sherry overtone that hinted of some blended scotches. The McCallum and the JW I did not like as well. I have liked the McCallum in the past, though it finished next to last in our previous tasting also. It's also a biggie -- smokey, peaty, big nose, but in the mouth it lacks the balance of the best and tonight seemed to have a very sharp taste the marred the otherwise creamy, rich flavors. The JW was pleasant but was obviously not in the same category. Nose was uninteresting with a caramel, blended character. In the mouth, pleasant, fairly smooth, not peaty, fairly ordinary. ------- ------- End of Forwarded Message -- Brian Reid decwrl!glacier!reid Stanford reid@SU-Glacier.ARPA