Need some opinions: Ardbeg or Kilchoman or both....

[maverickdrinker]

Got a chance to choose from a few bottles of scotch.  Both are Islay so peaty, peaty, peaty.

Here is what I can choose from

Ardbeg 10, Gallileo, Oogidal and Corkvrecken

Kilchoman 2006, sherry cask, Winter 2011 and 100% Islay.

All choices are well under $100.00

Looking for suggestions/advice?  What 3 bottles would you chose, in order of preference?...

TIA

[Lotusguy]

I like peaty, but I don't like Octomore-peaty so keep that in mind when you read my ranking

Uigeadail

Kilchoman 100% Islay

Kilchoman Sherry Cask

I still don't really like the Ardbeg 10 and the Corryvreckan is good, but not better than the Uigeadail.

I have not had the chance to try the Galileo yet - in my neck of the woods it is over $100 after taxes which I find a ripoff for a 12Y aged release. Then again, I heard in Europe they are going for upwards of 150 euros already

[ChanceSchmerr]

I love my Islay whiskies - happy to lend an opinion here!

List in order of preference/recommendation to get

Ardbeg Corryvrecken

Ardbeg Uigeadail

Kilchoman Winter 2011

Kilchoman 2006

Ardbeg 10

Kilchoman 100% Islay

Kilchoman Sherry Cask

Ardbeg Galileo

Individually....

Ardbeg 10 - A classic, but one that seems to have some variability between batches (with some more recent ones being not as good as in the past few years). Still, you can't go wrong with this one, delivers a solid Peaty journey with loads of complimentary flavours.

Ardbeg Gallileo - I've got two bottles, havn't tried them yet (they are awaiting my pick up at the store). A Marsala Cask finish 12 yr, I'm actually very nervous about this one, I've seen it on a lot of people's "top disappointment whiskies of 2012" list, and I can sort of see why - sometimes odd wine finishes really plan havoc with old-school Islay whiskies (Laphroiag PX cask, anyone?) Without having tried it, I can't definitively tell you no, but....

Ardbeg Uigeadail - A rare exception to the wine-cask Islay rule. This is a Sherry cask finish Ardbeg, and is uniformly stellar. The Sherry gives it a dark, mysterious but not overwhelming charactor to it, and makes it just that much more drinkable than the 10 yr.

Ardbeg Corryvrecken - This replacement my favorite Whisky of all time, the Ardbeg Airigh Nam Beist. It's almost as good as the ANB too - Take the 10 yr, turn the peat down just a smidge, throw more smoke in, and marry it with a slightly creamy framework to the overall taste. An absolute winner.

Kilchoman 2006 - Kilchoman's are awesome - the definition of up-and-coming. They've only been distilling since 2005-6, so all their whisky has been released young so far, but it doesn't mean it's not great stuff. The 2006 is great, I enjoy the delicious creamy peat (to me, Kilchoman characteristic is like a light, fruity cream overtone), with a hint of burn on the end that shows you it's not quite ready for the big time just yet.

Kilchoman Sherry cask - I havn't tried this one, have heard mixed reviews, based mainly on the Sherry influence that drowns out a lighter spirit like Kilchoman (when compared to Ardbeg or Lagavulin for example). I know that Kilchomans I've tried that are Bourbon cask bottlings are phenominal, but I can't speak to Sherry casks, and I am on the fence as to whether I'll take the bottle plunge for it before trying it.

Kilchoman Winter 2011 - I have this one, absolutely love it. Sweet, creamy peat (with an almost heather quality, similar to Talisker), with a BBQ aftertaste that I ADORE, and rarely find (Ardbeg Alligator and 16 Yr Duthie's Ardbeg bottle come to mind). Get it Get it Get it.

Kilchoman 100% Islay - I havn't tried this one, have heard generally favourable reviews on it. It's on my list to get.

[maverickdrinker]

Thanks everyone.

I'll pick up an ooooo guy doll as well as a glenmorangie Artein.

[mk05]

u lush

[Guest rob]

I know it's not on your list... l but I thoroughly recommend giving Laphroaigh Quarter Cask a try if you have the opportunity. It's just beautiful.

[winelover]

I know it's not on your list... l but I thoroughly recommend giving Laphroaigh Quarter Cask a try if you have the opportunity. It's just beautiful.

X2 and also good value.

[maverickdrinker]

Thanks guys. I have a bottle of laphroig quarter cask and the 18. Delicious stuff.

[mk05]

I'm strictly an islay kid as well. Lagavulin Distiller's is what I have cases of.

[maverickdrinker]

Double matured Marc?

I saw some yesterday. Worth picking up?

[mk05]

You can't go back to any other after this, I'm afraid. It will ruin you if you are an islay fan.

I would grab two. Try to find one older release, like edition 1986 or so, and compare with the more common editions like the 1995 or 1996. I don't really think there's a world of difference, but Lagavulin Distillers fanatics claim that the pre-86's have a sweeter finish due to longer actual PX cask time. I am just too wasted by the end to comment on any differences lol. It really is that good. Incredibly smoky aroma, but oh the finish! Like water.

Careful with this pickup Art.

[ChanceSchmerr]

PX Casks are tough to get right. Lagavulin manages to do it nicely (most of the time), but I can't say the same about others....I've got a Laphroaig PX Cask bottle from Frankfurt DF that I'm almost scared to try....

Best PX Cask whisky I've had - Glenmorangie Sonnalta PX. A wonder Dram.

[maverickdrinker]

I'm strictly an islay kid as well. Lagavulin Distiller's is what I have cases of.

I have 2 bottles of the lagavulin 12 cask strength at home. Good stuff.

I think I'll end up with the Oogidal, corryvrecken, glenmorangie Artein and macallan 18 sherry cask.

Thanks for everyone's help

[Lotusguy]

I'd skip the Macallan 18 in favor of a Bruichladdich "Laddie" 10. At least that one isn' t colored

[maverickdrinker]

Just got the ardbeg Oogidal and the glenmorangie Artien.

[Ken Gargett]

i guss it is worth remembering, as is clear from the above, that the peatiness and styles vary with producers.

that said, i am a fan of ardbeg.

just picked up, at a melbourne auction, some of the ardbeg ten year old and, by chance as i very much agree with rob, the laphroaig 1/4 cask. (and several extremely cheap bottles of santiago rum from cuba, which i also love).

[khomeinist]

Islay is quite trendy. Cases of Lag Distillers edition? Lol. Ok.

I prefer the Talisker DE personally. The Lagavulin DE is a rounded, blander version of that distillery's flavor profile.

Ardbeg Uggie is the best of this lot by a mile. I prefer the old Ardbeg 17 but that is long gone and Uggie is now the most interesting commonly available Ardbeg product. Ardbeg has become a very commercial product in the last ten years, and it is my opinion that the Gallileo release is the 'jumping the shark' moment that happens with many commercial products that use marketing strategies to boost margins over product quality.