Since my return to scotch a few years ago I have settled on the island peated offerings. I always have a bottle of Highland Park 12 on hand. On a trip to a large store in another town I was after two of my other favorites. They were on back order so I was forced to make another selection. Before I discovered the wonderful world of peated whisky Glenmorangie 10 was a favorite. I found on sale the Quinta Ruban. It was 20 bucks off so I figured what the hell. To my absolute delight this stuff is quite wonderful. Basically its the 10 year old that is put in Port casks for the final 2 years. Are there any other Port finished whiskys I should be on the lookout to try?

Please allow me to be the first to not address the issue. I have not had a lot of port-finished scotches but have really enjoyed...
Glenmorangie Spios Rye Cask. This can sit on your tongue like warm butter.
Redbreast Lustau. Finished in jerez casks, a soothing pour.
The Whistler Olorossa. Mighty fine and a favorite.
Glen Moray Port Finish. Good value.
Balvenie 21 Yr Port Wood. Too spendy for a mere kablammo.

I can't speak to "ported." But if you like peat, you need to taste Laphroaig and Lagavulin if you have not. Lagavulin 16 remains my favorite scotch.

I do enjoy "plain old" Redbreast as well, since Kablammo mentioned it.

Lagavulin 16 is my special occasion bottle. Of the Laphroaigs the Quarter Cask is my favorite. I've had several bottles of another Islay offering called Kilchoman. They started as a farm who got into distilling so they do it all. All of their stuff is no age statement so far, and Talisker is another favorite.

Ardbeg 10 or Ardbeg Uigeadail. Awesome peaty stuff

The Ardbeg 10 is too much for me. I have enjoyed the Uigeadail.

quote:

Originally posted by arcwelder76:
But if you like peat, you need to taste Laphroaig...

Laphroaig 10 is without question my favorite.

A friend of mine was over and we were having a few whiskey colas. He used the Laphroaig. Not something I would use with cola, more of a makers and Pepsi... that said, it was the best whiskey? Cola I have ever had. The smoked peatyness of the Laphroaig with the Pepsi was outstanding.

I still prefer it straight with a super light splash of water.

quote:

Lagavulin 16 remains my favorite scotch.

Maybe mine too.
When I need a good peat fix I also like Ardbeg 10, or one of the other Ardbegs, although the 10 is hard core peat.

Lagavulin is a favorite to be sure. But, if I was forced to choose just one I'd choose Highland Park 12. At half the price its the closest yet I've found to Lagavulin. Its peat hit on the finish is not as strong, but balanced. I can only pay 100 dollars per bottle once a year.

quote:

Highland Park 12

I haven't tried it but I never considered this Scotch in the same way as the Islay Scotch's.
The region that Highland Park is made is not know for peaty Scotch.
YMMV and I will try some but not expecting a lot of Peat.

quote:

Originally posted by goose5:
Lagavulin is a favorite to be sure. But, if I was forced to choose just one I'd choose Highland Park 12. At half the price its the closest yet I've found to Lagavulin. Its peat hit on the finish is not as strong, but balanced. I can only pay 100 dollars per bottle once a year.

I typically get the Lagavulin 16, at about $60. Has the price risen drastically, or do you get something else?

quote:

I typically get the Lagavulin 16, at about $60. Has the price risen drastically, or do you get something else?

I've been paying in the low eighties at Total Wine here in Houston. Their prices are comparable with anyone else here locally.
YMMV

The best port finish I had was on a limited release Laphroaig that came out a few years back. The port with the peat was very nice. Benriach Solstice is also very good but becoming very difficult to find. It's a lighter peat with a port finish. Balvenie 21 Portwood is great stuff but not cheap. The Arran has a port cask that's less expensive but I've not had it.

quote:

Originally posted by arcwelder76:

quote:

Originally posted by goose5:
Lagavulin is a favorite to be sure. But, if I was forced to choose just one I'd choose Highland Park 12. At half the price its the closest yet I've found to Lagavulin. Its peat hit on the finish is not as strong, but balanced. I can only pay 100 dollars per bottle once a year.

I typically get the Lagavulin 16, at about $60. Has the price risen drastically, or do you get something else?

Regular Lagavulin 16 at my local store is 109. Last bottle bought was on sale in Colorado Springs Cheers Liquor Mart for 85. Not on sale it goes for 104. If I could get it for 60 I'd have some much more often.

quote:

I found on sale the Quinta Ruban

I received a bottle as a Christmas gift a year or two ago. It's absolutely wonderful.

Ardbeg Uigeadail or Laphroaig for me. Uigeadail is 110 proof.

quote:

Originally posted by arcwelder76:

quote:

Originally posted by goose5:
Lagavulin is a favorite to be sure. But, if I was forced to choose just one I'd choose Highland Park 12. At half the price its the closest yet I've found to Lagavulin. Its peat hit on the finish is not as strong, but balanced. I can only pay 100 dollars per bottle once a year.

I typically get the Lagavulin 16, at about $60. Has the price risen drastically, or do you get something else?

Lagavulin 16, also my favorite, normally sells for $65 at Costco, but they'll have it on sale for $56 just about every a year.

Why is it so expensive in my neck of the woods?

quote:

Originally posted by goose5:
Why is it so expensive in my neck of the woods?

Same here just north of you... state taxes are the predominant reason.

And we have another problem due to our sparse population. Distributors won't bring in many items and even refuse special orders. Also out of state mail order is deemed illegal. I was never able to get Redbreast Lustau for that reason as an example.

quote:

Originally posted by goose5:
Why is it so expensive in my neck of the woods?

State taxes and distribution shenanigans.

Costco sells it so cheap in CA because they have the buying power and storage capacity to take advantage of distributor deals. They buy pallets at deep discounts. The price of Lag 16 in CA runs the gamut from Costco's sale price under $60 to fancy wine shops selling it for close to $100.