Yep - Port Charlotte 10 for me too. I get dried apricot and bacon. Lagavulin 16 was my gateway Islay - I can still remember the way it shocked and delighted. I also really like the oily mouthfeel I get from the Ardbeg 10.
Talisker 10 years got me into enjoying whisky about 20 years ago. But it was the Laphroaig Quarter Cask that blew my mind. That taste of cold smoked salmon, the feeling of being down wind from a charcoal barbecue... Ardbeg Uigeadail and Laphroaig QC are still my two favourites.
What's funny and hopefully not sacrilege, my go-to preferred smoky Islay whisky is from . . . the Isle of Sky!!! Talisker 10. But I do enjoy all of the Islay stuff nonetheless. Being new-ish, there's still a few of these I have to try before making up my mind. This could take many years of research.....
The Wee Beastie is my gateway to peated scotch. I’m hooked. Bourbon and rye drinker for years. Love them both, but this peated liquid gold from Scotland is something special. Thanks for your videos!
I love, love, love these Islay single malts!! Fabulous channel and I am so happy I found your channel! I saw you on Geoff's channel and I am so glad I connected!! Right on to everything discussed here!! Thanks so much!! Cheers!! 🙂
Great video! I totaly agree with the No.1, PC 10 is just a fantastic dram. But the other 4....well, to me there are a few others that I prefer more....Lagavulin DE before The 16yo, Corryvreckan before The Uggie, Laphroaig QC before the 10yo, Kilchoman Machir Bay before Ardbeg 10. And that's the great thing, there are so many different tastes to choose from. Imho, there's a whisky for different times and i also think ther's a whisky for every one....one just have to find the right one/ones
From a Core range my favorite is definitely the Ardbeg Corryvrecken. It's expensive yes but it's 60% and just tastes like apple wood smoked maple bacon and I can't get over it lol. I'm also a very big Bowmore 18 fan it's premium but just fantastic. And I always like Lagavulin's Distillers Edition much more than the 16 since it's usually higher proof and heavily finished in Oloroso Sherry it's exceptional I of course also agree with the #1 though it's just so hard to go wrong with the PC 10 I really want to try the other offerings from Kilchoman I've only had the Machir Bay which is not bad
I was surprised not seeing the Kilchoman on the list, one of my favorites from Islay along with PC. Great to see Phil not letting it slide and placing it as an honorable mention 😉 cheers mate! 🥃
Port Charlotte 10 was my gateway into Scottish single malt. Ran into it by pure luck at a tasting my friend took me to years ago. Thrilled to see it dominating like this now. :)
@@trombonegamer14 I know right??? A bar nearby was doing one of those brand sponsored tastings for Bruichladdich, so we got to try several different expressions (Laddie, Octomore, some special releases) but the PC10 was a crazy eureka moment for me. It’s still my all time favorite.
Mine was Lagavulin 16. Its really an experience when you are used to Jonny Walker Red and coke and a friend suggests you an Islay neat. Mind blown, life changed for the better.
@@markotbI was given both a Lagavulin 16 and Port Charlotte 10 for Christmas last year. Neither bottle lasted long and both made me a lifetime scotch fan.
I also think of Ardbeg 10 as the benchmark to witch I judge all the Isla whiskeys and I have a hard time choosing between that and Port Charlotte 10 (love em both so much). I often try other more expensive bottles and always come back to Ardbeg 10 both for flavor and the value.... I would much rather have 2 bottles of Ardbeg 10 than any of one of the special releases costing twice as much or even more in some cases.
Love all those sir. I’m almost exclusive Islay. They list you have is on my permashelf. The Talisker 10 is also high on my list. Greetings from Gainesville Fl, USA.
At 48% abv and non-chill filtered, I think Lagavulin 8 year old deserves to be on this list, or at least get a strong honorable mention. It's younger, but doesn't taste too young to me, unlike the Ardbeg Wee Beastie. The price on the Lag 8 is also friendlier as compared some of the other base Islay offerings.
Agreed. The Laga 16 is trash, way overated because of Hipsters that want to be like Ron Swanson 😂 For me Laphroaig 10yr CS and Arebeg Corryvreken destroys anything on this list. Also Kilchoman 100% Islay a great dram.
I always say that Ardbeg10 is the king. Integrity bottling and well priced. Doesn't have to be as good as it was, as long as the label specs dont change its perfect. It doesn't even need to be on the list. Everything else is just everything else.And everything else will have their pros and cons. I always buy Laph10 CS even though it's colored because it's great and very well priced with an age statement. PC 10 may taste great with all the great specs but it's pricey and I'm always looking for something else. It's a "trapped on an island bottle" for sure but we're not yet trapped in our 15 minute cities yet. I love most the Sanaig/ Loch Gorm debate. And then there's the Diageo disappoinment. ......never ending Islay discussions.
Uigeadail to me trumps the 10 and Laphroaig 10 , to the degree that i would never buy ardbeg 10 but id still buy Laphroaig 10 because the price. Port charlotte i still have to try
@@mrgringo7289 my philosophy is that you don't need to support the King and you don't even need to like the king but Ardbeg10 is the least expensive, and coming in with the best specs and an age statement makes it GREAT in some regards. I have 2 backup bottles and yes, I can see never buying another. 43% Laph10 was the first bottle I vowed to never buy again, but batch 16?????? Where for art thou? Funny thing...I bought a PC Islay Barley 2012 and I didn't love it. The 2013 is getting a lot of compliments on lists like this. I find it to be over priced so the last PC I bought was the even more expensive SC01. Very Yummy.
Peated whisky was my gateway and first love but honestly I'm growing tired of them, which I never thought I'd say. My top available bottles are Laphroaig 10 CS, Ardbeg Ugie, Laga 8, PC 10... been meaning to try Kilchoman.
You just gotta take a break. I stopped drinking scotch period for a while, trying out gin, rum, tequila. Tried some Islay stuff I still had on my shelves and it blew me away like it was my first time
I got that way with really hoppy IPAs, I burned out on them. It's taken about seven years to get back, and I still don't like the 100 IBU ones. But I can finally enjoy Bell's Two Hearted Ale again, one of my long-term favorites.
You made me leap to my cabinet and get my Ardbeg Corryvreckan out 😊 Glad i bought it yeeeears ago for a fairly reasonable price. I forgot it is heaven (57.1 %). No Caol Ila in the line up though 🤔 I beg to differ. I should get into the Kilchoman though…
I've had a mixed experience with Port Charlotte. I need to give it another try. I love the Laphroaig Quarter Cask, Ardbeg Oogie (which won my March Malt Madness this year), and Lagavulin 16. One of the best videos I've watched on Islay whiskies.
Thanks, good segment. I still need to try the port charlotte 10, apparently its escaped my notice till now. Glad the Laphroaig 10 CS is on your honorable mention list at least- been my favorite Islay whisky since batch 006! What is still missing is any mention of Caol Ila (love the CS 12 and the CS Unpeated), and the Lag 12 CS. Each of those are delicious brutes as well! You might also want to warn folks that the CS varieties actually get even more smokey tasting when smallish amounts of water are added (separate discussion?).
Brilliant video yet again, I love the edits. Before you mentioned Kilchoman though I was tutting to myself :) I have loved everything coming out of that farm and Machir Bay cask Strength is an absolute beast, which can dance with the best of Islay in my opinion. Cheers Phil!
Totally agree. Except the Ardbegs. Their Quality constantly going down the last 10 Years. Also they massive overprize there Special NAS Bottlings. I dont buy Ardbegs anymore until that has changed. But enough of complaining.😅 Port Charlottes Quality also changed over the last Decade, but in different Direction. The 10 has become a Benchmark for me and all Members of the Cask Exploration Series where above it. Great Bottlings. Thanks for your good Work and pointing some Eyes on really Good Stuff. Greetings from Germany 😎🤘
Happy to see Port Charlotte at #1. Bowmore was my gateway to Islay and I still think it is hugely underrated aside from it generally being overpriced for better bottlings.
I really like your videos. And I am a Peathead. I love the Uigeadail and also the Port Charlotte. Tha being said, my absolute favorite whisky is the Corryvreckan. I am surprised that you never mention it.
Bowmore as a whole, is kind of hard to rank. The stuff they distilled in the 60s and some of the early 70s are all among the best whiskies ever produced. The 80s are almost exclusively some of the worst whiskies ever produced. They went back to distilling great whisky in the 90s but it seems like the distillery never went back to bottling great whisky and all of the good modern bowmores have been bottled by independent bottlers. I don't think any other distillery has had such a wide range of quality from the best to worst over the decades.
Just getting started on my Scotch journey. My gateway scotch was Bowmore 12. Will never forget how good it tasted the first time. Some months later and after trying other scotches from other regions I can say that I'm totally sold on Islay. Ended up getting a Laphroaig Quarter Cask because it was on sale and immediately became my favourite. What an amazing bottle. I currently have an Ardbeg 10 and a Laphroaig 10 and they're both excellent, but the Quarter Cask is sooo goood!!
@@Derchlands sounds like you got a bad batch? I really thought the 8 was better than the 16. But you really need to let it air out for 10 min in the glass for the flavours to come through. Without doing that, yes the 16 is way better straight out of the bottle
I tried the ardbeg 10 the other day and found it blah. Will try again. Uigedail not available easily. Tried it oncr at a party and loved it. Lagavulin is 2-3 times the price of others which dissuades.
My current fav is a bottle of Old Malt Cask Bruichladdich single cask 15 bottled 2006. Shame I cant get more :( 50% alc/vol and pure vanilla honey and smoke yum!
Laphroaig was the first Islay that I tried, because it was the only Islay that the liquor store in my town had. I liked it and decided to try the Ardbeg 10, when I found it in a nearby town. Then the Ugie, and then the Port Charlotte. Haven't tried Lagavulin, yet, because, in the PA state stores, it's over $40 more than most of the other Islays. My brother gave a tasting note, for Ardbeg 10, that I'll never forget. He said it'd be like licking a mermaid's taint, on the deck of a burning ship, during a storm.
I am a sucker for Islay whiskies and I liked the video. Cheers! Small clip of Joker at the right time was a cherry on the cake :) About ISLAY whiskies, IMHO , the only ISLAY distillery that fares behind in the race to produce such a wonderful, magical peaty smoky gold, is Bowmore, who produce low-strength, chill-filtered and coloured flag bearers. Rest all the distilleries are doing justice to the fame that the island has earned over these years. My current fav is Bruichladdich and PC . Have PC10 and MC:01 in my collection.The one that I regret not buying is Ardbeg Alligator. Lastly, Lucky to have the batch 015 Laph CS which was featured in the video. Cheers! Suggestion for new video : Choose a topic that features my fav Bunna 12 :D It's just ❤
So far my Islay list is Ardberg 10 is #2 and Laphroaig 10 is #1. My Islay quest has just started! Looking for Port Charlotte 10 and Bunahabain (?) 12. Both have been hard to find in South Texas. Long history with American wine, Texas whiskey, and Kentucky Bourbon.
By no means an expert but have been to Scotland and a whisky tour, tried several kinds of even small batch "hip" whiskys but Laphroaig 10 is still up there for me. Keep hearing about this being an entry level whisky but I haven't found many in its league yet😅
First time viewer. Lover your content. I agree with most of your voters. Port Charlotte 10 is my favorite Islay. I would have the Laphroaig Cask Strength in my top 5, and I might put the Nick Offerman 11 Year Old Lagavulin in instead of the 16.
Watching this with a dram of Islay Storm..I love it but can't find out who produces it and if it actually comes from Islay...Not keen on the medicinal Iodine tasting ones so gonna try the Ardbeg 10 next....cheers Phil...
Connemara is Irish but they import the peat from Islay and it kicks ass! Plus in NJ, the Ardbeg 10 is twice the price...but so damn good. All right time to open and try this 58%abv Smokehead High Voltage (about $60). I hope it's good but I never hear you (UK) guys talk about it so that always makes me nervous. Cheers
I'm late to this video but stumbled upon it. My gateway scotch was highland Park 10 year and that smacked me so hard I wasn't ready for that heavy peat note but fell in love real quick and now I've progressed into Bruichladdich
PC10 is very good, it is my number 1 whisky too. Similar product I like is Kilchoman Sanaig. Latest purchase is Mac-Talla Mara cask strength with a little more punch (58,2%) but I haven't drunk enough to have a final opinion.
Hey Phil, thanks so much for another incredible video! Did you already visited Islay? Regarding your list, just before enjoying this video, I was crafting my 5 whiskies challenge "Smoky" version, and I ranked: Everyday drinker: "Kilchoman Sanaig"; Impress Your Guests: "Ardbeg Uigeadail"; A Mixer: "Laphroaig Select"; Friday Night Pour: "Port Charlotte 10yo"; Special Occasion: "Octomore". Also, about Lagavulin, the 16yo is good but I feel not that great, also the high price doesn't help. I rather go with the 8yo. 🥃🥃🥃
Hi Phil. Even before I watched this video I thought that port Charlotte 10 would be Nu 1 and deservedly so.A quality malt and it’s still wallet friendly. As always an A1 video, slàinte Phil.
I got last years Loch Gorm and was so disappointed. It’s so much more Ashy than peaty, and nowhere near as heavily sherried as Ugi. I’ve let it open up a bit but it’s still very Meh IMO
@@CameronWaldon Good to know. I think the sherry/peat combo is my absolute favorite. I was lucky and got the SprinkBank 12 100% ex bourbon and that's one of my new favorites though.... and Victoriana..
Get the Benromach contrasts Peat Smoke and Ardnamurchan AD cask strength. The 02.22 is fantastic and the 09.22 is meant to be slightly smokier. The Sanaig was really good, but I won’t rush back to buy another Loch Gorm
Totally agree….love the port Charlotte and Ledaig 10 (I know it’s not from Islay). Lagavulin was my past favorite for some time but I recently discovered others that are were not as pricey and as good or better (way over priced imho)
I just got both the Lagavulin 16 and the Laphroaig 10 cask strength. And, as nice as the Lagavulin is, it doesn't hold a candle to the Laphroaig. Lagavulin is a very nice whiskey, with a nice flavour, but it's not what I think of when I think "Islay". The Laphroaig does that in spades. It's a very interesting experience, especially after you add a drop of water in it. Now I'm looking forwards to trying the Port Charlotte.
What are people paying for Lagavulin 16 in different areas? In my area, the NJ-Philly metropolitan area, I've seen it as high as $120 USD, but know of a couple stores that have it as low as $89 USD.
I agree with you, for me the best Islay is Laphroaig CS, I just love the house style. Personally I really don't get all the hype around Port Charlotte, yes is good, but is not heavily peated like they advertise, I prefer Ardbeg and even Kilchoman.
Smash the LIKE Button Guys!! Great video as always Phil, did you use the Victoriana bottle during the teasing shots on the window sill? I bought the Loch Gorm last year based on your recommendation, I've enjoyed it. The Benromach Peat:Sherry is also a great one to check out if you haven't already reviewed that bottle. Cheers
@@FirstPhilWhisky we did a blind with the contrast peat sherry and the loch gorm. The latter was much brighter and fruitier and the better whisky in my opinion.
Caol Ila is so poorly represented in the US with not even the 25 offered anymore. Cask strength versions from independent bottlers though are fairly plentiful and delicious if you look hard enough.
@@phatzwave4424I´m sad to read that...but this is also the way in Europe with a lot of goood bourbons, just as Old Forester 1910 / 1914 / 1920 for example :(
My favourite is Lagavulin 8, great Islay, great price (~$120AUD vs ~$300AUD for the 16), good alcohol %, great smoky smell and taste with a hint of sweetness , perfect. But I havent tasted Ardbeg, Octomore and other 'grail' whiskys.
The Port C is one of those whiskeys where every time I pour a new glass…it just still gives me that holy shit feeling with the first sip. It’s so good.
Gotta be honest, I've never understood why Laphroaig 10 has a reputation for being so frenolic and medicinal, I've had it quite a few times, and it struck me as pretty flavourless and flat, especially as compared to something like Ardbeg 10 (which was my first single malt.)
My daughter gifted me a bottle of Lagavulin 16 for Christmas. She knows nothing about Scotch bought it as advised by a co-worker . It was expensive so she thought it would be good based on that suggestion and the over $100 USD price. What she did not know is that I do not care for peated Scotch based on previous experiences. Also, it is a chill filtered and artificially colored Scotch. Not enchanted. I am reluctant to open it and prove once again, I don't care for the peat. I thanked my daughter and told her I would save it for a special occasion. Am I missing something? I might be more interested in a lightly peated or non peated Islay. Any thoughts ?
It’s hard to find but Machir Bay Cask Strength is cheaper than Octomore AND Laphroaig and the one that knocked my socks off was the sheep with Santa hats bottling. Love Kilchoman.
At the moment PC10 is possibly my #1 whisky, not just Isla. Buries Laga 16 for taste and price IMO. Laphroaig was one of my formative single malt experiences in the '90s, and I fear that it, like many other big name whiskies, will not be the same drink I used to enjoy 28-30 years ago - haven't had it this millenium, don't want my memories to be spoilt if it has deteriorated. Maybe I need to go for the cask strength. Ardbeg I have totally missed... was on a 6 year bourbon binge around the time it was earning it's reputation, and now everyone says it's lost quality. Kilchoman Senaig is also better than Laga 16 for me, and it's a NAS! Need to try the Loch Gorm. Can't wait for the first Kilchoman 10 year old.
Had the Laphroaig, Lagavulin and the Ardbeg 10 Not a great fan of the first but loved the second and the third The Lagavulin I drank half a bottle in a sitting
Surprised the Uigeadail is below the 10 but I guess price might be a factor and the 10 is a more "pure" islay whiskey. I'm debating on buying either the port charlotte or lagavulin 8 sometime soon, the lagavulin is actually cheaper where I am. Also funny that you noticed the citrus in Ardbeg. I find it stands out the most in their An Oa.
Lagavulin 16 is good but you are right it is now getting too expensive , In Australia the the average retail is between $180 and $200 - You can still get it on special at times but that is a lot of money for a whisky that is chill filtered and coloured
My fav is Uigeadail, next is Laphroaig Quarter Cask. My favorite underrated Islay is Caol Ila 12. The rest of this list is all good stuff, but I keep those three around all of the time.
I've had a full bottle of each on this list and my order would be: 1. Lagavulin 16, 2. Ardbeg 10, 3. Port Charlotte, 4. Ardbeg Uigeadail, 5. Laphroaig 10.
Ranking Ardbeg 10 above Ardbeg Uigeadail strikes me as an epic fail. There is so much more complexity and flavor in Uigeadail. It also seems like this list was made by people relatively new to whisky, and I definitely agree with you on the ones that were missed. If I had to make my own top 5, it would probably look something like this: 1. Octomore 2. Ardbeg Corryvreckan 3. Ardbeg Uigeadail 4. Laphroaig 10 Cask Strength 5. Kilchoman Loch Gorm
I'm really not surprised that Port Charlotte 10 get number one. I've tried it before the others on this list and found them almost disappointing. Not bad at all, but they don't justify the price or expectations once you've tried PC 10. And i absolutely agree with your "bonus tracks". Kilchoman's are fantastic. And Laphroaig 10 CS definitely one to try. Greetings from Argentina!
@@FirstPhilWhisky Great channel Phil! And one thing to put in context. Here in Argentina, Uigeadail and Laphroaig 10 cs cost at least twice a PC 10. Lagavulin 16 almost (at least!) three times. And Ardbeg 10 is in the same range of the PC 10. And we're talking about 90 u$a for PC 10 or Ardbeg 10. Crazy prices.
Lagavulin 16 used to be $148 cdn in Ontario and I loved it. Once it went to $200 I felt it had diminishing returns. For that I could get 2 Arbeg 10s which was my close #2 but now #1 for price point.
I have a dumb question; i know nothing about scotch (i’m a rum guy) but why is Bowmore hardly mentioned in any of you Islay scotches videos? I always was told it was a great scotch?
I must say I'm not sure how you can rank both Ardbeg Ten and Uigeadail in the top5, and not even mention Corryvreckan that is just so much better... Overall I still like your list quite a lot. Sanaig is also my big rising star nowadays :)
I’m a fifth way into my PC10 bottle and I don’t understand the love. I can’t seem to get much mouthfeel and the finish is meh. The smoky and light fruity combination doesn’t seem to do it for me. I guess I just like the classic heavier islays. How did the Laghroig Lore btw?
Yep - Port Charlotte 10 for me too. I get dried apricot and bacon. Lagavulin 16 was my gateway Islay - I can still remember the way it shocked and delighted. I also really like the oily mouthfeel I get from the Ardbeg 10.
Talisker 10 years got me into enjoying whisky about 20 years ago. But it was the Laphroaig Quarter Cask that blew my mind. That taste of cold smoked salmon, the feeling of being down wind from a charcoal barbecue... Ardbeg Uigeadail and Laphroaig QC are still my two favourites.
What's funny and hopefully not sacrilege, my go-to preferred smoky Islay whisky is from . . . the Isle of Sky!!! Talisker 10. But I do enjoy all of the Islay stuff nonetheless. Being new-ish, there's still a few of these I have to try before making up my mind. This could take many years of research.....
The Wee Beastie is my gateway to peated scotch. I’m hooked.
Bourbon and rye drinker for years. Love them both, but this peated liquid gold from Scotland is something special. Thanks for your videos!
Never a bad video from your channel mate. Thank you for all your hard work and dedication to our community 🥃
Thanks mate. Appreciate that
I love, love, love these Islay single malts!! Fabulous channel and I am so happy I found your channel! I saw you on Geoff's channel and I am so glad I connected!! Right on to everything discussed here!! Thanks so much!! Cheers!! 🙂
Great video! I totaly agree with the No.1, PC 10 is just a fantastic dram. But the other 4....well, to me there are a few others that I prefer more....Lagavulin DE before The 16yo, Corryvreckan before The Uggie, Laphroaig QC before the 10yo, Kilchoman Machir Bay before Ardbeg 10. And that's the great thing, there are so many different tastes to choose from. Imho, there's a whisky for different times and i also think ther's a whisky for every one....one just have to find the right one/ones
Yet again a fun to watch video, Ardbeg 10 is the top for me where I am now, the Port Charlotte I still have to try🥃
Definitely give it a try, if you enjoyed the Ardbeg 10 I’m sure you’ll love PC 10!!
Laphroaig 10 is my favourite but I’m surprised that bowmore didn’t get a mention again (which was the first whisky I actually ever liked)
Dude this video is such high quality, you have a new sub! Hopefully I can watch you grow throughout your journey. :)
Love you content.
Thanks for the sub! Great to have you watching
100 % agree that kilchoman is the Islay distillery to keep an eye on for the near future. Love all your videos brother, keep up the good work 👍
From a Core range my favorite is definitely the Ardbeg Corryvrecken. It's expensive yes but it's 60% and just tastes like apple wood smoked maple bacon and I can't get over it lol.
I'm also a very big Bowmore 18 fan it's premium but just fantastic. And I always like Lagavulin's Distillers Edition much more than the 16 since it's usually higher proof and heavily finished in Oloroso Sherry it's exceptional
I of course also agree with the #1 though it's just so hard to go wrong with the PC 10
I really want to try the other offerings from Kilchoman I've only had the Machir Bay which is not bad
fully agree .. my choices 1. Port Charlotte 2. Ardbeg 10 3. Lagavulin 16
I was surprised not seeing the Kilchoman on the list, one of my favorites from Islay along with PC. Great to see Phil not letting it slide and placing it as an honorable mention 😉 cheers mate! 🥃
It's such good whisky. I'm sure once more people try it, it will climb the popular ranks.
Machir Bay is great smoky whisky and I adore their whole line but it's unfortunately hard to compete and dethrone the Islay classics
I ask for a bottle of Loch Gorm every Christmas. It's almost double in price over the last 5 years or so but its a lovely whisky.
Port Charlotte 10 was my gateway into Scottish single malt. Ran into it by pure luck at a tasting my friend took me to years ago. Thrilled to see it dominating like this now. :)
That's a crazy good intro
@@trombonegamer14 I know right??? A bar nearby was doing one of those brand sponsored tastings for Bruichladdich, so we got to try several different expressions (Laddie, Octomore, some special releases) but the PC10 was a crazy eureka moment for me. It’s still my all time favorite.
what an intro. Had it first in Duty Free as a sample
Laphroaig 10 was the first whiskey where I was like wow this is amazing, I finished the bottle faster than any other!
Mine was Lagavulin 16. Its really an experience when you are used to Jonny Walker Red and coke and a friend suggests you an Islay neat. Mind blown, life changed for the better.
@@markotbI was given both a Lagavulin 16 and Port Charlotte 10 for Christmas last year. Neither bottle lasted long and both made me a lifetime scotch fan.
I also think of Ardbeg 10 as the benchmark to witch I judge all the Isla whiskeys and I have a hard time choosing between that and Port Charlotte 10 (love em both so much). I often try other more expensive bottles and always come back to Ardbeg 10 both for flavor and the value.... I would much rather have 2 bottles of Ardbeg 10 than any of one of the special releases costing twice as much or even more in some cases.
Yup! The Laphraoig 10 was my gateway. I just got the Port Charlotte for a friend and I’m excited to try it.
Love all those sir. I’m almost exclusive Islay.
They list you have is on my permashelf.
The Talisker 10 is also high on my list.
Greetings from Gainesville Fl, USA.
At 48% abv and non-chill filtered, I think Lagavulin 8 year old deserves to be on this list, or at least get a strong honorable mention. It's younger, but doesn't taste too young to me, unlike the Ardbeg Wee Beastie. The price on the Lag 8 is also friendlier as compared some of the other base Islay offerings.
I think the laga 8 is really going to replace the 16 as the go-to for many people.
Agreed.
The Laga 16 is trash, way overated because of Hipsters that want to be like Ron Swanson 😂
For me Laphroaig 10yr CS and Arebeg Corryvreken destroys anything on this list. Also Kilchoman 100% Islay a great dram.
Lagavulin 8 is a great whisky, and I agree with some commenters, its better than the 16.
From the scotches I've tried it is truly the best. It's also way more affordable than the 16
I always say that Ardbeg10 is the king. Integrity bottling and well priced. Doesn't have to be as good as it was, as long as the label specs dont change its perfect.
It doesn't even need to be on the list. Everything else is just everything else.And everything else will have their pros and cons.
I always buy Laph10 CS even though it's colored because it's great and very well priced with an age statement.
PC 10 may taste great with all the great specs but it's pricey and I'm always looking for something else. It's a "trapped on an island bottle" for sure but we're not yet trapped in our 15 minute cities yet.
I love most the Sanaig/ Loch Gorm debate.
And then there's the Diageo disappoinment.
......never ending Islay discussions.
Uigeadail to me trumps the 10 and Laphroaig 10 , to the degree that i would never buy ardbeg 10 but id still buy Laphroaig 10 because the price. Port charlotte i still have to try
@@mrgringo7289 my philosophy is that you don't need to support the King and you don't even need to like the king but Ardbeg10 is the least expensive, and coming in with the best specs and an age statement makes it GREAT in some regards. I have 2 backup bottles and yes, I can see never buying another.
43% Laph10 was the first bottle I vowed to never buy again, but batch 16?????? Where for art thou?
Funny thing...I bought a PC Islay Barley 2012 and I didn't love it. The 2013 is getting a lot of compliments on lists like this. I find it to be over priced so the last PC I bought was the even more expensive SC01. Very Yummy.
Peated whisky was my gateway and first love but honestly I'm growing tired of them, which I never thought I'd say. My top available bottles are Laphroaig 10 CS, Ardbeg Ugie, Laga 8, PC 10... been meaning to try Kilchoman.
You just gotta take a break. I stopped drinking scotch period for a while, trying out gin, rum, tequila. Tried some Islay stuff I still had on my shelves and it blew me away like it was my first time
Laphroaig 10 cask strength is an amazing experience. I haven't tasted anything like it before.
@@CristiNeagu That was my first love and started my whole whisky journey!
Kilchoman: if you wanna stay on course, try Sanaig. Machir Bay lacks the flavour or strength - at least for me.
I got that way with really hoppy IPAs, I burned out on them. It's taken about seven years to get back, and I still don't like the 100 IBU ones. But I can finally enjoy Bell's Two Hearted Ale again, one of my long-term favorites.
You made me leap to my cabinet and get my Ardbeg Corryvreckan out 😊 Glad i bought it yeeeears ago for a fairly reasonable price. I forgot it is heaven (57.1 %). No Caol Ila in the line up though 🤔 I beg to differ. I should get into the Kilchoman though…
Laphroig I’m glad I tried laphroig 10 when I was a nube, it was astonishing. Now it’s just 40% abv chill-filtered, coloured lol
I've had a mixed experience with Port Charlotte. I need to give it another try. I love the Laphroaig Quarter Cask, Ardbeg Oogie (which won my March Malt Madness this year), and Lagavulin 16. One of the best videos I've watched on Islay whiskies.
Thanks, good segment. I still need to try the port charlotte 10, apparently its escaped my notice till now. Glad the Laphroaig 10 CS is on your honorable mention list at least- been my favorite Islay whisky since batch 006! What is still missing is any mention of Caol Ila (love the CS 12 and the CS Unpeated), and the Lag 12 CS. Each of those are delicious brutes as well! You might also want to warn folks that the CS varieties actually get even more smokey tasting when smallish amounts of water are added (separate discussion?).
Laphroaig 10 CS Batch 006 is one of my favorite whiskies of all time! I keep my empty bottle around just to reminisce.
Love the port charlotte, however ardbeg An Oa is still my number 1 islay whiskey. Great video, as usual!
Me too love it
Brilliant video yet again, I love the edits. Before you mentioned Kilchoman though I was tutting to myself :) I have loved everything coming out of that farm and Machir Bay cask Strength is an absolute beast, which can dance with the best of Islay in my opinion. Cheers Phil!
Totally agree.
Except the Ardbegs.
Their Quality constantly going down the last 10 Years. Also they massive overprize there Special NAS Bottlings.
I dont buy Ardbegs anymore until that has changed.
But enough of complaining.😅
Port Charlottes Quality also changed over the last Decade, but in different Direction. The 10 has become a Benchmark for me and all Members of the Cask Exploration Series where above it. Great Bottlings.
Thanks for your good Work and pointing some Eyes on really Good Stuff.
Greetings from Germany 😎🤘
Happy to see Port Charlotte at #1. Bowmore was my gateway to Islay and I still think it is hugely underrated aside from it generally being overpriced for better bottlings.
I really like your videos. And I am a Peathead. I love the Uigeadail and also the Port Charlotte. Tha being said, my absolute favorite whisky is the Corryvreckan.
I am surprised that you never mention it.
Lots of great information and well presented! Thank you
I have had the Ardbeg 10 and it was a great pour on a cold or rainy night. I am trying to decide between the Laphroig 10 or PC10 for this winter.
Loved this, thank you - Bowmore??????? Curious to know where it finished?
Bowmore as a whole, is kind of hard to rank. The stuff they distilled in the 60s and some of the early 70s are all among the best whiskies ever produced. The 80s are almost exclusively some of the worst whiskies ever produced. They went back to distilling great whisky in the 90s but it seems like the distillery never went back to bottling great whisky and all of the good modern bowmores have been bottled by independent bottlers. I don't think any other distillery has had such a wide range of quality from the best to worst over the decades.
Yup Port Charlotte was my first peated whiskey. Its amazing. Although there are some other's on this list i need to try.
I love Islay whiskys. I agree Lagavulin is the king of Islay whiskys. Love Adbeg 10 and Laphroaig 10 as well. Thanks for the review.
Just getting started on my Scotch journey. My gateway scotch was Bowmore 12. Will never forget how good it tasted the first time. Some months later and after trying other scotches from other regions I can say that I'm totally sold on Islay. Ended up getting a Laphroaig Quarter Cask because it was on sale and immediately became my favourite. What an amazing bottle. I currently have an Ardbeg 10 and a Laphroaig 10 and they're both excellent, but the Quarter Cask is sooo goood!!
Lagavulin 8 is the new 16. Super affordable, punchy, sweet and just a fantastic value for money bottle
Bingo. Superior to the 16 in my opinion
I tried the 8 and it tasted young, for that price I can get Laphroaig or ardbeg 10 for the same price and a lot more flavor
@@Derchlands sounds like you got a bad batch? I really thought the 8 was better than the 16. But you really need to let it air out for 10 min in the glass for the flavours to come through. Without doing that, yes the 16 is way better straight out of the bottle
Lag 8 is lovely!
Totally agree man.
I tried the ardbeg 10 the other day and found it blah. Will try again. Uigedail not available easily. Tried it oncr at a party and loved it. Lagavulin is 2-3 times the price of others which dissuades.
My current fav is a bottle of Old Malt Cask Bruichladdich single cask 15 bottled 2006. Shame I cant get more :( 50% alc/vol and pure vanilla honey and smoke yum!
Laphroaig was the first Islay that I tried, because it was the only Islay that the liquor store in my town had. I liked it and decided to try the Ardbeg 10, when I found it in a nearby town. Then the Ugie, and then the Port Charlotte. Haven't tried Lagavulin, yet, because, in the PA state stores, it's over $40 more than most of the other Islays.
My brother gave a tasting note, for Ardbeg 10, that I'll never forget. He said it'd be like licking a mermaid's taint, on the deck of a burning ship, during a storm.
Very good job. Port Charlotte 10, very good indeed.
PC10! My go-to pour.
Octomore! My favorite. Would be my go-to if it wasn't so expensive.
I am a sucker for Islay whiskies and I liked the video. Cheers! Small clip of Joker at the right time was a cherry on the cake :) About ISLAY whiskies, IMHO , the only ISLAY distillery that fares behind in the race to produce such a wonderful, magical peaty smoky gold, is Bowmore, who produce low-strength, chill-filtered and coloured flag bearers. Rest all the distilleries are doing justice to the fame that the island has earned over these years. My current fav is Bruichladdich and PC . Have PC10 and MC:01 in my collection.The one that I regret not buying is Ardbeg Alligator. Lastly, Lucky to have the batch 015 Laph CS which was featured in the video. Cheers! Suggestion for new video : Choose a topic that features my fav Bunna 12 :D It's just ❤
So far my Islay list is Ardberg 10 is #2 and Laphroaig 10 is #1. My Islay quest has just started! Looking for Port Charlotte 10 and Bunahabain (?) 12. Both have been hard to find in South Texas. Long history with American wine, Texas whiskey, and Kentucky Bourbon.
Great video!
I really love Islay whiskies ;)
first time i tried ardbeg was in scotland and it blew me away, tasted like a bonfire on a beach. loved it ever since
By no means an expert but have been to Scotland and a whisky tour, tried several kinds of even small batch "hip" whiskys but Laphroaig 10 is still up there for me. Keep hearing about this being an entry level whisky but I haven't found many in its league yet😅
I love the Classic Laddie so I'm definitely interested in checking out the Port Charlotte
First time viewer. Lover your content. I agree with most of your voters. Port Charlotte 10 is my favorite Islay. I would have the Laphroaig Cask Strength in my top 5, and I might put the Nick Offerman 11 Year Old Lagavulin in instead of the 16.
The PCc 10 is wonderful but for an even better experience try the OLC...almost syrupy thickness, but quite a bit more expensive.
Watching this with a dram of Islay Storm..I love it but can't find out who produces it and if it actually comes from Islay...Not keen on the medicinal Iodine tasting ones so gonna try the Ardbeg 10 next....cheers Phil...
Have u tried Mr Peat? What do u think? It reminds me of the Caol Ila Parcel No.7, both of which I love
Connemara is Irish but they import the peat from Islay and it kicks ass! Plus in NJ, the Ardbeg 10 is twice the price...but so damn good. All right time to open and try this 58%abv Smokehead High Voltage (about $60). I hope it's good but I never hear you (UK) guys talk about it so that always makes me nervous. Cheers
I'm late to this video but stumbled upon it. My gateway scotch was highland Park 10 year and that smacked me so hard I wasn't ready for that heavy peat note but fell in love real quick and now I've progressed into Bruichladdich
PC10 is very good, it is my number 1 whisky too. Similar product I like is Kilchoman Sanaig. Latest purchase is Mac-Talla Mara cask strength with a little more punch (58,2%) but I haven't drunk enough to have a final opinion.
Hey Phil, thanks so much for another incredible video!
Did you already visited Islay?
Regarding your list, just before enjoying this video, I was crafting my 5 whiskies challenge "Smoky" version, and I ranked: Everyday drinker: "Kilchoman Sanaig"; Impress Your Guests: "Ardbeg Uigeadail"; A Mixer: "Laphroaig Select"; Friday Night Pour: "Port Charlotte 10yo"; Special Occasion: "Octomore".
Also, about Lagavulin, the 16yo is good but I feel not that great, also the high price doesn't help. I rather go with the 8yo. 🥃🥃🥃
Have moved on from Laphroaig 10 and Lagavulin 16. Kilchoman Machir Bay should be on the list. Loch Gorm is hard to find.
Hi Phil. Even before I watched this video I thought that port Charlotte 10 would be Nu 1 and deservedly so.A quality malt and it’s still wallet friendly. As always an A1 video, slàinte Phil.
Loch Gorm is my #1, followed by Oogie. Peat and sherry combo is just magnificent.
Man... I think I missed out on buying bottles here in Oregon of Loch Gorm. :(
I got last years Loch Gorm and was so disappointed.
It’s so much more Ashy than peaty, and nowhere near as heavily sherried as Ugi. I’ve let it open up a bit but it’s still very Meh IMO
@@CameronWaldon Good to know. I think the sherry/peat combo is my absolute favorite. I was lucky and got the SprinkBank 12 100% ex bourbon and that's one of my new favorites though.... and Victoriana..
Get the Benromach contrasts Peat Smoke and Ardnamurchan AD cask strength. The 02.22 is fantastic and the 09.22 is meant to be slightly smokier.
The Sanaig was really good, but I won’t rush back to buy another Loch Gorm
What do you think of Ailsa Bay? One of my favourites!
Nice list, planning to get either lagavulin or laphroaig soon :)
Totally agree….love the port Charlotte and Ledaig 10 (I know it’s not from Islay). Lagavulin was my past favorite for some time but I recently discovered others that are were not as pricey and as good or better (way over priced imho)
I just got both the Lagavulin 16 and the Laphroaig 10 cask strength. And, as nice as the Lagavulin is, it doesn't hold a candle to the Laphroaig. Lagavulin is a very nice whiskey, with a nice flavour, but it's not what I think of when I think "Islay". The Laphroaig does that in spades. It's a very interesting experience, especially after you add a drop of water in it. Now I'm looking forwards to trying the Port Charlotte.
What are people paying for Lagavulin 16 in different areas? In my area, the NJ-Philly metropolitan area, I've seen it as high as $120 USD, but know of a couple stores that have it as low as $89 USD.
I agree with you, for me the best Islay is Laphroaig CS, I just love the house style.
Personally I really don't get all the hype around Port Charlotte, yes is good, but is not heavily peated like they advertise, I prefer Ardbeg and even Kilchoman.
Smash the LIKE Button Guys!! Great video as always Phil, did you use the Victoriana bottle during the teasing shots on the window sill? I bought the Loch Gorm last year based on your recommendation, I've enjoyed it. The Benromach Peat:Sherry is also a great one to check out if you haven't already reviewed that bottle. Cheers
Thanks mate! Yeah the peat smoke sherry benromach is so good!
@@FirstPhilWhisky we did a blind with the contrast peat sherry and the loch gorm. The latter was much brighter and fruitier and the better whisky in my opinion.
Nice Video. I missed the Caol Ila 12 from the list, but nice list anyway :)
Caol Ila is so poorly represented in the US with not even the 25 offered anymore. Cask strength versions from independent bottlers though are fairly plentiful and delicious if you look hard enough.
@@phatzwave4424I´m sad to read that...but this is also the way in Europe with a lot of goood bourbons, just as Old Forester 1910 / 1914 / 1920 for example :(
I have to agree with Lagavulin 16, it's my gateway whisky to the peated smokey flavour.
My favourite is Lagavulin 8, great Islay, great price (~$120AUD vs ~$300AUD for the 16), good alcohol %, great smoky smell and taste with a hint of sweetness , perfect. But I havent tasted Ardbeg, Octomore and other 'grail' whiskys.
The Port C is one of those whiskeys where every time I pour a new glass…it just still gives me that holy shit feeling with the first sip. It’s so good.
The Ardbeg is still one of my all time favourites and always a go-to when I want to treat myself. Great depth of flavour
Gotta be honest, I've never understood why Laphroaig 10 has a reputation for being so frenolic and medicinal, I've had it quite a few times, and it struck me as pretty flavourless and flat, especially as compared to something like Ardbeg 10 (which was my first single malt.)
Does Compas Box stand anywhere ?
My daughter gifted me a bottle of Lagavulin 16 for Christmas.
She knows nothing about Scotch bought it as advised by a co-worker .
It was expensive so she thought it would be good based on that suggestion and the over $100 USD price.
What she did not know is that I do not care for peated Scotch based on previous experiences.
Also, it is a chill filtered and artificially colored Scotch. Not enchanted.
I am reluctant to open it and prove once again, I don't care for the peat.
I thanked my daughter and told her I would save it for a special occasion.
Am I missing something?
I might be more interested in a lightly peated or non peated Islay.
Any thoughts ?
I would love you to carry on this theme in a series of other whiskey areas! Fantastic Phil.😁👊🌎🌎🌎🌿🌿🌿🥝🥝🥝Great kiwi Content🤘🥃🥃🥃🥃👏👏👏👏👏
It’s hard to find but Machir Bay Cask Strength is cheaper than Octomore AND Laphroaig and the one that knocked my socks off was the sheep with Santa hats bottling. Love Kilchoman.
Informative video, I enjoyed it my friend.
At the moment PC10 is possibly my #1 whisky, not just Isla. Buries Laga 16 for taste and price IMO.
Laphroaig was one of my formative single malt experiences in the '90s, and I fear that it, like many other big name whiskies, will not be the same drink I used to enjoy 28-30 years ago - haven't had it this millenium, don't want my memories to be spoilt if it has deteriorated. Maybe I need to go for the cask strength.
Ardbeg I have totally missed... was on a 6 year bourbon binge around the time it was earning it's reputation, and now everyone says it's lost quality.
Kilchoman Senaig is also better than Laga 16 for me, and it's a NAS! Need to try the Loch Gorm. Can't wait for the first Kilchoman 10 year old.
The Ardbeg 10 is a really great whiskey imo
Laga 16 was my gateway and it is still my go-to. YeS Laphroig Ardbeg Oban Talisker are great but nothing beat good old Laga for me
3:07 that’s why I prefer the cask strength. Yes, it’s twice as expensive but boy is it delicious.
They told us at the distillery that the Ardbeg 10y is natural colour👍🏻
Had the Laphroaig, Lagavulin and the Ardbeg 10
Not a great fan of the first but loved the second and the third
The Lagavulin I drank half a bottle in a sitting
Surprised the Uigeadail is below the 10 but I guess price might be a factor and the 10 is a more "pure" islay whiskey. I'm debating on buying either the port charlotte or lagavulin 8 sometime soon, the lagavulin is actually cheaper where I am.
Also funny that you noticed the citrus in Ardbeg. I find it stands out the most in their An Oa.
Lagavulin 16 is good but you are right it is now getting too expensive , In Australia the the average retail is between $180 and $200 - You can still get it on special at times but that is a lot of money for a whisky that is chill filtered and coloured
Maybe it was the bottle I had, but for me the Ardbeg 10 didn't offer any of the smokiness I was hoping for on the pallet. It was on the nose, sort of.
My fav is Uigeadail, next is Laphroaig Quarter Cask. My favorite underrated Islay is Caol Ila 12. The rest of this list is all good stuff, but I keep those three around all of the time.
I've had a full bottle of each on this list and my order would be: 1. Lagavulin 16, 2. Ardbeg 10, 3. Port Charlotte, 4. Ardbeg Uigeadail, 5. Laphroaig 10.
How far down was Ardbeg's Wee Beastie?
Ranking Ardbeg 10 above Ardbeg Uigeadail strikes me as an epic fail. There is so much more complexity and flavor in Uigeadail. It also seems like this list was made by people relatively new to whisky, and I definitely agree with you on the ones that were missed.
If I had to make my own top 5, it would probably look something like this:
1. Octomore
2. Ardbeg Corryvreckan
3. Ardbeg Uigeadail
4. Laphroaig 10 Cask Strength
5. Kilchoman Loch Gorm
I'm really not surprised that Port Charlotte 10 get number one. I've tried it before the others on this list and found them almost disappointing. Not bad at all, but they don't justify the price or expectations once you've tried PC 10. And i absolutely agree with your "bonus tracks". Kilchoman's are fantastic. And Laphroaig 10 CS definitely one to try. Greetings from Argentina!
Thanks!
@@FirstPhilWhisky Great channel Phil! And one thing to put in context. Here in Argentina, Uigeadail and Laphroaig 10 cs cost at least twice a PC 10. Lagavulin 16 almost (at least!) three times. And Ardbeg 10 is in the same range of the PC 10. And we're talking about 90 u$a for PC 10 or Ardbeg 10. Crazy prices.
Lagavulin 16 used to be $148 cdn in Ontario and I loved it. Once it went to $200 I felt it had diminishing returns. For that I could get 2 Arbeg 10s which was my close #2 but now #1 for price point.
I’m from Ontario, 2 Arbegs, 2 Laphroiags, 2 Laga 8, better and cheaper, 16 sucks anyhow…lol
Mine is Port Charlotte 😊
Lagavulin 16 is okay. The 8 is lovely though and I recommend it to newbies
Agree
The ardbeg 10 was one of my first try on islay whisky and it was a bit much for me.. like drinking a liquid charcoal. 😅🤭
Great vid. tbh thought Ledaig 10 would sneak the top spot
Ledaig 10 is not from Islay M8. Its isle of Mull.
@@peatbull3426 of course😄.. think I thought I was watching Top 5 smokies of late. cheers
I have a dumb question; i know nothing about scotch (i’m a rum guy) but why is Bowmore hardly mentioned in any of you Islay scotches videos? I always was told it was a great scotch?
'cause it's probably far from great
I must say I'm not sure how you can rank both Ardbeg Ten and Uigeadail in the top5, and not even mention Corryvreckan that is just so much better... Overall I still like your list quite a lot. Sanaig is also my big rising star nowadays :)
I’m a fifth way into my PC10 bottle and I don’t understand the love. I can’t seem to get much mouthfeel and the finish is meh. The smoky and light fruity combination doesn’t seem to do it for me. I guess I just like the classic heavier islays.
How did the Laghroig Lore btw?