It would be nice to have a bit of West Yorks contribution. As a Donny lad I know most of the places they refer to, but have changed beyond all recognition from the days when hand-pulled beer was as rare as a very rare thing.

I was never aware that including an E was the Irish spelling.

Learn something new every day! Well I don't, but I did today.

I have been a big fan of single malts for more years than i care to remember. I especially remember one great night I had back in the day at the Cat'i'the'well (sp?) at Wainstones, which had then (and for all I know, may still have now) a bottle of every single malt there was on the shelves behind the bar.

Except, it didn't. Through a Scottish friend I was in more recent times introduced to the Scotch Malt Whisky Society,("=#804000As a member of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society you can discover the very best single cask, single malt whisky available to mankind anywhere in the universe"icon_wink.gif and realised I in fact knew nothing. Basically, and in no way detracting from the wonderful single malts you can buy from your local offie, they on the other hand buy and taste whisky in single casks, from over a hundred distilleries. there may be just one or two casks in a brew, or a few dozen, but all it ever has is a cask number, no name, and once it's gone, it's gone. No effort is made to recreate it. In fact that would be missing the point.

The cask whisky is approx. twice the strength of bottled, and they do magical things by mixing it with water to varying degrees, which means you basically can have several quite different tastes and effects from just the one brew. Then there's coffee between brews to cleanse your palate, and move on to the next one.

If you get the chance, I can't recommend a visit to a tasting session highly enough. [url=http://www.smws.co.uk/tasting-and-venues Whisky Tastings and Venues[/url

Don't know what you want? Try [url=http://www.smws.com/the-spirit-cellars/The Spirit Cellars[/url

Through malts, I was introduced to whiskeys and bourbons, and there are some really magnificent drinks to be had there too. My son got me a 10 year old single barrel bourbon for my birthday which i'm making quite good use of and it is just superb.

Of [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_whisky_brands#Single_Malt_Scotchcommercially sold single malts[/url, I can sometimes be in the mood for peaty and earthy, but generally would go for something like probably my favourite Cardhu, Isle of Jura or Highland Park.

And while I don't do it nearly as often as I should, when it's getting later in the evening in some cosy pub, what's better than a pint of real ale with a malt or bourbon chaser?

Indeed, all of that. Other places of great interest would be Gordon and McPhaill's shop in Elgin, and both Cadenheads, on the Royal Mile, and the Whisky centre in the Waverley Centre (though I think the shopping centre has been re-named, its the one next to the station), in Edinburgh. Both Gordon and Mac and Cadenhead buy malt directly from the distiller, age it themselves and bottle as single or vatted (blended) malts. They both tend to do different ages and strengths than the 'official' bottlings. Of course, some are bottled more as collector's items than because they are particularly outstanding whiskies, but I've yet to find one I didn't like, though onwards and upwards I've no intention of stopping until I do.........

now THAT'S the spirit! It's tough work - but [isomebody's[/i gotta do it!

The best place I have found in W Yorks so far is the wine & whisky place in Skipton. Great range of malts. In a pub I usually go for Talisker or Laphroig depending on my preference that evening. Opened and on the go at home at the moment I have a blend called "The Dimple" which was a Xmas pressie last year which is very nice.

My new years resolution this year was to get more into single malts. My GF's father and his nephew are well into them and to be honest, you feel a bit stupid with a white wine spritzer whilst they're having a dram. Spending new year in Mull provided a week long opportunity and I'm pleased to say that this has continued since, culminating in something I was plied with the other week that was like liquid treacle. Very nice.

I'd previously steering clear of Whisky after a heavy night with Shaggoth back in the day...

I'm currently 1/2" from the bottom of a bottle of Bowmore which might see tonight out. Waiting its turn is Aberlour www.aberlour.com/ which I've never come across before, but it was half price so worth a try. I only ever drink whisky with ice but am aware that water adds something, it's just I've never discovered it yet. Maybe this is the thread that finally sorts that one out.

I'm currently 1/2" from the bottom of a bottle of Bowmore which might see tonight out. Waiting its turn is Aberlour www.aberlour.com/ which I've never come across before, but it was half price so worth a try. I only ever drink whisky with ice but am aware that water adds something, it's just I've never discovered it yet. Maybe this is the thread that finally sorts that one out.

Ice? Has to be a little spring water, every time! just a tad. I know many prefer it neat but I think a bit of water (in whatever form) lets some more flavours out.

Bowmore I like a lot (but then its Islay, so 'nuff said) although found Aberlour a little bland for my taste, but smooth enough. First had that in a 1 litre bottle duty-free.

Highlander is talking my language - I like Talisker - the howitzer of single malts - although you have to be in the right frame of mind for Laphroig, I feel? Tends a bit to the Listerine I sometimes think? Anyone tried a couple of other Skye malts - Te Bheag and Poit Dhubh? (don't hold me to the spelling). As I recall, very nice indeed. A former boss gave me a couple of bottles of Poit Dhubh - I think one of the very best malts I can remember.

Just checked in the drinks cabinet, and apart from a bottle of Glenmorangie that I can't get excited about, some Macallan and some Talisker, its looking worryingly-bare. Always does this time of year, since I tend to forgo the malts over the summer. Something will have to be done. And soon.

Still salivating over the thought of that Springbank of Bulliac's...

Is [url=http://www.wineandwhisky.co.uk/=#800000this[/url the place? If so, it will be gaining my custom at an early opportunity. Thanks for the heads-up.

If you want try something different go for Monkey Shoulder out of speyside

I went round a distillery near Perth (I think!) and bought a bottle of Blair Athol and it was absolutely gorgeous. I was appalled when the guide told us that Diageo bought most of their product and blended it to make Bells!

The big outfits own quite a few malt distilleries, and use much of the malt to blend (around 30%) with industrially-made grain whisky to make your Bells etc. Can be quite interesting to find out how much of which malts end up in some of the popular blends. For example, Macallan and Highland Park go into Famous Grouse (what I'll drink if blended is on offer - and since I like both those two components, maybe that's why?)

I've a few on the go at the moment. Just finished a 12 year old Caol Ila. Stunning stuff.

The Ileach - typically Islay but not very classy
Balvenie Doublewood - Not an Islay one and tastes of Golden honey. Really nice change after a few heavy ones.
And finally I took a punt on Tescos 12 year old Islay which is incredibly cheap and a perfect starter for people wanting to try a single Malt.

I'm acutely aware that its hard not to sound like a bit of a ponce when describing these so I've tried to cut out the descriptive words!

That is the place. Totally spoilt for choice. All the usual bottlings - 10,12,18yo etc But then they tempt you with all these odd one-off casks, special anniversary bottlings, sherry/oak/rum casks and discontinued lines. The wine collection is pretty good as well.

Had a bottle of that the other Xmas! And yup, spot on, it did. Mmmm!

Think I feel an early visit to Highlander's malt emporium coming on - I'm working in Ilkley so every chance quite soon!

Yep, ice for me too only one or even half a cube, thank god I'm not on my own.

I've got four bottles of Springbank Adey; a 10 year old at 46% which is (I think the standard bottling), a 12 YO matured in rum wood bottled at cask strength 54.8%, a 21 YO at 46% and the 25 YO also at 46%. All have been broached, though I confess I'd forgotten about opening the 25.

I've got a number Islay malts: Ardbeg, Bowmore, Bunnahabhain, Bruichladdich, Caol Ila, Lagavulin, Laphroaig, Loch Indaal, and Port Ellen, all at various ages and strengths and all opened.

As for ice, for me it is a no-no. A little water is fine but whisky is like brandy and should be warmed to bring out the flavour, adding ice dulls all those little spicy subtleties for me. Yet another thing we have to 'thank' the yanks for!!

Brandy is one drink I still have not got to appreciate. The only time I touch it is when I am in between bottles of whisky & I have to resort to the tigresses cake brandy.

Not come across Loch Indaal and never tried Port Ellen yet. Knew someone with some fantastic Ardbeg once and had a bottle of my own once - swore I'd acquire some more of my own in due course and this thread reminded me!

Sounds like you have one hell of a malt cabinet!

Finished the Bowmore & couldn't resist taking the top off the Aberlour & having a swig out of the bottle. Bland sums it up perfectly, but enjoyable enough until the xmas freebies at work start rolling in*

[size=50*If any of you want work in the construction sector it's a bottle of Islay single malt.[/size

I got the Loch Indaal when I was a member of the Malt Whisky Association a few years back, IIRC it was one of their specials and not on general sale. I did have over fifty bottles at one time but I think it will be down to forty or so now. Of course, most of the Islay distilleries are currently 'silent' and supplies of many are finite (unless things change), so I really should make sure I don't run out..............

Seeing Hobgoblin quite a lot more in my travels

there's a pub in Hull on the trail that has (or had) lots of hobgoblin posters up. My favourite was this one: beerinnprint.co.uk/description.php?prodid=1662

there's a pub in Hull on the trail that has (or had) lots of hobgoblin posters up. My favourite was this one: beerinnprint.co.uk/description.php?prodid=1662

Have any of you lot tried Buckfast?

Proper tackle that stuff is - shame you can't buy it in England!