Favorite Scotch by Region

[Makalakumu]

What is your favorite scotch? Why? Where does it come from?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotch_whisky

Scotland was traditionally divided into four regions: The Highlands, Lowland, Islay and Campbeltown.[citation needed]

Speyside, encompassing the Spey river valley in north-east Scotland, once considered part of the Highlands, has almost half of the total number of distilleries in Scotland within its geographic boundaries; consequently it is officially recognized as a region unto itself.

Campbeltown was removed as a region several years ago, yet was recently re-instated as a recognized production region.

The Islands is not recognized as a region by the SWA (Scotch Whisky Association) [1] and is instead considered part of the Highlands region.

• Lowland — only three distilleries remain in operation: Auchentoshan, Bladnoch, and Glenkinchie.
• Speyside — has the largest number of distilleries, which includes: Aberlour, Balvenie, Glenfiddich, The Glenlivet and The Macallan
• Highland — some Highland distilleries: Dalmore, Dalwhinnie, Glenmorangie, Oban, and Aberfeldy.
  • The Islands, an unrecognized sub-region includes all of the whisky producing islands (but excludes Islay): Arran, Jura, Mull, Orkney and Skye — with their respective distilleries: Arran, Isle of Jura, Tobermory, Highland Park and Scapa, and Talisker.
• Campbeltown, once home to over 30 distilleries, currently has only three distilleries operating: Glengyle, Glen Scotia and Springbank.
• Islay (pronounced I-LA, ˈaɪlə or eye-luh) — has eight producing distilleries: Ardbeg, Bowmore, Bruichladdich, Bunnahabhain, Caol Ila, Lagavulin and Laphroaig. A new small distillery, Kilchoman, has recently begun production, but is not yet selling whisky.

Another version used by the Classic Malts Selection considers the Coastal Highlands as a sub-division of Highland Single Malts. This region includes Clynelish and Oban (Classic Malts Selection official website) [2]

Vote in the poll and tell us why!

 

[Makalakumu]

My favorite scotches are all Islay. I love the peaty taste that these spirits are infused with. It is almost like actually tasting a place that is so far away.

 

[Kacey]

I don't drink Scotch... so I didn't vote. Interesting information, though.

 

[Makalakumu]

I don't drink Scotch... so I didn't vote. Interesting information, though.

It's an aquired taste like just about everything, but once you get it, its catchy.

A runner up to the Islay scotches is Oban. It's a very smooth scotch with a slightly peaty taste and a very mellow finish. People who smoke cigars tell me that Islays compliment the smoke and Oban is a good counterbalance.

 

[tradrockrat]

Love the Islay malts, but nothing beats the Macallan 12 yr from Speyside. I tend to have one or two favorites from every region though.

 

[Steel Tiger]

I had to vote Speyside as I'm a big fan of Glenfiddich and Glenlivet. Very smooth malts with distinctive peaty accents.

 

[Blindside]

I haven't really acquired a taste for scotch with strong peaty flavors so my preferences tend to be on the lighter side.

I like the Abelour 10 year old, and my favorite is the Glenmorangie 18. Looking in the liquor cabinet right now, the only thing I have is a bit of Glenmorangie 10 year old, time to go shopping.

Lamont

 

[Langenschwert]

I'm a Highland man myself. Since Cardhu got bought out and ruined, my favourite is Balvenie. I like all the other kinds as well, Lagavulin in particular, but I always keep coming back to Highland malts.

-Mark

 

[tellner]

Wow. I thought religious arguments weren't allowed on MT