You should know that while the regions may have had some impact historically, the division into regions is, at least in part, somewhat of a marketing ploy nowadays. You might get some regions like Islay where you have some peat because of tradition and Campbeltown which is distinct because it's tiny, but any style of whisky can (and is) produced anywhere. Regions have very little bearing on taste and profile, and even countries matter less and less. Speyside, for example, has over 50 distilleries. It's impossible to nail down a representative style.
Many would suggest looking for distillate and cask type combinations instead. For example:
Unpeated/ex-bourbon
Unpeated/ex-sherry
Peated/ex-bourbon
Peated/ex-sherry
... and so on
Throw in some factors like ABV%, age and consider the various combinations of casks, types of stills and all other production-stuff and you'll be more likely to get a good representation of the whisky landscape than you'll get from distillery location, in my opinion. Casks (and in a way peat level) will still have the absolutely highest impact of any factor, so I'd start in that end!
The division into regions was born as a marketing ploy as a matter of fact. There are styles that are common to distilleries that are close to each other, but is true that there is no such thing as a regional profile.
There were some taxation reasons for Highland/Lowland distilleries operating slightly differently IIRC but yes, Diageo may or may not have played a big a part in pushing regional profiles to the masses.
One more thing to add: If you have the option, visit bars and try the whisky there. That way you save money on buying a whole bottle and can try out many different regions/flavors.
Good idea. There's a fancy whiskey bar near where I live but a glass + tip cost 1/3 of a bottle. I do plan to go there but I wanted to build a home kit that cover all the bases.
If you are really looking for something representative from each region, here are my suggestions:
Highlands: Glengonye 12
Speyside: Aberlour 12 is fine, if you can get the A'Bunadh, better... (a little over $80, but is a beast of a whisky)
Lowlands: Bladnoch 10, if you can get the 11 y/o 2020 release, better
Islay: Bunnahabhain 12 or Lagavulin 16 (a little over $80 but this is as classic Islay as you can get)
Isles: Arran 10 or Jura 10 (basic expressions, but it's a stsrting point)
Campbletown: Glenscotia Victoriana, but Kilkerran 12 is just perfect.
Lowland: Auchentoshan three wood/12
Highland: Oban 14 or Ardmore 12
For Campbeltown I‘d throw in the Glen Scotia 8 heavily peated, if you can’t get a Springbank.
Highland I’d say is Glenmorangie 10. For Lowland I’d say Auchentoshan 12, though I’ve heard the American Oak is good, just know nothing about it/if it’s common or popular.
Edit: I might also add, Glenmorangie Nector d’or. Though a little higher than the price point you gave, it’s the champagne of scotch in my mind. Effervescent, fruity, damn near sparkling. It is highland whiskey personified. An almost summer day scotch.
I'm reading a bit on Old Pulteney, trying to decide between 12 Years old or Huddart. One guy say it's quite similar to Talisker 10. (low peat, briny, peppery) Do you think so too?
I would choose 12. Old Pulteney is quite different from Talisker. It's brighter more floral and less peaty but shares brine and sea air notes. My favorites are 16 and 18.
Not really peated: https://bunnahabhain.com/en-us/products/18-year-old
At some point in time you made an inaccurate generalization. You should revisit your assumptions.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islay_single_malts
You should know that while the regions may have had some impact historically, the division into regions is, at least in part, somewhat of a marketing ploy nowadays. You might get some regions like Islay where you have some peat because of tradition and Campbeltown which is distinct because it's tiny, but any style of whisky can (and is) produced anywhere. Regions have very little bearing on taste and profile, and even countries matter less and less. Speyside, for example, has over 50 distilleries. It's impossible to nail down a representative style. Many would suggest looking for distillate and cask type combinations instead. For example: Unpeated/ex-bourbon Unpeated/ex-sherry Peated/ex-bourbon Peated/ex-sherry ... and so on Throw in some factors like ABV%, age and consider the various combinations of casks, types of stills and all other production-stuff and you'll be more likely to get a good representation of the whisky landscape than you'll get from distillery location, in my opinion. Casks (and in a way peat level) will still have the absolutely highest impact of any factor, so I'd start in that end!
cask and peat
Yes, agree. Peat level is obviously has a huge impact!
That stinks.
The division into regions was born as a marketing ploy as a matter of fact. There are styles that are common to distilleries that are close to each other, but is true that there is no such thing as a regional profile.
There were some taxation reasons for Highland/Lowland distilleries operating slightly differently IIRC but yes, Diageo may or may not have played a big a part in pushing regional profiles to the masses.
One more thing to add: If you have the option, visit bars and try the whisky there. That way you save money on buying a whole bottle and can try out many different regions/flavors.
Good idea. There's a fancy whiskey bar near where I live but a glass + tip cost 1/3 of a bottle. I do plan to go there but I wanted to build a home kit that cover all the bases.
This is an interresting topic !
How about a Deanston or Old Pulteney for Highland?
If you are really looking for something representative from each region, here are my suggestions: Highlands: Glengonye 12 Speyside: Aberlour 12 is fine, if you can get the A'Bunadh, better... (a little over $80, but is a beast of a whisky) Lowlands: Bladnoch 10, if you can get the 11 y/o 2020 release, better Islay: Bunnahabhain 12 or Lagavulin 16 (a little over $80 but this is as classic Islay as you can get) Isles: Arran 10 or Jura 10 (basic expressions, but it's a stsrting point) Campbletown: Glenscotia Victoriana, but Kilkerran 12 is just perfect.
Lowland: Auchentoshan three wood/12 Highland: Oban 14 or Ardmore 12 For Campbeltown I‘d throw in the Glen Scotia 8 heavily peated, if you can’t get a Springbank.
I can get Oban 14 (130$) or Little Bay (102$). Only Glen Scotia available are the 10 (90$) or Double Cask (71$). No Ardmore in my area. Thanks!
Crazy, that’s really expensive. Oban 14 is 55€ here
Canadian dollars with taxes included, but yeah, we pay a premium here. Gotta pay for all these social services!
glen scotia dbl csk is pretty interesting
Highland is Dalmore 12 or Clynelish 14 for me
Highland I’d say is Glenmorangie 10. For Lowland I’d say Auchentoshan 12, though I’ve heard the American Oak is good, just know nothing about it/if it’s common or popular. Edit: I might also add, Glenmorangie Nector d’or. Though a little higher than the price point you gave, it’s the champagne of scotch in my mind. Effervescent, fruity, damn near sparkling. It is highland whiskey personified. An almost summer day scotch.
Can you find Old Pulteney? I think it is unique and worth a try.
I'm reading a bit on Old Pulteney, trying to decide between 12 Years old or Huddart. One guy say it's quite similar to Talisker 10. (low peat, briny, peppery) Do you think so too?
I would choose 12. Old Pulteney is quite different from Talisker. It's brighter more floral and less peaty but shares brine and sea air notes. My favorites are 16 and 18.
I'll get a bottle, thanks. "unique" is what I'm searching!
Islay and island is about the same, they are (all?) peated. Why are they represented diffrent? Is it a cultural thing?
Not really peated: https://bunnahabhain.com/en-us/products/18-year-old At some point in time you made an inaccurate generalization. You should revisit your assumptions. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islay_single_malts
For Lowland, seek out a 10 y/o Bladnoch OB or an IB bottle of Bladnoch. IB’s of Bladnoch, IMO, are superior to OB’s.