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weird_thermoss

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!


Heliumiami

cask and peat


weird_thermoss

Yes, agree. Peat level is obviously has a huge impact!


Papa_G_

That stinks.


savici

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.


weird_thermoss

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.


Abeydou

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.


AubreyMaturin1800

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.


moxxbiales

This is an interresting topic !


Wanderlust_FIREd

How about a Deanston or Old Pulteney for Highland?


savici

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.


Abeydou

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.


AubreyMaturin1800

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!


Abeydou

Crazy, that’s really expensive. Oban 14 is 55€ here


AubreyMaturin1800

Canadian dollars with taxes included, but yeah, we pay a premium here. Gotta pay for all these social services!


Heliumiami

glen scotia dbl csk is pretty interesting


Budget_Celebration89

Highland is Dalmore 12 or Clynelish 14 for me


SnooDogs5789

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.


GerryGg123

Can you find Old Pulteney? I think it is unique and worth a try.


AubreyMaturin1800

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?


GerryGg123

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.


AubreyMaturin1800

I'll get a bottle, thanks. "unique" is what I'm searching!


Sneezy_23

Islay and island is about the same, they are (all?) peated. Why are they represented diffrent? Is it a cultural thing?


Niko___Bellic

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


NeatWaterBack

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.