Laphroaig or Ardbeg? What say ye?

For me (sampling the ten year old versions, can't be shelling out for the Cask Strength or collectors bottlings) I'm torn between the two and it depends on which day you ask me. Laphroaig is huge. Mineral, medicinal, immensely aromatic when given a tiny splash of ice cold water (like maybe a teasoon), peat bomb unmatched by any other (although Ardbeg is damned close). When I want to be bowled over with an olfactory experience I grab Laphroaig. Ardbeg is a little less in your face but still menacing enough. Less mineral and medicinal, a little more refined but still big and peaty, more edge on the initial taste (almost peppery) but less aromatic than Laphroaig (hell, what else is that aromatic?). The finish seems longer with Ardbeg, but more unique with Laphroaig. Ardbeg is much more clear and clouds when you add cold water because of the filtration method, seems more craft-style, less design-manufactured. No caramel added, no concern over clarity, just hard core whiskey.

So far these are the only two Islay powerhouses I've sampled. There are others I'm interested in, but they're damned expensive (Lagavulin, Caol Ila).

Want to talk Islay huh?? I can sit down and talk hours about Islay single malts....... My introduction to Islay single malts was a good family friend steve who owns a bar here in fort wayne Indiana the same bar that served its first legal beer the day probition ended awesome bar.. any ways it was caol Ila 18 year old it was absolutely breath taking!! Then moved on from there ..... I love laphroaig and actually purchased a case when it went on sale at my local liquor store....

As far as moving on to others at a good price may i suggest
Bowmore... this is my 1st reccomendation this is perfect IMHO... just the right amount of smokey peat characteristics with that touch of iodine undertones....

Bruichladdich about the same price range as laphroaig but sometime you can find it cheaper... again another classic Islay scotch that great for the price!!

Ive been drinking Islay scotches for 5 years now and havnt found one I havnt liked, but please do keep an open mind when tasting them as well as keep in mind that these are superbly crafted and unfortunately we cant pick up for $25-30 a bottle, though i wish!!

If you however, feel the need to indulge on yourself I HIGHLY reccomend Port Charlotte, this Islay single malt is no longer produced and collectors gobble up these bottles!!! thought sometimes you might find a deal on one and when i say deal for me dropping $160-210 a bottle to me this is a deal... ive seen port charlotte bottles certain makes and vintages go as high as $5k

hope this might help you some in voyaging in you Islay selections
cheers
Mike

Mike, are you speaking of standard 10 or 12 year old releases of Bowmore and Bruichladdich, or is it older stuff or special bottlings? I can find Laphroaig 10 year at Trader Joes for a tick over $30, cheaper than the one chain liquor store in town that actually stocks good scotch. But, that's about it for Trader Joes, they don't stock much. The Chain store (Bevmo) has a lot, but a lot of it is pretty steep. Not much in the $30 range, most of the interesting stuff runs $65-$100, so I'm not likely to be buyin it.

Oh, and at the last pipe club a gentleman was very kind to bring a bottle of Laphroaig Quarter Cask and offer a glass. It was quite impressive, but sadly was near $70

Hmm, I may have to go make a search

Between Laphroaig and Ardbeg, it's almost a toss up for me. They both taste great, but Ardbeg is more complex.
However, the fact that the 10 yr old Laphroaig is about $20 less than the 10 yr old Ardbeg is hard to ignore.
Ardbeg's packaging is also a bit more "deluxe".
Disclaimer: I'm enjoying some Laphroaig as I type...

Hey PD, next time you're down south, you have a standing invite to come over and have some Lagavulin or Caol Ila in Pasadena.

I'd love to take you up on that some Day Harlock!

You know it's funny about southern California (or funny about me, most likely). We came up north to get away from the mass that is LA, but it didn't take long before you could hardly tell the difference between here and there,except that the weather is nicer there. The wife and I are actually considering moving back there in a few years when I retire. San Diego if we can.

Some great news via Facebook from Islay on April 1!



(I do love a Scotch with a sense of humour...)

Only on April Fools Day would a Scot joke about his whisky.

So comparing Caol Ila, Lagavulin, Laphroaig and Ardbeg, how would you rank them?

Another that I'd ike to try is Bruichladdich's Laddie 10, sounds like a very interesting whisky, and story as well.

Sorry Brothers, couldn't help it...