Green label is actually just being sold as "Gold Reserve" from now on.

I don't agree, but yea, a few people I know agree with you on the green>gold stance.

Looking for recommendations from this.

I have tried: Ardbeg 10 year, Laphroaig 10 & 15 yr, all the Glenfidditch, Glenlivet 12. I own Glengoyne 17 yr & Bowmore Islay cask strength, Have also had some Cragganmore, Glenmorangie, Macallan and Caol Ila, but can not remember which one. I like smoky whiskies, but I'm open to try something new, especially if it's radically different from any other whisky I've tasted. Don't want to spend $30 on a shot.

Also, El Diablo has tried all of these bar 5! Can anyone beat that?

Been enjoying Talisker 10 lately.

Try Laphroaig, not expensive and with lots of personality

He's already tried Laphroaig!

I would recommend giving the Lagavulin 16 a try if you like smoky.

my attitude with trying new whiskies in a bar type setting is to try something that you might otherwise not get the chance to buy. so for instance, lagavulin 16 is a fantastic scotch, an absolute staple for me, but if i'm in a place with a good scotch list i'm almost never going to order it. because i can get it anywhere.

with that in mind - not sure of your price range PGUK or if you have one, but the island malts are probably a safe area for you. i would recommend trying the highland park 15 or 18, the ardbeg uigeadail, and maybe one of the balvenies. i've never had the bowmore sherry cask, i'd be interested to try it myself. the standard bottling of bowmore is no better than 4th or 5th of all the islays to me, but it's good enough that i'd be interested in trying the sherry cask.

Changes in Jhonnie Walker expresions confirmed:

http://vodamagazine.net/2012/04/04/j...in-the-lineup/

I strongly believe this is just a marketing ploy by Apple...I mean Johnnie Walker.
it's seems to me, that the name Green Label just wasn't appealing to the masses, and was lacking in sales (except for in Taiwan), so they decides to just do a little trick play.

Ftr:

Green Label = Gold Reserve
Gold Label = Platinum Label

So...if you're a big fan of the green label taste, not to worry, it's still available...it's just disguised as Gold Reserve and about $20 extra.

I read through the last couple pages and saw El Diablo's single malt collection (very impressive) and am wanting to try and build up one of my own. I've mostly only tried/enjoyed Speyside whiskeys w/ Balvenie being my favorite. I would love to branch out away from Speyside a bit. Right now I have a Balvenie 12 double wood, Balvenie 14 Caribbean Cask, and a Glenlivet 12. Here's a list of ones I thought would be good:

Balvenie 21 portwood, Balvenie 17 peated cask, Lagavulin 16, Highland Park 15 or 18, GlenRothes 94 or 90, Talisker 10, Laphroaig Quarter Cask???

What do you think of that list? What am I missing? Is there something you would substitute in for one of the whiskeys I listed? Thanks for any help.

Snap,

Well, can't go wrong w that list. To branch out a bit, I'd recommend picking up the HP 15 for something not way out there but with a bit of smokiness and the Lagavulin for one that's still smooth but has a ton of classic Islay peat flavor.

From what I've undestood they will not be including a blended malt (green label) in the line up, just blends from now on.

Is that really how much it is in the USA? FFS. I live around 40 miles away from the distillery and it'd would cost me around £25-30 in the shop.

Shark,

Where did you get your info re: the new Johnnie Walker lineup? As river wrote, your info appears to be incorrect based on everything I'm reading about it.

Here's one of a number of posts I read about the changes:
http://whiskyforeveryone.blogspot.co...label.html?m=1

Drinkers,

Another couple of new additions:


2000 Bowmore 11yo - this one is pretty peaty w/ a light sherry finish. Very solid.

Glenmorangie Artein - wow, this one is amazing. A Glenmorangie expression I hadn't tried before. I like this quite a bit more than my previous favorite Glenmorangie Nectar D'Or. This shares a lot of characteristics w/ the Bruichladdich Black Art at a lot more affordable price point. A lot of very interesting flavors here. I'm gonna have to try it again, but it had some very rich, savory smoky notes along with some deep plumlike flavors.

A close friend of mine works for LCBO (liquor store in Canada) and haS confirmed this information directly from te Johnnie Walker rep.

The only thing I can think of that makes sense is maybe after so much time, Gold label is no longer 18 years aged...and must me bumped to a higher level? Im not sure but this came directly from him.

I can't type correctly ATM. Wife and I just had our first baby and I haven't had proper sleep in the last four days. Plus, just killed two bottles of Gold label and a few other bottles (BL, Chivas and Crown Royal) between a small group of us and am pretty drunk.

Congrats! Gl sleeping off your hangover w a newborn

Hi guys, does anyone have an opinion on "Fill your own bottle"?

http://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/vin...ourbottle.aspx

Is it possible to get legit bang for buck with this or 100% gimmick?

I've had good experience with The Whisky Exchange and I don't see any reason why this couldn't be a good deal. I'd be cautiously optimistic.

Yea the whiskey exchange is awesome, so it's probably legit.

A mate and I are thinking if heading to Scotland to taste some whiskey. We only want to do a 1 day tour - can someone recommend something?

Or if that's unfeasible is there anywhere good in london to do a tasting?

I picked up a few travel only exclusive bottles from the duty free in Amsterdam:

Balvenie 14 Golden Cask
Highland Park Leif Eriksson
Smokehead Extra Rare

Anyone ever try any of these?

I'll let you know what I think after I have a few glasses.

Guller,

Never even heard of them, but I sure like the sound of them.

Man there is nothing better than coming home from a long day at work and just sitting down with a glass and a decent bottle.