From: hunter@work.nlm.nih.gov (Larry Hunter)
Subject: Re: Society of Scotch Malt Connoisseurs' whisky selections
Organization: National Library of Medicine
Distribution: rec
Date: 13 Dec 92 16:31:56



Jim Cloos Jr asks: 

  A local (high volume) discount liquor store carries a few of the SoSMC's
  selections for $55 (USD) for 1977 caskings.  I'm curious how that compares,
  value-wise, with other stores, esp. those in the UK....

I saw the SoSMC selections when I was touring Scotland last summer, and tasted
a couple of them.  The ones I saw were labeled "Pride of X (Speyside, etc.)"
These are blended whiskeys (NOT single malts), but the blends are intended to
capture the regional tastes you would get from buying single malts.  They have
much more in common with the singles than the typical blended Scotch.

The two I tasted (Campbeltown and Speyside) were pretty good, although they
weren't what I would call bargains.  They do a good job of capturing the
regional differences if you weren't already familiar with them.  However, I
don't think they are as good as the best distilleries' whiskeys in the
respective regions, and they cost just as much (or more!)

So, let's assume the '77s are all 12 year old (since they stop aging once
bottled -- could be as much as 15 years, though).  A 12 year old Springbank is
likely to cost less than $40 and, IMHO be much better than the SoSMC
Campbeltown.  If you want, you could probably get 16 year old Springbank for
less than $50, too.  

Also, be careful comparing the "Speyside" sample you bought with Laphoig and
Talisker you also mentioned.  These latter are Maritimes (specifically, from
Islay & Skye, respectively) which are quite different from Highlands (of which
Speyside is a subcategory).  Try comparing the SoSMC Speyside with Macallan or
Glen Grant.   A 12 year old Macallan should run about $40, and the Glen Grant
perhaps a bit less.  Both are really excellent Highlands (The Macallan will be
much easier to find, but the Glen Grant is worth seeking out!) and >30% cheaper
than the SoSMC blend.

If you don't have a good guide (e.g. Michael Jackson's Whiskey book, or a
helpful store owner) or you can't find many single malts, trying each of the
SoSMC bottles will give you a good sense of the tastes associated with each
region and allow you to get a sense of what you want to explore in more depth.
And they are certainly good whiskeys.  However, I think you can do much better
for your money by going for single malts.  Below are a few suggestions for
distilleries that represent various regions.  All of these should be available
in 12 year old versions for less (maybe much less) than $55.

Islay:
 Lagavulin (my regional fave)
 Laphroig (buy at least the 12 yr old; the 10 is not as good, IMHO)
 Bruichladdich (bargain)
 (Talisker is from another, nearby island called Skye)

Lowlands:
 Auchensoshan (most easily available)
 Kinclaith (my fave of the lowlands; generally, I don't like 'em that much)

Speyside:
 Macallan (the classic)
 Glen Grant (a great; try for at least 12 yr old)
 Cragganmore (bargain)
 Knockando (lighter)
 (Don't neglect the non-Speyside Highlands, e.g. Glenmorangie)  

Northern: 
 Highland Park (Orkney Island; my fave of the area)
 Scapa  (also from Orkney)
 Clynelish (non-Orkney Northern)
 

This should provide you with many happy hours of sipping & exploration... 

Larry


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Lawrence Hunter, PhD.
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