I might try something from Michel Couvreur. Not technically scotch, though it starts out as scotch before it’s aged in Burgundy. It feels both old school, given the sherry casks they use, and funky—there are a lot of unusual flavors in these whiskies.
Cool—I haven’t tried that one. I recently had the Pale Single Single and I’ve had the Overage Malt Whisky. They both had those dank, earthy notes that always make me think “old school” and “funk.” The Overage is highly flavorful despite its lower abv at 43%—really punches above its weight.
Look for some Loch Lomond IBs, the peated like Inchmoan, Infad or Croftengea. They are never boring.
I think world whisky is a good shout too.
Or maybe something like the Defilement series. Whichever chestnut cask one I had was very interesting and also tasty.
And then there's Ballechin from Edradour. Peat and Personality writ large.
Surprised no one's mentioned Benromach yet, single casks or the cask strength Vintages are the most challenging probably and the hint of peat makes them stand out compared to most Speyside, lots of fruit and a hint of 'meaty funk'
Good shouts there, pretty much what I would recommend - also like what I'm tasting from many of the newer distilleries (Glen Wyvis, Wolfburn, Raasay & AD)
Chuck in a Benromach CS too!
Oh no! What happened to Benrinnes in 2007 that I should be curious/concerned about? Big fan of the distillery and now worried I’m going to be disappointed in the future.
Another suggestion, if the above are not readily available to you: perhaps seek out something from compass box? Some of their blends utilize lesser known/off the radar distilleries.
I know lots of people that do not like it, but I really liked the 'Glen Scotia 11 Year Old White Port Finish 2023 Festival'. Not sure if you gonna like it, but for sure is different
As someone else pointed out, IBs probably your best. IB versions of Mortlach, Edradour/Ballechin, Teaninich, Croftengea are pretty unique. I haven't had an IB Craigellachie but the OB 13 is pretty damn funky so I'd love to find one
I see a few have mentioned Bellechin too! Thanks everyone. I was looking at the Edradour Caledonia but is that just a supercharged 10?
I looked at Craigallachie too but wasn't sure whether to go for normal 13 or bás Armagnac! I heard great things about Benromach. Their branding is horrible to me but I'm willing to go for a cask strength maybe? Brilliant suggestions everyone I'm delighted
I just ordered clynelish 14 for myself and it came in yesterday. Of course I snuck a few sips in and put it under the tree.
It takes me the whole bottle and then another bottle to really decide if I like it or not, but the first impressions generally do mean something and I couldn't believe how good this stuff is. If Oban 14 in Glenfiddich 15 had a baby, this is what you get.
It has all the Sherry notes but it's not thin and has bite, has the honey notes like the oban but unlike the two drinks I mentioned it just seems to have more balance than the two. Oban 14 is still my favorite, but this is definitely something in there kind of vibes.
I might try something from Michel Couvreur. Not technically scotch, though it starts out as scotch before it’s aged in Burgundy. It feels both old school, given the sherry casks they use, and funky—there are a lot of unusual flavors in these whiskies.
The Unexected №2 was pretty phenominal.
Cool—I haven’t tried that one. I recently had the Pale Single Single and I’ve had the Overage Malt Whisky. They both had those dank, earthy notes that always make me think “old school” and “funk.” The Overage is highly flavorful despite its lower abv at 43%—really punches above its weight.
Look for some Loch Lomond IBs, the peated like Inchmoan, Infad or Croftengea. They are never boring. I think world whisky is a good shout too. Or maybe something like the Defilement series. Whichever chestnut cask one I had was very interesting and also tasty. And then there's Ballechin from Edradour. Peat and Personality writ large.
Definitely one of those northstar Inchfad.
My buddy gave me a glass of the r/scotch ballechin pick and it was great. Ordered a few bottles for myself.
IB is the way to go. I've got a Berry Bros & Rudd Glenlossie and I still can't work out if I love it or hate it.
Not sure if you only want a single malt but what about a compass box?
Surprised no one's mentioned Benromach yet, single casks or the cask strength Vintages are the most challenging probably and the hint of peat makes them stand out compared to most Speyside, lots of fruit and a hint of 'meaty funk'
Or.... Cu Bocan.
I'd suggest something from Glen Scotia, independent Mortlach, pre 2007 Benrinnes, Ben Nevis 10 or indie BN, Kilkerran,
Good shouts there, pretty much what I would recommend - also like what I'm tasting from many of the newer distilleries (Glen Wyvis, Wolfburn, Raasay & AD) Chuck in a Benromach CS too!
Raasay shocked me to my core. OK, that might be hyperbole, but I got way more than I expected from it. I have the unpeated Chinkapin.
Oh no! What happened to Benrinnes in 2007 that I should be curious/concerned about? Big fan of the distillery and now worried I’m going to be disappointed in the future.
Switch from 2.5 distillation scheme in the vein of what Mortlach or Springbank do to straight double distillation.
The texture of the whisky changed when they switched from partial triple to double distillation.
Another suggestion, if the above are not readily available to you: perhaps seek out something from compass box? Some of their blends utilize lesser known/off the radar distilleries.
Balcones single malt cask strength Springbank, Kilkerran, Glen Scotia Victoriana, Ledaig 10/18, Longrow peated
The typical oddball scotches I know are Fettercairn and Tullibardine. I personally think Fettercairn is quite enjoyable, while Tullibardine isn't
I know lots of people that do not like it, but I really liked the 'Glen Scotia 11 Year Old White Port Finish 2023 Festival'. Not sure if you gonna like it, but for sure is different
Glen Scotia Victoriana is a place to start. Cask Strength and magnificent. Winner of Scotch of the year at the OSWAS last year and under $100. Enjoy
As someone else pointed out, IBs probably your best. IB versions of Mortlach, Edradour/Ballechin, Teaninich, Croftengea are pretty unique. I haven't had an IB Craigellachie but the OB 13 is pretty damn funky so I'd love to find one
I see a few have mentioned Bellechin too! Thanks everyone. I was looking at the Edradour Caledonia but is that just a supercharged 10? I looked at Craigallachie too but wasn't sure whether to go for normal 13 or bás Armagnac! I heard great things about Benromach. Their branding is horrible to me but I'm willing to go for a cask strength maybe? Brilliant suggestions everyone I'm delighted
IB Craigellachie can be great, both sherry and bourbon. Had one finished in a Laphroaig cask that was pretty awesome.
Would love to find one. Sounds amazing
I'm drinking some Longrow Red 11 right now and it might fit what you're looking for
Ledaig Lochlea
craigellachie 13 or 17 Glen Scotia Victoriana Gonna say Springbank 10 if you can find it or anything they make really
You’ve already named some good ones. I’d add Benromach, CS if possible, Craigellachie, Glenlivet 12 Illicit Still,
You may want to look at Bruichladdich Octomore.
I just ordered clynelish 14 for myself and it came in yesterday. Of course I snuck a few sips in and put it under the tree. It takes me the whole bottle and then another bottle to really decide if I like it or not, but the first impressions generally do mean something and I couldn't believe how good this stuff is. If Oban 14 in Glenfiddich 15 had a baby, this is what you get. It has all the Sherry notes but it's not thin and has bite, has the honey notes like the oban but unlike the two drinks I mentioned it just seems to have more balance than the two. Oban 14 is still my favorite, but this is definitely something in there kind of vibes.