Well you've already had the best, HP 12 cannot be beat IMHO. But since you are looking elsewhere, and you like Highlands region, I wold suggest Balvinie Doublewood 12. Absolutely love the sherry notes in it, another great bottle that can be had for Under $50.
Another interesting one I came across in a tasting was an Irish Single Malt Whiskey called Knappogue Castle. Nice and light in color, almost a golden blonde, has an excellent flavor with light grassy notes and a fantastic apricot/peach finish as you breath in after swallowing. Immediately went out and had my local store order a bottle.
I remember when lagavulin jumped from 65 to 80 here several years back (after a dry spell) though still worth every penny IMO
The peat monster! Peat so thick you can stand a fork in it!
Ardbeg 10 by a long shot.
...well, Clynelish isn't too far behind.
Great thread!
Well you've already had the best, HP 12 cannot be beat IMHO. But since you are looking elsewhere, and you like Highlands region, I wold suggest Balvinie Doublewood 12. Absolutely love the sherry notes in it, another great bottle that can be had for Under $50.
Wow forgot about Ardbeg in my original postmight be a smidgeon too peaty for OP? Especially as someone thought talisker might be?
I'll chip in another couple for good measure Lagavulin if Ardbeg is ok this should be excellent? Very similar to the other islay malts but a touch more relaxed, gives less tcp aroma more lapsang souchong tea with the afore mentioned roaring Hebridean bonfire replaced by a delicate pipe tobacco? Rounded off by a still flavoursome iodine finish.
Regards Grant