buddy_dosser

No sound on ppv? Or is it just my setup?

Absolutely zero chance of it being Ardbeg, it's far too hard to get casks of it these days and if you do manage it they are ridiculously expensive. Likewise aged Lagavulin. Bruichladdich didn't heavily peat their whisky pre-mothballing in 94 so it won't be from their, Bunnahabhain didn't produce a peated style (since the 60's at least) until 97 so it won't be from then either. The only realistic options are Bowmore, Caol Ila or Laphroaig, all of which are found frequently in independent bottlings. I've not tried it so I can't hazard a guess. I did have an 18 year old highland from lidl about 5 or 6 years ago and vowed never to buy another whisky from them again, it tasted like a mix of cardboard and cabbage. Disgusting.

For non-peated sherried malts most of the distilleries from Speyside would fit the bill. Everybody's taste is different but personally I think the best 'bang for your buck' sherried malts are Glendronach 15 or Glenfarclas 15. I've been getting tore into an indy Clynelish tonight, 17yo 57.4%

Agreed about the Pulteney, very good whisky for a very good price. Of that list, Bowmore small batch & Jura origin are the two I'd avoid - in my opinion they are both well below par. I'd think twice about Laphroaig Select too as you can get the 10 for the same price, the 10 blows the Select out the water.

Under not circumstances should you keep a bottle of whisky on its side! No wonder your cork snapped if it was stored on its side for a year. Unlike wine, whisky should be stored upright - the higher alcoholic content of whisky causes cork to degrade. If it's left in direct contact for a long time it can even taint the flavour of a whisky. Also, as the cork begins to degrade (or of it was poorly fitting in the first place) if the whisky reaches the glue holding the cork to the plastic topper it can begin to break that down, leaching the chemicals back into the whisky. Never, ever store whisky on its side. Also, if you've got an open bottle whose cork looks as if it is beginning to dry out don't be tempted to wet it with the whisky, this will only speed up the drying out process. With regards to evaporation - yes, unopened whisky will evaporate over time if it isn't properly stored. If it's stored somewhere where there are large temperature variances the cork can begin to dry out, breaking the seal and causing evaporation. You should also keep it out of direct sunlight, keep it in its box or tube etc. The worst thing is, the use of cork is completely unnecessary. Bugger all wrong with screw tops!

I wouldn't anything to the Dalmores to be honest - they are bottled at such a pathetically low abv that they will drown if you add anything to them. The ridiculous amount of artificial colourant in them, together with the extreme levels of chill filtration which must have taken place won't do them any favours either. They do 'look' pretty though, I'll give them that.