So, what are you drinking now?

@paddockjudge you are right about that, the Isle of Skye 8yr old is also great and has an awesome price point. I have enjoyed both and hope you do get a chance to enjoy the 12yr old. (:

Several drams, rebottling odds and ends, and reacquaintance with some old open bottles: Ardbeg Corryvreckan, Connemara Cask Strength, Russian Standard Vodka, Depaz Blue Cane Rhum Agricole, Clontarf Blended Irish, Mellow Corn Bottled In Bond, and Old Fitzgerald Bottled In Bond. No surprises during this round, and no great revelations. Good drinking, though.

Blue Jays & Angels in a free-for-all. Eleven runs scored after 2 1/2 innings. September is approaching. The MLB rosters will expand to 40 players and Forty Creek will release another Signature Limited Edition. The Blue Jays AAA farm team is in Buffalo. Forty Creek Distillery is about 1/2 way between Buffalo and Toronto, the home of the Blue Jays. Today I've poured a paddockjudge favourite, Forty Creek Heart of Gold 2013 release. Go Jays! Thank you John K Hall !!

@paddockjudge

9-5 Jays in the 7th . If they hold on they'll take a half game lead in the AL EAST. Definitely worth celebrating with a Canadian Classic.

Sadly I can't have a dram tonight so I'll enjoy your HoG vicariously.

Hung out with Igor, enjoying an H. Upmann cigar with a cask-strength 10 year old Longrow, a Springbank Cask 450, Glen Gordon 8 year old from the early 70s (likely Macallan) and an SMWS Tormore 28 year old (sherry cask). So what do I do when I get home? Review the new Wiser's Hopped Whisky. There is something seriously wrong with me.

Sounds like you had a good time though, @talexander.

This Wednesday I'm enjoying a clynelish 14. Working on a review to post here.

@Alexsweden Thanks, it was a good time...until I tasted the hopped whisky...

Just cracked open Booker's 2015-1. This is my first Booker's. Wow! My better half just compared it to clover and honey--clover bourbon!

I'm also tasting the rye and pepper in the Booker's, along with vanilla. This is top notch hootch.I should add that this bottle was kindly obtained for me by Victor!

@Jonathan, a couple of cases of this Booker's 2015 - 01 would keep me content for some time. This heavyweight bourbon pairs well with pecan pie or raisin butter tarts...go figure.

Anyway, had a scratch around in the back of the cabinet and came up with a 100ml. sample of Knob Creek Bourbon @ 50% - My Wife brought a bottle back from Chicago in 2011. Bought it at Trader Joe's under the 'L' a few doors from the best Sushi Take-away in the town; change out of US.$26.00 was good value and a great 'drop' too. It tastes as good as it did 4years ago! So, went out to my local Liquor Barn and gave them Au.$74.99 for the same 9yo. expression: If it's as good as the Chicago bottle I'll probably forget the price.

Bottle code: L411CLH

Later...Freshly opened this is delicious! It's taken a while but I'd say Knob Creek has my name written on it and will be my go-to Bourbon for some time. The 60% version I have not even tried.Yet!

Cheers.

Bottle code should read L4118CLH.

Bardstown Barrel Selections Redemption Rye, Barrel proof. 121.3. Wow! Had a sip a couple of night's ago straight up. Tonight is with a small ice cube. My palate is not much for distingushing the different flavor changes but they were many. I have this on my shelf right next to the Bookers.

@Bilbo161, that's great that you can get barrel strength MGPI rye now, other than the relatively elusive Willett Family Estate bottles. For a long time there, there wasn't much MGPI rye sold at 50% or above, other than Willett. I still haven't had a taste of Redemption Barrel Proof, but I am looking forward to it.

...and I got very excited when I read in Whisky Advocate that there is now a 55% ABV release of Pikesville Supreme Straight Rye Whiskey (Heaven Hill). Even an old bottle of 40% ABV Pikesville can get pretty damned great when it takes on a lot of air.

Trying to get rid of this damned Wiser's Hopped Whisky by making it into a Manhattan. Not horrible. FML.

Evan Williams Single Barrel '04.

@Victor I'll keep an eye out for that Pikesville. Always looking for a new Rye.

First Telephone interview today. And we're off!

Celebrating with Heart of Gold. Poured the remains of my first bottle into a one ounce sample bottle and I get the rest (about 15 cc)!!!

Finishing off the last of my Talisker 10. Been a while since I broke that one out. It's so hard for me to finish a bottle, knowing I'll miss it. Like saying goodbye to a friend. Listening to Joe Walsh. Seems fitting.

@A'bunadhman, great post! Knob Creek is brilliant bourbon. There are many fine expressions in the Beam portfolio. Baker's and Booker's are worth visiting as well.

had a nice 22yr Glen Grant from Duncan Taylor tonight... spicy and a little sweet, not unlike the Caperdonich I had the other night. Warming up here, so I'll probably dig into some bourbons for the next few days - which are still seriously depleted from the last heat wave here in california

So...havent been too active lately, which has a reason: this summer I'm drinking Mezcal, Armagnac, Pisco, Absinthe, all kinds of Rum, lots of cocktails and Gin and Tonics and a few crafty beers.
Can't wait for autumn and winter hehe

Kilchoman sanaig, I really like it. Herbal and complex peatyness

Jimmy Russels Best in beautiful Taos New Mexico, heaven on earth, really!

Holey Dollar Rum @ 75.9% ABV. This needs to be reduced to about 52% where it has the most amazing character! I enjoy nosing this fine Rum as much as drinking it; well, almost!

Cheers!

@A'bunadhman When you reduced it, how did you know it was down to 52%?

@talexander: @ 2pts. Rum to 1pt. Pure water, I get 2/3 of 75.9% = 50.6% Where it drinks well. I fill the measure to slightly below the rim with water, where it drinks better (I think) and is about 52% (guess): It's one of those things I'm always fiddling with and I'd say that I've got this pretty near spot-on!

Cheers.

Blue Jays on fire! I've been pouring Booker's this afternoon....not recommended for Tigers' fans.

@paddockjudge

Watch it, at >60% the jays are so hot they may set your glass on fire.