A Steal of a Deal ?!

@RikS odd is an understatement for the LCBO.

Wandered into Winn Dixie (Clermont, Fl) wine and spirits and picked up Glenlivet Founder's Reserve for 31.99. Regular price was 46.00

just

@PeterG7 That's still $31.99 more than I would pay for that expression. I found it almost undrinkable.

For that price you could get a bottle of OGD 114 - now THAT'S WHISKEY!

@Nozinan Oh well, I can always use it for cooking.

@PeterG7 Tastes differ.

I'm a bit arrogant when it comes to approaching NAS releases meant to replace reasonable entry level age stated expressions. I was biased when I tried it. I really did not like it though.

But also, although I am very active on this site, and enjoy reading about and learning about whisky, outside of tastings where I try to hold my own, I don't seem to find the opportunities to drink a lot. So when I do I really have to make It count, and I tend to stay away from "ok" whiskies" in favour of "wow" whiskies unless I'm doing a blind tasting or a review.

So while I don't apologize for not liking Livet's Founder's Reserve, there was no intention to impugn your tastes.

@Nozinan None taken..:)

Just picked up a bottle of Westland American Single Malt Whiskey on clearance for $35.09. With tax it came out to $37.19. I think this counts as a Steal of a Deal

For anyone in the UK, Amazon has an independent seller that's selling out the Kavalan ex-Bourbon Oak for £25 (compared £79 at MoM).

From Serge at whiskyfun: Kavalan ‘ex-bourbon-oak’ (46%, OB, Taiwan, +/-2017) Four stars Colour: straw. Nose: simple and perfect. Oranges, vanilla, a little earth, and little pastry, some barley, some sweet ale, a touch of mango. Ultra-classic ex-bourbon maturation, flawless if not totally mindboggling. Mouth: very good, I think. Once again, it’s pretty simple, but everything falls into place, oranges, vanilla, mangos, maracuja, marzipan, frangipani… Indeed, very good. Finish: medium, fresh, not too bourbon, excellently mastered. Comments: I wasn’t ready to go this high – and indeed there’s no age-statement, not even some cryptic codes that I could see - but I can’t think of anyone who’d dislike this very perfect vatting. Single casks are one thing, but doing this kind of vatting is a more difficult game. Success! - 87 points.

Eagle Rare 10 £28 in ASDA and on Amazon. Great price for one of my favourite bourbons right there.

MoM have Uigeadail for £46 and Corryvrekan for £56 - so just over £100 for the pair! All due to Father's day sales I presume but I've never seen those two that low.

Apparently Virginia has decided to drop the Bruichladdich Scottish Barley from their shelves. So it is a closeout sale. It was $56.99 (plus tax) now down to $37.09. I picked up a bottle today. The bottle fill date is 2019/01/30. So filled this year. At 50% ABV this is not bad for the money. It sure isn't as good as the Islay Barley variant. Not sure if this is one I want to pick up multiple bottles of. I might wait and see if they drop it down to half off. Virginia has typically done that after a month of the first sale price (if the bottles don't all sell).

It also looks like Virginia is selling off what few bottles of Old Pulteney 17yo remain around. If you are lucky enough to have a bottle near you could pay $58.59 plus tax. Sadly, nothing is in my area. I would have bought a half dozen at that price.

@Nock That's a mega steal on the OP 17. I just ordered a bottle of the new 18. It was no steal at $136 Can, but I have tasted it before and it is very good. I'm looking forward to doing a HtoH with the 17.

amazon.co.uk/Glenfarclas-Years-Single-Scot…

Glenfarclas 25 for under £100 on Amazon UK

@Wierdo - I knew I should't have looked at this thread

As you know I'm on the lookout for a special bottle for my 40th next year. Have you (anyone) had this?

@RianC Glenfarclas 25 is the best of the core range. It is the least sulphured of the bunch and shows the rich, balanced flavours of well aged single malt. The 21 has definitive herbal aspects. The 15 with it's ABV 46% is punchy and youthful. The 105 is young but, mellows nicely if consumed over the course of a year+.

@fiddich1980 - Thanks! My finger is literally on the 'buy' button . . . Still, £100 for a £25 yo is great value and it will be for a special occasion so it fits two of my three criteria!

I loved the 15 and do like a well-sherried whisky that doesn't taste like sherry was tipped into the bottle. The 25 looks like it's all 2nd and 3rd fill ex-sherry as well so . . .

@RianC The going rate in Canada converted to sterling is about £144 or $235 CAD, In my opinion - at £100 a steal.

@fiddich1980 - Dang, I'm convinced! Happy 40th @RianC

@fiddich1980 compared to Macallan 25, even the LCBO price for farclas 25 is a steal.

@Nozinan There's no JOY if you have to rationalize opening a bottle over keeping it sealed as an investment.

@fiddich1980 Quite right. I was just thinking that if one wanted to buy a 25 year old sherried whisky at 43%, it would be easier to pay $239.95 than $2200.00 (current list price).

Mind you, the "Tullibardine 25-Year-Old Highland Single Malt Sctoch Whisky" is $399.95, and while it's expensive, I've never had a "Sctoch" before... (oy...the LCBO).

On a serious note, since my interest in whisky started in earnest in 2011, I have never seriously purchased whisky as an investment (this is not a judgement statement, just a fact). I bought some Glen Breton (rare and ice) before that (during the "Battle of the Glens") in anticipation of Glenora losing and having to change the name (see how that turned out - thanks @Nelom for taking those open bottles off my hands). I did buy a couple of bottles of bourbon that were slated to lose their age statements, and a Four Roses 125 when it was $80 at the LCBO, but primarily with the intention of opening. If I am saving them it's because I have too many open or my tastes have changed and they are trade bait (at cost to my friends) .

In terms of Joy though, there is an element of happiness that can be derived from having a bottle you bought cheaply a few years earlier, that has unexpectedly increased in value, and opening it with your friends, knowing it is unobtainable. Can't wait for the next epic tasting!

@Nozinan I'll bring the Blablair 1991 3rd release to the next tasting. I know @Astroke and @Cricklewood have tried it. It would be fun to try a 26-27 year old.

@fiddich1980, Agreed! Glenfarclas 25 is the star of the core range. It remains "affordable" and relatively clean for its age. I've had a couple of good batches of 17 YO. The 25 YO you shared with me during your Glenfarclas flight was excellent.

@RianC you're probably already convinced to buy the Farclas 25 but another positive vote can't hurt.

It's definitely a mellow and beautiful dram, quite different in character to the younger versions and great value already at its regular price. You have to hand it to Glenfarclas for keeping their prices reasonable as well.

@fiddich1980 haven't dipped much into the Balblair but enjoyed it. Perhaps I should have a dram of it tonight.

What's the theme of the next epic tasting?

@cricklewood I think I air a comment to @Nozinan a few months back.

A Thought:

"Young & Fiesty" Glendronach 8, Kilkeran 8, Talisker 8, Glenfarclas 8**(depending on SAQ avialability), a young Canadian, a young Bourbon (age of 107?)

@cricklewood ... A Chicken Ballintine .... food wise.

@fiddich1980 are we already planning the next tasting?

@Nozinan It's just a thought. @cricklewood asked and that was what came to my mind.

@fiddich1980 I shouldn’t Have disposed of the Howitzer... doh!

@RianC I brought a bottle of the 15 that came with 50ml samples of the 21 and 25. I really enjoyed the 25. I'm actually quite tempted by that offer, but just paid my car insurance so I'll have to see if they do the offer again.

I follow a group on Facebook called UKWD (United Kingdom Whisky Deals) it's updated nearly every day, so its good for keeping an eye on current deals.

Amazon had Aberlour Abundah for the old price of £60 the other day. But that's ended now.