Connosr Whisky of the Year 2013

great discussion chaps, shes a bloddy tough one to decide on though, one dram. hmmmmmmmm ive got 3 very distinct ones in my mind but to put it in one..... Ill get the ball rolling with the Glenfarclas 40

@tabarakRazvi I am reading this as best whisky released in 2013. So, I have to give my vote to the one whisky released this year that I enjoyed enough to buy several more bottles. That whisky is Ardbeg Ardbog. Sweet, salty, nutty and peaty, it really delivers. I think the reviews on this site back this one up!

Best 2013 release: Glen Garioch Sherry Cask Matured - 1999

With some difficulty, I'll cast my vote for the Amrut Intermediate Sherry.

Seems unfair as there are so many good whiskies out there.

Unfortunately, I am yet to crack open any of the bottles of Glenfarclas 40 that I have as I am saving those for my 40th which is many years from now.

I don't often get to open my bottles the year they're released. So although my favourite dram of 2013 was probably something else, my favourite whisky that was released in 2013 (and that I happened to taste in 2013 would have to be FORTY CREEK HEART OF GOLD

Kilchoman Coull Point, in the mouth it goes from tropical fruit and sunny barley fields to stormy peatbogs and red fruit. That developement did it for me.

@tabarakRazvi - great thread and obviously a hint of what lays ahead for this positive and caring community.

I tried some GREAT whisky in 2013 which included Amrut Intermediate Sherry, Talisker 18, Highland Park 25, anCnoc 22 YO, Corby's Lot 40 and various Glenfarclas Family Casks; however, I keep returning to a Canadian artisanal blend. I hereby nominate, from Grimsby Ontario, Heart of Gold by Forty Creek.

@paddockjudge

great minds think alike... though it is said that fools seldom differ.

Springbank Cask (early 80's): Sadly not my bottle but a generous pour from a generous friend! Made a poor relation of my Caol Ila DE. which I thought rather good - In any other company, the DE. would have been 'stellar'.

I should say the other 3 best whiskies I TRIED in 2013 (made available to me in 2013 but not released that year) would have to be:

• Aberlour A'Bunadh batch 44

• Bladnoch 11 year old sherry cask matured at 55%

• Amrut Cask Strength original bottling (2007)

Jeffersons presidential select 25 yo

My favorite whisky of 2013 (and released in 2013) would be the Kavalan Solist Fino. Blew me away!

Balcones Brimstone! So different from anything I've ever tasted. Wood smoke all the way.

@JoeVelo, I've been trying to find a bottle of that myself. Unfortunately, no such luck!

Gents. Another week left to submit your candidates....

There are so many great whiskies out there but I'd have to say the one I tried in 2013 that I really enjoyed was Balcones Texas Single Malt Whisky. It enters likes a bourbon and finishes like a scotch. The best of both worlds in my opinion.

An old bottling of Laphroaig 10 Year Old, pre-Royal Warrant (43%ABV)

Amrut Intermediate Sherry

I'll put in a vote for Longrow Red 11yo Shiraz cask

I agree Onibubba, Ardbeg Ardbog for myself. Every time I drink this whisky, I am amazed by its quality and its uniqueness. A delight... Special mention to Johnnie Walker Green Label, because Diageo stops production of the blend with best value for money...

I like the idea of extracting Connosrs' choice. Just all bear in mind that doing it this way reveals more about product availability (and brand recognition) than actual informed comparison! For example, if I re-nominate the WWA winner Sullivan's Cove... how many Connosrs have actually bought it or tried it to be able to really consider it?
With this in mind, I nominate the Glenmorangie Ealanta.

I agree with @tabarakRazvi; The Kavalan Solist Fino is amazing. However it's a bit pricey, and if we're going for premium, I'd have to say that the Yamizaki 18 was GREAT this year (as it always is). But as an affordable and available new release, I think my final vote would be for the Glengoyne CS 001. If we're trading in aged whisky for CS whisky; this is the way it should be.

@ricko: I'd love to say I'm tired of saying this, but I"m not (as I annoyingly rub it in again). The JW Green is still in production, albeit only for the Taiwanese market. By all means save this for drinking, but do NOT collect it.

Clynelish 1997, 15 Year Old, The Exclusive Malts

Kilchoman Loch Gorm