EPIC TASTINGS!

@Nock It was very tasty. @Robert99 practically forced a sample on me and I'll post a review in the future.

@Nock Regarding Bunnahabhain Feis Ile 2018 Mòine 59.5%:

A warm dark chocolate centre of sweet peat, wrapped in a beach blanket amidst a hardwood camp fire surrounded by a maritime coastal gale of sea spray, and mingling scent of mild salty air. Beautifully, balanced.

That was my opinion and impressions. A peat but, not as heavy as the salt and smoke or astringent peat of Ceo'banach.

Last night, my wife and I had @jordytropp and his lovely wife over for dinner and drams. Thanks to the generosity of @jordytropp, I was able to taste a couple of drams that I thought I would never have the opportunity to try, therefore making this a truly epic tasting.

Morlach 25 year (Gordon and MacPhail bottling) 43% ABV. Sample courtesy of @thescotchwhisperer (an Instagram friend of mine)

Linkwood 19 year (Cadenhead bottling) 53.2% ABV. Courtesy of @jordytropp.

Miltonduff SMWS 72.31 (29 year - Dec. 1983) "Something Old, Something New" - Refill Hogshead ex-Bourbon - 48.3% ABV

A mystery malt provided by a friend of @jordytropp. When I nosed it, I was convinced it was a Springbank. We also thought it must be about 21 years old. When @jordytropp sent a text with that result to his friend, the response was that it was not Scotch. The next guess was Kavalan based on a taste of my Solist Vinho Barrique bottle listed below. Again, we were not even close. The only things we got right was that it was a single malt (@jordytropp) and Oloroso Sherry (my guess). It was "The Whistler", a 7 year old Irish whiskey, aged in bourbon casks before being finished in Oloroso casks, bottled at 59% ABV. It is an amazing whiskey. I would buy this, no question. A huge Thank You to @jordytrop and his friend for this experience. It was a lot of fun, even though I failed miserably! :-)

Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique Single Malt Single Cask Strength (56.9% ABV) Cask # W090220020 Bottle # 143 of 197

Westland SMWS 133.1 (5 year - October 2011) - "Speakeasy sneaky peeky" Virgin oak barrell/Heavy char - 57.0% ABV

Croftengea SMWS 122.23 (7 year - Feb. 11th, 2011) "Highly a-musing" from a second-fill ex-bourbon hogshead - 57.7% ABV. A peated whisky from the Loch Lomond distillery.

At this point, we took a break for dinner where we shared a bottle of 2009 Washington State Bordeaux style blend red wine (50% Merlot, 50% Cab Franc) from Basel Cellars.

After dinner, Oban 21 year distillery 2018 release. 57.9% ABV. Courtesy of @jordytropp.

The next two for me were once in a lifetime drams;

Ardbeg 25 year (Distilled 1975) Old Malt Cask bottling. 50% ABV. Courtesy of @jordytropp.

Ardbeg 24 year (Distilled 1975) Old Malt Cask bottling. 50% ABV. Courtesy of @jordytropp. While both of these were exquisite drams, the 24 year stood out from the 25 year. It was so much bigger and richer. Thank you again @jordytropp for sharing these with me. I never thought I would get the chance to try Ardbeg from the 70's. What a super special treat!

Finished the night with Cadee Distillery (aged on Whidbey Island, WA, but the bottle states that the spirit was distilled in Indiana. I'm assuming MGP) "Deceptivus" Bourbon Whiskey. It was first matured as straight bourbon whiskey in new American oak barrels for a minimum of 2 years, then double barrel finished in 20 year old imported Portugese port barrels. 42.5% ABV. The corn is the prominent note upfront with the port appearing in the finish. A very nice, balanced bourbon. Courtesy of @jordytropp.

Thanks again @jordytropp for all of the amazing whisk(e)y that you brought over. I really appreciate all that you did to make this tasting so special!

@fiddich1980, thanks for the reply. Very interesting. So you would say a peating level closer to a Bowmore rather than a Lagavulin? Or even less? like maybe a Benromach?

Looking forward to that review @Nozinan!!

@bwmccoy that sounds like a fantastic tasting. I am especially jealous about the 70's Ardbeg's. Any more information about the bottles you tried? As in bottling months or bottle numbers?

@Nock Bowmore would be the closest peat level. I suspect that the closest comparison would be a Laimrig, taking into account the DNA of each distillery. The Bunnahabhain tasted(from memory) was very close to a 2012 bottling of Bunnahabhain XVIII sans peat and smoke(maritime notes), and the deeper sherry notes.

Thanks @Robert99 for providing the dram. It was very much appreciated.

@fiddich1980 that is very helpful. Thanks!

@fiddich1980 Your description of the Bunna is poetic. Wow, I am not able to add anything to it. Thanks for the Kavalan, the real star of the night.

@Nozinan Just a precision, the Lagavulin 9 Game of Thrones is @Cricklewood’s bottle.

@Robert99 The Kavalan was from @Astroke. The flavour I was trying to figure was "Hawthorne berries". My reference was from Haw Flake candies, a memory from my childhood.

@Robert99 oops. Sorry. I got a little confused...

@Nozinan Seems I was confused to. It is probably a sign of how much successful was the night.

@Nock - The Ardbeg's were in sample bottles that @jordytropp acquired, so I don't have any additional information that I didn't already provide, except for the number of bottles from each cask, as you can see in the photo below. @jordytropp may be able to provide additional details, but unfortunately, I can't. Sorry!

@bwmccoy the bottles count is perfect! It tells me exactly which batch (and so which cask) each one came from. So you liked the 24yo better? Nice. I hope to get my hands on a 1974, 1975, and 1976 before my drinking days are over. I have tired some from 1977 . . . fantastic stuff. @jordytropp sounds like a very generous person with amazing taste.

@Nock thank you kindly. Here is a photo of the bottles we sampled.

Wow that is a glorious sight! Thanks for sharing the picture. Well done acquiring those old beauties.

2 Epic Tasting adventures in the space of one week. Number 1 was last week and I do apologize but I haven’t been able to write it up yet, but it will be forthcoming.

Tonight was an epic tasting unlike any I’ve described before. I’m in Ottawa for meetings and @cricklewood was kind enough to take the train up to visit. Not only that but he gifted me a very nice bottle of JD SB BP that I look forward to exploring in the future.

We met to enjoy dinner (Korean “street food” takeout) and a few drams after my meetings. We had each prepared sample bottles for easier transportation.

We started with Chateau Montifaud L50 Cognac, from the bottle gifted to me by @paddockjudge. A bottle with spirits aged a minimum of 50 years to celebrate my 50th.

We followed this with Delord 40 YO Armagnac. This was fantastic, with an umami fragrance that reminded me of bulgogi sauce.

Third up, an 11 YO Benriach single cask (bourbon), at a CS of 53.6%. Delicious. Review to follow.

Fourth, I had brought my last 30 cc of Wiser’s Union 52, from the bottle @paddockjudge and I split 2 years ago. Sad to see it go but happy about the circumstances in which it did.

Then a sherry cask strength Arran malt single cask for Kensington Wine Market. Another winner.

Up sixth was Aberlour A’Bunadh batch 50, followed by a Kilchoman red wine cask from be Douro Valley of Portugal, bottled at 50%. Hints of Laimrig.

Finally, a few years ago I had bought a MoM sample of Professor Cornelius Ampelforth’s Rumbullion. I picked this trip to open consume it. I had not realized it was a spiced rum but as soon as we smelled it we knew it had to come last. It was a nice dessert dram after everything else.

Good food. Great conversation and excellent company. And we did our best to pair each dram with music from the region, including Edith Piaf (of course) and bagpipes.

Thanks @cricklewood for meeting me here and for a great visit and truly EPIC tasting!

@Nozinan it was too good an opportunity to pass up, much thanks for the invite.

Wihtout advance communication we put together a pretty good line-up. The Montifaud Cognac was spectacular, Union 52 is going to require lots of time to figure out.

@Nozinan Really interested to hear about Epic Tasting #1 last week . . . fill a brother in on what he missed. Someday I would like to participate. For now I'll live with the recap.

I recently enjoyed the company of @Victor, @Maddie, and @Nozinan during another Epic Tasting.

Without giving away too much, @Nozinan will be posting notes on our two nights of merriment, here is a short prompt.

@Nock, It was agreed upon that you may find Canadian Rockies 17 YO 50% abv to your liking.... second from the left.

We managed to get through this flight of eight Highwood Distillery expressions in about an hour and a half.

@paddockjudge that was an awesome flight... and only a small part of an excellent 2 day adventure.

@paddockjudge some interesting looking bottles there

@paddockjudge Thanks for the teaser . . . the Canadian Rockies you say . . . interesting. I would be delighted to find out.

@Nozinan you need to get on that recap for those of us who couldn't be there.

@Nock Yes, Can Rock 17 YO, sharp, pointed, subtle sweetness. I recall @Victor commenting "Nock might say this is okay". The Can Rock 21 YO 46 % abv is sweeter, well rounded, and definitely not sharp nor pointed; probably not your cupa.

@Hewie, the amalgam of the remainder from each of the eight pours was my favourite from this flight. Yeah, cool bottles. Some of these bottles or multiples were obtained with help from @Nozinan, @fiddich1980, @JasonHambrey, Alberta Tim, and Rick Culver. At least three of these have not been sold in my home province, they were harvested in cities 2,500 to 4,000 kms away.

@Nozinan, two days well spent. Good food, good drink, and excellent company!

EPIC Tasting April 28-29 - Collingwood

Long overdue, this is my humble attempt to describe a spirited gathering in Collingwood Ontario that occurred from April 28-30.

Connosr has been a catalyst for some great friendships, and nothing beats getting together for a few drams. The further we live from each other, the harder it is but when it happens it is worth it.

In 2015 a number of us went up to Collingwood at different times to visit @dramlette (of beloved memory), @Maddie and @Victor. I remember taking the afternoon off one day and the next morning to travel back. In 2016 we organized an Ontario Summit in nearby Horseshoe Valley, and it was well-attended by up to 14 people from 2 countries and 2 provinces.

In 2017 we celebrated @TAlexander’s birthday with a surprise party in Toronto and @dramlette, @Maddie and @Victor (later joined by @Paddockjudge) stayed with me before going up north. Dramming was extensive, and Montreal smoked meat was consumed.

In 2018 our friends from Maryland were not able to come North so @Paddockjudge and I drove south. Not only were our hosts amazing, not only did we visit a distillery and partake of some great BBQ, but @paddockjudge got us back across the border (completely legally) without paying a penny in duties.

This year @Maddie and @Victor were up visiting and @paddockjudge and I braved 400-series construction season to spend a couple of nights sharing some of our best spirits, liquid and otherwise. On the first night we were joined by a non-Connosr friend of our US visitors.

Day 1 began in the late afternoon and there was no warm up. We went directly to rye:

• Lot 40 CS 11 YO 2018 edition at 58.4% - @paddockjudge

• Lot 40 CS 12 YO 2017 edition at 55% - @paddockjudge

• Wendel Clark Rye (11 YO 100% bourbon cak-matured Rye at 41.6% ) - @paddockjudge

• The Joker - a mystery blend put together by @paddockjudge consisting of Pikesville Rye 110 proof, Knob Creek CS rye, both Lot 40 CS releases and Whistlepig 10 YO CS rye

• Sazerac 2011 18 YO Rye 45% - @Victor

• Thomas Handy Rye 2010 63.45% - @Victor

• Whistlepig 10 YO CS rye 113.4 proof (56.7%) @Victor

• Wiser’s Dissertation 46.1% - @paddockjudge

• Wiser’s 35 YO 2018 edition 50% - @paddockjudge

• Pappy van Winkle 15 YO 2010 53.5% - @Victor - I noted this one “delicious”

• Eagle Rare 17 YO Spring 2015 (45%) - @Victor expressed that this appeared to be at its peak since opening

• William Larue Weller 2015 67.3% - @Victor

• Stagg Jr. 63.75% - non-connosr friend - It was a very good batch

• George T. Stagg 2012 71,4% - @Victor - excellent as always

After midnight someone recalled the question that had been posed at my last tasting: “How would Wiser’s Legacy stand up to all this?” - As with the Dissertation, I did not partake so I can’t say, but others tried it (2 Batches, L13289 and L16175, both courtesy @paddockjudge).

You might ask, where were @Nozinan’s bottles? I swear I couldn’t get a word in edgewise but I resolved to better the next day.

After a leisurely morning and fortifying lunch, we got to work. I had obtained a sample of 50 YO Armagnac a few years ago for @Paddockjudge, and he had opened it the night before over FaceTime when I opened the 50 YO cognac he gave me to help drown the sorrows of turning 50. So we started with the Clos Martin 50 YO VieilleReserve (40%), followed by some very “young” Delord 33 YO Armagnac distilled 1981. (40%, also courtesy @paddockjudge). Then we all tasted the Château Montifaud L50 (40%). Technically my bottle, but @paddockjudge’s gift, one I will be appreciating for a long time.

Then I poured some of “Fred’s Spirit”, a distilled grape wine spirit produced in Masan, Xinjiang, China by a Frenchman (Fred). I played the WeChat sound recordings of the winery manager, Fred, explaining everything he could abut the providence of what had come to me in an unmarked bottle, straight from the quarter cask and bottled at about 50-55%. It was awesome when I tried it from the cask in 2016. This was bottled in or near 2018, opened and decanted last September, and was still an excellent, unique experience.

Next @Paddockjudge presented his flight of 8 corn whiskies from the same Canadian distillery. He has posted a picture of the bottles above. In order of tasting (after which we did some impromptu blending):

• Century Reserve 21 YO 40%

• Century lot 15/25 40%

• Century 25 100th Anniversary of Calagary Stampede edition (2012) 40%

• Century 30 YO Single Cask, BCLS exclusive, 45%

• Canadian Rockies 17 YO 50%

• Canadian Rockies 21 YO 46%

• Highwood 90/20 white label (45%)

• Highwood 90/20 Burgundy label (45%

After this we moved to some malted barley (single malts with some blends for good measure):

• Samaroli Speyside Blended Malt (Benriach and Glentauchers), 43% - @Paddockjudge

• Hibiki Japanese Harmony, Master’s Select, 43% - @Nozinan

• Hakushu 12 YO single malt 43% - @Victor

• Amrut Single Cask (Bourbon cask 3443) LCBO exclusive 60% - @Nozinan

• Amrut Single Cask (Sherry cask 2696 (batch 2) LCBO exclusive 56.5% - @Nozinan

• Amrut Intermediate Sherry Batch 2 57.1% - @Victor

• Aberlour A’Bunadh batch 50 59.6% - @Nozinan

• Linkwood (Cadenheads) 2006 11 YO CS 58.7% - @Nozinan

• Ardbeg Uigeadeal L593 974 04032014 54.2%- @Nozinan

H2H vs the legen…wait for it….dary

• Ardbeg Uigeadeal L10 151 0804 54.2% - @Victor

• Ardbeg Corryvreckin L70173 16/03/2018 - @Nozinan (@Victor, not usually a fan, was pleasantly surprised by this one - I look forward to his review!)

• Springbank 12 YO CS 53.8% - @Nozinan

• Springbank 14 YO first and refill bourbon casks 55.8% -@Victor (this one was delicious)

• Lagavulin 8 YO L8200CM010 48% - @Nozinan

And the grand finale….

• Bruichladdich Octomore 7.3 63.0% - @Nozinan

By all accounts (expressions, company, conversation) this was indeed an EPIC TASTING.

I once again congratulate and thank my co-conspirators for a wonderful visit together to celebrate the life of @Dramlette, each other, and my easing into my 6th decade.

@Nozinan so jealous. Definitely epic

I would note that most pours were extremely small. Probably 5-10 cc in glasses that allowed for nosing and tasting of small quantities.

@Nozinan Yes, very jealous! Sounds incredible.

@Nozinan - That certainly seems EPIC from where I'm looking

Glad to hear you had a great time, with great company and the whisky wasn't too bad either!

@RianC I am looking forward to the day when you will be sitting at the table.