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The epic conclusion of my best Canadian Whisky in my collection took place tonight. Top two winners of each round progressed.
The round winners:
Age stated: Collingwood 21 And Hochstadter's 16 (Jefferson's Presidential 21 disqualified due to unproven sourcing.
Corby Showdown: Gooderham & Worts lot 4 and Lot 40
Crown vs Forty Creek: Crown Royal Barrel Select and Forty Creek Heart of Gold
Wildcard: Whistle Pig 15 year estate
Three judge panel results: 1: Gooderham and Worts by unanimous decision 2. Hochstadter's 16 unanimous decision 3. Collingwood 21 4. 40 creek heart of gold 5. Crown royal barrel select 6. Lot 40 7. Whistle Pig 15yr
6 years ago 0
FC Heart of Gold is one of my favourites from that distillery.
It looks as you'll be seeing a bit of my favourite ex-Jay, Jason Grilli. Congratulations on the Rangers' new acquisition. I guess this counts as a steal of a deal, but I went in to the store (I was at today's game with my kids) hoping they had a t-shirt left and it turned out they had dozens...at half price!
6 years ago 0
@Nozinan Houston has been making some great sports moves. The rockets picked up Chris Paul from the Clippers. If the Texans get their act together 2017-2018 could be a great year for Houston sports.
This tasting has taught me one thing above all else. I need another bottle of Heart of Gold.
6 years ago 0
@newreverie, are you good on Heart of Gold or should I find one for you?
6 years ago 0
@paddockjudge @Nozinan There are lots of bottles still on the shelves here. I think I will go pick up two this week.
6 years ago 0
Fergus-Elora chapter, Companions of the Quaich - Heel Party.
Our chapter meets 8 to 9 times a year, and we sample 3-4 whiskies over e three course dinner. The heels are retained for the bi-annual heel party. The last one was held this past Saturday evening, Aug 5, 2017.
The uploaded picture is of the heels on the table when I arrived at 7:40pm (the festivities commenced at 7:00pm). The convenor had put out 54 heels. I think there were 6 or 7 put to rest by the time I arrived...
Finger foods were provided throughout the evening, courtesy of the convenor, but members kicked in $10 each to defray the cost of food.
What I sampled through the evening:
Ardbeg Perpetuem
Tomatin 14
The Infamous 22 YO (actually 23 YO) Blended Malt
Benromach Organic
Tormore 14
Bruichladdich "The Laddie" 16
Caol Ila (Cooper's Choice) 9 YO
Glendower Pure Malt 15 YO Port Wood finish
Caol Ila (Adelphi) Cask Strength 59.6% 9 YO
The Ileach Cask Strength 58%
Glengyle Kilkerran Sherry Wood WIP #7
BenRiach 15
Ardbeg Uigeadail (x 2)
( I was pouring nips, not drams, otherwise I would not have made it through the night - left the party at 2:30am).
I preferred the Ardbegs, the Caol Ila (Adelphi) and the Ileach, however the Infamous Blended Malt was interesting.
6 years ago 4Who liked this?
@tfahey1298 there are some substantial heels there! What a selection to choose from (slightly green with envy).
6 years ago 0
@tfahey1298, wow! I can hear that table groaning from here.
Looks like the very-full Royal Brackla in the back was nobody's favorite. Pretty mediocre, you think?
Which Talisker is that on the right?
6 years ago 0
There's a reason they call it one of the Last Great Malts of Scotland. It's last 'cause all the good ones were consumed first...
6 years ago 1Who liked this?
Epic tasting with an old, dear friend who I hadn't seen in years. It was great to catch up, and his collection is "YUGE", so I let him pick the whiskies.
Highland Park 18: Cherries, dark chocolate, light peat and smoke lingering. Some honey. I wasn't super-impressed at first, but as it sat in the glass for about 30 minutes, the peat really developed. Very nice.
Aberlour 12 Double Cask: I'm a fan of Aberlour and this whisky continues to impress me. There was far less cinnamon and wood spices than my last bottle, and more icing sugar, red fruit and vanilla. Delightful.
McClelland's Highland: I actually don't mind the McClelland Speyside, but this is the first scotch I've ever disliked. Not "Meh" not "It's ok". There was something in here that really didn't agree with my palate.
Oban 14: I've previously stated that this, in my limited experience, is the most chameleonesque scotch ever. This was quite interesting as the citrus/grapefruit notes were very prominent as was the brine. Very nice after the unpleasantness of McClelland's.
Macallan Sienna: So I have to eat a bit of humble pie here. I like to take jocular jabs at Macallan, but this was an excellent malt. Very Sherry-forward, lots of almonds, incredibly smooth.
Macallan Rare Cask: If ever there was a perfect (non-peated, non-smoky) nose, this is it. The nose of this whisky has a development. Dark cherries, chocolate, walnuts, almonds, with some Oak and spices lingering. The flavour was not quite as good as the nose, but still exquisite. The finish was very long and warming.
6 years ago 1Who liked this?
@OdysseusUnbound Nice lineup, except for the McLellands. My experience with the Islay, Highland and Speyside, (and I stress, only my experience) is that they are all drain cleaner. Otherwise that looks like a very pleasant evening.
6 years ago 2Who liked this?
@Nozinan and I forgot the best part: my friend gave me an 80% full bottle of Laphroaig 10 to take home. He said he kept trying to like it, but he couldn't even abide looking at it. I was more than happy to help him resolve this dilemma.
PS: sorry about Halifax.
6 years ago 0
@OdysseusUnbound Good thing he has a good friend like you to take that awful Laphroaig off your hands!
@Paddockjudge and @TAlexander have done me the favour of helping to rid me of bottles I don't like or want.
It's OK about Halifax...I'll find a way to give that Lemon Hart 151 a good home.
6 years ago 1Who liked this?
@Nozinan Well, you make it sound like @paddockjudge and I will drink just about anything! Which isn't true, right @paddockjudge? Riiiiiiight????
6 years ago 2Who liked this?
@OdysseusUnbound Those two Macallans are very good, I agree.
6 years ago 1Who liked this?
@talexander I didn't mean anything of the sort. I just said that there have been times when the two of you have been able to relieve me of bottles that were not in my wheelhouse. I recall a bottle of Ballantine's that someone stuck me with, and a Benriach curiositas that the same person stuck me with...
6 years ago 1Who liked this?
@paddockjudge Ia m not sure if @TAlexander was ever lucky enough to try the Lambertus, but you've tasted it three times in 2 sittings I believe.
@Talexander... I can make it available to you ANY time.
6 years ago 0
I believe that the seeds of an epic tasting are sprouting in Northern Ontario as we speak. I am aware of some old Canadian whisky, and some young Islay whisky, curated by a very active Connosr member.
Sadly family matters prevent me from being present but I hope to hear about it after the fact, and I fully intend to be a major Minor participant in round 2 tomorrow.
6 years ago 2Who liked this?
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