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Gifts Given and Received

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@Nozinan
Nozinan started a discussion

I think the "What did you buy" or "what will you purchase" threads don't give justice to the special gifts we plan for our special people or receive from them.

What special whisky gifts have you given or received?

5 years ago

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@Nozinan
Nozinan replied

Now that it has been given the news blackout can be raised.

A few weeks ago the NP I have worked with for 4 years (I helped train her up) gave me a bottle of JW blue. I needed to reciprocate in some way. So, with a little advice on another thread and some more detailed recommendations from my wife and @paddockjudge, I began work that culminated in the picture you see below.

She enjoyed A’Bunadh best among the scotches she has tasted with me, so I got her a bottle of batch 62. I also picked up a bottle of Lot 40 CS from this year’s release.

I added a couple of glencairns and some Brilliant Highland whisky glasses and one Canadian whisky glass for good measure. Then I decided to round out the gift with a few samples:

  • A’Bunadh batch 49

  • Lot 40 CS 2017

  • Redbreast 12 CS

  • Amrut CS (Unpeated) 2007 edition

  • Wiser’s Legacy

  • Wiser’s Dissertation

  • Bladnoch 10 YO sherry butt 55%

  • Stagg Jr. batch 8. 64.75%

To this I added some Trader Joe’s dark chocolate and some of my cousin’s chocolate butterscotch toffee.

And a card, of course.

5 years ago 11Who liked this?

@OdysseusUnbound

I have taught at the same high school, with most of the same people since September 2008. When I got a new position with the school board in June 2018, they got together and bought me a bottle of Lagavulin 16 and two rocks tumblers. It was not necessary, but it was well-received.

Every bottle of Glendronach 12 I’ve ever owned has been a gift from my wife’s grandfather. Nobody else drinks scotch with him, and when he finds he “has too much” in his cabinet, he gives me a bottle.

5 years ago 4Who liked this?

@BlueNote
BlueNote replied

@Nozinan I think I want to be on your gift list. Very nice and very classy gesture my friend.

5 years ago 3Who liked this?

@RianC
RianC replied

@BlueNote - Agreed! What a lovely gift, @Nozinan!

5 years ago 0

@cricklewood
cricklewood replied

@Nozinan, Good going, it's a great gift and a education in whisky tasting all wrapped up in a basket.

5 years ago 0

@Nozinan
Nozinan replied

A few nice gifts given and received over the last few hours.

@nosebleed was surprised to find a bottle of Wiser’s 35, a thank you for scouring the North West of Calgary for great finds, courtesy @paddockjudge and @nozinan.

And surprise, look what appeared for me this morning!

I remember going to see Santa in Cote St Luc with my grandfather when I was small (don’t judge me, candy canes are candy after all). He asked me what I wanted for Christmas. I said “nothing, I’m Jewish”. He said, quietly, “that’s ok, so am I”. I guess that particular Santa remembered me this year...

(Or, a less likely theory in my opinion, I used a virtual visa to purchase it over the phone at KWM, @nosebleed picked it up, ensured it took its place under the tree)

5 years ago 6Who liked this?

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@Nozinan
Nozinan replied

Just completed Secret Santa (followed by a cutthroat game of white elephant where a number of gifts were stolen from various participants).

I must have developed a reputation.... last year was Glenborrodale, and this year...

5 years ago 4Who liked this?

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@BlueNote
BlueNote replied

@Nozinan Ho Ho Ho. Those beauties will make a fine accompaniment to an epic charting session sometime in the new year.

Best to you and the family.

5 years ago 1Who liked this?

@Nozinan
Nozinan replied

Had a friend visiting from Seattle. 2-3 years ago he helped me obtain 3 OGD114 that have been aging gently at his home for the past few years. This week his family was in town and as we got back last night, we arranged for them to come over in the afternoon and stay for and past dinner (EPIC TASTING REPORT TO FOLLOW).

He and his wife were able to bring in 3 bottles. While in California he had seen a Bottle of Jefferson's Reserve exclusive to a Costco and thought I might like it. So that was his gift to me, with one bottle of OGD 114 pending.

During our tasting I learned he liked rye (and really enjoyed the 11 YO Lot 40 CS) so I sent him home with a bottle of the First edition Lot 40 CS 12 YO from last year.

5 years ago 5Who liked this?

@Nelom
Nelom replied

I received a bottle of Wild Turkey Rare Breed 116.8 for Christmas. Haven't yet opened it, but I'm very much looking forward to doing so. I've heard great things, and 101 is one of my favourite bourbons.

5 years ago 2Who liked this?

@cricklewood
cricklewood replied

This is an old one but it had a big impact on me. About 6 years ago a small group of co-workers with which I am close offered me this bottle for my birthday, it was so unexpected. They said I had been of a great help to them that year both at work and off and knew I liked whisky so wanted to offer me something nice. It turned out to be the bottle that prompted me back into Scotch whisky.

Bruichladdich 16 yr old Cuvee A, I was mostly drinking bourbon and Canadian whisky so asked my brother to help me suggest some scotches I could try so I could truly appreciate the contents of the bottle, I ended up waiting another 2 years or so before opening it but it was savored to the last drop. The only empty bottle I have ever kept.

5 years ago 7Who liked this?

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@cricklewood
cricklewood replied

Had lunch with an old friend and her husband this week, ate like kings and played cards against humanity till our ribs hurt. Before I left they offered me a bottle of Gretzky 99 proof which they picked up when they visited the winery. It was unexpected and pleasant surprise, I opened it immediately to share with everyone.

The Bookers happened to be on the table a christmas gift from my girlfriend.

5 years ago 6Who liked this?

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@Nozinan
Nozinan replied

@cricklewood Nice story. I didn't know Bruichladdich "Aced" any of its whisky...

5 years ago 1Who liked this?

@archivist
archivist replied

Thanks to a suggestion from @paddockjudge and my hinting to my wife that this bottle was of particular interest, Little Book #2, Noe Simple Task was gifted over Christmas. Plan is to open it up tonight. Happy new year, everyone!

5 years ago 6Who liked this?

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@paddockjudge
paddockjudge replied

@archivist, I've found that adding about 10% water (or more, but not too much more) helps with Little Book. This is a very complex whisky and one that will not be understood by many outside of Canadian Whisky Circles because one of the component parts, Canadian Club 40 YO is not easy to find in Canada, let alone anywhere else, and the price is an obstacle too, being north of $200 CDN... also the paradox of how non-Canadians have easier access to Alberta Distillers Ltd. aged rye at barrel proof (WhistlePig, Cooper's Lock Stock & Barrel, Hochstatder's) than Canadians do. Add to this the fact that Knob Creek Rye is a relatively recent and pricey release and not widely known yet.

Understanding a whisky and enjoying a whisky are two different things. I am in awe of Freddie Noe for his brave and bold attempt to capture three completely different whisky styles in one bottle. It works for me, I get it. I have blended two or more of the component parts on several occasions and recently blended all three. This whisky is a bargain at $99 - $120 CDN. The component parts alone cost as much and more: KCRye $110, WhistlePig 100 proof $160, and CC 40 YO $225 or more, if you can find it.

For me, this is a beautiful whisky. The complexity blows me away. It is constantly changing, offering new flavours and aromas....as for cohesiveness, I don't believe this blend has it's own signature profile, it is not perfectly balanced, but that is what makes it unique; it showcases the strength of its component parts and manages to do it at cask strength...the buttery goodness, dry lumber, and green apples of the elegant CC 40; juicy fruit gum, banana, and baking spices of Alberta Rye; smoked meat, vanilla, brown sugar, cloves and dark fruits of KC Rye.

I hope you enjoy it.

5 years ago 4Who liked this?

@archivist
archivist replied

@paddockjudge thank you for the suggestion of Little Book, as well as the detailed, informative, and thoughtful post. We did open up the bottle on new Year's Day, and it was such a delicious treat - so many different flavors and so cliche to say this, but all very smooth with a nice, lingering finish that kept us wanting more. I tasted more cloves and spices while my wife got more of the green apple you mentioned that was from the CC 40. She also noted that she got ripe yet zesty lemon peel. Tonight, I tried it with a splash of water per your post and have been taking it in - it has opened up even more now that it's been a little over an hour, and I've tasted more chewy, dark fruit as well as the spices from the other night's dram. I agree, this complexity blows me away too! This is a keeper, and such a good deal whether at CDN or USD prices - it's $80 USD at K&L Wines, which is where my wife bought it from. Now to see if I should go and get another bottle...

5 years ago 3Who liked this?

@paddockjudge
paddockjudge replied

Dear Connosr friends, it is with great sadness that I tell you of the passing of @Dramlette, soulmate and spouse of @Victor.

She was herself a gift to all who knew her. A caring and giving person, a wonderful woman, and a dear friend.

Please keep both of our wonderful Connosr friends in your thoughts and prayers.

5 years ago 7Who liked this?

@Nozinan
Nozinan replied

@Victor

@Dramlette was one of the nicest, kindest people I have met. There are no words that can properly convey the sadness I feel to hear this news.

My deepest condolences.

5 years ago 0

@dougwatts
dougwatts replied

@Victor very sorry to hear of your loss.

5 years ago 0

@archivist
archivist replied

@Victor So sorry to learn of this sad news and your loss - deepest sympathies to you, family, and friends.

5 years ago 0

@cricklewood
cricklewood replied

@Victor my condolences to you and your family in this difficult moment

5 years ago 0

@Victor
Victor replied

Thanks to all of you for your well wishes.

5 years ago 3Who liked this?

@BlueNote
BlueNote replied

@Victor I am truly saddened by the news of your loss as I’m sure all of your long term Connor friends are. Please accept my sincere condolences. There really are no adequate words.

5 years ago 0

@Hewie
Hewie replied

@Victor I'm deeply saddened to read this news this morning. My sincere condolences to you, your family and your friends at this difficult time.

5 years ago 0

@OdysseusUnbound

@Victor My deepest sympathies, my friend.

5 years ago 0

@jeanluc
jeanluc replied

@Victor I'm so sorry for your loss, you and your family are in our thoughts.

5 years ago 0

@Victor
Victor replied

Again, thank you all for your sympathies.

5 years ago 0

@Nozinan
Nozinan replied

We’re coming to the end of a long and tough year. And although it is tougher with COVID, it’s nice to meet up with old friends if possible and exchange gifts.

I discovered a few years ago that my NP friend like rye. So every December, and on some of her birthdays, I try to give her a different cask strength rye.

She discovered APCS 2019 after it had been declared best in the world and was no longer available, so I came to the rescue there. This year for her birthday I was able to get her a 2020 version because they were released at the beginning of the year. And for Christmas, today I presented her with a bottle of the 2021 release.

Thinking ahead, There is a North of 7 single cask rye sleeping in a barrel and I hope to snag a bottle for her. But until that one is matured, who knows what the next one will be…

She also had a gift for me (see below). This is not one I have tried before so I look forward to opening it sometime soon.

2 years ago 8Who liked this?

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@YakLord
YakLord replied

This was my gift from the D&D Group at our Potluck and Gift Exchange... Yes, I know it's Scottish malt that's been aged in Japan and then finished in Mizunara Casks, but given the availability of actual Japanese whisky in Ontario, I'm quite happy with it. Looking forward to cracking it open on Christmas Day.

2 years ago 9Who liked this?

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@BlueNote
BlueNote replied

@YakLord Worth it just for the label alone

2 years ago 2Who liked this?

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