London Whisky Show 2019

@RikS that is quite a righteous pour list!!! For that list, the price is actually a bargain, I would say, and I am one who is very careful with spending money on whisk(e)y.

If I were in your 'hood I would likely be there.

What is the pour size? One included token is a big deal. How much do additional tokens cost? A 45 ml shot of Pappy Van Winkle 23 yo at a bar would cost more than the price of admission.

This looks like a big opportunity for those in a position to take advantage of it. In the category of "expensive, but worth it". This looks like the sort of opportunity which anyone who considers himself a serious student of whisk(e)y would be foolish to pass up, assuming he or she is able to source the price of admission.

@Victor A token bought separately would be £10/$13. Special whiskies up to $1300 are one token, for a whisky $1300-2600 you'd need two tokens etc. However, as per below, some very fine and rare ones are still available free.

The dram size I suppose is around 1-2cl, but then again as its entirely 'free' once you're inside the doors, it's up to each and everyone if they want to sample one...two... three... etc from each expression. And, of course, there are plenty of spitoons all over as well :-)

I'm about to go through the dram list to see what I specifically want to be sure not to miss. Any suggestions on what I shouldn't miss out on? With Ben Nevis 23yrs... Glengoyne 25yrs... Tomatin 30yrs old... Rip V 20 and 23yrs old... Yamazaki 18... etc all available 'free' - it's an opportunity for someone to me to try a lot of expressions that I'd never really be able to afford or have access to otherwise.

@RikS the only thing wrong with this setup is that you cannot camp out and partake of it for 12 hours at a time, like my Canadian buddies and I are used to doing when we get together.

That is one HUGE opportunity. The price is right to get an enourmous amount of experience. I am very happy for you and sad that I'd have to cross an ocean to do it myself. Give a person 10 or 15 go s for 12 hours at a time at that tasting list and you'd have a world class life's worth of experience with whisk(e)y.

I am sure that you will make the most of it, and have some safe way home. If I were you I would plan my time very carefully in order to maximize the opportunity.

Suggestions? Sure! Yes, try all the Van Winkles (for most, including me, the 15 yo is the pick of the litter) and all the BTAC whiskies (if you delete one, make it Eagle Rare 17 yo, if it is present) , if you have not already. Remember that even in the US it is almost impossible to buy a bottle of any of these except at a scalper's price. Amrut Naarangi---for its unique flavour profile; Kavalan Solist Sherry and Solist Vinho Barrique if you have not already done so; Yamazaki 18 if you do not already know it; Lot 40 Cask Strength (2018 is creme de la creme; 2017 good.); Whistlepig, at all ages. You can figure out the Scottish malts you want. If it were I I'd be going for very old Kildalton Islays, any Amrut I didn't already know, and exploring other Indian and Japanese whiskies which I didn't already know, like Rampur. And in the mild category, I am the original Linkwood fan, from before the time anybody else on here was talking about it.

@Victor Indeed, I normally make a list of the stuff to try so that I'm 'prepared', and also try to keep my mind on the 'suitable order' to try the different ones.

As for time, it opens 11:00 and finishes 18:00, so at least there's a good 7 hours of enjoyment. Plus, they actually serve an (included) 3-course meal - of surprisingly good quality I recall - and there's a big terrace with cafeteria, so it's a "nice day out" altogether, so to speak. And certainly, I'd have really enjoyed to have this experience with you there!

That's a much longer time to drink than the typical N. American whisky fest. Wonderful!. You will have plenty of time. N.B. I added suggestions to the prior post you may not have seen.

One big suggestion: if they have limited quantities then I would strictly prioritize my trips to the most expensive and highest demand whiskies available first, e.g.Pappy Van Winkle. At some whisky fests the high priority stuff may be poured out before you get there.

Ademas, what I'd have and suggest: Wiser's Dissertation, Wiser's 35 yo, Glencadam 21 yo (lovely!), and all Karuizawas.

@Victor Thank you for the list - I'll definitely try to hit those ones up! And it's a tough call sometimes... blasphemy to spit out some very fine whisky... then again, if not... I don't think I'll last the whole day!

If you want the best of Canada: try those listed above: Wiser's Dissertation, Wiser's 35, Lot 40 CS (especially 2018). WhistlePig is mostly from Alberta Distillate too, depending on the year of release and which product is chosen. Too bad no Wiser's Legacy. For "Canadian Rye" which is actually rye whisky (even if not majority rye content) @Victor gives top preference to only two: Wiser's Legacy and Lot 40 Cask Strength 2018 release. There are a lot of good Canadian whiskies at this point, but most of them are not rye dominant. Dissertation tastes like rye also, and would be third on my list, slightly lower. I know that my good friend @paddockjudge would like me to be as enthusiastic about Canadian Rye whisky as he is. I can do that with Legacy and 2018 Lot 40 CS.

I am assuming in my former suggestions that you know that by BTAC I mean William Larue Weller, George T. Stagg, Thomas H. Handy,, Sazerac 18 yo rye, and Eagle Rare 17 yo.

I went to the website and I think it's a great price for what is offered. Too bad I'm so far away. It would be a great outing.

@Victor I did not in fact, but I learned :)

@Victor, if I was restricted to drinking Wiser's Legacy only, you would not hear me complain....EVER!

@paddockjudge Wiser's Legacy would be on my very short list of "only one dram" whiskies also. But I'd want it to be the earlier less licorice-y releases of Legacy with which I fell in love. As Jim Murray eloquently put it in his review of Wiser's Legacy, "Instead, I was seduced like a 16-year-old virgin schoolboy in the hands of a 30-year-old vixen." True in 2011 when I first tried Wiser's Legacy; true now.

@Victor, Those early batches contained malted rye Lot No 40. I have a cache of these particular bottles with codes beginning in 2010 (L10 270) and extending through 2013 (L13 289). I had presumed that the batches after 2013, beginning with the 2015 batches (L15) no longer used LOT NO 40 containing malted rye, for the flavouring whisky. The subtle changes in Lot No 40 and Legacy followed a similar timeline coinciding with the use of Lot 40 or its absence. (There are, to the best of my knowledge, no batches of Legacy bottled in 2014)

I recently discovered a bottle of Lot No 40 malted Rye with a lot number L16 042. I recall comparing Legacy L16 175 and L16 288, with Lot 40 from the same era, and finding an altered course in the flavour of both brands. I may have to revisit that scenario in light of this newly discovered bottle of Lot 40 malted rye from 2016. i wonder if anyone will step forward and offer to help me with these monumental task?

@paddockjudge it is a good thing that you've got a "couple" of spares.

@Victor, reinforcements were activated and landed safely last week; however, there has been a casualty since that time.

@RikS here's a little preliminary info on the 2019 BTAC releases:

bourbonr.com/blog/…

George T. Stagg bottled below 60% ABV? Shocking!

Most likely your Whisky Exchange show will pour the 2018 BTAC releases. You can easily find specifics on those releases through the Buffalo Trace Website.

@RikS " Soon will be the Foxes! "

Wish I were there with you. Great, great looking show. @Nozinan, you are a politician. Can you get The Whisky Exchange to do one of these in Toronto? (Yeah, I know...moving all of those bottles. Not to mention Canadian red tape on the customs. Canada and Ontario would probably want 75% customs duty on each bottle)

@Victor I doubt an elected politician would be able to swing that. An unelected politician even less likely.

@Victor INDEED! I'm looking forward to it I must say.

And, I'm looking at the list and debating which "dream dram" to select... Suggestions welcome. I think I'm leaning towards the Talisker 40yrs old. I like much of the Talisker lineup, and I hear the older expressions, i.e. the 18, is pretty great. So, makes me wonder what the 40 would be like (and probably my only chance to drink a Talisker which goes for around $3000/bottle).

In fact, I also realized that a 2cl pour from that bottle almost equates the whole entry ticket (and that's calculating at cost)

@RikS choosing only one from many good choices is always difficult. Talisker 40 yo sounds like a fine choice to me.

@RikS Damn. That "dream dram" list is pretty phenomenal - even the 1 and 2 token bottles. Way beyond what I could hope to buy. Tough choice there with some pretty rare bottles

@RikS - Have you attended yet? How was it? I watched a vlogger in last years show and was rather envious!

I've just been drooling over that list and imagining what I'd use my dream dram ticket(s) on. I'd have to try the Port Ellen 1982 with 2 tickets - the Benromach 35 and the Highland Park 30 for singles.

Tough choices and the 53 Invergordon would be hard to pass up as would the '68 Glen Garioch. Let us know what you picked.

@RianC Hi All,

So, in good tradition and spirit (pun intended), I thought someone might be interested in a wee report from yesterday’s London Whisky Show. Last year my focus was to try a lot of different expressions to build a broader understanding. This yes, I rather opted to try a more specific range of expressions that I otherwise may not get much chance to try (and a few out of curiosity). So, here goes a few observations and in no particular order -

Pappy Van Winkle 23yrs/15yrs: of course I was curious about these ones given their cult status (and prohibitive price). My impression was that the 15 was actually a little more interesting and had more going than the 23. As some of you know, I’m not big on bourbon but I have to admit that these were really nice (and I think I’m being objective). I didn’t get that ‘typical’ bourbon sweetness that I otherwise don’t like, but would happily have a bottle or two of these. Well, isn’t that bloody typical that one ends up liking what on cannot have…

Talisker 41yrs: now this was pretty unique (and indeed it is: 6000 bottles globally, whereas 300 are in the UK or which 200 are in London). ABV50.7% and has been matured 40 years and a bit in ex-bourbon, and then finished off in La Goya sherry, which is a very ‘wine’ influenced sherry. Nice round nose, and pretty unique palate: the Talisker elements are certainly there, but mingled with a unique sweetness which made me think of green grapes about to burst with sweet juice. A bit of salty and very long finish, going into a wee dryness. Wow!

Glencadam 28yrs: 28yrs full maturation in Sherry refill casks. Nice, certainly sherry influenced, but… other than that, a solid dram but nothing special or unique.

Whistepig 15yrs: 14yrs in bourbon, and then a year in charred Vermont oak, bottled at 46%. Obviously… it’s rye, with a long buttered popcorn finish. Some spice, and not too much wood. Nice, by all means, but not that different (to my rye-beginner’s palate) than other ryes I’ve tried, so wouldn’t pay that premium.

Dalmore King Alexander III: Well, I thought I’d have to try one of those Dalmores then. Rather than listing what casks it’s been matured in it would be faster to say what it has NOT been matured in… I presume that the mix of wine, Madeira, Sherry, Marsala, Kentucky bourbon and Port is supposed to give it unparalleled complexity. To me, it was more of a cacophony of too much.

Ben Nevis 10 / 10CS: I’d never tried a Ben Nevis, but I’d happily have this any day. The 10 is really good. Sweet, mouth coating viscosity with a wee astringent finish. The CS on the other hand, outstanding… It’s clearly a variety of the 10, but none of that astringent finish. Really really nice, and quite different from the 10 overall, yet true to origins.

Kavalan Single Cask Rum: ABV 57.1% and pretty much what you’d expect from a very good distillate finished off in Rum. In other words, there’s a lot of good similar stuff out there, and this wouldn’t be my pick (note, not that big on Rum finishes actually).

Kavalan Solist Fino: Now, this was a nice one! 7 years in fino bottled at 56.3%. Much more interesting than the Rum single cask. The perfect interplay between the sweetness and slight dryness, but never straying into bitterness or astringent. I wish I had a bottle of this to sip on…

Amrut Naarangi: Wow, it’s like drinking marmalade! In the nicest possible way. Incredibly smooth (sorry…) on the attack, and then moves into some serious warming kick on the finish. Most amusing was to learn how they created this – total irreverence, and yet amazing result: apparently they fill an Oloroso barrel with orange peels (true) and leave it kicking around for a year. Then, the orange peels are poured out, and the spirit goes in for 3 years. What a crazy idea! And, what a tasty result!! Only a few bottles left globally, and it isn’t coming back… BONUS Secret: I had to promise to not share this tidbit, but got an exception for my fellow Connosrs – there’s another coming soon which will be called Espresso here they have done the exact same thing, but this time filled the barrel with Espresso beans.

Jura 18: As I did pick up a Jura Tastival 2016 a while back and was very pleasantly surprised, I thought I’d give them a chance and a twirl. It’s ex-bourbon and wine cask finish. Perfectly inoffensive… but that’s probably the most I can say. Imagine a wine cask finished whisky… well, that’s it. Price-worthiness? Nah.

Kilkerran CS Sherry: Yummy! I do have some problem with the ‘saltiness of the 12yrs, but the sherry added her to make a perfect marriage! 8 years old and finished in Oloroso 2nd fill, and then in 3rd fill charred Oloroso. Coming out in November and promised to keep with Kilkerran’s very decent and honest pricing. I’d expect this on to fly off the shelves when it’s out in November!

Springbank local barley: Nice. 56.2% fully bourbon matured and for those of you that like the Springbanks, well… enjoy!

Longrow 21yrs: oh, now this is nice! Fully matured in Oloroso refill cask, and will be bottled at 46% (I was lucky and tried the 50% that was specially tapped for the show. If you want an example of sherry and smoke (45-50ppm here) totally and perfectly integrated into a delicious dram, seek no more!

Paul John vertical: Brilliance (unpeated) and Bold (heavy peated). Nah… the unpeated wasn’t anything to write home about, and the peated was… well, the same but with dry campfire smoke, but never really felt integrated. I pass…

Sazerac 18yrs: Nice! Pretty waving and smooth rye, which felt very integrated. I wouldn’t mind a bottle of this one to the rye collection!

Thomas Handy Sazerac: one word, nice!

Stagg Jr: again, straying into previously unknown territory, but this is nice. Darn, it’s HOT though – big bite at 65%! I always thought that Jr was lower ABV than the Stagg, but apparently this year it’s the other way around. I’ll defer to the BTAC experts why this is… but the guy serving said that they’ve sort of rethought a bit as the ABV ‘hysteria was getting out of hand’ (his words, not mine).

Glenmorangie 18yrs: I like most of the Glenmorangie. This isn’t too bad, it’s clearly recognisable. If I spent £100 on a bottle, would this be it – certainly not.

Highland Park 30yrs: Not bad at all! Archetypical HP with a long sweet lingering finish. Now, also tried the 18yrs to make some comparison. The 18 had a drier finish, but otherwise, yes, it’s the same family. So, I guess it’s up to you if have the extra £625 to spend!? I certainly do not, and even if I did… nope.

Tomatin Amontillado: ABV 46% and a very nice, sweet dram with a pretty long and pleasant finish. I’m new to Tomatin, but this – sure, any day!

Port Askaig 10 “Special Edition”: 55%. This is from an unnamed Islay distillery whose initials would be C…I… Now, I’m not that keen on the Caol Ila anymore as I’m not taking too well to the ‘campfire dry smokiness’ anymore. But this had an added component of very pleasant sweetness. Would I take this one over a CI, yup I would.

Glen Allachie 12yrs/18yrs: New distillery for me, so wanted to give it a try. The 12 was very nice! In particular, the nose was great – very burnt… first, I thought it was sulphur, and then I realized that no, it’s burnt caramel! Sweet twirls of Oloroso and PX mixed up. How about the 18yrs? None of that burnt caramel nose, and quite a bit calmer and more mellow. Yippee, I liked the 12 better, that’ll be good for the bank account.

Bare Knuckle Wheat / straight rye: tried a these because they’re from Virginia (so, my homage to Victor’s neighboring state ). The wheat 60% wheat, 30% rye, 10% malted barley. Never tried a wheat whisky… but I’d happily go back. Nice. The rye is 100% rye which is unusual. Yes. I’d have this one again. It’s rye, as you’d expect, but with a much dryer finish than I’m used to, and yet no dill blast at all. Fun to try.

Bimber PX: another ‘craft distillery’, and a pretty successful one I have to say. 54%, 3 years old and rather excellently nice. Whatever negative opinion I had in the past of PX, and was forced to abandon after trying the Kavalan Solist PX, is now completely gone. Me like!

Rampur double cask: As I do like Amrut, I thought I’d give a final chance to India, following my not-so-exciting experience with Paul John. It’s Oloroso and Bourbon and… wait for it…. Eh, nah. No joy. Moving on…

Octomore 10.1 / 10.3: both are 100% bourbon. The 10.1 is 107ppm and the 10.3 is 114ppm. Both high ABV… so, what’s the difference? Well, the 10.1 is ‘Scottish barley’ and the 10.3 is ‘Islay barley’. And, yes, it actually does make a difference (well, I suppose no surprise – what you put in, determines what you get out…). In short, go for the 10.3! Both and good and round and big and sweet, but the 10.3 is just that wee bit better!

Phew… that was a long post. I hope it was of some interest to someone. Happy to expand on the above if anyone would be interested, but I think I’d taken enough by now of your precious time. All the best!

@RikS That's a heck of a line-up. I can't imagine how you kept your palate fresh through all of that! My palate tends to fatigue after the third or fourth dram. Maybe I need more practice.

@OdysseusUnbound plenty of water and no - flavour crackers, lunch and spreading it out over 6 hours

@RikS so, do you feel that you got your money's worth? Do you see the 'before' and 'after' difference in your whisky knowledge?

Yeah, I would have attended that one if I had been in town.

@RikS - Sounds like you had a great time and that's some line up! Very jealous of that Talisker although I'm always suspicious of older whiskys that have been 'finished' - makes me think they weren't quite up to par? Not an issue really though as I won't be buying any anytime soon ha! I'm yet to hear anyone disliking Ben Nevis 10 - shame they seem to have dropped it in favour of a NAS offering. I picked up a Port Askaig 10 SE and am glad to hear you liked that one. Ralfy reviewed it recently and gave it a good score.

@Victor Yes, I think it was absolutely worth it! From a simple cost perspective, with drams and food and two nice glasses gifted, I think I probably got more than my ticket back. More importantly, I had the chance to try a number of new experiences, e.g. the BTAC range as well as quite a few aged expressions that helps me to compare and contrast. And, most importantly, I met quite a few friends there from the 'London whisky scene' with whom I made company from dram-to-dram so it was also a very pleasant day of socialising. Would be wonderful to strike up company once with fellow Connosrs there!

PS: I think that one of the key take-aways from the day was the chance to try some quality expressions from across the pond. I rarely get that chance here, so it opened up a few new dimensions on what is good bourbon. And, also fun to try some variations, such as the wheat whisky and the 100% rye.

@RianC I know you're a Port Askaig fan, and you were in my thoughts when I tried it. I'm pretty certain you won't be disappointed. In fact, I picked up a neat little Port Askaig lapel pin, so either let me know when you come to London or message me your address and its yours! :)

As regards the Talisker - which I recall you're also a fan of - it was pretty outstanding. I'd almost be willing to say that together with Redbreast 21, it's one of the few drams that have made me go WOW... I can see why this one costs (though, whilst I may stretch for the RB, I think, well know, that the £2900 for the Talisker will never be an option!)

@RikS taste is so individual. I'm delighted that you enjoyed the Amrut Naarangi. I would never describe it as smooth, though. For me it is full of edges, which in this case I find to be pleasant and engaging. And marmalade? When you say 'marmalade' I think "extremely sweet". I am guessing you mean the flavours of marmalade absent the sweetness, because I taste very little sweetness in Amrut Naarangi.

From what I've seen the vast majority of people have always preferred Pappy Van Winkle 15 yo to Pappy Van Winkle 23 yo, despite the price differential, as you have. I once was offered to buy a PVW 20 yo when I had ordered a 15 yo and refused it, because I prefer to drink the 15 yo. A couple of years later I realized that my choice was a choice for $ 500 lower secondary market value, for $ 40 more on my price expenditure. As a drinker I made the right decision. As a speculator in collectible whiskey, no.

I am also delighted that you were pleased with your 41 yo Talisker. Those old Taliskers are special, for sure.

Getting the important experiences which are hard to get otherwise is indeed one of the central draws of a whisky fest. When I went to Spirit of Toronto in 2014 I camped out with Amrut and Kavalan, because those were the experiences at that time which I most lacked. I never regretted that approach. I also surprised myself while there by spending a good bit of time at the Forty Creek table. Yes, I tried some things at that table, but it was mainly that I got to have charismatic founder Master Distiller John Hall to myself for about 20 minutes.

And Good Show in getting some local whisky contacts! There is nothing better than the friendships you make. A lot of the easy flow you see on Connosr is because a few of us know each other personally-- yes, face to face, and have become more than just, 'people who taste whisk(e)y together'.

@Victor In the US, yes. British marmelade is famous for being slightly bitter :). But still, yes, I found a lot of sweetness in the Naarangi. By smooth I meant that on the attack it was just round and pleasant, and it wasn't until mid-palate and/or finish that I felt the Alcohol coming through and warm me up (though, I don't think it's that high ABV but 50% like many of their other expressions). As you say, the different experiences is really what makes this so fun! One caveat though: I do imagine that the experience of a dram among 30 others on a full-on day might differ quite a lot from sitting with the same one in the garden one evening (I hope that's not the case for the Kilkerran CS sherry though, cause it went on my to-buy list and I look forward to, I think it was, 16th Nov!).