So, what are you drinking now?

Last night I attempted to find an alternative use for my bottle of Catto's Rare Old Blended Scotch whisky, which, at $36.95 CAD for a 1.14L bottle is neither rare nor old...apparently it makes a mean whisky sour when drowned in simple syrup and lime juice and poured over ice...

@YakLord Ugh...Catto's is so putrid. Definitely a highlight of our "Shitty Whisky Night" a couple of months ago.

@talexander - we're undertaking a Battle of the (Budget) Blended Scotch Whiskies (much like they did at ScotchBlog.ca a couple of years ago), and I provided the Catto's. I was hoping it would make it through at least one elimination round so that more of it would be consumed...but it didn't. Now I have almost a litre of the stuff left that I have to use up somehow. Lots of whisky sours and a lot of alcohol inspired baking coming up...

@Victor I never looked into it, but if McClelland's Islay is a young Bowmore.. that says a lot, for me, actually - I really didn't like the Bowmore Legend for example, and based on your description of the McClelland's, I don't think I'd like it either. I also found the Bowmore Legend going south in quality very quickly once opened.

My taste buds may have matured a little since my last experience with Bowmore some 7 years ago now though, so I'll be trying one or both of these at some point.

RE: your comment on tasting from bars - YES this is a big thing to look out for (over oxidation) and everyone should be wary, especially if the bottle level being poured from is half or less or when you don't know what the turn-over rate is for a bottle (i.e. it could have been sitting there for a year or more with a lot of air contact).

As a rule, I won't do extended tasting notes unless I've opened and stored the bottle myself. If I take notes for a dram poured at a bar, I always record the fill level and won't buy an expensive dram if it isn't 3/4 or more whisky to air ratio (but that's just me, what can I say, I lack a sense of adventure with these things).

Wow! 100 pages of replies! Who'd a thunk it?

I happen to be drinking Don Julio Anejo. Given to me by a coworker trying to lure me into the world of Tequila! Scotch is my second wife but this might be a mistress! Tasty.

@Wodha - thanks for starting such a popular discussion and congrats on 100 pages!

Starting off the night with a nice, cold IPA while sitting on the deck enjoying a perfect Seattle evening before dinner with plans to transition to Scotch a little later.

@Wodha WOW! Congratulations on bring Connosr royalty and I'm knocking back Blantons Straight from the Barrel just a superb whiskey. It makes me depressed I can't get it in the states easily :(

@Wodha, I used to think I might never ever like tequila. Now it is my second favourite hard liquor. After the standard Anejo, try some of that there Don Julio 1942...simply beautiful...(but it ain't cheap).

@YakLord - sorry it has taken me so long to respond to your post. That sounds painful, but thanks for "taking one for the team", so we don't have to. :-)

Tonight, Penderyn AC, followed by Clynelish 14 and ending the night with SMWS 127.26, 9 year Bruichladdich Port Charlotte - "Student Party Aftermath". Wow! What an amazing dram. Huge, explosive finish. Only need to take a sip every 20 minutes or so. The flavor lasts and lasts...

An all-American night. Angel's Envy, Maker's 46, and Bulliet 95 so far. I'll probably end with a wee taste of T.H.H. Sazerac Rye. Lots of corn, fruit, and mint on the palate tonight.

Epic thread. Thanks @Wodha! Looking forward to 200 pages!

I am delving into some US offerings today: Elmer T Lee, Elijah Craig, Parker's Heritage, Stranahan's Colorado Whiskey, Pappy Van Winkle 15, George T Stagg, Thomas H Handy, Sazerac 18. Phew, the list goes on. Gonna be a long night.

Tonight my admiral / wife is having the rest of her McClelland Islay, @systemdown to answer your question yes I and my wife both love this young whisky. The fact that some people label it the worst whisky is a good thing from my view because then there will be more for me and her. Now I have to have some of her Caol ila 12yr. :)

@Lee Be shure to try the Ardbeg as well some day soon, its goooddd!

@systemdown Dont forget light and temperature, most bar bottles catch a lot of light and sometimes they are put on top of a led-showcaselight thingy... cant be good I guess.

Arran 1999 "The Eagle"

Wonderfully made, but a bit of a strange mix of vegetal, peaty and sherry notes. Couldnt really get around it in one glass... Complex and quite powerful, good stuff!

@Victor I also had the luck running into a good Tequila:) Think it was Patron Anejo, but not shure. I almost didn't believe it carried the same name as The One With The Red Hat

@markjedi1 Wish I was there...

Old Charter 10 year-old Straight Kentucky Bourbon - amazing! Amazing whiskey and amazing value.

Bulleit Bourbon tonight.

Talisker 57* North and I'm finding it the best expression in this Taliisker 3x200ml. Pack - This comes as a bit of a surprise as my (rough) tasting notes, of 18mths. ago tell a different story, with the std. 10yo. being the 'standout' drop! (?) That was then; this is now but it's a little hard to figure. Perhaps I've changed, maybe used different amounts of water to last time - I'll have another look but these 200ml. bots. don't last all that long!

The last 57* North I had was a 1liter ex. Duty Free and it was superb!

Slainte!

Highland Park 18 yr.

A little bit of WT 101 (My first whisk(e)y I ever too my time on.) Oddly I haven't made a review yet. There will be one soon.

Doing a side-by-side of two Taliskers: Old Malt Cask 10 Year Old and 2000 Distiller's Edition (just posted my review of the DE).

Ardbeg 10. Last time I tried this stuff I literally couldn't stomach it. Now I'm blown away by it. Has it changed or have I?!! Feel like a proper whisky drinker at last, and not before time...

Bowmore 2001 Whisky Man for QVID and WhiskySite Leiden, nice fruity young Bowmore

Celebrating some new Karuizawa with a dram of the 1983 Karuizawa cask #7576. I'd forgotten how big and awesome it is. :)

And here's to Jean-Luc!

Drinking Lagavulin 16 and Laphroaig 10. Congratulations on post 3000!

@talexander: Thanks for the 'heads up' re. Talisker 2000 DE. Review.

Slainte.

Had an enjoyable evening sampling a few, startling with a 20 year old Aultmore, then a Fighting Cock 6 year old, then an old North British single grain. No rhyme or reason, jut good whisky in good company.