So, what are you drinking now?

Tonight opened a new bottle; Mortlach 17 year Duncan Taylor Dimensions Bottling Single Cask (# 4103), 54.7% a.b.v. Distilled July 1995. Bottled July 2012. Bottle 18 of 272. First dram without water - warm banana bread both on the nose and the palette. Wonderful! Second dram with water - more pear on the palette. Great both ways, but prefer it without water. Loving this one so far!

Finishing the night with Ardbeg Ardbog.

Nikka 'From the Barrel'. A lovely blend, delicious and spotlessly clean, yet powerfully driven at 51.4 abv. 'Probably my favorite Blend, not to mention the gorgeous decanter, (sadly only 500ml.) but gorgeous nonetheless. A might fine drop in a mighty fine package.

Slainte!

Got home from work to plant Dwarf Alberta Spruce for my admiral/wife, so I'm having some of her Caol ila 12yr. Just don't tell her lol. :)

CR Ltd Ed 1975 & Sazerac Caribou Crossing S B. The similarities are uncanny. These whiskies were distilled and finished decades apart. I wish Drew Mayville would tell us where the Caribou Crossing was sourced. Amazing!

Started with Cooley Single Malt Irish Whiskey 11 year old (A.D. Rattray bottling) - 57.7% ABV ex-bourbon (cask #246)

Finishing up with Bruichladdich Port Charlotte 9 year (SMWS 127.26 - "Student Party Aftermath").

Just got done having lunch with Frank McHardy, head distiller of Springbank and drinking whisky with him, WhiskyBaz, Springbanks head importer and Graham from the Odd Whisky Coy. Heaps of fun and great whisky were had!

Frank McHardy has also said that he'd do an interview for the blog as well :D

@SquidgyAsh Springbank and Graham can frequently be found together! Let us know what you sampled..

After a great exchange with @CanadianNinja, I'm currently enjoying a dram of Willett's Family Reserve 6 yo bourbon. Good stuff! I like their rye releases too. The folks at Willett really know how to pick 'em.

Added another Karuizawa to the collection tonight so I'm celebrating with some Japanese drams. Starting with some Nikka Black 8 yo (I am shocked to say that this is a lot better than I expected!), then on to some Suntory Old Whisky and finally.... some Karuizawa The Colors of Four Seasons ; )

@CanadianNinja, I am looking forward to dramming with you on THAT side of the REALLY BIG pond! We just don't see most of those whiskies you are drinking anywhere near me.

@systemdown Hey buddy it was a pretty decent selection over the course of two tastings! I was informed that I was the only one in two days given a private tasting and it comprised: Auchentoshan 14 yr old Cadenheads (non cask strength) Hazelburn 8 yr old Sauternes cask, Springbank 10 yr old, Springbank 12 yr old cask strength release 5, Springbank Calvados wood (which I'd had before, not bad) Longrow Burgandy wood, Longrow 11 yr old Red (aussie collaboration) and Longrow 11 yr old Redlets & Kilkernan (sure my spelling is wrong at this point in the night)

It was a cracking good night, made some new friends, was invited down to Campbeltown by Frank for a private tour, I'm sure there are a couple of more whiskies in there but that's all I can remember at this point. Was heaps of fun and Frank's a great guy even if he was drinking just beer :D

@Victor my friend, you and your lovely wife would be welcome in our home anytime ; )

... This Karuizawa is truly wonderful. It would be even better if I were sharing it with a fellow connosr!

@SquidgyAsh, nice to see you adding some Taketsuru and Hibiki to your cabinet! Age does wonders for both of these whiskies, the 12 year old versions are great but if you ever have a chance I can't recommend the older expressions enough. Personally, I have found that the older the better when it comes to the Taketsuru and the Hibiki whiskies.

Also, I noticed that you have a Karuizawa The Colors of Four Seasons in your cabinet. Mine is a 12 year old expression. I see that yours is a 13 year old? Have you had the pleasure of trying this one yet?

Sazerac Rye spicy sweet goodness. :)

@CanadianNinja Haha yes some more incoming whiskies always makes me happy! The Hibiki and Taketsuru were both gifted to me by a customer of mine as he couldn't stand the Taketsuru and I didn't mind it and he wanted me to see how brilliant the Hibiki is. Out of the two I do agree with him that the Hibiki is the better whisky.

As for the Karuizawa I actually got a chance to try this in Singapore at the Auld Alliance as they knew I was seeking the dead distilleries. Quite a nice little whisky with aniseed being the biggest thing sticking out in my memory. Not too overpowering neat, but a couple drops of water and it's way too much for me! Guess it's a good thing I prefer my whiskies neat!

Just opened a bottle of Belmont farms Kopper Kettle directly from the states. Surprised to see this Distiller of Bourbon isn't on the huge list on this site but it is an impressive dram nonetheless. A light and exceptionally sweet bourbon which in my eyes makes the perfect companion to a night in front of the TV when looking for something not too complex.

Getting close to the end of my for first bottle of Confederation Oak. On,y 2 drams left after today. Luckily I still have a spare (plus my special numbered bottles for the kids....)

I received a dram of Balcones Rumble from a friend last week. I finally made the time to try it tonight. This might be the best Balcones release I've tried.

Springbank 18, 40 year Longmorn (first fill Sherry butt) SMWS 7.55 - "Liquid Heaven" and finishing up with 16 year Caol Ila (refill Sherry butt) SMWS 53.173 - "Glowing embers on the tongue"

Tonight is an Ardbeg night (like so many others). Corry with water and Galileo neat. The Corry is just so dang good . . . what have they been doing with these other releases? Get back to the Ardbasics!

Seriously, next year's special release should be: Ardbasic: Ardbeg 10yo at cask strength (a combination of first and second fill ex-bourbon barrels). Come Ardbeg you make a great whisky: stop masking it!

Having some Laphroaig 10 at the moment. Probably move on to some Longrow Red soon...

Walked with momma to a neighbourhood pub. Tried Dalwhinnie 15 for the first time - absolutely wonderful. Next was Oban 14 and then a tough decision: Macallan Cask or Lag16 ? Went for the soon to be extinct Macallan; will try Lag16 next time. Bless your soul Fionn McCool.

A real mix: Alberta Springs 10 Year Old, Royal Salute 21 Year Old, and now Balblair 2001. All while watching Breaking Bad.

Some Nikka All Malt. Oily, buttery and nutty... not a bad whisky.

Elijah Craig 12yr old. Great American whiskey. :)

Another "easy" dram, Forty Creek Portwood Reserve. Neat.

Enjoyed a couple pours this evening; 1978 Hallers County Fair BIB and The Arran Malt finished in GB cream sherry casks.

Wow, someone has something against Forty Creek.... Every time I mention it there is a thUmbs down...

Cooley Single Malt Irish Whiskey 11 year old (A.D. Rattray bottling) - 57.7% ABV ex-bourbon (cask #246)

Ardbeg Ardbog

Macallan Cask Strength L10 09 07 - hard to follow that.