So, what are you drinking now?

@PeatyZealot - Yes, my first introduction to BenRiach was a sample set of four 50mL bottles: The Authenticus 21yo was one (along with the Curiositas, and two unpeated BenRiachs - 12yo and 16yo). I really didn't like the Authenticus. It is possible my sample bottle was bad, but it is so hard to give a whisky a second chance when the first impression is so bad - especially when that bottle is well over $100.

Aberlour a'bunadh batch #45: The longer it is in the Decanter, the better it is showing - A very fine batch and the power is amazing.

Cheers.

I'm enjoying some of the last of my opened 1982 Port Ellen 27 year old Gordon macphail. Just as pleasant as ever.

@Nock Oh thats too bad, it was the first one I tried from them after hearing good things about it.
I also had a sample bottle, but I liked it a lot.

Finlaggan original peaty. Good basic Islay for €17,50 a bottle :)

Benriach Curiositas 10 year old. The MlCC in Manitoba is clearing it out @ $43 per- too bad as it looks like it is either not appreciated or not to be had any more! I really like this one.

Some 32 year old Armagnac bottled by Darroze. All baco, good vintage, though maybe just a few years too many in barrel comparing it to younger bottles of the vintage. I do love them from Le Freche!

Port Charlotte The Peat Project. It's good.

@Wodha I've been think of picking up a bottle of Peat Project. I've seen mixed reviews so far, but I like Bruichladdich and the PC that I have tasted, so I guess I can't go wrong. Aside from the peat, do you also taste some Laddie 10 flavors?

Speaking of Peat Monster, I'm having a 50ml sample of Peat Monster now. I like it well enough, but not as much as I did when I was starting out. I wonder if the addition of something sherried (as in the more recent Flaming Heart release) with help add the "missing link."

would help to add

Balvenie 15 YO Single Barrel. It is amazing just how much bourbon barrel you taste here...lots of bourbon flavour in this malt.

having highland park 12 and ardbeg uigedail tonight. maybe something else, too, well see...

Thursday marks 20 years of absurdly happy marriage to my wonderful wife Laurie. Because of our crowded schedules, we decided tonight was the best night for our anniversary dinner, and she surprised me with a bottle of An Cnoc 22 yo. ("I couldn't find a decent 20 yo, and we've really been together 22 years," as she explained her choice.) We toasted with a couple of drams apiece. Just amongst us Connosr folks, I'd give it about an 88. Very good stuff, if a little too thin and dominated by oak and apples. On a personal level, it rates 100, as does the woman who gave it to me. I've gassed it, put it in the back of the cabinet, and there it will sit until we break it out again next October.

Happy anniversary @WhiskyBee! Cheers!

@WhiskyBee, a very Happy 20th Anniversary to you and to Laurie! 'Absurdly happy marriage' is quite a good thing.

@WhiskyBee Congrats man! Great to have a wife who likes it too :)

Congrats @WhiskyBee!

Thanks, @CanadianNinja, @Victor, @PeatyZealot, and @systemdown for the well-wishes. Much appreciated.

BTW, the an Cnoc may be our special anniversary bottle, but I had to sneak in an extra dram tonight. Tastes even better the next day. I'll post a review tonight.

@WhiskyBee I think it'll taste fantastic in a week with some more time to breathe ;-) Also, you'll want to at least check it every month to see how it's developing ;-)

@systemdown - Well, it's our "special" anniversary bottle that I pledged not to open again until next October...but it's not like she marked the bottle level, y'know?

She's also not that rigid when it comes to such things. I can see it now: "Aw, honey, it's (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, Easter, Casimir Pulaski Day, etc.)...let's have a pour from our special bottle!"

@WhiskyBee Well that's fair enough. Of course, my comments were in jest, but don't be afraid to give us a quick update if the opportunity presents itself! I wish you a fruitful "Casimir Pulaski Day", in advance.

@systemdown - Thanks! Pulaski Day is actually a school holiday in Illinois, where we used to live. Worth a toast in my book.

@WhiskyBee Must admit, I had to look that up! Never heard of the guy I'm afraid! But any holiday is a great excuse to raise a glass.

Currently revisiting the Heather Mist c.1978 antique blend. More than a month at about 1/6 or 1/7 fill level in the original bottle (i.e. loads of oxidation) has made this softer, waxier and grassier. Has that telltale mineral/herbal/sweet/waxy note that I swear is Clynelish.

GOLD! Jameson Gold, Blanton's Gold, and Heart of Gold.

Later today, and quite a bit tomorrow night, drams to be specified at the time, I will be toasting today's birthday of @Nock, Connosr's resident Ardbeg scholar-in-residence and researcher. And thanks again, @Nock, for the great Ardbeg reviews, and for those great samples you gave me. To @Nock!

I've been hitting the whisky at a pretty good pace this week. It's been one of those weeks. I'll be finishing off my bottle of Highland Park 18 while I smoke a nice Macanudo or Monte Cristo no.4 or no.2 (Cuban). I will drink some Blanton's Gold and possibly some Aberlour A'bunadh. I'm in a drinking and cigar smokin' mood.

Uigeadail. Opened for the translation of its name... loved for its dark and mysterious character

Talisker 'Storm': Just a nip from a freshly opened bottle and my initial reaction is not disappointment but surprise in that it is the the 'least stormy' Talisker I've yet encountered. It is a fine drop with the freshness of some younger casks married to some much older casks resulting in a crisp Whisky of incredible smoothness, not unlike the rich creamy texture of the 18yo. I'll look at this in a months' time; it is now in a large decanter and as all the Talisker ingredients are there in balance, I expect that, in time, I will see a more 'stormy' expression: At present a 'storm' it isn't!

This Whisky is the most incredible color, a shimmering 18ct. that is mesmerizing.

Slainte!

@A'bunadhman I was not impressed with the Storm, but then again, I had a dram at a bar and the bottle was almost empty. Perhaps oxidation was not kind to it?