So, what are you drinking now?

Last night, out to dinner with my lovely wife for Valentine's Day, I tried Angel's Envy Rye for the first time. I've had their bourbon (finished in Port pipes), which I really like, but was anxious to try the Rye (which is finished in Caribbean Rum Casks). Wow! I don't normally prefer sweeter whiskies, which this one is, but I thought it was pretty amazing, both the nose and the palate; there's a lot going on with this one.

After we got home, had a Macallan Cask Strength (Yum!), followed by a 4 year Kilchoman (SMWS 129.3). When I first opened the Kilchoman a couple of weeks ago, I was surprised by how delicate and subtle it was. Honestly, I was a little disappointed. However, after being exposed to some air, this one has really opened up and is exactly what I look for in an Islay. Love it!

@Nock

I'm glad you enjoyed it. IS is one of the 10 malts in my top 5.... :)

Old Pulteney Navigator. 46% ABV matured in bourbon and sherry casks. No age statement. Honey colored.

I'm always happy with anything from Pulteney. This bottle is no exception.

Springbank 15 on a cold, rainy, windy night.

@bwmccoy Great choice. Might tuck into my bottle of Caol Ila 8 year unpeated myself... That's a dram I find I enjoy more and more every time I come back to it. Too bad it'll be gone when it's gone.

Drinking by proxy. Had a friend over and he tried Bladnoch 11 YO almost CS (55%) Sherry cask matured for the first time. We followed that with Bowmore Laimrig. He quite enjoyed them (he liked the Laimrig better than 100 proof). Hopefully next time I can join him

@HeartlessNinny - Thanks! The Springbank really hit the spot. I love Caol Ila, but have never had the chance to try the 8 year unpeated. Hopefully, I will get to one of these days.

Having a night cap now - 4 year Kilchoman (SMWS 129.3 - “Unwind and set your watch to ‘Islay Time’”)

@bwmccoy HOME RUN!! Port finished rye and Mac Cask. Brother, that is a a hanging slider right in my wheel house.

@paddockjudge - Thanks! Mac CS is the one that turned me on to Scotch. Can't believe Macallan decided to discontinue it. By the way, the Rye was finished in Rum casks. The Angel Envy bourbon that I have previously had is finished in Port pipes. Both are very good in my opinion.

Tonight, 17 year Mortlach from Duncan Taylor and a 21 year North British single grain whisky aged in a refill Sherry from SMWS (G1.11 - “Iced mulled wine and Sorrento Limoncello”)

@Nock Yes I agree, it can be difficult to find whisky tastings that allow you to try before you buy. I found a small independently owned store that has tastings once ever 3 months or so and that is where I have been lucky enough to try 11 different malts. I actually purchased the G&M Tandu 8, HP 8 and the Bunna 8 in early December without trying them first because I found them for such a great price (low $30s). I opened the HP 8 immediately and was very pleased I took a chance on it. Then when I saw the stores tasting was going to have the Tamdu and Bunna as samples I was equally pleased I had taken a chance on them and picked them up last year since they are all pretty good quality relative to their price.

@Nock I wish I had picked up the G&M Glenburgie 10 while at the tasting. It really was a pleasant whisky.

@Wodha I've sampled the G&M Mortlach 15 at a tasting last Dec. and I agree..it really is a great whisky.

@bwmccoy Saw that you had some Macallan Cast Strength recently. Mac CS has been on my wish list and I was able to locate a bottle yesterday! When I'm in the mood for a sherried whisky I go for Glendronach 15 and A'bunah so I'm looking forward to this Mac for sure.

@maltygirl Macallan Cask Strength is one of the best current Macallans out there.

The last of my AnCoc 16yr old, bummer because I have to road trip to get more. :)

Wednesday nights in our house is a scheduled night to drink. We like it that way and look forward to mid week. Tonight I started with Laddie 10 (2 pours...I love the Laddie), then a small pour of Glendronach 15 Revival, JW Green Label 15 yo and Cardhu 12. I can really see the relatioship between the JW Green and Cardhu. Cardhu seems to really be a big component of the Green Label. It's obvious.

Really enjoying a hearty dram of Aberlour 12 yr...With the rising costs of many single malts - picking this up for $35 is a solid deal in my opinion.

@FMichael Agree. I picked up the Aberlour 12 last month for $39 and I consider it a great underrated single malt even if it contains caramel coloring.

@maltygirl , Macallan Cask Strength is a very special whisky. It is my favourite single malt.

@maltygirl - I hope you enjoy Macallan Cask Strength as much as I have over the years. While I've never owned Glendronach 15 or A'bunah, I've tasted both several times in the past. I think they are both great, but the Macallan was my "first love" with Scotch so it has special significance to me.

Tonight, 17 year Mortlach from Duncan Taylor, followed by Woodinville (WA) Whiskey Co. 100% Rye, and now a Macallan Cask Strength. I'm going to need some smoke for my next dram while I start my new Ian Rankin (Detective Rebus) novel.

@bwmccoy - I am developing a fondness for sweet whisky - the rum barrel finish for rye is a brilliant touch

@paddockjudge - totally agree with you. The brown sugar and maple flavors combined with the spice of the Rye works very well together, in my opinion.

@bwmccoy - try a splash of Mac cask with some rye - Flavour Fun!

@paddockjudge - Thanks. I will give that a try. I was just thinking a vatting of Mac CS and Octomore might be worth a try as well.

Speaking of, finishing the night with Bruichladdich Octomore 04.1 (5 year old) 167ppm

Finally cracked open my bottle of Parker's Heritage Golden Anniversary. I was going to save it for a special occasion, that special occasion ended up being a long day of work that needed to be followed by a great dram!

This is a sensational bourbon. Rum cake and raison on the nose, the palate is perfectly balanced. I'm getting rye spice and some black tea. This is some great stuff.

@maltygirl I certainly find the Talisker and Caol Ila in the green. IIRC its 4 main components are from the 4 corners of Scotland.

@RobertH Caol Ila, Cragganmore, Taliker and Linkwood are what Diageo advertises as being the four key taste influences and signature components but they are not the only malts that make up the JW Green. Cardhu is very prevelant if you were to taste them side by side.

@maltygirl, Interesting that you mentioned a relationship with JW Green and Cardhu. I’m sipping a bit of Green now, and I can see where you’re coming from. Have you tried JW Swing (or Swing Superior)? It’s one of the better JW’s, and there’s an even bigger Cardhu influence in that one.

@hunggar I've always wanted to try JW Swing but not yet. I think Cardhu is a big filler malt for many of JW's products. I've found that putting a splash of Green in a glass of Cardhu actually makes Cardhu better. Funny how that works. Although Cardhu isn't bad, I don't think I'll be replacing it. There are so many other single malts to try.

@Maltygirl, I agree. While it's not bad stuff, Cardhu is one of those rare examples where the blends it's used in often surpass the malt itself.