So, what are you drinking now?

Started with some Caribou Crossing tonight and now I'm finishing up with a dram of Nikka from the Barrel. The two compliment each other quite well!

Balblair 2002, Tomintoul 14, Ardbeg Uigeadail, Octomore 05.1. The Uigeadail has been on my list for a year now, and I just popped it open yesterday. It is good, but I am not getting the mindblowing experience I have been reading about. Maybe it is because I don't like bitter notes in my whisky, or maybe I should just let it upon up more in the bottle. Sipped a bit yesterday and a bit today, and it seems to have improved a lot today. Frankly, I am loving the balance of the Octomore a lot more, maybe it is because of its more floral nature and that it carries fewer bitter notes.

The Balblair 2002 is a great dram if you give it time in the glass before drinking - floral nose and white fruit (pears) and light spice notes - beautiful stuff. Tomintoul 14 is 1 week old and half gone between me and two friends - go figure.

@roark What is the Uigeadail batch you have? (the "L number) That is a big part of the experience!

Today I started with Grant's Family Reserve (just to make sure my palate was "normal").

Followed by a very small dram of Bruichladdich Black Arts 1989 2.2 (21yo). It is interesting . . . @Victor and I basically split this bottle. I am looking forward to his review. I don't even know what to think of this bottle yet.

Then I moved on to a dram of Talisker 25yo (2005 release). I opened this bottle with @Victor and @Dramlette about 12 days ago. The short air time has really improved this bottle. I am much more impressed then I when it was first opened.

I just came back from a dinner and at the bar I noticed an almost full bottle labelled Aberlour A'bunadh batch 28. Given this is a classic batch, I HAD to get a dram.

Problem is, it wasn't A-A. SO have no idea what I drank.....

@Nock

Thanks. The number is L13 245 17:38 6ML.

@Nock - How would you rate the Talisker 25 relative to the other Taliskers you've tasted? I really like the distillery profile in general, but have found the finish rather short on the 10, the Distillers Edition ('12) and even the Storm. Have not tasted the 18.

Starward Whisky, good ol' Aussie brew. This one is from the second bottling batch.

Ever wondered how you can get banana in your whisky profile? Well, seek out some of this and experience it for yourself.

@roark not that you asked me but here are my 2 cents worth anyway. ive had the 25 and thought very highly of it. Its a very concentrated version of talisker so all the notes (toffee, earth, chilli, smoke) are deeper and somewhat more intense i reckon.

Also with talisker ive found that if you take slightly bigger sips and hold them on your pallet for quite a while (20 even 30 secs,) that can ramp up the 10 and the distillers ed.

@sengjc not having a sullivans cove? They seem to be well regarded

worldwhiskiesawards.com/sullivans-cove-fren…

...OGD 114... Love this stuff, cheap and delicious ; )

@roark Talisker 18 is to die for...

Ezra B 12 yo Single Barrel, Wathen's Single Barrel, Kentucky Vintage, and my HP12/HP18/Tangle Ridge vatting.

I had to do something with this lousy bottle of Jameson, so I found a recipe for a cocktail called the Causeway: 2oz Jameson, 1 oz Drambuie, 4 dashes Angostura bitters, 2 dashes orange bitters (I used Twisted & Bitter Orange Bitters, made by Victoria Spirits who also make Victoria Gin) and 1/4oz fresh lemon juice. Shake with ice, pour into an ice filled Collins glass and top with ginger ale (I used Canada Dry Diet Ginger Ale, as it is less sweet, more gingery and fewer calories than regular Canada Dry). It's not bad - fruity, refreshing and with some substance.

@Volks

Thanks, will remember those tips when I next taste the younger Taliskers.

Aberlour A'Bunadh, to confirm to myself that I was right about that fake dram from 2 days ago. Indeed, even my not so favourite batch 36 has those sherry, raisin chocolate notes I remember so well.

Also celebrating success in getting tickets to the Spirit of Toronto in May. Got into the Amrut Master class (my first ever master class of whisky).

Cheers!

@Nozinan I'm in the Amrut masterclass as well - I will see you there!

@talexander I AM APPALLED!!!! There is absolutely no substitute for the original version of Canada Dry Ginger Ale !! - Really, diet ginger ale?

@paddockjudge Ha ha - I know, I know…well, having tasted them both…I gotta admit, I like the Diet better. I also like Diet Coke better than regular Coke. Well, hey so shoot me and piss on my corpse, but there it is. What can I say?? :-/

@talexander - I believe an intervention is required. I am now obligated to drop by this summer with a bottle of Booker's True Barrel Bourbon. Please reconsider Tom; even Booker T Lee drank his best bourbon with regular test 7-UP.

...Elmer T Lee (subliminal suggestion)

@paddockjudge - noted, my friend…noted! :)

@talexander Thanks will add the 18 to the wishlist.

@talexander @paddockjudge

You two can fight it out at the spirit of Toronto. And don't let me catch either of you ruining Booker's with any kind of gingerale or cocacola!

For the record, unless it's been left too long in the can, I prefer diet Canada Dry Ginger ale to the sugary one (years of fooling myself it was good for weight loss) and Diet Coke to the real thing. But I'll raise you one.. I drink caffeine free diet coke!

@Nozinan Don't worry, my friend, no-one's ruining Booker's with a mixer!!!!! And @Victor and I will be hang in' out at SoT. Good times ahead.

@Nozinan - of course not - who would be ruining Booker's with any kind of gingerale or coca cola? I use Cherry Dr. Pepper.

Currently enjoying one of my all time favorite single malts (Lagavulin 12 Cask Strength 2011) and one of my all time favorite blended malts (Taketsuru 17). Mind = blown. Both amazing.

@talexander - On my list now. Thanks for the tip.

21 YO Rye Canadian Whisky - Collingwood. More wood than a lumberyard.

Another exercise in smooth @ 40% abv. "Maple toasted" ain't the fix for a 21 yr-old rye whisky...this must have been an attempt to rescue sub-par whisky.

I honestly want for this to be a great whisky, but it isn't going to happen. Off-putting nose - some have called it perfume; definitely floral.

@paddockjudge, that sounds just terrible my friend. For me, one of the most off-putting factors in a whisky is an overly floral/perfume aroma! Japanese whiskies are often quite floral, but in a very subtle, attractive way that is also framed with wonderful spice notes. The ultra-floral/Chanel no. 5 scent just destroys a whisky for me.

@paddockjudge Damn! Wish I had ready your notes before buying a bottle!