So, what are you drinking now?

@paddockjudge @talexander

The solution isn't cheap booze. Spend what you'd spend on Drambuie and JW Black on a babysitter and come over to my place for a dram of Bladnoch or Amrut CS.

After a long night at work - had to stop off at the grocery store on the way home to pick up a few things...In their liquor dept I've been indecisive about the Glendronach 12 yr Original, but this morning I went ahead and splurged.

Glad I did - it's a really nice whisky - think Aberlour 12 yr Non-Chill Filtered...Lovely stuff!

Tonight, the kids in bed, most work done. Trying to enjoy a dram of A'Bunadh 45, but it's npbeen over an hour and it just is not opening up. Better than the 36, but I think the 44 tops it.

Is it just me or is the trend toward younger tasting A'Bunadh ?

Elijah Craig 12yo. 47% Vol. What a splendid Whiskey! The first bottle was great, so, went back for another and, if anything, it's even better! This is a really fine whiskey with everything in place; aroma, palate and finish all superb - A delicious, layered profile of sweet fruit, Cherries and perhaps a marmalade sharpness that is not only delicious but totally engaging.

This is far and away the best (most enjoyable) Bourbon I've ever tasted. As a newcomer to our shores, Elijah Craig is more than likely 'putting their best foot forward'! I don't mind at all!

Cheers.

@Nozinan You might want to watch Ralfy's review of batch 48. Does give a bit of a comparison re the newer vs older batches, The review is here: www.youtube.com/watch

@Jonesz

I know, this is my worry. I saw the video. While the idea of a batch to match my age each year is enticing, and I don't want to miss out on one, I also don't want to spend a hundred dollars on crappy Scotch. But I also don't want to run down my reserves too quickly.

I may give the 48 a pass. @talexander seems to enjoy the 47. I'm trying to decide if I should buy a second bottle of that. After all, it is a prime number.

Glenfiddich 15 Distillery Edition, Glenfiddich 18, Stranahan's Batch 106, Elmer T. Lee, and Crown Royal XR AJ 6351 from @paddockjudge.

Finishing my paperwork, and relaxing after the last day of the election campaign. Booker's night tonight...

@Victor - Power of Suggestion...revisited CR XR ...and CR Reserve, CR Ltd Ed 1975 and Caribou X-ing...tons of fun!

This was followed by Forty Creek Heart of Gold - John Hall makes delicious whisky. I suggest that anyone who is within reasonable driving distance of the FC distillery, take some time this fall to visit the facility in Grimsby and secure a bottle (or more) of the 2014 limited release. The time may soon come when price and allocation prevent easy access to this perennial pleaser. Campari, the new owner of Forty Creek, is a global player with a distribution network that covers in excess of 100 countries...Forty Creek is currently available in only TWO countries.

Highland Park 16yo, travel retail, bottled in 2008, still on the shelves today and I get why.

@Nozinan Just bought a Booker's to pour for my office tomorrow afternoon!

@Victor, Blue Jays are nasty creatures, I pray that they do not absolutely destroy the defensive-minded Orioles...game on!

Yes, @paddockjudge, Blue Jays are pretty birds but nasty creatures indeed. I've seen them attack cats. Baltimore Orioles are also nice looking birds, but are pretty uncommon birds, even in Baltimore. It can be quite a spectacle to see birds fighting. These two species of birds fight quite frequently though.

I have been drinking a lot of peated whiskies lately (lets face it . . . I drink a lot of peated whiskies). And even I need a break some nights. So, inspired by @Victor's recent review of Black Arts 2.2 I decided to take another stab at it. This time I compared it with other sherried malts (even though I am sure Black Arts uses wine casks beyond sherry . . .)

Glenburgie 10yo 43%

Bruichladdich Black Arts 2.2 21yo 1989 49.7%

Amrut Intermediate Sherry 57.1% Batch No.2 September 2010.

Just finished some Kirin Fuji Sanroku 18 yo, now enjoying a dram of Amrut Portonova.

… next…. maybe some Bladnoch 19 yo??

Arran cask strength, Sauternes finish, and enjoying it very much!

Trying to better appreciate Collingwood 21 Year Old Rye while watching NHL Stanley Cup Game #5 (rooting for the NY Rangers). Starting to appreciate this whisky a little more but I don't think I'll ever be a huge fan. in fact, I'm only drinking it because I ran out of Crown Royal Reserve.

So tonight I spent some serious time with: Bruichladdich 1989 Ed. 2.2 21yo 49.7% Brora 21yo 50% Old Malt Cask Brora 25yo (2008) 56.3% 25yo (2005)57.2% and Longrow CV 46%

That should read: Talisker 25yo (2005) 57.2%

I am currently enjoying a dram of Woodford Reserve Batch # 2. A bottle that brought me great controversy when I inquired about it's value on this site. Now it's bringing me great pleasure as I nose it. It's unique in it's own respect, but even more so if compared to the current Chris Morris version of this bourbon. I am not sure if the extra time in the bottle is due credit, or Lincoln Henderson's skilled selection of grains, barrels and aging, but it is certainly a full bodied, aromatic and flavorful bourbon. It delivers a kind of freshness, but warmth at the same time.

Cheers!

Tonight, Bruichladdich 18 year (1989) Limited Edition Release matured in Bourbon casks, finished in Kosher wine casks from Carmel Winery, Israel. Excellent nose, very nice dram!

18 year (23 March 1993) Cragganmore (SMWS 37.51 - "The saloon of a classic yacht") from a first fill Sherry cask. Last of this bottle. Good thing I have another bottle because this is absolute perfection. Awesome dram!

A 'Born To Be Mild' tour,...it is time for me to decant some whiskies: Hazelburn 8, Auchentoshan Valinch 2011, Balvenie Single Barrel 15, Glen Grant 10, Johnnie Walker Green Label 15.

I always taste them to note their current status before decanting. Decanting is a time of some sadness for me, because I like to serve the whiskies from their original bottles. I am happy, though, to be preserving the whiskies in good condition.

That Hazelburn 8 bottle of mine was understated and disappointing until it took some air. Now it screeches barley and has an intensity of flavour marvellous to behold. Wonderful.

The Auchentoshan 2011 Valinch also shows very intense flavours, in a very good way, now that it has taken some air on.

For me there is a whisk(e)y for nearly every mood. Usually I like the very intense flavours best, but it would be a great shame to miss out on the beauty and delicacy of these milder whiskies.

A scotch-and-soda made with Kilchoman 2007 - brisk and extremely refreshing.

A Happy Father's Day to all (including your own pops)

Aberfeldy 12, Tomatin 15 Tempranillo, Ardbeg Uigeadail L11 028, High West Rendezvous Rye, Abraham Bowman 17 yo bourbon 73.75% abv.

This was yesterday, at my next door Chinese neighbors' block party, sitting for four hours in the front yard on the court. Five or six of my neighbors joined in. Jian Jian couldn't get enough of that Bowman Bourbon. One of the ladies liked the Aberfeldy; her sister preferred the Tomatin. Mike down the court liked both the Uigeadail and the Rye.

Spreading the joy of whisky one dram at a time....

@Victor - Wish I lived on your street. :-)

Last night, celebrated an early Father's Day with my wife's family;

Tyrconnell 10 year Irish Single Malt Whiskey - Port finish

Bruichladdich 18 year (1989) Limited Edition Release matured in Bourbon casks, finished in Kosher wine casks from Carmel Winery, Israel.

11 year Ardmore (SMWS 66.46 - 'Pretty Woman' in a new Maserati) from a refill Sherry butt.

15 year Bowmore (SMWS 3.206 - Dark and mysterious) from a refill Sherry butt.

Finished with 9 year Bruichladdich Port Charlotte (SMWS 127.14 - Right Up My Street) from a refill barrel.

Happy Father's Day!

@JayRain - Yes, Happy Father's day to all the Dads out there. Having a dram of 1976 Seagram's Crown Royal DeLuxe at my mother's house. This newly opened bottle is from my father's stash of whisky, many of which were gifted to him on Father's Day by his brood of six.

Cheers to all who are celebrating today, whether you are fathers, have fathers, know fathers or all of the above. If i do egg a chance to dram, I'll raise one to all of you.

Egg= get in iPad language

Just got a bottle of the new Balvenie 15 Single Barrel Sherry Cask. This is really nice. One of the spiciest drams I've ever had. Beautiful.