So, what are you drinking now?

@Nozinan, Yes - In the works locally, geographically speaking...buying new make at retail bottle price is very expensive.

@paddockjudge

but you could take the Smooth Ambler and speed age it further in a small barrel...

@Nozinan, or I could buy Maker's Mark for a fraction of the cost.

@paddockjudge But would it be as much fun?

@Benancio I am with you on the Stagg Jr. I think it is amazing. That said, we are in the minority! That said, 132.1 proof sounds like the third release of this whisky to me. I have the first two releases (134.4 proof is the 1st release; 128.7 proof 2nd release).

@Victor I am jealous you have a legal distillery so close. I hope they get around to some nice rye whiskey production! I am very much looking forward to cracking open my Old Potrero batch "N." I would have opened it this past week . . . but circumstances prevented it.

This is my first night back drinking alcohol in a week. I celebrated with some Uigeadail and a 4 yo Willett Rye. Both lovely and full of flavor.

Decided to change things up a bit tonight, with a glass of aquavit. It's called Yggdrasil, by Norwegian brewery Ægir (some of you might be familiar with their beers). It's made using barley instead of the more traditional potato distillate. And if I'm not completely mistaken, it was aged on Jack Daniels barrels.

I quite like it, even if it isn't a traditional aquavit!

Balvenie 14 yr Caribbean Cask.

Gearing the taste buds up for Whisky weekend at Forty Creek. Tonight it's Heart of Gold. Thank you, @paddockjudge, for convincing me yo try this one...

Alchemist HP12. When on sale, it's only $5 more than the standard HP12. This is 6% stronger and less sherried. @talktalksleep and I bought the last few bottles in town. Glad I grabbed an extra one for the "vault." Brilliant stuff.

Ardbeg 10yo. and it is drinking rather well, despite opening a little quietly: Time in large glass has, as is usually the case, allowed it to really bloom! Pale colored, even for an Ardbeg, it is one of the best 10yo's. I've ever tasted, so good I can't leave it alone.

Cheers.

@A'bunadhman what is the batch number on your Ardbeg TEN? Just curious

@Nock: Ardbeg 10yo.L1402810:12 6ML (14000727) - It really is first class; the morning after 'empty glass trick' delivers the most amazing perfume.

Slainte!

Sonnalta PX. It's held up well over the many months since it was opened.

@A'bunadhman thanks! I have a bottle of L14 042 currently open. It started off weird . . . but with a bit of air it has really grown on me. My guess is that our two bottles could be from the same vatting . . .

So I started off tonight with my Ardbeg TEN.

Then I moved on to open a brand new bottle of Lagavulin 16yo. I still have two fingers left in my older bottle of Lag 16 . . . and I have to say this new bottle is much better. It makes me realize how "off" my last bottle of Lagavulin was. I have a sample from my 2009 bottle and I will have to put all three head-to-head to see what I think. My initial sense is that this new bottle is better without being back to the standards of the bottles from the 2000's.

From my quite nearly empty bottle of Mortlach - 13yr Murray McDavid LE bottling. Been open for a long time, and only a dram or 2 left... but still a smooth starter. Still saving my 16yr chieftain's bottle.

@Nock: Mine' s L14 028, your bottle L14 042: I'm not sure what this means at the bottler?

Cheers

Oban 18 year limited edition. My liquor guy let me have this for the same price as Oban14. With that offer I had to get it.
I'm half way through the first dram and it's very good, very smooth. I'm enjoying it, trying not to over think it. It's delicious, richer, darker and spicer than the 14. I could drink a lot of this one.

Whisky 'Pop Rocks' (R), my favorite whisky characteristic - Glenfarclas 15 YO has it.

60th Scottish distillery on my list: Benromach with the 10yo expression, how wrong was I to ignore this one for so long

^^ Apparently I didn't, according to my logbook I tried the Benromach back in 2012, It's good to keep notes

Four Roses Single Barrel. I love this bourbon. Bravo Jim Rutledge.

Glengoyne 10, followed by Redbreast 12 Cask Strength.

Inner Circle 'Green Spot' Rum 57.2% Alc. The current edition from our oldest Distillery, Beenleigh and they have created a rather tasty 'drop', not unlike the re-releasses of Malcom Campbell back in about 2002, if I recall correctly.

Young and assertive without being aggresive, smooth and delicious and the best 'swimmer' of all the Rums at Proof - At about 48% Alc. simply scrumptious! The magic of Mollasses!

Cheers.

Holey Dollar Rum 75.9% Al. It is, in my opinion, as good as the original Inner Ciircle 33 OP. In other words, absolutely superb!

holeydollarrum.com.au/our-news/9/…

Cheers.

Glencadam 15, very interesting, only the second time that I've encountered a whisky with strong stawberry flavours in the nose, very interesting indeed

Lagavulin 16 yr.

The last few cc of the sample I was given of Forty Creek John's Private Cask #1.

Thanks again @Paddockjudge! You know that little bottle's coming back to you soon with something good inside it...

Dalmore 12, disappointment in a bottle

@pandemonium. I agree with you on the Dalmore 12, great looking bottle, nice color, underwhelming scotch.

Clan MacGregor!

After eight years my well-paid gig ended. Slinging code for a very large software company near Seattle. So, I'm starting the whisky trail all over again from the start. But this time with many years experience. I've slashed my spirits budget by 90% and must stick to it until my next gig starts. So the bottom shelf is my new best friend.