So, what are you drinking now?

@Paddockjudge I will keep that in mind. ;)

@Bwmccoy I guess who takes the pot doesn't matter on a night like that. ;)

@paddockjudge @Robert99

This is how whisky networks develop..... I seem to remember the genesis of discussion about a year ago there one person had some FC JPC#1 and the other person wanted it...

I think it set in motion series of events that led to the depletion of Calgary's supply of Macallan CS....poor Calgary.

Still on the ardbeg uigeadail. I posted my review of it tonight, first review on the page, hope you like it.

@bwmccoy How was the Bruichladdich X4+3 ? Saw this in Calgary and wondered about picking it up.

Benriach 12 yr.

Balvenie 14 Caribbean Cask

Talisker 10. An old trusty friend when the temperatures begin to lower.

Wasatch Polygamy Porter and Bookers Batch C04-A-28. I love having a beer and a bourbon while watching the World Series on the TV. October one of my favorite times of the year.

I have been avoiding alcohol because I don't drink when I'm upset or stressed and between my father's failing health and my kids' school board trying to poison them, I've had a lot of stress.

Today a gunman attacked Parliament, murdering a soldier and engaging in a shootout with police and the sergeant at arms (supposed to be a ceremonial post) before he was stopped.

My first impression this evening was to have a drink precisely because the attacker is thought to have been on a watch list of people thought to be sympathetic to Islamist movements, and of course, alcohol is forbidden to Islamists. I openly apologize for that though, and I mention it to show my own fallibility as a human.

In fact, the prohibition on alcohol is not unique to any one religion, and it MUST be pointed out that the doctrine of groups like ISIS (or whatever their current name) is as far removed from my one million Muslim fellow Canadians as it is from me.

I am angry at the person who committed this crime, and at my government that has, over the last 8 years, made my country into a target by turning away from our reputation as peacekeepers. I am saddened that this has cost the life of a man who stood up for his country, and was engaged in honouring the lives of those who fell before him.

So tonight I drink a somber toast in honour and remembrance of Corporal Nathan Cirillo, and to his family, with a wish that I will never have to do so again.

And I drink a Canadian whisky, Forty Creek Heart of Gold, from a distillery that has been referred to by some as the "Heart of Canada".

@Robert99 - With my Father-in-law, brother-in-law and I all contributing to the "whisky pot", everyone's a winner.

@Jonesz - I picked up my bottle of X4+3 in Vancouver BC. It's an interesting dram. I'm about 1/3 into the bottle and I'm still trying to figure it out. In some ways it's over-powering (alcohol), but in other ways it is light, citrus (lemon) and floral. I'm liking it more each time I have a dram. I would recommend trying a dram of it, if you can, before you buy a bottle.

@Nozinan - Corporal Cirillo, his family and fellow soldiers as well as all of Canada are in our thoughts and prayers.

Loki

Finlaggan OR, OMG this is awful. Tastes like rotten vegetables. Smells peaty and smokey. The after taste makes me gag.

@Nozinan - Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this horrific incident, and for your courage in doing so. Objective news reports compel us to contemplate the madness. Personal observations such as yours elicit both outrage and compassion. Your insights add a touch of balance to the absurdity of it all.

@bwmccoy Thanx for the info on the X4+3, will spend my money elsewhere.

Okolehao. It's a modern take on traditional Hawaiian hooch. It's a 40% ABV liquor that has clear pineapple and coconut overtones. It's sweet. I'm drinking it over ice.

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And Lagavulin 16. The Maui Costco is selling these for $49.90! Honey, we're moving to Maui!

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Elijah Craig 12yo. 47% Small Batch # L2673: I am enjoying this just a little more than previous expressions, which were without bot. code.

This a splendid 'drop' in all departments; the nose is magnificent and everything that follows does not disappoint, the mouth-feel silky, rich and multi layered is, I think, the best I've ever seen. What I particularly like about this expression is just how well the flavour developes in the glass; It breathes, it developes and is over about 45 min. a continuing saga that is simply delectable - Six drops of distilled water in 2 1/2oz. The water not changing the flavour profile, that I can see, but opening up to sweetness (toffee) and wonderful mahogany depth! I do like this Whiskey!

Cheers.

Big and Bold Bourbon. Colonel E H Taylor Barrel Proof 67.7% ABV. I've had this a few times, each time I find more layers. Great bourbon with a long finish and game 7 of the World Series.

World Series Dram - Four Roses 2013 Small Batch Limited Edition 125th - Go Madison!

Just popped the cork on a bottle of Ardbeg Corryvrechkan L13 324 08:10 6ML. I let it sit for a few minutes. When came back into the room I could smell it. It pretty dram good. Smoke, peat, heat and chocolate. Is it as good as a L10 I had , maybe but I'll need to let it oxidize. It still very good.

Tonight is one of my favorite nights of the year, Halloween, I started a tradition several years ago where I pour myself a dram of Talisker 10 towards the end of the eve 8 pm or so. That way only the older kids may still be out but usually its pretty quiet. Just a great way to end the day, sitting next to the stuffed dead mans body, so nice on these cooler evenings.

Cragganmore 12 yr with a mate who is a 3 minute stroll down the road. It was a great way to get rid of weeks frustrations at work ! A delicious Spey.

My Uncle was over for dinner and we both went for some of the last few drams of my Laphroaig QC. Then my "mule" joined us. He had brought one of my Bladnochs (12 YO sherry matured 55%) from Florida and also brought along a 375 cc bottle of Glenlivet 12 which a friend had given him (I seem to be his receptacle for unwanted bottles...last time it was Benriach Curiositas and Ballantyne's).

As a reward, he got to try, and seemed to like, my Mortlach G&M COOP bottling, and then after supper I introduced him to Amrut Greedy Angels from my sample bottle, and topped it off with a few CCs of Caol Ila Cask Strength.

Visiting some friends in Taichung, a city in central Taiwan this weekend. I made some time today to check out a local whisky shop that I like, where I came across a reasonably priced bottle of Caol Ila 1993 DE. I'm giving it a go now and it's very nice stuff. It's only freshly popped, but I already prefer the general flavour profile here to the Tally DE's that I've tried. Oppositely it's not as good as the Laga DE's I've had. Of course I'm generalizing, I haven't tried all the vintages. Anyway, this makes for some very easy sipping.

Last night at a friend's house while the wives took the kids trick or treating;

9 year Miltonduff (SMWS 72.41 "Girlie holiday breakfast dram") from a first-fill white wine hogshead. Don't like the name, but love the whisky.

15 year Springbank (SMWS 27.104 "Cowboy's Delight") from a refill gorda – ex-Sherry cask. A big, bold, outstanding dram.

2 year Westland distillery (Seattle, WA) 2014 Peat Week single cask release (Cask No. 283). Heavily peated malt from a Speyside maltings company. First-fill ex-bourbon cask. Should have had this one before the Springbank.

12 year Caol Ila - A classic standard in which to compare the next dram.

17 year Caol Ila (SMWS 53.194 "A Calmac ferry dram") from a refill butt. The favorite dram of the night for me.

4 year Kilchoman (SMWS 129.4 “Peat smoke infused Peach Posset”) from a first-fill barrel – ex-bourbon. Another great dram and a great way to end the night.

Today I bought two amazing bottles and tried them both: Aberlour A'Bunadh & Lagavulin 16.

@goldfilm

Which batch of the A'BUnadh was it?

Forty Creek John's Private Cask # 1. Very nice Canadian whisky. And now some Forty Creek Port Wood Reserve...

@Victor

Which of the special releases are you missing? I'll make sure I hang on to them till you're in town...

@Nozinan, a taste of Evolution would be nice. I would't ask for a bottle without tasting it first. I have JPC and Heart of Gold. I don't need a bottle of the Port Wood Reserve. Thank you kindly.