So, what are you drinking now?

@talexander , is that Cadenhead's Islay from the living cask they keep behind the counter at the shop in Edinburgh? That's a pretty randomly specific guess, but I know those are hand-filled, CS, and that they do some smaller bottles. I've had that, and although I'm sure it changes all the time, I can tell you it was good in 2010!

I bought the Willett 21 almost 2 yrs ago at Central Liquor on a visit to D.C. Have been sparingly sipping (and sharing) it since. Trying to make it last. Keep my eyes open for other Willetts on trips to U.S. But no luck yet. Not available on this side of the 49th.

@whiskygoalie, you did well finding a Willett Family Estate bottle, even in DC. Only the best stores ever see any. 95% of US stores never see a bottle of Willett Family Estate bourbon or rye. And finding an old one, e.g. over 15 years old, has become rare. There are only a relative handful of stores which buy or share the purchase of a barrel to bottle. It will be be interesting how much volume the new Willett DISTILLERY is producing. There is a 2 yo rye out now, ...next year a 3 yo, then a 4 yo...but will demand even allow them to age any product for 15 or 20 years? Only time will tell.

@OlJas Yes, my friend, that is exactly what it is. It even has the name of the person who bought it handwritten on the back! Why they would sell a 200ml sample for GPB10 at auction, rather than open it and drink it, is beyond me. Oh well, my benefit.

@talexander , I bet someone got a gift he didn't want from a friend who visited Edinburgh. The 200ml bottles are perfect for that, especially because they hand-label them. In fact, the 200ml Islay cask is EXACTLY the bottle I picked up there for a buddy back home when I visited. (Hey—your auction bottle doesn't say "Vinnie" on the back, does it? Kidding.)

I'd be all over that for £10 too. Good score.

OGD 114...always a winner.

@talexander, congratulations on your recent win!

Yes, the LCBO is, as you so politely put it, "a mess".

@OlJas The name on the back is Caroline Smith, and it was bottled Dec 18 2009. Anyone know her?

@talexander , name and shame! :)

I don't know her, but Dec 18's my birthday. And as it happens, 2009 was probably the best birthday I ever had: various fun things that I won't bore anyone with, and especially because we went to a little pub in Chicago where The Tossers were playing a low-key show. They might just be my favorite band of today and it was totally fun to meet them and chat it up and get a birthday number called out to me. Good good stuff. In honor of the date, I've just switched my iPod over to the Tossers and played "The Break of Dawn"--one of the best whisky-celebrating songs since The Pogues' "Streams of Whiskey." Cheers!

@OlJas Well I think that little bit of synchronicity is The Universe telling me that it's going to be spectacular!

Ardbeg 10yo. @ 46%: Shared this with a neighbour who thought it as good as I did, however he offered the comment, "...they are predictable, though!" Surely a big plus, I think! Anyway, We shared a generous measure of Talisker 18yo. 2/3 full and open (about) 2yrs.,a splendid Whisky with just about everything I like in wonderful harmony. My Ardbeg has developed the most amazing sweet character on the palate & finish that goes way beyond delicious; I have one other unopened bottle, from this batch which is a bit darker than a previous batch: It was good! This is great!

Ochan! Sante! Onè Respè!

Ardbeg 10yo. @ 46%: I may have noted the bottle code when I first decanted this lovely 'drop'!.....

L5937431072014 14008155 07:50

Cheers.

Bladnoch 21 yo CS. This was buttery, lemony, salty, and winey. Most impressive was the quality of the barley--this tasted like those wonderful old 1970s and early 1980s malts.

Also, Glendronach 15 Revival and High West 16 yo Rye.

Port Charlotte Scottish Barley - yummy. this one's really growing on me. It seems to be getting creamier, more buttery, but you know the peat is there and I'm starting to get more spice, like cinnamon.

...A little cold last night, heater igniter burned out yesterday, fixed today, but was out in the cold for a while...

@chrisbator I've got a bottle of this open right now as well, and fully agree, it is fantastic. Might have to get another one before they dry up at the LCBO.

@mscottydunc , I can only guess there'll be another PC NAS in its wake. Their strategy seems to be release an endless series of slightly different but interchangeable NAS bottles.

Ichiro's Malt Chichibu The Peated 2015. Cask Strength: 62.5% abv, ppm: ? (Ardbegish), age: 3 years.

The best Japanese single malt I've had yet.

Maker's 46, of course! Keenland Racecourse in Lexington KY hosted the 'Maker's 46 Mile' today, a graded stakes turf race for thoroughbred horses. Jack Milton (KY) Dark Bay Horse 5 Years, bested the field of 7 runners. I love Kentucky.

I'm not usually a tequila person, but I'm having Casa Noble Anejo right now, thanks to a tip from Victor. I'm really glad I bought the bottle. Vanilla and also almond/marzipan, then pepper. The nose is a heavy agave hit, but also with those flavors. I can really recommend this one!

Just finished that last dram of Monkey Shoulder, I waited a long time for this one to come to my area. It is a good blend and not disappointing, however not overly complex it is pleasant and can work with other blends in my cabinet. (:

W L Weller Special Reserve 90 proof. Picked up on a recent trip south of the 49th. Smooth tasting wheated bourbon. No sweetness. Lovely dram.

Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon. This is smelling and tasting great from a bottle open for 5 years...probably better than the first year.

@Victor, Jimmy Russel is a genius, love WT 101. I had a rib eye steak with corn on the cob, washed it down with Rare Breed for dinner tonight.

Auchentoshan Three Wood.

Ok so the nose is a little weird, some rubbery-sulphurness to it, but I do love the smooth triple distilled spirit with the easy-going sherry cask maturation and the lighterweight 43%. I reckon if they had better cask selection, this would be a winner.

Every so often I would have a bottle of this open for those easygoing days when you just want something uncomplicated and to go with the cigar. :D

@cherylnifer

Hard choice but the Intermediate would get my vote - perhaps a little more balanced than the Portonova and less heat. They are quite different animals though.

@sengjc: Thank you for your insight. Looking forward to enjoying both in time; but first the Intermediate Sherry finish

Talisker 10yr all this talk about it being discontinued made me want to have a dram! Bastards increased the price by $10.00 at the MLCC. Now I have to buy another bottle as I only have a dram left. Sigh easy come easy go!

@Lars Problem with buying a "bottle" if Taliisker 10 is discontinued is that you will always be looking at it and be afraid to drink it cause you can't replace it. Better to buy a case!! Second mortgages are easu to get these days.

@cherylnifer

I recommend it as a first dram. Amrut IS is awesome, but if you have anything with strong flavours before, it can really cut down on the experience.

It's been about a month since I had some Scotch. No access during my trip, during which I got sick, and then before I got better (still only 85-90%) I sealed my cabinet for Passover (not for my sake but to keep it untainted for any guest who might care). Then I was on call, and now, finally, I can have a dram.

Better to start slow, but I wanted something good, so I took a 15 cc pour of A'Bunadh batch 45. I still have about 100 cc left (excluding my archive bottle), and still have some of my 26, and it's less than 2 weeks until my birthday, when I'll be able to open my 46 (for better or for worse).

I'm either drinking to little, or my whisky world has been so expanded I can't go through 700 cc of A'Bunadh in a year anymore...