So, what are you drinking now?

...left out a few, looking the list over. We started with blind-tasted Tangle Ridge 100% rye Canadian whisky. NO ONE could tell there was any rye in it, in part for the sherry overlay. All assumed it was a sherried malt. We also had some Highland Park Dark Origins. People did notise the sulphur. We also had some High West Rendezvous Rye, which @jonathan enjoyed very much. And I got my first taste of the MGP James E. Pepper 1776 Rye Whiskey. Got to say: at 50% ABV, of all the MULTITUDE of MGP/LDI Rye brands out there (Bulleit, Redemption, George Dickel Rye, Templeton, James E. Pepper 1776) this is probably my favourite, second ONLY to the best Willett Family Estate MGP Rye barrels. Fabulous intense fruity nose available immediately on the James E. Pepper Rye...followed by a rich palate. 50% ABV makes all the difference in flavour density, even over 45% ABV.

@I was just about to write about the tasting, Victor! You didn't mention the tequilas--mostly Blancos and Anejos--the Gins,and also collection of Canadian whiskeys! I have to say that Rye (and particularly those Willets) has rekindled my passion for whiskey...Anyway

The "Anyway" was a typo...

@Nozinan At its pricepoint, it is probably the best rum that I have had. Given the choice though, I would spend the extra money for a Plantation 20 year old or an El Dorado 21 (recognizing that the ED 25 is not an every month purchase).

I picked up a bottle of the Oak & Cross for guests to start sipping on as the night goes on (premium to everyday is the serving philosophy at Chez Rain).

Had some Lindt 90% Cocoa 'Excellence' Supreme Dark Chocolate. Poured a small Glengoyne Cask Batch #1 and popped a square on my tongue: I've never had the Lindt 90% before, opting for the Green and Blacks Organic 85% and the Lindt at 90% initially tasted quite dusty (as 90% can); anyway one sip and I was sold...Yum! Another pour, you bet! This time from a sample of the same batch from last year and a more generous pour and this is even more delicious, the sample showing lots of Sherry Malt, dark rich Xmas fruits and exquisite balance, and a developed layered palate that pushes past A'bunadh (most anyway) with outstanding, spotless Sherry! I do like this one.

Op je gezondheid!

@JayRain

A fairly good philosophy, as the plate fatigue makes it less useful to serve the good stuff later on. And this one is definitely a full flavour spirit that will cut through the most tired palate.

Do you know of any other high strength rums sold in Ontario?

@Victor I hadn't seen the first part of your post... in any any case, it was great fun, and I've discovered that really like good Blancos and Reposados.

@Nozinan - I have had the Wray & Nephew Overproof before - it is quite strong (63%) and needed to cut it with various juices.

I like to contrast rum & whiskey so I tend to the 40-43% for rums...

@JayRain

Hmm I'll have to look into that. LCBO has 375 cc bottles. 63%. But does it have flavour? Is it a sipper. I see it's not an aged rum.

After about a week of marriage, I am sipping my blend of A'Bunadh batches 36, 45, 46 (in equal amounts). So far, though not trying them head to head with any individual batch, batch 42.333333333 is extremely tasty.

@Nozinan sounds pretty dam good, I have a few old ones, I think I'll blend me a dram.

@Nozinan Not a sipping rum in my opinion.

I have a Ron Zacapa 25 and a Plantation 20 if you want samples. Next time I get the El Dorado 25 (twice per year), you are welcome to some of that as well...

Wild Turkey 101 Rye: One of several I have open. These are all first class, different batches, some quite old, sourced from all over! My favorite an ex. Duty Free 1litre old batch with the full painted bird from... ?

I don't expect to see the 101 Rye anytime soon, if ever; this was a gift at AU.$44.50 and I managed to get some for $30 - 40.00, but it's all over Folks! As a reality check, occasionally I will leave a covered, empty, wet glass over night to nose the next morning - The 101 Rye comes up trumps each and every time; sometimes funky, sometimes musty haystacks, sometimes honey, it always has a delightful perfume!

Slainte!

Hell Cat Maggie Irish Blend. Quite good considering the low price.

@Nozinan , after about a week of marriage, I too was ready for the strong stuff.

@OlJas Worth a chuckle....I was talking about the vatting...

@Sengjc - in regards to our discussion on another thread: last night I opened the Velvet Fig and initial impressions are very good. Reasonably complex and medium sherry with a really nice mouthfeel.

My Florida "mule" is staying over tonight during a visit to see his father. Sadly, he didn't bring anything so I'm still waiting for my first bottle of OGD 114. However there is a good chance he's moving to Toronto soon so I'll be getting everything all at once (but I won't have a place to ship to anymore...).

I introduced him to the Smith and Cross navy strength rum and he really enjoyed it. Then we polished off the last 25-30 cc of my vatting of A'Bunadhs 36, 45 and 46.

I may have to start a Solera bottle for A'Bunadhs...

Old Grand-Dad 114, from the old pre-Beam distillery and the 1970s. Different distillery, different whiskey. Interesting and fun at Jack Rose Dining Saloon in DC, home of 2,500 whiskies.

Hand warmed Monarch 75th Anniversary Crown Royal. There is some VERY old whisky in this extremely complex blend. This is the best Crown Royal I've tried in my forty short years of whisky exploration. Exquisite - layers of corn, malt, and rye. Thick, sweet corn on an oak plank with peppery rye and mouth watering baking spices and a sprinkle of walnuts. Whisps of ripe banana and rich, dark chocolate - fat on the nose like 90% cacao. Excellent balance - medium long finish - MAGNIFICENT !!

Don't wait to pick up a bottle (or two) of this majestic elixir, for when it is gone, it is gone forever. Available in Ontario for $60. paddockjudge rating....accumulate and hold.

Ardbeg Perpetuum. Thirteen hours before @Nock comes to visit me, I better decide whether I need more than one bottle of the Ardbeg Day 200th Anniversary Juice. Fabulous nose. Very good palate, but not equal to the nose. This is a lovely Ardbeg, which I much prefer to Auriverdes. @Nock, you will be pleased. One bottle might be enough for me. I am more of a Supernova kind of guy. I'll decide later.

@Victor What kind of maturation did you think it had?

AP30 + AP25 = AP55 while watching Tampa vs NY. Happy Birthday to me.

@paddockjudge - Happy Birthday! I've got a dram of 13 year Inchmurrin in my glass at the moment while watching the Mariners beat Cleveland. While this is a good dram, it's not sufficient for a birthday toast. A dram of Octomore Comus in your honor will be up next. Hope you've had a great birthday!

@Piero Thats one hell of a Scotch :)

A "Teeling Single Malt"! Wonderful whiskey actually! Highly recommended!!

@PeatyZealot, Ardbeg Perpetuum seems pretty standard bourbon barrel matured to me. I really didn't notice wine. If there's any there it can't be much.

@paddockjudge Birthday greetings from NW Ontario (TBay). Up here for our daughter's Lakehead U convocation today. This evening's dram will be Alberta Premium NAS (best I could find in a mini). Best wishes!!

@bwmccoy Octomore Comus 4.2 is one of my favourite malts - young, hot, and sweet - the way I remember them from many birthdays ago.

@whiskygoalie Alberta Premium is a National Treasure according to Whisky Bible. The NAS is (arguably) this planet's best whisky value...."start the car!!"