So, what are you drinking now?

@Victor

"'Michters American Whiskey' is a good example of that. That one is God-awful, just a nasty mishmash, as are, for me, anyway, most whiskies with both wheat and rye in them together..."

First off, thanks--'Michters American Whiskey' is one I decided not to purchase during my recent visit to the big city. Mind you, I'd still like to try it, but I'll wait until I can get it in the US (for about 1/3 the price they charge here in BC).

But, thinking of whiskey with both wheat and rye--have you ever tried Dry Fly Triticale Whiskey? (as triticale is a hybrid of the two) I may be unsophisiticated, but I think this stuff is amazing.

As for what I have open now...I have three bourbons: Baker's, Noah's Mill, and (just opened) Bulleit 10 yo. Enjoying all three, but dunno if I'd go too far out of my way for the Baker's again (I prefer Booker's, of the Jim Beam specialty lineup). Also several Scotches, ranging from Laphroaig Quarter Cask to Glendronach Cask Strength Batch 4.

@Spitfire, I haven't had the Dry Fly Triticale, but I'd love to sample it. I like a lot of non-big-four-grains whiskeys, especially oat and 'pseudo-grain' Quinoa whiskeys.

And I do stress the word "most" about combining wheat and rye together. There are some whiskies which have both which do work, like that one magical batch of Crown Royal Reserve which Jim Murray (and I) got to review.

While I don't like the Michter's American Whiskey at all, I'll happily drink the recent batches of Michter's Bourbon.

@Victor OK, thanks. I was looking at the Michters bourbon at first, but the guy at the shop suggested I try the 'American Whiskey" instead. At over $100 a bottle, though...hell, I'll take 2 of each!

@Victor Oh, and for anyone interested: spokanewhiskeyclub.com/2013/06/…

(Was going to put this in my previous post, but couldn't get the "paste" function to work on my iPad.)

@bwmccoy, I've never met a GlenDronach I didn't like.

That is a very nice pour list. The Octomore 6.1 is a special whisky indeed, absolutely delicious. Glenfarclas 25 YO has escaped my grasp, It is on my radar. I am a huge fan, and supporter, of Alberta Distillers Limited; however, Dark Horse is a waste of delicious 90 pf rye tainted with a 1% - 2% addition of sherry to the whisky...sad, but true.

Thank you for sharing.

Enjoying a well aged Cuban cigar with some Glencadam 15 Year Old.

images.tapatalk-cdn.com/16/03/…

A lovely relaxing smoke to go with a restorative dram.

Whisky and cigars at my place.

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Bladnoch 12 Year Old Sherry Matured and Glenmorangie Milsean in my glasses.

Setting aside the time difference...it is evening where I am as I post this, I am about to pour myself a dram of Nikka Taketsuru 17yo Pure Malt. I only have one bottle, and I am trying to enjoy it as much as I can. Sadly, to replace it, it would make too much of a dent in my budget.

?? Kanpai!

@Spitfire - I've previously owned a bottle of the Dry Fly Triticale Whiskey and really enjoyed it. I'm not a huge fan of wheat whiskey, but I do like rye. I was intrigued by how the hybrid grain was kind of the best of both worlds in that it took away some of the sweetness from the wheat and some of the spice from the rye. I thought it was a very balanced, drinkable dram.

@paddockjudge - Thanks! It was a great event. It rivaled the Whisky Extravaganza's that the Whisky Society puts on each fall. There was more American whiskey at this event than the Extravaganza's. The only problem (and it's a good problem to have) is there was too much whisky to try in one 3 hour event. It's good to hear from you. Hope you and the family are doing well.

Tonight we had some very dear friends over for dinner and a good time with lots of laughs. We've had glenfarclas 15, a'bunadh batch 47, bunnahabhain moine and the immensely powerful Amrut peated CS.

Enjoying my 2nd to last dram of a 33yr Glenlivet club bottling... Working for me on this rainy windy evening...

I just opened my first bottle of Hibiki Harmony, 70cL, 43%ABV. I got it in the Duty Free Shop in Beijing and I am looking forward to it. I have enjoyed the 12yo and the 17yo, and I am looking forward to this blend.

???

@ajjarrett Clarification...

What I just poured myself this evening was the Hibiki Harmony Master's Select. I saw that there was another expression/bottling which is the Hibiki Harmony. I am guessing they are different in some ways.

I wont' get into too many details with tasting and nosing notes. What will comment it on is that if you like your blended whisky to have a stronger grain character to it this is the way to go. The 17yo, for me had dominant characterstics from the malts they used, and could take a splash of water to open it up. The Hibiki Harmony Master's Select managed to stay together with just a little water, and when I added more it lost a bit of itself.

While I was in Tokyo this February I tried The Chita single grain whisky, which is the grain whisky used in all of the Hibiki whiskies. As I nosed the Harmony Master's Select, my thought was "The Chita!" I should say, I am more of a SMW fan but I do enjoy The Chita Single Grain Whisky. I might have to pick up a bottle of it when I go through Tokyo again. There is some complexity to this blended whisky and I would say it is worth a try. However, if you a worrying about where you spend your money, try it first before buying a bottle. The finish isn't long and for some people maybe lack-luster. I love the nose and taste because I think I can pick up the Hakush white oak whisky (I think they used in it). Granted they used a few different malts from both Hakushu and Yamazaki, and I think I did pick up a bit of a sherry note. Nevertheless, this Harmony Master's Select is a balance between The Chita and Hakushu, and a little Yamazaki.

kanpai!

OESK - four roses single barrel... A little spicy, full bodied and nice warming finish

Tried the Kirkland bourbon cask matured 16 yr old Highland from Alexander Murray. A little hot when drank neat. Will try it with a drop of water tonight.

Also had the Glenfiddich US exclusive 14 year bourbon barrel reserve. Aged for 14 years in bourbon barrels and finished in American new oak. Much better than the Kirkland when consumed neat. Nice flavours and very smooth with a noticeable touch of sweetness. Will try with a drop water as well to see if there are any additional flavour developments.

EC12. Opened this a month ago, and it's settling down now. Rich nose, taste, and long finish. Was worth buying.

This past weekend was a nice little get-together of whisky buddies with each bringing a bottle. Started with Glengoyne 15. It brought the bourbon and sherry cask elements together really nicely. I've been wanting to bring a Glengoyne back into my cabinet and this will likely be the one. While I suspect the 18 yo might be even better balanced, the difference in price (with the distillery being one of the best priced in my neck of the woods...the anti-Ardbeg in that respect) pushes me to the 15 yo.

The Balvenie Caribbean Cask 14 yo was next. A fantastic nose of bananas, cream, and caramel. However, my hit/miss relationship with rum cask finishing reared its ugly head again as I felt that the elements never really sewed themselves together overall...the parts were greater than the sum.

Two Bunnahabhains followed. I cracked open the 12 yo that my wonderful wife gave to me for Christmas this year. My initial thought is that it is one of the richest profiles that I have had for this age statement (imho, it tasted like it was 15+ yo) A nice fruit and nut profile influenced by a peat smoke note that isn't supposed to be there, since Bunnahabhain 12 is unpeated...or at least I think so. A great pour that I am particularly curious to see how it develops with the bottle now open. The peated Ceobanach followed. The peat was presented nicely, but I was missing the contribution of sherry casking that the 12 yo brought to the table.

The evening was finished off by Hirsch Small Batch bourbon that a friend's mom brought back from Florida. A little thin at 43%, but a great sipper with a good range of flavour. That bottle could get finished during a day with a couple of buddies if you aren't careful! :)

A great evening with good friends. A pour of Grand Old Parr 12 was had the next night to celebrate the arrival of my brother's first child. A wonderful weekend all around!

Doing a head to head of my last 5-10 cc of my Amrut single malt 46% mini the closest thing I have open to that which is my single bourbon barrel bottling. similarities and differences...I'll post them on the reviews.

Looking forward to it, @Nozinan. Myself I poured myself an Amrut peated CS

Rock Hill Farms for a nice change as the weather is looking up. Approaching dangerously low level in this bottle...

@Pudge72 , was that Balvenie Caribbean Cask 14 from a newly opened bottle? The one bottle of Caribbean Cask I've owned, 4 years ago, started out disappointingly, but came together nicely after the bottle was open for a month or so.

@Victor why yes, based on the fill level the bottle was either just opened or had only had one pour from it. I'll mention the potential for improvement to the buddy who brought the bottle. Thanks for the heads up!

Myself I'm scolding myself for bad grammar

First night after a string of very busy 1 in 2 nights of call. Got caught up with my charting, then my wife and I sat down to watch episode 7 of Descendants of the Sun (with subtitles).

Lots of Doctors but this is no Medical Drama... so the medicine s not too realistic.

A gripping TV show has to have a strong accompanying dram... Knob Creek Single Barrel at 60%. I've noticed with a number of bourbons and high proof whiskies in general that a lot of time in the glass brings out some great flavours. And with 2 little kids on March Break, there are a lot of interruptions and lots of time in the glass...

geonbae!

Friday off, home alone and its the evneing, watching Whisky.com on Youtube and their tour of Bunnahabhain distillery, and having a nice dram of their 12yo.

Cheers.

@ajjarrett

Horst always makes my daughter go into laughing fits (she's 17) she can do a pitch perfect imitation of him but freaks out when he does the gargling/mouthwashing of the whisky as it grosses her out. I've thought of sampling that to replace her ringtone on her phone when she's not looking.

No offense meant to the man, he has a lot of knowledge and certainly visited many distilleries, I respect what he does and watch some of the videos even though it's not always my cup of tea.

@cricklewood

Well, in reply...let me just say (a bit of topic of this thread) yes, Horst's swooshing around whisky as if it is listerine can be a bit annoying. I actually turn down the volume when he goes through this routine of his. I would love to hear your daughter's imitation of him. However, in the tour of the Bunnahabhain distillery video it is his son who is doing the tour.

As for the whiskey I am drinking now, well the spelling should have given you all a slight hint of the possibilities. I am actually having a nice dram of Redbreast 15yo SPSW. A friend of mine is bringing me another bottle, since it isnt' readily available here in Beijing, which once I get it it will be a post on another thread. HA!

Cheers!

@ajjarrett That should have been "off topic." I wish there was an edit feature here. HA

White dog! Today I've had ''moonshine'', un-aged American corn whiskey named Ole smoky (even though it had no smoke what so ever). I have to say I kinda liked it. It didn't taste bourbon but corn. And not corn niblets but corn on a field, stalk and all. Interesting stuff

Decided it to have a duke out between Knappogue Castle 12 vs Redbreast 12 . Close for me but last night I gave the edge to Knappogue. Decided to have a bourbon about 1 hour later and that was a bad choice on my part should gone to a single malt or blended malt. Live and learn.