So, what are you drinking now?

Friday night, I BBQed lamb for dinner. Looking for something to match my palate. My eyes fell on a bottle open 11+ months ago: Springbank CS Claret wood.

This 12 YO is a stunner. Like the last bottle I had a few years ago it has really opened up after a year. Glad I still have a couple put away. This is definitely among the 15 or so whiskies in my top 5...

@Astroke Yes, I know what you're saying. I've looked through @victor's desert island list; of that list, I've only tried one (Whistlepig, which is excellent) and, of course, I do like all the 40 Creek premiums I've tried (but never tried--ore even seen--the John's Private Cask).

I would like to find Canadian I like--hey, I'm Canadian myself--but I am almost always disappointed, or at best, "meh." I read de Kergommeaux's book, and to be honest, it reads like a history of heavy industry--which, in a way, I guess it is. My perception of the Canadian industry is that there are what, 8 or 9 large distilleries--very industrial--and virtually no small players. Kinda like the Canadian beer industry was back in the 80s (when I worked in it), before the whole craft beer revolution. Hell, even though I worked in the industry as a young man, and got 2 free cases a month as a perk, I never drank the stuff--I bought British ale which actually had some flavour, and gave my freebies to my friends. Nowadays, when I go to buy beer, there are a TON of choices, many of them very good. In the States, a craft revolution seems to be taking place in whisky, and while no, not all of it is good, at least they're taking chances and giving us a choice. Seems to have been that way in Scotland for a while now, too. But in Canada, the big 8 or 9 still dominate the market...

BTW, an addendum: as I mentioned, I did try Whistlepig, which I found excellent (even my wife liked the smell of it). I understand this is distilled in Canada, bottled in the US (I have no idea where it's aged). I've also heard great things about Masterson's, which I have yet to try--another Canadian-distilled rye bottled in the States. My question is, why is it that if Canadian distillers are producting products like these, they don't age, bottle, and market it themselves?

One final note: if and when I do ever see one of Victor's listed Canadians on local shelves, I will try it out. But so far, those bottles do not seem common, at least not in these parts.

Been down with a cold in the past week and have been busy at work. Since I am feeling better today, I am having a tot of Auchentoshan Three Wood with a cigar.

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Comfort food.

@Spitfire Masterson's is fantastic, Jefferson's 10 year Rye is also ADL sourced (I believe) and is less expensive, so you may want to give that a try.

@bwmccoy, Have one for me!

@paddockjudge - Will do! Going to Scotland tomorrow for 2 weeks. Hope to make it to Springbank on Monday, before heading to Islay on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Also going to Skye and Orkney with several stops in between. I will definitely raise at least one dram to you (and @Victor as well) along the way.

Tonight, after an all-day / night wedding ceremony, an Ardbeg 8 year (SMWS 33.143 - "Thank you and goodnight!") from a second fill ex-sherry cask, distilled May 24th, 2007.

Tasted these while at the local bottleshop earlier today: the Glenlivet Nadurra First Fill and the Glendronach Cask Strength Batch 4.

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Most impressed by the Glenlivet, bright, fresh, clean, sweet and honeyed with good length. Well balanced, the malt takes centre stage with the wood influence providing the backup and body. Lacks the depth and complexity of the discontinued age statement bottlings but a very worthy release in its own right.

The Glendronach, while possessing more depth, richness and complexity from the sherry oak maturation lacks the brightness and finesse that I enjoyed in the Glenlivet. Wood character is more pronounced and it could do with a little more integration between the wood and malt. Still, a good release that is enjoyable.

A 7 year old Glen Moray single cask (Hepburn's choice bottling) and a 15 year Linkwood from Gordon and MacPhail.

Bains Cape Mountain whisky, was rooting around at the back of the bar cabinets looking for something that has been opened and forgotten. Open for about a year and some. Not bad to start.

Redbreast 12 YO CS, freshly opened. Very complex nose and palate. I was watching Descendent of the sun episodes 13 and 14 so I wasn't studying it too closely. I feel as though I have a few more layers to uncover. Definitely a keeper.

@sengjc As I love the Glendronach Revival 15, I picked up a couple bottles of CS Batch 4. I agree with you--enjoyable, but a bit muddier than I'd expect from a cask strength. Still...hmmm, I've emptied one bottle...

@Astroke Yes, I've read other good reviews of Masterson's. A bit hard to find (and expensive when I do)--but it's on the list.

@Spitfire Grab the Jefferson's 10 Rye, pretty much the same juice and half the price.

At Loch Fyne Whisky in Inveraray Scotland today, sampled an 11 year Bruichladdich from a Sherry cask (Old Malt Cask bottling). Wow! What a huge, amazing dram. Also tried a 14 year Bunnahabhain also from a Sherry cask (Loch Fyne bottling). While not as big as the previous one, still a very good dram.

Tonight, back at the B&B, A 7 year old Glen Moray single cask (Hepburn's choice bottling), a 12 year Hazelburn and a 15 year Linkwood from Gordon and MacPhail.

@bwmccoy Would like your thoughts on the Hazelburn 12 and the G&M Linkwood if you wouldn't mind. Have both of those in my sights. Enjoy!

@Astroke, Jefferson's Rye and Masterson's Rye may be from the same source, but I do not find them to be the same. I consider Jefferson's to be much more floral on the nose and definitely more bitter and taking longer to open up, while Masterson's is a touch sweeter and displays the classic Juicy Fruit (R) nose. Both are great examples of long aged unmalted rye.

Thanks guys for the rye advice.

@bwmccoy I'm also interested in your thoughts on the G&M Linkwood 15--recently picked up a bottle on general spec, have never tasted it.

@paddockjudge Masterson's is without a doubt my favorite 100% Rye. My stock is low so I will have to pick one up in NS. Have you tried the Few Spirits Rye, reviews seem to be either love it or hate it.

@Spitfire @Astroke - The Hazelburn 12 is a good dram, but it wasn't anything spectacular. I got hazelnut or at least a not profile on the palate. I only purchased a mini bottle (5cl), so maybe not enough to give it a fair shot. I would try it again to make sure. I really like the Linkwood 15. It is a balanced, sherry dram. Not a sherry bomb. Raisins, Christmas cake, all of the usual sherry notes. It's lovely, elegant.

Today, started out at the Laphroaig distillery on a warehouse tour where we sampled directly from 3 casks; a 2007 Quarter Cask, a 2004 ex-Maker's Mark bourbon cask and a 1998 Sherry cask. At the end, we got to bottle our favorite of the 3 in a 250ml bottle. All 3 were very nice, but the quarter cask was my least favorite. My mother-in-law bottled the bourbon cask and I bottled the sherry cask. It was interesting when adding water to the quarter cask, it got better, but the bourbon cask diminished with water. The sherry cask didn't change that much with water. That sherry cask blew me away; sweet at the front of the palate with a big explosion of smoke in the finish.

After the tour, back in the shop, sampled Select, Lore and the 15 year. Select was OK. Really enjoyed Lore. They say it is their richest whisky. I don't know about that, but it was my favorite of the 3 and I really like the 15 year old.

Next it was off to Lagavulin where we sampled the new 8 year, the 12 year cask strength and the distiller's addition. The new 8 year was my favorite of the 3.

We ate lunch at Ardbeg, but didn't sample any whisky. (A crime I know, but we have a 23 month old with us who was getting restless...)

After some sight seeing, arrived at our B&B, where the owner had a dram of this year's bottling of Kilchoman Machir Bay waiting for us as a welcome dram.

Went to dinner and had a 1991 Gordon & MacPhail Coal Ila Cask Strength. Wonderful.

Back at the B&B, had a dram of Lagavulin 8 year with the owner and a few other guests who had just arrived.

Later, playing cards with my wife and mother-in-law, a 7 year Glen Moray (Hepburn's Choice bottling), 15 year Linkwood and finishing up a great day with Laphroaig 10.

@Astroke, I too thought Masterson's was my favourite 100% rye, until I completed multiple flights of 7-9 iterations of Alberta Distillers 100% Rye whiskies and ADL sourced whiskies. I think Masterson's is the benchmark of the bunch.

Boss Hog 13 YO was a 'monster' for weeks 1 through 10, but has settle down nearing 4 months opened.

Lock Stock & Barrel is becoming a stellar example of 100% unmalted rye, possibly the new monster now that it has been opened for nearly 4 months.

Alberta Premium 30 Years will always hold a special place in my Whisky Library and maintains a place at the top of my Alberta Rye list, followed closely by AP 25 Years.

These are on my list of Top 10 Single Grain Canadian v2.0 as well as some 100% Corn choices.

I have not tried Few. It sure would be nice to share one with you near the end of May.

@Spitfire, I can probably introduce you to a few Canadians you'll like and a few more you'll love. Plan on repatriating your palate when we get together for a whisky tasting you'll never forget, that is, if you can remember it.

@paddockjudge That would be fun.

So, I was checking online for local availability of some of the Canadians on Victor's list. Most are either simply not listed (Wisers Legacy, AP 30 YO), or barely available but pushing the cost barrier (Masterson's, Whistlepig). I did see some Gibsons "Venerable" 18 YO (in the "barely available" category--that is, in a town 4 hours drive away). Maybe, next time I'm there...

Pulled out the Elmer T Lee tonight......

I am enjoying the Bulleit 10 YO...quite a lot!

@Spitfire AP 30 is only a dream, as is AP 25. They are secondary market Unicorns.

@Spitfire @Astroke I can attest that AP 25 and 30 are not dreams, but very much real. And really, really tasty.

But as for availability, that's another matter...

@Nozinan Unfortunately they are secondary market Unicorns.

Tried to buy an AP25 from a willing seller last year but I was too late. So unless ADL breaks out some more aged Rye instead of shipping it south or only releasing it in Alberta (the norm) than it will remain a dream for me.

Knob Creek Single Barrel selected by a local shop... It's not what it was billed as, but still ok.... Seem to be continuing my Bourbon streak....

A few days behind in my postings. On 13 April, started off with a wee dram of Laphroaig Quarter Cask with my full Scottish breakfast at the B&B.

At Bruichladdich, a 24 year Valich (15 year bourbon cask + 9 year Sauternes cask), a 9 year (2006) X4 ( quadruple distilled) and a Port Charlotte Valinch (Cask Exploration 07 - "Eolas An Deididh". The 24 year was simply amazing! Got 2 bottles!

At Kilchoman, tried the Madeira cask, Loch Gorm and Sanaig. Really liked the Madeira, but was somewhat underwhelmed with the other two.

Later, Linkwood 15

At dinner, Ardbeg Dark Cove - very nice!

Later, playing cards, Linkwood 15, Glen Moray 7, Port Charlotte Scottish Barley Heavily Peated.

On 14 April, at Bunnahabhain, 18 year, and an 8 year peated - "Moine" (2nd fill Sherry cask). That 8 year peated was awesome! Got a bottle!

At Caol Ila, Feis Ile 2013 and Moch. The Feis Ile 2013 is the same as the Distillers Edition plus another 2 + years of bourbon cask maturation for a total of 15 years. Absolutely wonderful! Got a bottle of this one as well.

Later, Ledaig 10 year and Port Charlotte Scottish Barley Heavily Peated.

On 15 April, a mini of Black Bottle that I picked up at Bunnahabhain. Not bad, tasted like cocoa powder, but no finish whatsoever.