So, what are you drinking now?

Famous grouse smoky black I believe it's called. Actually not to shabby. Not very smoky but it carries some deep bass honey notes and resin that's quite enjoyable. One - dimensional but drinkable

Whenever I take a hiatus from whisky it's always tough to get back into it.... what to have first? I usually stand in front of my cabinet, overwhelmed, not being able to choose. I have been known to leave empty-handed and have some soda.

Tonight I solved the problem. My Post Passover Pick was Highwood 90/20. Not too complex so I won't have to ponder it too much, so full of flavour you barely notice it's only 45%. Great nose, easy sipping. If this had been my first whisky I may never have moved on to Scotch...

@Alexsweden famous grouse smoky black is one of my favourite affordable blends. I often give it a little lift with the addition of some Laphroaig QC. Last night I had some old my new bottle of As We Get It Highland Version at 65.8%. This one has greatly exceeded my expectations with an excellent price/quality ratio. It's also dangerously drinkable even at 65.8%.

Sitting down with a glass of Highwood Ninety to watch an episode of "Alone" - History channel's crazy survival show. I'm having some high expectations for the Ninety, here's to it living up to them.

@Nelom and?

@Nelom yes, and...?

@Nozinan and @Astroke I really, relly enjoyed it. With its fruitiness and creaminess it was reminiscent of Gibson's 18, but I believe I prefer the Gibson, but that could be because I'm more familiar with it. I've rated the Ninety a 91 for now, but I'll likely re-rate it again. I tend to rate and re-rate several times as I get to know a whisky.

@Nelom I find them similar in taste (aged corn) but I prefer the Ninety, heavier thicker sweetness on the palate with that additional ABV.

Both excellent but the Ninety is 2 years older, has a higher ABV and is $24 cheaper. The H90 will take a little time to open up, but not much.

Cheers

@Astroke It's actually that thicker sweetness that made me not like it as much. Different strokes I suppose.

@Nelom @Astroke Looking forward to trying both HW Ninety 20 and Gibsons V 18--have a bottle of each on hold, should be able to get them in a few weeks or so.

Served a dram of Aberfeldy 18 and Springbank 10 from a buddy.

Currently the Aberfeldy 18 is going for about $90 Cdn at Duty free for 1 litre bottle which I find very reasonable. Excellent bang for your buck!

I own a bottle of Springbank 10 and he bought it too because after having a shot from my bottle it was all positive. When it comes to my collection it is in my top 10 and with experts giving it around the 87-90 mark it seemed like a no brainer for him. Now if only I could get hold of Springbank 12 easily.

A toast to Leicester City, the Premier League Champion with Ardbeg Dark Cove?

OK, how many of you won your pre-season bets on Leicester at 5,000 to 1?

Half-way through a glass of Elijah Craig 12 YO. I'm not thrilled with it, but it's not bad. When I'm done with the glass I'll likely rate it in the low 80s as a starting point.

@Nelom I needed a couple of tries for it to grow on me, also a lot of time in the glass. I do prefer the barrel proof.

@Nozinan Yeah, I usually need a couple of tries (or more) before I settle on my opinion of any new whisky. I'll let the next pour breathe a while before I dive in.

Catching up on some films at Hot Docs at home with some, er, cheap-and-cheerfuls (Jack Daniels, CC rye, 40 Creek)

@talexander Which 40 Creek?

I'm resuming my exploration of Redbreast 12 YO CS. Delicious. I may have to pick up another before they are gone.

@Nozinan Both Barrel Select and Confederation Oak (Batch 1867-F). Though the winner of the night so far is a Jack Daniels Single Barrel. I was supposed to go to a screening tonight but I knew if I went I was going to fall asleep during the film (this week has been a gong show; good thing Maggie is in Jamaica with her mother). But there are some great films screening at Hot Docs this year.

Glenfiddich 14 yr.

Last night, first drams in over a week. Caught a bad cold on the flight home from Scotland. To celebrate being able to smell and taste again, opened a belated birthday present from my brother-in-law. Westland distillery (Seattle,WA) single cask #732 hand-filled bottle #29. A very complex, beautiful dram with molasses and chocolate on the nose. Followed that up by drinking the last dram of Bruichladdich PC7.

Tonight, opened up a 23 year (April 30th, 1990) Linkwood from a refill ex-bourbon hogshead. SMWS 39.99 - "Springtime in Andalucia". Liquid, waxy candy. Stunning. Finishing up with an 8 year (May 24th,2007) Ardbeg from a 2nd fill ex-Sherry butt. SMWS 33.143 - "Thank you and goodnight". Sweet and smokey. Perfect!

@bwmccoy , the last dram of PC7? Oh no! Is that a permanent good-bye for you, or do you have more stashed?

It's a slow work day (I'm a freelancer and work from home) so I decided to treat myself to an afternoon pour while I potter away in front of the computer. I went with the Wiser's Legacy and... wow. This is really quite something. I hesitate to say it's taken the crown from Gibson 18, but it might've. Very excellent stuff.

@Nelom My favorite Canadian, although I will check the batches on the shelf and try to avoid the batch that @Paddockjudge noted.

The last of my... Michter's Toasted Barrel... Been not wanting this one to end.

Enjoying some Shinshu Mars Iwai Tradition Japanese malt whisky with tonight's smoke.

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Happy weekend to all.

While my uncle does battle with the Amrut single bourbon cask bottle I emptied for him, I will consle myself with a dram of A'Bunadh batch 46. Still waiting to open #47...soon, very soon.

Enjoying a Gibson's 18, nice warm day suits this one.

Black & White Blended Scotch. If you like tart citrus, and you are willing to drink 40% ABV blended Scotch, this is a good one.

@Victor B&W does not appear to be available here, but I find Bowmore Tempest 5 has excellent citrus notes.

@Nozinan, well I have liked all of the Bowmore Tempest I have had. They don't sell Tempest in my local area. While I do prefer malts to blends, much can be said for a decent blended Scotch. This is one I like, and which cost under $ 20. I see when I look locally today for B & W, the 750s are no longer being stocked. The 1.75 L size costs about $ 35 here, including the tax.