So, what are you drinking now?

@Hewie, I've had that cake too - a smashing success when I served it, easy to make, and that's saying a mouthful, I'm more inclined to roasting a pig than baking a cake. I'll be tweaking that recipe for Innis & Gunn Double Barrel Scotch Ale....I use the 500ml can but the recipe calls for 1 cup only ...can't let the rest go to waste

@paddockjudge - Well this all sounds rather nice . . . can someone please pm the recipe? thanks

@paddockjudge ha ha yes the chef needs a little something while they bake. I used a bottle of my home brew 'double stout' beer and your're right - it was fantastic. Surprisingly it's not a heavy cake and it was a perfect end to the meal. It's definitely on the list to make again

@Hewie - I echo what @RianC mentioned. I too would love that recipe, if you don’t mind sharing. Sounds delicious!

Having another mystery dram after dinner just now, this one known only as 'Scents from Upper Canada'.

Quite like the nose on this especially after it's sat a while - I'm getting that menthol (pine) note quite strongly which makes me think of rye but it seems like there's more sweetness than the sample I had yesterday. I'm immediately thinking sherry or wine - red berries and fruits kind of thing. Lots of high notes and zingy and there's also a light toffee lurking around as well under the big herbal notes. Mouthfeel's decent and quite oily, a little thin on the taste going in, sweet, then it blossoms into lots of gingery spice, pepper and more of the menthol.

Again, it's quite unusual and I do like the nose and latter development/finish are quite punchy. Good stuff. Thanks again @cricklewood - who'll be along shortly to tell me I've been drinking basic Club

@Hewie as @bwmccoy and @RianC have requested that Guinness chocolate cake recipe, I'm adding my name to the list too, please! Sounds phenomenal and so delicious...

Running behind.

Last night as per my 14 yr old nephews birthday wishes. We watched 3 movies in a row. Ate supper at his favorite Chinese restaurant. I needed a digestif to wash it all down.

-Bruichladdich Organic Barley 2009, very malty, lemony and waxy at first, it does have a kind of pumpernickel and gingerbread feel in the finish. Not my favorite from the new Wee Laddie set.

This afternoon was mystery dram from @fiddich1980. I'm not allowed any discussions of it for now as per the terms of engagement. It was very interesting though

@archivist I think you've all seen the link for the Guinness cake recipe that @paddockjudge added in the "Food, man cannot live by whisky alone" thread. Many thanks go to @fiddich1980 who introduced us all (one way or another) to this delicious beer cake.

@Hewie - Thank you sending the recipe. Can’t wait to try it.

I'll add my two cents, the cake is fantastic, easy to make and keeps well for a couple of days if any of it survives that long.

@RianC glad you are enjoying that dram, I PM'ed you the details, there's still one more person who's yet to receive their set.

Last night, I shared a dram of Kilchoman Red Wine Cask 2017 with my partner in crime, I think this one hits her wheelhouse, she seems to dig it quite a bit, I find it a bit tight on the nose but it develops quite nicely with air.

About to polish off my bottle of Ardbeg 10. I want to say it's been quite a cold, damp day and I need warming up but then I hear about all the snow and freezing temps in Canada and NYC (my brother in law is there at the minute) so will just say I need a drink

Had this bottle open longer than any other Ardbeg 10, just lacked a little something; always sad to see one bite the dust though but can now open another bottle! I'm thinking Caol Ila 12 (IB) or Hazelburn 13 Oloroso.

@RianC the Hazelburn Oloroso, just received a really good review from Angus on Whiskyfun, although I am not sure for which one as I believe there was two batches released within a few months, just the ABV is different.

@cricklewood - That's the one!

Despite the huge bowl of Ramen I had for supper, my taste-buds were still in good shape so I tackled a mystery sample which was quite interesting, moved on to a pour of Lagavulin 8 2016 edition (my final bottle and final drams from it..I regret not buying another bottle now).

Winding it down with the a good cold weather whisky Octomore 8.3 it's going down a treat tonight whereas I have found it a bit hot in the past. It's similar to my paramour the 7.3 but the peat is more acrid and finish quite a bit sweeter, it just isn't as finely chiseled as that one but still an interesting experience.

@cricklewood I opened the blank sample tonight. Quite an interesting dram.

No guess work for me. I'm having a Glenfarclas 25 year old. It has bloomed nicely after 6 months.

@Nozinan that's the one I tried yesterday as well, It was fun to dissect and pretty enjoyable.

@fiddich1980, the 'Farclas 25 is a nice one, tied with the 15 for my favorite of the standard line-up. I noticed Kensington just received an exclusive Cask strength version of the latter.

@cricklewood Again? They had a 25 YO cask strength last year I think, for under $300. A bargain for sure, but still out of my price range,

@Nozinan Cask Strength Glenfarclas 15 this time priced at 110$ 58.2%.

@cricklewood MUST. TRY. TO . BUY.

But it's not listed on the website

@Nozinan , it's pre-order for now

kensingtonwinemarket.com/products/810702/…

@cricklewood did you order one?

Mystery sample star. Courtesy @fiddich1980.

@Nozinan. I have yet to order at a distance from Kensington, since I pretty much have to arrange for my own shipping, I haven't yet taken the plunge.

Last night some Lot 40 and Lot 40 CS to compare. Basically, lots more power and spice in the CS but the standard impresses in the match up considering the gulf in abv. The CS is a very good whisky!

Tonight, I'm sitting down to a rather generous pour of Quinta Ruben and I still have some Ardbeg 10, albeit a tiny amount, that needs killing once and for all.

@RianC you found the cs in the UK?

@RikS - No, a sample sent very generously by @cricklewood.

Hazelburn 13 Oloroso. My first pour. Wow.

I think my taste buds are 'on-point' or something this evening but this has made my eyes water it's that good. Rich, fruity, zesty and loads of that leather armchair, musty slightly salty funk. I was scared to add water but a couple of drops has brought on rubber notes and significantly changed the form of this whisky in a very positive way.

@RianC love those days when your nose and palate are firing on all cylinders, sounds like that was the case for you..your description sounds amazing, I really like Hazelburn and now the FOMO has set it in. Who's googling if there is any of this available online, to then agonize over the decision to buy? Not me

Bowmore 15 "darkest". And yes, whilst I agree that it's redicukous to market a coloured whisky as Darkest, it ain't bad. It's half full and opened a bit more than 6 months, mostly ungassed. Good viscosity, nice balance between smoke and sweetness, with a bit of bite and quite a lingering finish. I was lured into the purchase by a sale price and ralfy review, and I don't regret it. If you spot it on sale, don't be a stranger!