So, what are you drinking now?

@RianC That movie reference is more appropriate for the LCBO thread, where everyone gets a Raw Deal.

@Nozinan - Bravo, Sir!

Last night my ladyfriend came over for supper, we started off with some rum, Distillerie Bielle "Brut de Fut" young tropical aged agricole rum at it's best & cask strength,loads of dried fruits, with a undercurrent of herbal grassy notes, a bit astringent now that it's been opened some months.

After supper had Port Charlotte MC:01, this bottle was opened right before the new year during an epic tasting with @Robert99 and while I thought it was good then, now it is a show stopper...dark 80% chocolate, coffee, date cake, earthy peat, balanced sweetness, a very rewarding palate.

Perhaps the company had an influence but if so I am not complaining

If only every bottle of scotch came with a ladyfriend to drink it with!

@MadSingleMalt - They don't?

@MadSingleMalt I think that might pose a problem for those who've already got a lady/boy friend of their own, they might object.

And then think of people with extensive whisky collections, they'd be on the hook for entire harems...

Best to find a person you like and hope they're into whisky and then watch the level of your bottles drop.

@RianC gosh those old ads man...so bad

@cricklewood i dont have a ladyboy friend. But I saw plenty in Thailand

@RikS oh boy, I sure started something.

@cricklewood well, you did put a slash "/" in there. But as the saying goes on the subject...

"Oh dear, I didn't notice that thing in between!"

@cricklewood - Yeah they were great

Imagine the looks on faces, and rapid finger tweeting that would ensue, if someone pulled something like the above out the ideas bag at a board meeting these days

I'll take the Misty ad over this Haig Club ad any ol' day...I'm not even sure if David Beckham even likes whisky!

@archivist David who?

@archivist - And the Haig ad was directed by Guy Ritchie I believe . . . the imagined level of back slapping is making me shudder.

Still, I bet the 'Misty' boys were quite pleased with themselves as well, especially if they were present at the photo shoot.

@RianC actually, shit like this still happens sadly, read this great blog post I found yesterday. She's got it right on the money

nonchillfltrd.com

Aaaanyway . . . I'm currently enjoying a pour of Highland Mist er I mean Corryvrekan. Only a couple of pours left as well.

I rated this 92 but I think I enjoyed this more when it was fresh and not been that long open. It's changed a lot, with more of the sherry coming into play. It's still very good but perhaps not a '92er' anymore.

@cricklewood The writer hit it spot on - thanks for sharing...but you know, out there somewhere are fragile feminine palates that can't handle nuanced and bold flavors of whisky...perhaps these ladies are in the Haig Club ad that Guy Ritchie directed as @RianC pointed out (and they are!) LOL...

@cricklewood - That female food pyramid . . . I shouldn't laugh!

Man, I could go on at length on this one but, in brief, I do find the corporate identity game for profit thing that's happening right now a bit depressing.

Her point is bang on though. They don't always help themselves these marketeer types do they?

At a friend's house last night, a couple relatively tepid drams, but maybe smart picks for a night that involves driving home:

•Shackleton's replicate malt blend (the newer one without the crazy packaging). Not a bad little easy & nondescript whisky, and a decent amount of flavor for an unpeated 40% malt.

•Laphroaig Select. On the heels of that Shackelton, it did manage to politely say (never scream) "Laphroaig," but after that first sip, it really started to wash out. I don't understand why they make this thing.

With my whistle properly wetted, I moved on to some bigger boys after I got home:

•Springbank 10 100 Proof. Gawd, I love this whisky. So big & fresh & zippy & clean & characterful. I expect to never find one again after this one's gone, and equally celebrate and mourn each dram that disappears into my belly. Always 90+ material for me.

•Longrow Red Shiraz. Usually, these are right up my alley, but last night's dram hit me with a weird sour grossness. I've liked it on previous occasions, so I'm tempted to blame myself rather than the bottle—by the Springbank was its usual deliciousness, so I don't really know what's going on there. If I had scored this whisky based solely on last night's glass, it would been in the 60s.

@MadSingleMalt yeah I'm always hesitent to blame myself for "weird sour grossness"

@cricklewood, @archivist, I for one applauded the Jane Walker release... Diageo didn't put pink labels on it.

@paddockjudge Johnny Walker Pink was a special release for Socialists...

@Nozinan, that gives a new meaning to Cabinet Shuffle.

@MadSingleMalt Are you referring to Springbank 10 Local Barley at 57% ABV?

@DaveM, nope. I'd like to have that one too, but the Springbank 10 100 Proof I'm currently drinking is the American release at 50% ABV that they discontinued around... (off the top of my head...) 2013 or so.

Currently sipping some OWA 107. I love this bourbon more every time I drink it. I’m glad I have two unopened bottles in the bunker. If/when more comes to the LCBO, I’ll buy two more (there’s a 2 bottle per customer limit) without hesitation. Wonderful “dessert bourbon”.

Tonight, Glen Ord SMWS 77.47 (10 year - Aug. 7th, 2007) "Delicatessens and old libraries" finished in a 2nd-fill fine grain French oak hogshead after maturing in a refill ex-bourbon hogshead - 59.2% ABV.

And Caol Ila SMWS 53.241 (6 year - April 2011) - "Dense smoke over a tarry deck" - Refill ex-bourbon hogshead - 60.3.% ABV.

While both of these are excellent whiskies, they tasted exceptionally good tonight.

Somewhere on the other side of the world there is an epic tasting going on. Meanwhile, on this Sunday afternoon I'm having a cheeky wee Ledaig 10 followed by some Ardbeg 10 whilst I make my first ever tiramisu to share with friends tonight. The Ledaig comes across as bigger, rounder, and warmer than the Ardbeg - man I love this stuff. The Ardbeg is more singular, sharp and almost bitter in comparison with a 'cold smoke'. I'm sure both added to my construction of this dessert. Yes, it is in a cookie jar. Lacking an appropriately sized bowl I opted for this container. We shall soon see if the wife approves

@Hewie I learned to make Tiramisu from a German Medical student who sent me his mother's recipe. It doesn't look like yours, but I've never made mine in a cookie jar. Please let us know how it tastes.

Tonight, Balmenach SMWS 48.42 (10 year - Nov. 2002) "Grown-Up Ice Lollies" from a first-fill ex-bourbon barrel - 56.7% ABV. Both without water and with. Prefer it without.

Followed by Ardmore SMWS 66.123 (12 year - Mar. 6, 2006) "A strong personality" from a refill ex-bourbon hogshead - 57.3% ABV