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So, what are you drinking now?

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By @Wodha @Wodha on 15th Jan 2010, show post

Replies: page 429/645

@OdysseusUnbound

I just finished the Aultmore 12 at my in-law’s place and now I’m Double-Fisting a Port Charlotte Islay Barley Heavily Peated 2008 and a Caesar my wife’s cousin made for me, made with 1800 Reposado Tequila.

4 years ago 6Who liked this?

@MadSingleMalt

@cricklewood, I thought that Ardbeg Drum was so, so bad. Death by deadly banana death.

4 years ago 1Who liked this?

@archivist
archivist replied

Had a wee too much Booker's #2 last night and too much talking into the night with friends, but that has not stopped me from having Compass Box Aslya now after doing a bunch of weeding in front of the house. Aslya hits the spot - nothing punchy or mind-blowing, just a nice, crisp dram for an uncomplicated afternoon of much delayed yard work.

4 years ago 5Who liked this?

@cricklewood
cricklewood replied

@MadSingleMalt I have to preface by saying that I have not been a fan of recent Ardbeg special releases, I didn't drink the kool-aid.

If it were only the banana it wouldn't be too bad. I found the whole thing rough, loads of new plastic and bitterness on the palate and a finish that is mercifully short.

There are things I did like, the nose had that diesel engine and a touch of wax. The palate had a cashew and kind of camphor thing I enjoyed. It wasn't enough to balance out the negatives.

4 years ago 5Who liked this?

@OdysseusUnbound

@cricklewood It was the result of a conversation between my wife’s cousin and me. I commented that for the past 2-3 years, I’ve upgraded my Caesar by using Gin (usually Hendricks) instead of vodka in my Caesars. He riposted with but have you had a Caesar made with nice tequila? I had not, and so today he came over with a red solo cup full of a (double-dosed) tequila Caesar. I have to admit....it’s even better than a Gin Caesar.

4 years ago 3Who liked this?

Jonathan replied

@Astroke Therse are two drams I've never had and may never. I don't think Revival is easily found around here.I still haven't have any Springbank.....lots to learn.

4 years ago 2Who liked this?

Jonathan replied

@RianC I've tasted Benromach a few times, but never had Springbank, Ledaig, or Arran. I can say that i can't imagine Scotch whisky without Talisker, given my own whisky journey.

.The Arran bottles I see tend to be pricey, though I have no doubt they're worth the coin. Is the 14 the place to start? What about the Springbank 10? I think I've only see one bottling of Ledaig.. Apologies for playing talk show host: I'm sincerely interested and looking for new styles/flavors to check out. Theres a good scotch bar in Baltimore that serves generous half pours of just about everything....so these drams could go on my list.

I liked Benromach well enough; what draws you to it? If I recall, it has sherry and some light peat, but it's been a while.

4 years ago 3Who liked this?

@cricklewood
cricklewood replied

@OdysseusUnbound nice I'll have to try that soon, perhaps even with a nice vegetal/smoky Mezcal this might be a fun combo.

4 years ago 1Who liked this?

@RianC
RianC replied

@Jonathan - Starting with Benromach. The 10 is a classic all-rounder. Bourbon, sherry and some peat (some bottles are more peaty than others I've found). What I really like about the house style though is the leather and funky notes along with the musty dunnage warehouse notes. If you like the 10 seek out the 15 - much more leathery funk!

Arran - The 14 is ceasing to be so grab if/while you can. I tend to go for bold flavours but Arran is more at the lighter, fruitier end of the scale. That said, it also has some salt and coastal touches and that dunnage note again. The 10 is my Glenmo or 'fiddich.

Springbank - Well this is where the funk train ends its trip! Lovely base barley notes of lemon cheesecake but with some peat and coastal influences on top of all that, well, could I call it grime? Perhaps not so flattering - industrial and sweaty yet still crisp and quaffable! In fact, the 10 is pretty much the stand-out of the range for me. I am yet to crack my 12 CS though . . .

There is a theme in those three that I find suits my tastes. Also worth saying that in the UK these are all well priced and well-presented. I'll let BR off for being 43% as it works and you can get CS versions.

These are, of course, only my perceptions and preferences so if anyone else wants to add in please do!

4 years ago 5Who liked this?

@cricklewood
cricklewood replied

Cracked open my bottle of Yellow Spot yesterday, I figured it would make a nice whisky for this warm weather. It has weight but the honeyed fruits keep it fresh.

It was fun to be able to compare it to the bottle of Powers Signature I have open, I think I'm getting a better grasp on the Irish Pot Still style.

4 years ago 4Who liked this?

@cricklewood
cricklewood replied

@RianC well said,

I'll add that the Benromach 10 tends to be a chameleon, at times the sherry feels dominant, other days the peat comes to the fore, it's fun.

Indeed that leather, shoe polish, waxy side is a trip, I love that stuff.

4 years ago 5Who liked this?

@RianC
RianC replied

@cricklewood - I was sipping some Powers 12 the other day and enjoying it a lot, especially the creaminess and spice. I totally agree though that Irish whiskey is great for warmer weather.

I had a Dunville's 10 (PX finish) a few years back over the summer and it was excellent. I believe the distillate came from Cooley's though but after some air exposure boy did it have a beautiful fruitiness, reminiscent of a crisp Sancerre.

4 years ago 3Who liked this?

@RianC
RianC replied

@cricklewood - Chameleon, yes - that's nailed it! Considering it's under £35 in the UK, you're getting an absolute belter. I also find it has a very beer like malty quality, almost hoppy, that I really dig as well. I think Talisker can have that too. And they both make excellent partners for ale . . .

4 years ago 2Who liked this?

@cricklewood
cricklewood replied

@RianC I heard a lot about that Dunville release and how it was pretty sweet and affordable.

I understand where you're coming from with the hoppy reference, it's the phenolic side of Talisker or Ben10. It's very reminiscent or the phenols in these hop heavy beers.

4 years ago 3Who liked this?

@bwmccoy
bwmccoy replied

Over the weekend and tonight, I rated the rest of my open bottles.

On Friday night, Aultmore SMWS 73.107 (20 year - May 1998) "Cherry chocolate and chutney" - 1st-fill Oloroso hogshead for 2 years after 18 years in ex-bourbon hogshead - 55.3% ABV. Rating 92.

On Saturday night, Ardmore SMWS 66.146 (21 year - Oct. 1997) "Sensational sweet smoky 'noble rot'" - Refill ex-bourbon hogshead - 51.9% ABV. Rating 91.

Also, Glenturret SMWS 16.33 (8 year - Dec. 2009) "Melville’s other monster" - Re-charred hogshead - 62.0% ABV. Rating 93.

Tonight, Penderyn SMWS 128.7 (5 year - Mar. 2013) "Down the old fruit mines" - First-fill barrique (shaved/toasted/re-charred) - 61.1% ABV. Rating 90. This one reminds me of autumn; orange and clove mulled spiced wine.

Also, Nikka Yoichi Single Malt. Rating 88. Courtesy of @jordytropp. The nose is very floral and earthy. Palate is sweet peat (not much smoke). Reminds me of a peated speyside Whisky. Different, but very good. Thanks @jordytropp for this treat!

4 years ago 3Who liked this?

Jonathan replied

@RianC Thanks you for the informative response, which I will bookmark. I hadn't seen your post yet, but saw three bottles of Springbanks tonight. They had the 10 and the 15, both under 100$ and I think both at 46%. The one that grabbed my interest was an 11 year IB bottle of Springbank Sauternes cask/CS (maybe as high as 125% ABV?) for about 125$. I was tempted, but hadn't read your description yet.It would be a risk for me since I haven't had the basic Springbank. Before my leg buckled (still healing) , I grabbed an A'Bunadh. Something tells me that the "funky" Springbank will become my thing. And that this CS Sauternes bottle will be my "Moby Dick."

I think I'll be reading about Springbank tonight...

4 years ago 2Who liked this?

@Nozinan
Nozinan replied

JD #7

It's in my office, and I'm charting. I have to say it isn't as comforting as a higher proof bourbon for such a job. I think Booker's and OGD 114 would be best.

4 years ago 5Who liked this?

@OdysseusUnbound

@Jonathan I’m no chemist, but I don’t think a125% abv is possible. But Springbank is magnificent stuff.

4 years ago 1Who liked this?

Jonathan replied

@OdysseusUnbound I think av is a little above 60: if I go back to check I'll be out 125$...

4 years ago 2Who liked this?

@bwmccoy
bwmccoy replied

Last night, met up with @jordytropp and his lovely wife for drinks and dinner.

I had an Akashi white oak from Eigashima Whisky (Japan). 40% ABV. It was ok, but nothing special. Reminded me of a mid-level blended Scotch.

Next, had a Manhattan made with Oola Distillery (Seattle, WA) Discourse Smoked Whiskey. The Manhattan was a little too sweet for me and only got a hint of smoke from time to time. It was fine, but not great.

After dinner, we went to @jordytropp’s place for a few more drams.

We had a flight of 4 Westland Distillery (Seattle, WA) single cask, cask strength whiskies.

Cask # 196 is a single grain pale malt @ 63% ABV.

Cask # 2783 is from an ex-Oloroso sherry cask @ 53.3% ABV.

Cask # 3786 is from an ex-Port cask @ 51.5% ABV.

Cask # 4274 is from an ex-Amaretto cask @ 49.5% ABV.

After that, we had a dram of 24 year Springbank (The Maltman bottling for the Whisky Foundation) from a single Sherry cask @ 47.1% ABV.

Finished the night with a 16 year (October 2000) Auchentoshan SMWS 5.60 “Sweet surrender” finished in a 1st-fill Oloroso hogshead after spending the first 15 years in an ex-bourbon hogshead.

A great night with great friends, great food and great drinks.

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

And

Croftengea SMWS 122.23 (7 year - Feb. 11th, 2011) "Highly a-musing" from a second-fill ex-bourbon hogshead - 57.7% ABV

4 years ago 4Who liked this?

@RianC
RianC replied

I've just popped a JD Master Distiller No.4 as I've been out in 30 degree heat all day and need a drink - man this hits the spot! (incidentally it was 44 degrees in Paris today . . . strewth!) Up at 3am Sat and Sun to prepare one golf club for the Club Championship then will drive back across the city to play in my own club's comp at 10.40!

Gonna be a frantic one (assuming I make the cut for Sunday) and I am going to celebrate a month in the new job by popping a Talisker 18 at some point this weekend . . . hopefully it's not also to drown sorrows laughing

4 years ago 5Who liked this?

@Hewie
Hewie replied

@RianC Phew. Sounds like a bit weekend mate. God to see you're back out on the course after your back issues - hopefully all goes well for you. 30 is getting up there in temp for the UK - we're mid winter with frosts and freezing temps. I had a Glen Scotia 15 and a Springbank 10 last night but I'm on my second head cold in the last few weeks so they were a bit wasted on me. Enjoy your Tali 18 when you crack it - I'm sure it'll be as good as the last.

4 years ago 5Who liked this?

@OdysseusUnbound

I opened my bottle of Green Spot to celebrate the end of the school year and kick off summer. I have to say, upon first taste, I like this more than the Yellow Spot. Despite having a lower abv, there is a bit more spice and flavour going on. Menthol, ginger, pears, peaches, just lovely...

4 years ago 3Who liked this?

@OdysseusUnbound

I’m now finishing off the last of my Peat Monster. Yum. Tastes good, but I won’t replace this bottle unless I get another one at $50 like this one...

4 years ago 4Who liked this?

Jonathan replied

@OdysseusUnbound Was it the new or older blend? that's about the price here too. I wouldn't mind the new one.

4 years ago 1Who liked this?

@OdysseusUnbound

@Jonathan It’s the older one. The regular price in Ontario is about $80. I don’t like it that much, but at $50 it was a good deal. I actually need to scale my collection back.

4 years ago 2Who liked this?

Jonathan replied

A smidgen of Rare Breed, Mac 12, JWB, and Laphroaig. I like the idea of progressing from softer flavors. It looks like I'll have to ask the liquor store to save a Sprinkbang Sauterness for me. Haven't had. Springbkank yet, but this flavor mesh and high abv seems iike it would be really unique, which I can't necessarily say for Laga 12 or or Tali 18.Either could disappoint because I have had excellent bottles of both. Springbank can't really disappointment me because I've never had it.


Oof. Someone got the bottle yesterday! (Is someone in Baltimore reading Whisky conn?I'm ordering one now (2 bottles left at distributor). A "might buy" just went to a "must have." FOMO.

Anyone try a high proof Springbank matured in a Sauternese wine cask?

4 years ago 1Who liked this?

Liked by:

@Nozinan@NamBeist@fiddich1980@Timp@RianC + 61 others

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