So, what are you drinking now?

@Victor - quite the understatement! :-) Balvenie 21 yr Portwood is simply one of the best non-smoky scotches out there. I am struggling to make my bottle last as long as possible. I save this one for when I am in the mood for a special treat.

This bank holiday weekend in the UK I'm drinking Nikka from the Barrel, Bushmills Black Bush and Glenlivet Nadurra..

So far tonight :

Ardbeg 10 Ardbeg Uigedail Glenfarclas 15 Springbank 12 CS Compass Box Spice Tree Bunnahabhain 12 Port Charlotte PC8 Ar Duthchas

All raised to your good health!

@chickenium Hmmm forgot that this site doesn't take "enters" very well. Apologies for the jumbled mess.

@chickenium I love the Spice Tree. Could drink that all day! What'd you think of the Springbank 12 CS? It's on my wishlist as I've heard good things about it and I think it'd be right up my alley.

@systemdown I simply love the Springbank 12CS, it's one of my favorite drams. Mind you, I haven't tasted any other Springbank yet but this one is up there.

@chickenium Good to know, cheers!

@chickenium: If you ever get the chance to grab a bottle(s) of Springbank Society bottlings Cash Strength, 12yo. and more recently a 14yo @ 57.1 abv. grab one. You wont be disappointed, you may need a second mortgage though. These are special bottlings that don't come up very often but when they do...Wow!

@A'bunadhman Being in Canada, that's not likely to happen. I appreciate the suggestion though and I'll keep it in mind if I ever move to the old continent!

40 year old Secret Speysides from Abbey Whisky. I do believe this is one of the best whiskies I have EVER tasted. I shall be posting a review of it tonight before bed. My only problem is that I only won 30 mls of it and my wife and I have drunk almost all of it. Just a sip left to go :(

Yoichi 10 year old - it's a good one! So silky with great peat usage and the exotic spices and fragrant notes you'd expect in a Japanese malt.

@SquidgyAsh - drinking your winnings I see! Wow, 40 year old.. wonder which distillery that could be? Pity it's only a 30ml sample. As you say, that doesn't stretch very far so hope it's enough for a review.

@systemdown Brother are you right!! I'd give alot for a 30 more mls. I've just posted the review, first time ever that my wife jumped up and down and screamed high score high score!

@chickenium - FYI.. I believe the Whisky Society just opened a Canadian branch. If so and if you are interested in getting Society bottlings, I highly recommend joining. It's a great way for me to try some of the distilleries that are not available here.

10 Yr Old Van Winkle, a very enjoyable bourbon

Knob Creek Single Barrel...went a week without a bourbon and I missed it quite a bit. My wife is finishing the Eagle Rare 10. Sad to see it go, but excited to creat room in the cabinet to move another from the bullpen into the line up.

McCarthy's Oregon Single Malt. I've just opened bottle #9 from a mass purchase when these were on sale for $25 a throw. Insane. That was January 1st, 2012. I have a fishbowl with most of the whisky corks I've purchased over the last few years. Mind you, a few have served double duty for open wine bottles, and others given to friends who suffered a broken cork. I counted them. 320. My fishbowl is about 1/4 full. I'm guessIng it'll be time to quit drinking when my fishbowl is full.

@bwmccoy: The SMWS is a great source of many exclusive bottlings. The Springbank Society is a different organization where one has to join and pay a yearly subscription and it is not inexpensive, however the rewards are spectular: The special bottlings for the Springbank Society score very highly, indeed, in the 95+ range. Good Stuff! You do get a starter pack, glasses etc. on joining which softens the blow a little.

Cheers.

@A'bunadhman:...for spectular read spectacular. sorry!

@Wodha .. or, get a bigger fishbowl?!

@A'bunadhman - Sorry, my mistake. I have never heard of the Springbank Society. Thanks for letting me know about it.

@bwmccoy @A'bunadhman Thank you for you suggestions. Sadly, it's illegal to import spirits from outside Canada and even between different provinces unless it's done by the governmental agency policing alcohol in each province. Being in Quebec and the SMWS being located in Alberta, I'd have to go through the SAQ and they charge a hefty amount for private importation.

With that said, most of their selection seems out of stock and I'd hate to pay hundreds of dollars for a membership fee without being able to buy what interests me and having to pay the SAQ on top of it. Hopefully the laws will change but for now I'll (sadly) enjoy the regular selection.

In the meantime, I'll raise my glass of HP12 to you both!

@chickenium: We get slugged at 'Point of Sale' And I do mean slugged! Australian prices are horrendous and many companies have reduced the abv. to 40% and in some cases raised the price as well! Our dedicated group of 'Geriatrics' are trying not to purchase any Malts with less than 46%abv. There are plenty of Bruicladdich offerings (a hundred or so) and all 46% and above and many others.

Cheers.

Thank you so much to everybody who posted or DM'd their condolences, kind sentiments and toasts relating to the passing of my grandma last week. It truly was comforting.

I've been in a US sort of mood since returning on Saturday night, so my first dram since my return was a Rittenhouse Straight Rye 100 Proof (possibly influenced by my re-discovered love of buttered rye toast at breakfast...mmm!!) last night.

After a long day apartment searching in Toronto, I'm settling down with a nice simple Bowmore 12 year old.

Clynelish 14 (aka "Poor Man's Brora"). It good. Real good. Even has a hint of that Brora magic in it, but alias, it ain't Brora. A worthy dram in it's own right. I usually have a bottle of it around.

Bunnahabin 12 and a Coal Ila 1990 Proveance at the bar before heading to the Mariner's baseball game.

Wild Turkey 101 Rye, at the suggestion of @Victor and it is a new experience for me and one I intend to repeat often. If, perhaps, you've not tasted the W/T Rye give it try! You won't be disappointed; even at inflated Aussie prices it is quite affordable, (at my local Au.$54.00): It really is a classy 'drop'.

Thank you Victor!

Buffalo Trace , very solid bourbon. Can't wait to open up the William L Weller

@Cardinal I really can't wait to try that whisky my friend!!! It sounds pretty good!

A mini bottle of George T Stagg grasciously gifted by @Victor and @Dramlette. Sharing it with my wife to celebrate getting through a job interview. A presentation, and interview and a written test over a couple of hours.