So, what are you drinking now?

@cricklewood - Ha! She looked at me all innocent and doe-eyed saying 'I didn't think it mattered!' I then asked if it was good to which I got a big Cheshire cat grin and a 'Yes!'

I might well have to try it but I am very much enjoying sipping that one.

After reviewing a bourbon matured Aberlour and a sherry bomb Glenallachie I married the last bit of each sample (3:2 roughly) and let them sit for an hour or so. Result: Still a bit nippy but the sherry really softens and rounds out the Aberlour while retaining the heavy spice notes. The sweetness of the GA gives a nicer all-around balance to both. I'd rate this about 86-87 - very quaffable.

This afternoon chez @Maddie with her and her step-grandson:

1) Kavalan Solist Sherry CS 57.1% ABV

2) Aberlour A'bunadh Batch # 54, 60.7% ABV

3) Compass Box Great King Street Glasgow Blend, 43% ABV

4) Four Roses Single Barrel Barrel Strength, 12.25 years old, private barrel, 63.1% ABV OESF

5) Lot 40 Canadian 100% rye, 43% ABV, could not read the batch

6) Knob Creek 2010 Barrel Strength Straight Rye Whiskey, 63.5% ABV

7) Pike Creek 10 yo w Port Finish

8) Sagamore Spirit Rye, Cognac Finish, 50.5% ABV

9) Sagamore Spirit Rye, Calvados Finish, 50.5% ABV

10) Douglas of Drumlanrig 14 yo Caol Ila, 1996-2011, 46% ABV

11) Kilkerran 8 yo Cask Strength, 56.5% ABV

These were the young man's first tastes of any Scotch whisky, and his first tastes of any Cask Strength whiskies. He had no trouble with the ABVs involved, happily. I think he will come back for more. I wanted him to have an excellent first experience. He did.

The one whiskey in this set which blew me away was the Sagamore Rye with Calvados Finish. It just exploded on the finish, like one huge crescendo. Loved it, and totally did not expect anything like that with an apple brandy finish on a rye whiskey. It reminded me of another great favourite of mine 10 yo Jelinek Slivovitz. Roaring brush fires in the mouth on the finish. Exciting!

@Victor - That is one hell of an introduction to whisk(e)y! The Calvados rye sounds very intriguing.

Having a glass of St. George Breaking & Entering bourbon.

I really enjoy this stuff!

@Victor Lucky young fellow to have you and @Maddie tutoring him in the fine points of whisk(e)y.

Port Charlotte 10: "fragrant pepper"--I can't think of a worse descriptor for review a whisky, but that's what I'm getting. Nice finish. This is a whisky that won't get old.

@bwmccoy That picture and the cocktail description are priceless. I don't think I've ever made a drink with an egg white, but I may try now.

@Jonathan - Thanks! I was a little concerned about using raw egg in anything, much less a cocktail, but it creates that froth foam on the top and gave the drink a velvet texture that I really enjoyed.

@bwmccoy Glad to see that your eyebrows are still intact.

@BlueNote - the recipe actually asks if your insurance is up to date.

@Nozinan The last Springbank CS (and also the one before that) is very, very good, especially if you want some sherry but not too much sherry.. Great stuff, Spicy and funky. I have not had many whiskies over 18 years, but the Springbank 12 CS releases are some of best that I have. had I have travelled for them. I hope that you enjoy your bottle.

Couple of nights ago I received a sample of 2018 Lagavulin 12 and was planning to do a h2h with Laph 10 CS. Low mood and fatigue made me think better of it but I did taste some of the Laga. Wow. So clean and fresh with loads of sweet,drying smoke. One of those that had me unconsciously clenching my fist and wiggling my toes as I drank it.

Tonight, a pour of the Laph - from memory, this is like a dirty ash tray by comparison. Loads of tar, soot and TCP yet perhaps sweeter overall. Both top drawer.

I'll do a proper h2h when the moment is right.

@RianC That will be interesting. They are both quite different and both quite brilliant. Enjoy.

Last night, my older son and his wife came over for dinner to celebrate his birthday. He turned 26, so his first dram was age appropriate; not from his birth year, but still the same age as him.

Glenlossie SMWS 46.77 (26 year - Nov 1992) "Garden centres and weddings" - Refill ex-bourbon hogshead - 53.6% ABV

After dinner, dessert and gifts (I gave him a bottle of Balvenie 15 year single Sherry cask);

Balvenie 21 Year Old Port Wood Finish

Lagavulin 9 year "House Lannister" Game of Thrones Limited Edition bottling - 46% ABV

A long week at work outdoors and in traffic. The summer heat wave did not help matters. A man in a black suit can only take so much. I'm winding down and enjoying a light refreshing dram of Nikka Single Malt Yoichi.

Another orbit completed, another orbit day celebration (my 59th!)

Clynelish 14

Laphroaig 1/4 Cask

Balcones Texas Single Malt

Aberfeldy 12

Ardbeg Uigedail

This should hold me through Monday!

Next birthday, shit gets real!

@Wodha For starting the most popular thread on Connosr "What Are You Drinking"

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Tonight, a pre-dinner Jerry Thomas Manhattan, followed by a small dram of Maker's Mark Cask Strength while grilling a steak.

After dinner a head to head comparison of two Society Braeval’s;

Braeval SMWS 113.24 (7 year - Oct. 2011) "Attack of the killer florists!" - 1st-fill ex-bourbon barrel - 63.4% ABV.

Braeval SMWS 113.15 (9 year - Oct. 2008) "An apricot jamboree" from a refill ex-bourbon barrel - 61.6% ABV.

Both of these could not be more appropriately named. The first one is very floral (hibiscus) and the second is total apricot. I couldn’t pick a favorite because they are so different, but I rated them both 88.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY @Wodha!

Hope it’s a good one.

Just finished a glass of JW Black.

Think I’ll move on to some Double Black.

@CanadianNinja Thanks!

@Wodha yes, a very happy birthday to you!

Yes, there is the tendency to gulp hard a couple of times at age 60...next year for you. I didn't notice aging at all until age 62. You better have a good PT program in place by then if you want to stay healthy.

@Victor - Thank you

I didn’t notice my physical aging until I turned 50! LOL. This forced social-distancing time has actually had an upside in all the hours we’ve saved not commuting. I sleep & exercise far more than before, so I’m feeling pretty good.

And thank you for being a major contributor to Connosr discussions!

@Wodha I’ve often said

When you’re a kid you don’t really get hurt.

In your 20s you may notice a bump or a bruise

In your thirties you start to get hurt but you heal

In your 40s things take longer to heal

In your 50s they don’t heal anymore

In your 60s you get surgery

In your 70s you are recovering from surgeries in your 60s

In your 80s you’re remarkably well for someone you’re age...

Stay young!

@Nozinan Thank you!

@Wodha Happy Birthday. We don’t see enough of you round here lately. Good to see you are still around and staying well. You will notice that time will start to speed up after your next birthday and before you know it you’ll be applying for your pensions and social security benefits. Look forward to more of your input.

Thank you @BlueNote!

I’m stoked for retirement now. We’re aiming for New Year’s Day 2022. Then lots of not working!

@Wodha Happy Birthday!

Ardbeg 10. I'm pretty much sure that I like the Ardbeg 5 better than this batch of the 10. I did a head to head last night. This bottle of the 10 has more vanilla, but is not as sharp, and the finish is weaker than the Wee Beastie.I guess II'm reducing myself to be a promoter for Ardbeg, but there it is.

I have much better batches of the Ten, but this one is not doing anything particularly well.