So, what are you drinking now?

I'm working my way through 13 Jura's as we speak. Phew, tough job :)

Enjoying Wild Turkey 101 / 12yo. just a nip & it has opened so well; delicious vanilla and chocolate with a mighty grip that comes as a pleasant surprise and is one that I would expect to see in a much younger Whiskey!... A lovely 'drop'.

Good advice @Victor. I'll give it a bit more time to air out this time.

Yesterday's fare was two flights of American whiskey at a New Orleans style restaurant in DC: Vintage 21 yo Rye, Four Roses Small Batch, Old Fitzgerald Bottled in Bond/50%, Blanton's SB Bourbon, Jefferson's 15 yo Special Reserve, and the sublime Willett Single Barrel, named Orange Blossom Special. I was testing some old favourites and some old goats. The Vintage 21 Rye seemed to have migrated flavours in an undesirable direction, compared to previous samples. Sad to see. The Four Roses SB still tastes very good. The Jefferson's 15 yo was quite excellent, and a welcome surprise. The Old Fitz BIB still tastes very good upon second sample, which is a big step up from my experience of most recent Old Fitz's. The Blanton's Single Barrel was historic for me, because it was the first sample I have had of it among 8-10 that I really liked at all. It was very decent. The Orange Blossom Special (sigh!) is one I would love a bottle of, but there are probably none to be had at this point.

Harviestoun Ola Dubh Special 12 Reserve - a Stong Scottish Ale that has been aged in oak casks that were previously used to mature Highland Park 12. At 8% ABV, it is an awesome stout, with a sort of bacony nose, and a very chocolately, thick body.

A big soda & Kentucky Gentleman over large ice ball. Just hosed off the back porch and surrounding foliage, sun is just set, two dogs, post walk, laying around. Summer is kInd in the Pacific NW.

Glenfiddich 18. It's one of the best whiskies I tried. I bought two "12" at JFK and an "18" 200ml bottle came for free. Couldn't resist the promotion...

Had the pleasure of having @Evarees and her husband over for dinner and whisky tasting tonight.

Started with Balvenie Portwood 21 year, followed by Bruichladdich Organic 2004, Bruichladdich 18 year Valinch "Guitar Man", 9 year Scapa (SMWS 17.29), 9 year Scapa (SMWS 17.32), 15 year Bowmore (SMWS 3.181), 15 year Bowmore Mariner, 16 year Bowmore 1992 Wine (Bordeaux) Cask, 17 year Caol Ila (SMWS 53.154), 5 year Kilchoman Single Sherry Cask, 5 year Ardbed (SMWS 33.112), Bruichladdich PC6, Bruichladdich Octomore 2.1 and finally Bruichladdich Octomore 2.2 Orpheus.

What a great night sitting on the deck with great friends, drinking great whisky. It doesn't get much better than that!

@bwmccoy: What a fantastic lineup! All I can say is WOW.

@bwmccoy, me too, plus, "Wish I were there!"

@bwmccoy I'm totally envious of that lineup.

What did you think of the Bowmore 16 1992?

The BenRiach Curiousitas. It's not anything that special for me, but it's the most changeable bottle i've ever ever had. Not so much in the glass but in the bottle. Crazy.

@chickenium @Victor @A'bunadhman - Thanks all for the comments.

Victor, I thought about you at one point during the evening. We were discussing bourbons and rye's and I was thinking your knowledge and insight would have been most helpful.

Chickenium, The Bowmore Wine Cask is an enigma. I'm not saying it's bad or that it's the best thing ever; it's just different, especially compared with the other 2 Bowmore's that we had. The SMWS Bowmore has some citrus, tropical notes up front followed by the smoke. We could pick some of that up in the Mariner as well. It was very apparent that the first 2 were from the same distillery. The Wine Cask is so completely different that if I didn't know it was a Bowmore, I would haven't have guessed that it was. The wine cask spent it's first 6 years in ex bourbon casks followed by 10 years in Bordeaux casks. It is NOT a "balanced" whisky at all, but it is so different and so complex (there's a lot going on in the glass) that I am really glad I bought the bottle. Would I buy it again? Probably not because I like variety and trying new expressions. It's a hard one for me to recommend to someone. You would probably either love it or hate it. I was fortunate that I got to try it before I bought it, so I knew what I was getting. Sorry to be so long winded; Hope that helps.

After re-reading my post, I should probably add some additional details... The lineup was consumed over an 8 hour period (We started with the non-smoky whiskies, took a break for dinner, then started on the smoky ones) and the pours were not full measures. :-)

@bwmccoy Thanks for your answer. It's pretty much in line with what I've heard so I'll try a sample before doing anything rash.

@McGrain Benriach Curiositas is one of my favorites. I'm hoping to score a bottle in a couple of weeks when I'm in Vancouver BC.

I just opened a bottle of Aberlour a'bunadh, batch 38, a gift from a friend who just returned from a business trip to Holland. I love the a'bunadh, but this is my first bottle in two years. It continues to be one of my all-time favourites.

A toast to @thecyclingyogi, on HIS BIRTHDAY! Happy birthday, Jarred! My toast today to you is of George T. Stagg in recognition of the new birthday bottle of Stagg which you just received. Have a most excellent birthday, and I will see you in a few weeks! :-)

@Victor ...I join you in extending best birthday wishes to Jarred!! Happy birthday, and I too shall raise a dram of Stagg to you, later this evening!!

A young lad who was traveling was kind enough to purchase me a litre of Johnny Walker Blue, I must say it is very smooth and easily drinkable, problem being that once you swallow it the taste goes with it. almost no finish. that was a little disappointing. I even let it sit for peiods of time hoping that the oxidising would help. I will have to give it another chance, or 10... also purchased a bottle Bruichladdich "The Laddie 10" now we're talking fine malt, very flavorful, beautiful long finish. one of the only malts that I find is actually conmplimented with a hint of water. At only 54 dollar( plus 12 percent provincial tax) this is something that will have to be revisited more than a few times. If you haven't tried it , it may be wise to do so... Bruichladdich's first offering while under new management, well done gentlemen , my hat is off to you. let us hope this is the start of a new dynasty, I pray that this is not just a "one hit wonder"

@bwmccoy I'm amazed by the uniqueness of the SMWS bottlings. Further affirmation that they are an incredible group of talented people. Amazing tasting :)

@ Wodha . I must agree with you on Edradour, you had previously advised me to give it a chance when I first purchaed my bottle, and you were correct. I often find that the first tastings may take some getting use to as to quell any preconceived notions. this is a fine dram. and as Victor has said in the past sometimes we must lte it sit for a period of time to release what had previously been sealed in. at time a hint of water also changes and brings out new adventiures waitng to be had. Cudos to you both.

First and last as there are new managers again now @A.J.

Also if you enjoyed that then I would strongly recommend the organic or 16 year old cuvee ranges@A.J.

@EvaRees - It was great to have you and Jeremy over. Tamara and I had a wonderful time.

We have very hot temperatures here in Quebec (over 30c) so I'm in whisky cocktails right now. Making my own syrups (thank you Malt Advocate) and mixing my own drinks. Very refreshing.

@Victor @Pudge72 thanks for the toast, gents... i think i'll join you, stagg it is tonight....

Trying my first Islay at the moment (Ardbeg 10) and I am very pleased with its smokey smoothness, perfect end to a long day. A good gift from the wife.

Been stunningly hot here in New Orleans - temps in mid 90's, humidity 90%+ - so nothing too heavy. Some Clan MacGregor over ice, the occasional Macallan 10, Highland Park 12, and more bourbon than I care to talk about!

My 3 boys are napping...Spent an hour at the water park across the street...As they went down - I then finished off the Glenmorangie 10 yr (not much left - just a few ounces)...A few days ago I "blindly" purchased the Auchentoshan 12 yr (didn't care for it then)...As I type this - I still don't care for it...Poured it down the drain...Opened up a new bottle of Glenmorangie 10 yr...Ahh - nice!

@Marcus As much as it doesn't get much "press", or recognition - I find the Scapa 16 yr a nice dram for the sultry days of summer.