So, what are you drinking now?

@systemdown, I might not have purchased the Dalmore had I not read your brilliant review a few days earlier. I will indeed give it a chance. If my experience is similar to yours, then I know I have something to look forward to.

@Wodha - thanks for the reply. I currently have the Octomore 2.2 Orpheus that I got at half price during the transition to privitization. Love getting great whisky at half price; only wished I would have bought more.

I recently picked up the Octomore 4.1, but at full price and with our new tax rate - Ouch, that one hurt and more than made up for what I saved on the Orpheus.

@WhiskyBee I've tried the Dalmore 12 yr a few times at a local cigar shop; not too bad, but for some reason it reminds me alot of the Glenfarclas 12 yr that I personally find too "candied" for my taste...Then again having a cigar (Perdomo Reserve Champagne) could very well alter my taste considerably...

Odd question about the Dalmore 12 yr; at a local store they have 2 different "versions"; 1 comes in the black container that we see here at this site, and the other comes in a burgandy container...I'm guessing it's the same product - just different packaging...I've had a similar incident with the Glenfarclas 12 yr - although 1 bottle I felt was considerably better than the other...Any info would be appreciated!

@FMichael The new Dalmore 12 has the burgundy box. The label on the bottle is also new.

Talisker 57* and melting a square of 'Fair Trade' 80% Dark Chocolate on my tongue...and bubbling the Whisky over, around and through said Chocolate. I'm not sure which dark Chocolate I like best - This is excellent, as is the Lindt 80% and 85% vanilla bean, and the 85% rock salt infused is different and very tasty and marries well with any of the briney Islanders, especially Talisker!

Slainte!

@FMichael, I guess it's just a matter of no two sets of taste buds being the same (or perhaps the cigar influence!). I like Glenfarclas 12yo very much and don't notice much similarity between it and the Dalmore. Again, things may change as I continue to sample the Dalmore.

@systemdown, thanks for the info. Apparently, I have an older (black) box.

On a related note, would anyone happen to know when Glenfarclas stopped using these bottles?

whiskybase.com/whiskies.php/…

That's the one I own. I know they're now using the shorter, squattier bottles. Just curious as to how long my bottle (purchased last month) was sitting on the store shelf.

@RobertH I missed you at The Daily Pint by two days! Great selection indeed, I really like the owner as well. If you're still in LA, there's a great store not too far from that bar called Beverage Warehouse, that I often check for deals. There's also a bar called Seven Grand downtown that has a reputation for whisky, but it's a bit of a scene, and spendy. I think the Daily Pint has a better selection, but it's much more popular for beer, and I've had a few drams which were noticeably oxidized and stale.

@systemdown It occured to me within minutes after posting that I should check the Dalmore website; you are absolutely right - the newer Dalmore 12 yr is in fact packaged in a burgandy box.

I went out today, and purchased the newer version (what the heck - $40 have been spent in worse fashion), but glad I did since I find this version much more enjoyable than the older bottling (black box).

I don't get the "candied" flavor as I did in the cigar shop (again - the cigar itslef may have altered the flavor), but what I get is a nice chocolate/graham cracker combo on both the nose, and palate with a bit of a spicey (cinnamon?) finish...Very nice dram!

@WhiskyBee Ironically - I have had both Glenfarclas 12 yr bottlings (the clear tall bottle that comes in a metal cylinder, and the short brown bottle in a cardboard cylinder).

I purchased the newer release (brown bottle/cardboard cylinder) last November, and wouldn't ya know it - I had gotten the other version for Christmas.

Of the 2 versions - I prefererred the bottle I purchased more than the bottle I had received (the clear - older bottling I felt had the over the top "candied" flavor - think Christmas fruit cake candy).

I'm guessing it's been at least 3 - if not 4, or 5 years since Glenfarclas has used the clear bottle/metal cylinder combo.

Balvenie Doublewood, which has been improving over time (bottle has been open for 11 months now).

Starting with Old Pulteney 12 (salt sea and sweet citrus),to the Bowmore 12 (smoky toffee vanilla) and concluding with Amrut Fusion (orange barbecue tangerine).Not a bad night.

Really really like this one,taste so fresh,hope you enjoy it!!!slainte!!@YakLord

Sampling some new cabinet additions that made it home with us from vacation. Jura Prophecy first: not a first, but a fun indulgence. While not the most dimensional bottle, it is sensationally rich, luscious peat. I remember chocolate when I tried it at the distillery, and i think with a little room in the open bottle this will follow suit. Longrow CV next. So much positive chatter on this forum - I have to thank you all for turning me on to it. Great, great dram. So much going on! Really looking forward to getting into this one. Was intrigued by a review that mentioned the Bruichladdich Rocks as being in the same ballpark. Tried, and confirmed. Similar sweet peat, but less upbeat, more bitterness.

At the moment, a cold bottle of Dogfish Head Festina Peche, an American version of a Berliner weisse ale. It is simply too hot for whisky! But I have lined up a nice tasting for this evening: 3 Glenmo's - Madeira wood, Sonnalta PX, and Signet, in that order, and a Balvenie Tun 1401 as a night cap.

Had a comparison of the Dalmore 12 yr (new burgandy box), and the Glenfarclas 12 yr...I gotta say I'm really liking this Dalmore 12 yr; very nice doses of graham cracker, and chocolate!

@Onibubba - what I wouldn't have given for a cold beer over the weekend...it was too hot and humid for whisky; but alas, for some reason traveling with a small child through small-town Pennsylvania means that you can't go anywhere that serves alcohol...really could have used one after finishing the Run For Your Lives event in Butler (www.youtube.com/watch)...that being said, I did pick up a bottle of Ardmore Traditional Cask on the way back over the border!

I'm enjoying a nice cool glass of Ungava Dry Gin and I have to say I'm impressed. I went to buy a bottle of Ardbeg 10 at the store and this nice little yellow bottle was just making puppy eyes. I had heard good things of it beforehand so I snatched it up.

Color me surprised, it wasn't the bottle that was yellow but the gin itself. Here's a small description :

"Ungava Canadian Premium Gin is made with herbs indigenous to Quebec and is named after a vast northern territory in the Canadian province that translates as “towards the open water”. Its botanicals include nordic juniper, wild rose hips, cloudberry, crowberry, and Labrador tea."

It has a more vegetal taste than Hendrick's for example but is just as good IMO. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to crack open that Ardbeg!

I'm having a dram of Balvenie 21 Portwood. it seemed like the thing to do after discussing port aging for whisky via e-mail for part of the afternoon with my girlfriend.

13 year Springbank (SMWS 27.96) “Character and contradictions”, followed by PC7.

@EvaRees. I picked up a bottle of Jura Prophecy about 4 months ago. At first I found the smoke slightly bitter and overpowering. After it was down about a third it became sweeter and peatier. I haven't tried it recently, but we are about to head out for some late season boating for a week or so, and I think I'll take it along as well as my remaining 2 HP 30 miniatures. I'll report back on the Jura and would be interested to get your thoughts.

Had a bit of Lagavulin 16 Year Old last night, my god what a wonderful whisky.

With our massive BBQ dinner last night: Balcones Brimstone Texas scrub oak smoked blue corn whiskey, Willett 5 yr old Rye, and Thomas H. Handy 2011 Sazerac Rye Whiskey

@EvaRees I have a bottle of the Balcone's Brimstone as well. Interesting stuff to say the least!

@Onibubba Great stuff! I really enjoyed it. Glad they're bottling at a higher proof, really creates a big experience. Interesting new "smoke" flavors for a peat-addict.

Glenlivit 12. I come full circle every year or so. Glenlivit was the first bottle I purchased once I decided I was going to learn more about single malts. It's a good dram. Nothing fancy and a decent price.

Glenrothes Adelphi 1965 42 Year old. Jummy.

Bruichladdich Port Charlotte 7.

The taste of Islay in a dram.

@Wodha - well said, I'm drinking PC7 as well. Couldn't have summed it up any better.

Started off the night with Bruichladdich 1992 Fino Sherry Edition, followed by the PC7.

Limeburners M31 and M66! The M31 has developed a lovely burnt caramel at the end of it's finish....Delicious!!

Aberlour 16 yr