So, what are you drinking now?

Tonight, Highwood 90/20 Canadian whisky from an older Burgundy bottle.

Trying to pare down the cabinet and picked this one out for tonight. I opened this just over 9 years ago and decanted it into a small bottle 7 years ago, and I last tasted this 5 1/2 years ago. Far too long, it seems. I'm now reminded of why I scored it so high in 2016. I will enjoy the remaining15 cc of this bottle later this month.

@Nozinan a GREAT whisky! I have one of those burgundy bottles myself-- unopened!!!! Compliments of our mutual friend @paddockjudge. Thank you again, @paddockjudge.

Last night (Monday), @jordytropp and I poured the following for the Society's Outturn Preview Tasting event.

Glentauchers SMWS 63.98 (19 year - May 2002) "You're on my mind" - 1st-fill ex-bourbon barrel - 51.3% ABV. This was a very light, delicate whisky, but it was also very nuanced with all types of fruity flavors. Beautiful whisky.

Glenburgie SMWS 71.98 (12 year - Feb. 2011) "Wood-panelled library" - 1st-fill ex-bourbon barrel - 60.1% ABV. Notes of leather, tea tree oils and chili jam with a dry finish.

Ben Nevis SMWS 7872 (8 year - June 2014) "Fat Highlander" - After 4 years in an ex-bourbon hogshead, transferred to a 2nd-fill Spanish oak ex-Sherry hogshead - 58.7% ABV. Nutty and slightly earthy.

Allt-a-Bhainne SMWS 108.57 (10 year - Oct. 2011) "Take your time" - 2nd-fill ex-bourbon barrel - 60.9% ABV. This peated whisky had an off-putting menthol note for me.

Croftengea SMWS 122.56 (9 year - Apr. 2014) "Time for mystery and intrigue" - After 5 years in an ex-bourbon barrel, transferred to a refill ex-Trinidadian rum barrel - 62.5% ABV. Notes of orange citrus mixed with a smoky, Lapsang Souchong tea.

Caol Ila SMWS 53.451 (11 year - Mar. 2012) "Particle accelerator" - After 7 years in an ex-bourbon hogshead, transferred to a 1st-fill Spanish oak ex-Oloroso hogshead - 55.8% ABV. Notes of tobacco, smoke, pepper and camphor (a slightly dirty, but not sulphury, sherry note).

@Victor, you are welcome, my friend. I have made a quick visit from the quiet zone. There are many more fine Canadian whiskies to share with you, just as you have shared many highly coveted Bourbons with me. Cheers!

@paddockjudge @Victor I am looking forward to the day that we share some of the finest that our countries have to offer.

@Victor, I too have a burgundy bottle of Highwood 90/20, or two, put away somewhere. I would consider opening it and a couple of other great Canadians a small price to pay for an opportunity to have you visit us in Toronto.

@paddockjudge - Great to see you on here! It's been too long!

Tonight, Whiskey Del Bac (Tuscon, AZ) Ode To Islay Heavily Mesquited American Single Malt finished in a mix of ex-rye, ex-bourbon & 2nd-use Whiskey Del Bac Dorado casks - 55% ABV

Followed by Lagavulin 16 Year Old - 43% ABV.

Tonight, my wife and youngest son took me out to dinner for my birthday. At the restaurant, I had a couple of Sazerac cocktails made with Freemont Mischief John Jacob Rye (Seattle, WA - 42.5% ABV), Peychaud's bitters, Absinthe and Brandy.

Home now, so I'm finishing the night with one of my favorite open bottles. Caol Ila 18 year (Distilled 2001) - 1st-fill ex-bourbon barrel (Cask # 308899) - 57.1% ABV - Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseurs Choice bottling.

Tonight's happy hour cocktail is an Old Pal. 2oz Old Forester 100 Proof Rye, 1.5oz Dolin Dry Vermouth and 1.5oz Campari with a lemon twist.

Also tonight, I finished off my bottle of Ardmore SMWS 66.238 (11 year - Sep. 2011) "Blackbeard's treasure" - After eight years in an ex-bourbon cask, transferred to a refill Trinidad rum barrel - 62.3% ABV.

@bwmccoy Isn't an Old Pal supposed to use Irish Whiskey? Or am I mistaking that for something else?

@YakLord Not familiar with that version. My recipe calls for rye as well.

@TracerBullet & @bwmccoy - I was thinking of the Paddy, which is a Manhattan variation with Irish Whiskey. I think it was the glass that confused me.

@YakLord - As for the glassware, the recipe that I have for an Old Pal only states a chilled cocktail glass. I used a martini glass only because it was what was pictured in the recipe. However, as I searched various Old Pal recipes on the internet to see if any of them called for anything other than Rye, I noted most of the Old Pal cocktails were in a Nick and Nora glass. I don't have any of those in my glassware, so the Martini or a Coupe glass will have to do for me.

@bwmccoy Seems to be a fairly good mix of coupes and Nick & Nora glasses, and a smattering of rocks glasses, which I think is weird considering the suggested glassware for the Negroni and Boulevardier is almost universally the rocks glass (although some Boulevardier recipes show it being served in a coupe).

Yesterday, my family and I went over to my brother-in-law's house to watch the Super Bowl.

My brother-in-law and I had the following drams.

We started off by opening my bottle of Highland Park Cask Strength Release No. 4 - 64.3% ABV. I will reserve final judgement until the bottle has been open a little while, but first impressions are underwhelming. It is hot, even when water is added. The nose was non-existent until water was added. The nose after water was added was very nice. The palate without water is hot and relatively one dimensional. With water, the heat is NOT diminished, but at least some other flavors appear. It's not a bad whisky and it will be interesting to see how this one develops, but to answer @Victor question, I do not agree with Whisky Advocate rating this the number 2 whisky in their winter issue.

Lagavulin 16 Year Old - 43% ABV

Caol Ila 18 year (Distilled 2001) - 1st-fill ex-bourbon barrel (Cask # 308899) - 57.1% ABV - Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseurs Choice bottling.

Caol Ila SMWS 53.391 (9 year - March 2012) "Dark secrets" - After six years in an ex-bourbon hogshead, finished 3 years in a 2nd-fill ex-Oloroso hogshead - 56.2% ABV.

We finished the night and our Caol Ila Trifecta with Caol Ila SMWS 53.454 (11 year - Mar. 2012) "Friends and a fall bonfire on a Pacific beach" - 1st-fill ex-bourbon hogshead - 58.5% ABV.

After a nice Signatory Edradour 10 I'm now having a NAS (notable age statement - Decadent drinks, aka Whisky Sponge ... Phew!) 17.

A mix of 17 ex sherry Aultmore and an older vatting of Edrington stock, with the Sponge rumoured to have stated that older Macallan and HP, possibly late 70's stock, went into the vat.

And here we are ... Bottles been open a couple of months and it's coming along beautifully. Very old skool sherry vibes, lots of European oak, so that bitter, spicy and dark chocolate vibe, along with some quite noticeable peat (the HP?). The peat note is lovely and works perfectly with the brighter, sweeter notes.

A great follow on from the Edradour. Similar styles but here one can really sense the age and complexity. The development goes on and on as does the finish. A very nice drop! Cheers!

That Boutique-y Whisky Co. Aberlour 9 year-old.

On Thursday night, I had a couple of Black Manhattans for happy hour. Normally, I make this cocktail with Maker's Mark 46, but this time, I used Old Forester Kentucky Straight Rye Whisky 100 Proof. It was fine, but I think the Maker's Mark 46 is the better option.

@Victor - Before having the cocktail above, my wife and I did a side-by-side comparison of both the original Indigo Empress gin and their new Elderflower Rose gin. I was surprised to find that I preferred the Elderflower Rose one. These were both sampled neat. Next, I plan to sample them side-by-side in the same cocktail (probably a G&T) to see if I still prefer the Elderflower Rose one.

Tonight (Friday), I rated 6 recently opened bottles. As of right now, all opened bottles are rated.

Old Pulteney 12 Year Old - 40% ABV. I won this bottle in a raffle at last year's (2023) Robert Burns Night. It was poured at the event. It didn't do much for me then and that still rings true tonight. It will be interesting to see if air / time do anything positive for it. It's not bad. In fact, I quite like to nose. The palate is underwhelming with a not-so-great finish. Rating: 84.

Glenburgie SMWS 71.98 (12 year - Feb. 2011) "Wood-panelled library" - 1st-fill ex-bourbon barrel - 60.1% ABV. This is from the most recent Society Outturn event. It's better with water, but even then, it still tastes a little hot. However, overall, it's a very enjoyable dram. Rating: 88.

Dry Fly Distilling 6-year Straight Triticale Whiskey finished with DOMA Coffee Roasting Company beans in the barrel - 45% ABV. So, when I purchased this bottle last Fall at the distillery, I didn't sample it first. I thought I was buying something that I've had before. I was wrong (my fault for not reading the label). I've previously had this whiskey finished in ex-port casks. Based on the color, I thought I was buying that again. However, this particular version was NOT finished ex-port casks. It was aged with DOMA Coffee Roasting Company (Post Falls, Idaho) coffee beans in the barrel. Wasn't sure what to expect, but it could have been so much worse. The coffee note is there, but it comes across more as chocolate on the nose and Cocoa Nibs (taste and texture) on the palate. It would probably pair well with a dessert. It's a decadent dram. Would I buy it again, no, but it wasn't a complete bust. Rating: 85.

Ardmore SMWS 66.223 (13 year - Nov. 2008) "Savoury combinations" - 2nd-fill ex-bourbon barrel - 59.7% ABV. I purchased this bottle with a gift card that my Mother-in-law gave me for Christmas. This is very good! Nose is more briny (seaweed, kelp) than I would expect for an Eastcoast Highlander, but I'm not complaining. There's also some dried herbs (burnt sage) on the nose as well. Palate is savoury; roasted pine nuts and smoked duck. With water, the nose is no longer briny, rather dried lavender and rhubarb pie. The palate is honey glazed ham, smoked bacon and maple syrup. Rating: 91.

Highland Park Cask Strength Release No. 4 - 64.3% ABV. This bottle has been open less than a week. My initial impressions were that it was one-dimensional and hot. I won't say that it has improved a lot yet, but maybe my expectations are tempered a bit. Nose reminds me of the inside of a wooden cigar box; cedarwood and sweet tobacco leaf. The palate is burnt heather, but the heat of the alcohol detracts from the experience. With water, the alcohol heat comes through in the nose now. The palate is earthy peat with a hint of licorice. If the alcohol heat wasn't so overwhelming, this could be a very nice dram. Overall, it's young and hot (not in a good way). Sorry, Whisky Advocate, this is NOT the #2 whisky of the year, in my opinion. Rating: 86.

Caol Ila SMWS 53.451 (11 year - Mar. 2012) "Particle accelerator" - After 7 years in an ex-bourbon hogshead, transferred to a 1st-fill Spanish oak ex-Oloroso hogshead - 55.8% ABV. Now we're talking! If you put a few drops of this on your hands and rub your hands together, the smell is amazing; burnt green twigs and smoked bacon. The nose in the glass is black pepper, pine resin and herbs. The palate is tobacco, peat smoke and sweet oak notes. With water, the nose is now treacle, iodine and camphor (a real yin and yang thing going on). The palate is now tar, salt and nutty. Prefer without water. Rating without water: 93.

A Thompson Bro's BSW - this is a quality blend. Top drawer. It really is. Nosed it alongside a F&F Benrinnes 15 and the Br is barely noticeable by comparison. A good example, if it was needed, of why presentation matters.

Now onto a fresh opened Redbreast 15 while I roast a chicken. Delightful first pour and I suspect it will only get better. Buttery, creamy, pot still - big coppery/old coins note flavours stand out. Not getting much fruit and the mouth-feel is thinner than I expected but it's certainly full flavoured, with a long development and finish. This could gone by St Paddy's day

Edit: now getting a little rose water and maybe drier mango. Mmmm

Last night (Saturday), had friends over for dinner and drams.

We started off by finishing my bottle of Inchmurrin SMWS 112.94 (20 year - July 2000) "A stranger in these lands" - 2nd-fill ex-bourbon barrel - 56.0% ABV.

Next, we had Glen Garioch SMWS 19.68 (18 year - Feb. 2003) "Spoil yourself rotten!" - 1st-fill ex-bourbon barrel - 57.6% ABV.

Then, Ben Nevis SMWS 78.62 (8 year - Nov. 2013) "At home on the range" - After 4 years in an ex-Oloroso butt, transferred to a 2nd-fill PX butt - 66.9% ABV.

Our final dram before dinner was Craigellachie SMWS 44.169 (20 year - Nov. 2002) "In the wooden box" - After 17 years in an ex-bourbon hogshead, transferred to a first fill Spanish oak oloroso hogshead - 60.6% ABV.

After dinner, my friends poured the following four drams for me and had me try them blind.

21 year Glen Garioch from Adelphi Selection matured in an ex-sherry cask. Distilled in 1993. 229 bottles. 58.6% ABV.

Bunnahabhain 12 year Cask Strength 2023 Edition. Also from an ex-sherry cask. 60.1% ABV. Sherried, nutty and unpeated.

Redacted Bros. Blended Malt Scotch (a tea spooned Laphroaig). Distilled in 2010. Aged `12 years. 50% ABV. My favorite of these 4, but I swore it was a Caol Ila. Not as much iodine notes as I would expect from Laphroaig.

Whiskey Del Bac (Tucson, Arizona) Distiller's Cut Fall 2020 Release. 57.25% ABV. This is the distillery's standard Mesquite smoked barley finished in Extra Anejo Tequila, Bourbon and American New Oak Casks. Notes of smoke, brown sugar, creme brulee, cola, allspice and nutmeg. My second favorite of the night, but all 4 drams my friends poured for me were really good!

A fun night with great friends.

@bwmccoy in the past I have seen 4 months of air time do wonders for HP18. I wonder if that will give much help to your bottle of HPCS Batch 4.

@Victor - That's my plan. In fact, the friends that I had over on Saturday night, and I had that exact discussion after they tried the HPCS Batch 4.

For happy hour tonight, my wife and I had a couple of Vieux Carre cocktails made with Old Forester Kentucky Straight Rye Whisky 100 Proof.

Started off with big Sherry tonight. Copperworks Distilling Company Special Release 33. Pale Malt aged in a single ex-Fino Sherry cask for 30 months, but a portion of distillate spent 36 months in an ex-cognac cask prior to being added to the Fino cask with new make to top off the cask - 50% ABV. The master distiller didn’t want to release this whisky, but every other employee said it had to be released. I like it a lot! It’s big, a little dirty and dry with notes of grape seed and tobacco.

Sticking with Sherry, but adding some smoke (and peat). Caol Ila SMWS 53.451 (11 year - Mar. 2012) "Particle accelerator" - After 7 years in an ex-bourbon hogshead, transferred to a 1st-fill Spanish oak ex-Oloroso hogshead - 55.8% ABV. Pretty much everything I’m looking for when you combine Sherry and smoke.

Tonight, finished up a sample of Morris Australian Single Malt Whisky - Muscat Barrel - 48% ABV.

Followed by Cotswolds Founder's Choice (shaved, toasted and recharred American Oak Red Wine casks - 60.5% ABV.

Spent 4-hours on a PowerPoint presentation tonight for an upcoming Board of Directors meeting. Having one dram before bed.

Whiskey Del Bac (Tuscon, AZ) Ode To Islay Heavily Mesquited American Single Malt finished in a mix of ex-rye, ex-bourbon & 2nd-use Whiskey Del Bac Dorado casks - 55% ABV.

My wife and I had a couple of Jerry Thomas Manhattan’s made with Old Forester Kentucky Straight Rye Whisky 100 Proof tonight for happy hour.

Later, I had Aubi & Ramsa Old Fashioned bourbon ice cream (batch no. 0366) made with Woodford Reserve (4.9% ABV).

bwmccoy do you experience the mesquite smoke much differently than you experience peat smoke?