What is the next bottle you purchase or open?

Picked up a few more Glenfiddich 15 yr Solera...Mind you not what I'd consider a 'top of the line' sherried single malt, but def a step above the entry level malts such as the Aberlour 12 yr, and Dalmore 12 yr.

Was looking forward to trying out a smaller/lesser known distillery (Benromach - Arran - Tomintoul).

Ended up buying a bottle of the Benromach 10 yr...Looking forward to the wife heading out to run some errands this afternoon so I can crack it open - lol.

After watching Ralfy's review 472 of Glengoyne 18 and giving it 91 points, I'm intrigued.

Well, it's not really a purchase, and I don't expect to open them soon, but I just acquired a bottle if. Ballantine's Finest and Benriach Curiositas. A friend is clearing out his house and didn't want them. They are sealed and look to be in good condition (unlike the bottle of Haig 15 year old Dimple the family of a patient tried to gift me yesterday- opened and leaking...ugh smelled good though ).

I'm curious about the Curiositas because it is bottled at 40% and most of the reviews say 46%. So I am wondering how old this one is.

My first Ardbeg bottle (Uigeadail L14 028 @ 54.2%) and an Evan Williams 'White Label' (BIB @ 50%) were picked up in Maryland this past weekend...for much less than one bottle of Ardbeg 10 in Ontario!! :o

Just recently purchased from Scotch Whisky Auctions: Aberfeldy 21yo, That Boutique-y Whisky Company Highland Park Batch #1 and 12 minis! With a friend visiting Glasgow over the next two weeks and picking them up for me, I save on shipping and (hopefully) duty!

Decided yesterday I want to try my first rye whiskey. Availability in Norway: A whooping total of three brands. We usually aren't this backwards, but I suppose this is as good an excuse as any to travel abroad.

Anyways. Jim Beam rye, Bulleit 95 rye and Rittenhouse 100 proof rye. Figured I'd eventually try all of them at some point, so I ended up with the Bulleit.

@Fiberfar, give that Bulleit Rye a lot of air...it gets much better with increased air.

Ten years ago the average US liquor store would not have as many as three rye whiskeys to choose from. Times have changed. I am sure that in the last 5 years that the number of US rye whiskey distillers has multiplied 10 fold. I expect that you'll get a few more choices in Norway in time.

@Victor Will do! I don't consider the state monopoly on alcohol above 4,7% a bad thing, because vinmonopolet (literal translation: the wine monopoly) usually has a broad range of spirits and a very good sortiment from all around the world. Vinmonopolet is one of the world's largest importer of wine, but they still have some ways to go when it comes to whisk(e)ys (Although the Scottish selection is very good).

I'll make sure to ask around here for recommendations on rye whiskeys before traveling abroad, hehe!

@Fiberfar, be sure to take a look at my Desert Island US Rye List. And if you can sample some high end Canadian, there are some excellent rye-centric whiskies there too.

@Victor Interesting list, for sure! Maybe I'll have a closer look at the Rittenhouse 100 proof next time I'm spending money on whiskey, it won't be difficult to get. Unfortunately, according to Norwegian law, spirits above 60% are illegal, so if I want to try anything above that percentage, I either have to drink it abroad or ehem... hide the bottle well in the luggage.

@Fiberfar, oh my God! Most of my favourite whisk(e)y is above 60% abv. I guess my future time in Norway will be limited!

@Victor Yes, I can certainly see how that'd be a problem! I'm not sure why the regulations are what they are, but I hope I'll live to see them change. I've always taken the opportunity to try stronger drinks and whiskies when abroad.

Found some deals(to me) while on a trip to Fargo, Scapa 16, Nikki taketsuru 12 yr, and my Holy Grail a Tali 18. I should have bought the last 2 Tali 18 there but one can only spend so much. May plan a rescue mission in a few months if they are still there. Now to open the Scapa and bring back some memories.

@Lars Terrific buys. I know how much you like the Tali 18. Who would have thought you would be able to find it there. Your better half has terrific homing senses. Sent you a PM. Jonesz

Pudge72, I love hearing that you got your first bottle of Ardbeg! Before I got into whisky, I used to haunt message boards about Tolkien's works and the best thing to hear about was always somebody reading The Lord of the Rings for the first time. I'm not sure which one I envy more. Cheers!

I maintain a tight-but-loose bottle control scheme where I have just a few bottles open: a peaty, a non-peaty, something unusual or in the middle, and maybe a wild card. Plus, before I kill a bottle, I open the next one in its category to do a head-to-head.

Anywho, I'm about to finish the dusty Cadenhead's Classic Islay "Pure Malt" 50% ABV (young teaspooned Lagavulin, according to Serge) that I found in a shop in Coleraine, Northern Ireland while there for my sabbatical this summer. So I opened a new peaty guy for the head-to-head: an English Whisky Co CS selection for Binny's in Chicago. Both very nice and remarkably similar on tons of clean fresh peat.

And it was my wife's and my wedding anniversary last week, so she gave me a bottle of Longrow 10. I opened that too because I feel guilty just putting gift bottles into the stash for future consumption. I find it somewhat sweet, somewhat peaty, but possessing neither in any great quantity. A little disappointing, but I've only had two glasses so far (and the first was a blind against the two peaties mentioned above).

In my open non-peated spot, I currently have an almost-gone bottle of Hakushu 12 ("peated" according to some retailers, including that whom I bought it from, but really not peaty at all). Before it dies, I'll open its successor: The Laddie 10. That's the next bottle that I'll open. The Laddie is effectively discontinued, of course, so I'm not sure whether to hope for greatness or sour grapes. In any case, it's a bottle that I've been looking forward to opening since late last year. I enjoy the anticipation.

Finally, in my wildcard slot, I'm trying to get through a bottle of Del Maguey single village mezcal: the "Chichicapa" at 46%, which according to many reviewers is supposed to appeal to fans of peaty Islay whisky but didn't do jack for me. Too green, too vegetal, and not smoky enough. But it was my first bottle of mezcal so maybe I had unrealistic expectation. I've knocked most it back either iced with lemon juice or blended away in my glass with various whiskies. Anyway, when I knock it out I'll be filling its wildcard spot by opening a wine-finished bottle: Springbank Claret. Everyone has good things to say about that guy, so I have high hopes.

The next bottles I'm thinking of purchasing:

Ardbeg Ten, so I can compare it side-by-side with the half-bottle of Corryvreckan I saved off last year from a full bottle

Longrow Peated, so I can compare it with the Longrow CV in my stash

A Jura 22 YO "heavily peated" CS IB from Binny's, 'cause Serge says old Juras are awesome

Bonromach Peat Smoke, after watching a very positive review on Youtube from whiskybitch

Knappogue Castle 12 YO, 'cause it's always an awesome buy at $30 and I don't have one in my stash

Glenfarclas 105, 'cause I feel like I owe it to the world of whisky to buy and try at least one sherried bottle a year, for Christmastime

Springbank 10 or Springbank 10 100 Proof, 'cause I'm always looking for a sea-salty drop that will recreate that maritime burst I experienced the first few times I tasted Campbeltown whisky but that I've found elusive since

Laphroaig 10 CS, because it's my stated favorite whisky but I haven't had a bottle in the house for a few months.

(What's better than buying whisky? Owning whisky. What's better than owning whisky? Drinking whisky. What's better than drinking whisky? Sharing whisky. What's better than sharing whisky? Doing all the above--plus, throw in some lovin'.)

Waiting for my delivery today which contains -Nikka Coffey Grain -Old Pulteney 8 MacPhail Collection -Bunnahabhain 8 MacPhail Collection and -Four Roses Single Barrel (rebuy)

i think i will open the Bunnahabhain first after work today, really liked the 12yo

I was overwhelmed by my first experience with Caol Ila cask strength...the 200 cc bottling which is a different ABV than the 700 cc bottles. I had bought this close to 3 years ago simply to help make up the 1140 cc that someone was going to bring over for me from the UK.

To celebrate a visit from @talexander we cracked this beauty open. But now open, it's but a matter of time before it's gone.

You can't find this for love or money (as far as I know, but I didn't try the latter) in Canada.

My cousin is traveling through the UK in December. I should mention she hates being my mule. So I asked VERY nicely and she agreed that if I ordered it from The Whisky Exchange she would bring it back for me.

This saved me about $70 for shipping to my friend in Florida, because once I saw it at TWE, I decided I really ought to get it.

Funny thing is that 4 200cc bottles are cheaper than one 700 cc bottle on the exchange. And she agreed to bring back 4.

Oh dear... It seems I may have "accidentally" ordered 5, and a 50 cc Arran cask strength... I am told one is more successful in apologizing than in asking permission...

@Nozinan Great fun! I think you left a 50 ml on the table, so to speak.

@paddockjudge @Nozinan That was a very fun evening. @Nozinan, I have something for you via @Victor so we will have to plan another get-together. Sadly, it will have to be after TIFF as I am spread very thin these days...

@talexander

Fair enough. Life gets busy in bursts. I can only handle so much dramming anyway. After our session and my trip to Alberta, I don't mind taking a break. Maybe later in September.

@Nozinan PER. FECT.

Laphroaig Cairdeas 2014

Just received confirmation the Whisky Exchange order of 5 CS Caol Ila (200 cc bottles) and Arran CS arrived safely in England. YAY!

Now I just need to wait for my cousin to bring it over. December now seems a looooong way away...

As noted elsewhere...opened Ardbeg Uigeadail (L14 028) tonight. A little woody at first pour...but still very Oogie....will re-try in a couple weeks or so now that there is air in the bottle.

Up next is Octomore 6.1, it should be quite the adventure.

Aberlour Abuand'h batch 47 is calling for me...should be picking it up sometime this week!

@Pudge72

Happy Birthday...let me know how you like the A'Bunadh 47. I picked up one for my 47 th birthday, so I have to wait a year and a half before I can try it.