What is the next bottle you purchase or open?

@Nozinan Also, on the Instagram thread for this picture, there are people commenting that they got A CASE of the first release ! A case?! I had a hard time getting a second bottle! (A friend in Vaughan is holding one for me). Maybe Ol’ Dougie will end the gravy train at the LCBO, but I won’t hold my breath.

@OdysseusUnbound I spend more on scotch than a reasonable person would - but there are people out there who spend in a different stratosphere. I sometimes look at my collection and wonder how long it would take me to get through it, let alone if I bought things by the case. Nuts.

@OdysseusUnbound

How many in a case? 6? I picked up a case, maybe close to 2, I'm sure. Not all at once. 2 Online, my B-I-L got some in Calgary, and there were some that became available here and there. They were not all for me but I have a couple put away in anticipation of this year's price and rarity.

@Paddockjudge traded me one for a G&W little Trinity I really wanted to get rid of (thanks to your sample).

We had to work at it, but they were available with a bit of luck.

@OdysseusUnbound, YEAH, YEAH, A CASE OF LOT NO. 40 CASK STRENGTH, BFD, It's a six-pack. Guys like that make me want to puke. I've given away more than a case. This stuff is very difficult to source, but Lady Luck sometimes brushes up against you....

When Serendipity knocks, don't just answer the door, invite her in and pour her a drink.

@Nozinan has picked up four or five of the Lot No 40 CS for me. Thanks Buddy.

None came to my city until a mistake was made in February. I picked up a few. A few more again in June, a few on-line and a few more from friends in Alberta and Ontario. I've shared drinks, samples, and bottles. What goes around comes around,

@paddockjudge

None came to my city until a mistake was made in February.

Herein lies the problem (distribution). I wasn’t blaming anyone for buying a case, if they wanted to, (I probably would have if I had $420 to spare and access to a six pack) but the fact that many people couldn’t get their hands on a single bottle.

Those of us “in the know”ordered as soon as it came online (even though I was at work). But the more casual (read: more sane/responsible) whisky fan got shut out. I’m not sure this is the best way to grow Canadian whisky’s popularity. Sure, all the Lot 40 CS was sold anyway, but the LCBO isn’t helping Canadian whisky’s long-term growth with their approach, imho.

TL:DR Don’t hate the player, hate the game

Whistlepig CS "McLelland's Retreat"--they had six barrel picks, but this was the last of two and the owner recommended it. And McCarthy's, which is wonderful and nobody seems to want to buy, so I got it at a discount. I think the label "Scotch" sometimes drives people to buy whiskies that aren't as good as spirits from other countries.

@Jonathan those Whistlepig barrel picks can be great, I am waiting on a couple of bottles to be brought back from SC.

Saw this story recently: thespiritsbusiness.com/2018/07/…

So when do we do a Connosr bottling?

I would support a Connosr bottling. It would be < $110 CAD for a 10 Year CS rye with good Canadian juice.

I'd buy 2 or 3 of 132, What about you @paddockjudge ?

@OdysseusUnbound, I am in agreement with you, on all counts...what burns my ass is the wanker that spews forth on a blog thread that he has a case of the stuff...idgaf...I have a shit-ton of it and I don't spray that information all over a forum. Instead, I share it with those that appreciate it, by making samples, sessions, and bottles available. The end game is about developing a society or network of people with whom to share the experience. It is not about hoarding the good juice and drinking it alone then posting about it...fuck no!

@OdysseusUnbound, because I have developed a trusted network of whisky handlers I am able to obtain bottles of limited releases when none are available in my region....and as a result, I am able to share or trade with others in the same predicament. The LCBO has an obligation to provide equal access to all citizens, that is a requirement of their mandate. The fucking LCBO top knots should quit playing pop-up-store tycoon and fulfill their obligation to the citizens of Ontario. The stores in Rainy River, Chapleau, Windsor, Toronto...wherever...should all offer the same access to product to responsible consumers; if not, then all of the limited releases should be sold exclusively on-line before store shelves are populated with these goods.

@cricklewood I like this idea!

@Nozinan, great suggestion by @cricklewood! It could possibly happen in Alberta. Any other Canadian jurisdiction would tax the private label WhistlePig so heavily that the price would certainly be well above $200 CDN per bottle. That would take me out of the game. A release of 12 - 15 YO Alberta Premium finished in new oak, or double barreled at 95 -105 proof in the $70 - $90 CDN price range would spark some keen interest on my part....Did you hear that Beam Suntory? I am willing to pay $90 CDN for 15 YO Alberta Premium at 105 proof, finished in new oak or double barreled.

@Nozinan, great suggestion by @cricklewood! It could possibly happen in Alberta. Any other Canadian jurisdiction would tax the private label WhistlePig so heavily that the price would certainly be well above $200 CDN per bottle. That would take me out of the game.

A release of 12 - 15 YO Alberta Premium finished in new oak, or double barreled at 95 -105 proof in the $70 - $90 CDN price range would spark some keen interest on my part....Did you hear that Beam Suntory? I am willing to pay $90 CDN for 15 YO Alberta Premium at 105 proof, finished in new oak or double barreled.

@paddockjudge It's worth repeating I think it's a shame that they are sitting on such good juice and none of it gets released properly, perhaps one day.

For sure trying to release a club only bottling in any other province than Alberta wouldn't work. I was thinking something along the lines of everyone figuring out how to get their bottle out of the states through a mule or visiting, since we all seem to find a way to get it done for other stuff. The logistics of handling this type of endeavor would bean absolute nightmare but still I think it would be fun to get a Connosr only bottle for the collection. One can dream.

@cricklewood, it would be great fun indeed, trying to get 132 bottles of primo Canadian juice repatriated without paying extra tax. That's eleven cases packed 12's....one bottle at a time....$1,000 USD per case. Count me in! I voulonteer to go to Vermont and participate in the barrel pick. Since I'll be passing through Quebec on the way, would you care to come with me? I suspect @Nozinan and @talexander wouldn't need much coaxing and we should probably pick up @JasonHambrey on the way. If we were to be traveling by large SUV (black secret service Suburban/Tahoe) we would have room for one more. That is six Canucks. We would need only five American friends to meet us there and our book would be full.

@paddockjudge as for your preaching on the LCBO and Lot 40 CS wankers, I know what you mean, it seems things can get quite cliquey among the reviewers/ authors/ bloggers/ vloggers/ future brand ambassador set. I feel like you that whisky is communion, brotherhood, friendship, good times and bad time medicine, meant to be shared and passed around. Unfortunately it succumbs to collectormania, I have nothing against those who have more means than me and what they choose to buy and how they dispose of it.

I just think so much gets lost in the hoarding and collecting also people start to think that it's all about that and the status it brings and it becomes about showing off how much one has. Some of the most insane collectors I have met tend to be rather unassuming and rarely show off, you can't buy class.

@cricklewood, Horses for courses. We could all do with a bit more back class, moi included.

@paddockjudge we wouldn't be bringing all 132 bottles back to the north, you need to spread some of that love among our American members as well. Let's just say perhaps a third of that bounty.

I don't know if it's easy for our EU friends to have booze shipped from USA or if it's an absolute clusterf#ck, this could potentially work but would need a safeplace to handle the storage.

Otherwise I am totally down to going to Vermont to do the barrel picking!

@cricklewood, Perhaps we could do a three way split with a bar or retailer, some American friends, and a group of northerners.

@paddockjudge At $100-$130/Bottle or so, I'd be in on some Alberta Distillers/WhistlePig juice...

Yes...i would go in for that. Though i’d want alberta juice not mgp juice which they also cycle through there. Not that mgp juice is bad....

I got this the last time I was in Tokyo, back in June, and I just opened two nights ago. It is a lovely blended whisky, and unlike other blended whiskies with a 12yo age statement it is quite complex in tasting and nosing. At 43% you can go without adding much, or any water, but I still did, and it does draw out sweetness. However, maybe time in the glass would do the same thing. I am glad I got it, and I hope it is still available when I go back to Tokyo this September.

@ajjarrett I have a bottle as well - it's lovely stuff. Hibiki 12 is also a fantastic 12 year old blend.

@talexander I have only had the Hibiki Harmony Masters Select (duty free) and the 17yo (and enjoyed both); however, that was some time ago. If I happen to see the 12yo, and it is affordable, I will try to pick up a bottle. Sadly, the way things are going for aged stated Japanese whisky, I am guessing it is almost impossible.

@ajjarrett - I like the look of that bottle!

We've had some cooler weather of late and it's brought my concerning apathy towards whisky to an abrupt halt. Opened a Blair Athol 12 (F&F) yesterday and a Longrow Peated today. The latter is what I'd describe as a juicy peated whisky on first impressions; lemon, brine, coast and earthy smoke. Had some on an oyster and it was good but nothing, as of yet, comes close to Ardbeg 10 for that particular combo.

@RianC It reminds me of the Hibiki bottles, in the sense that it would make good for either a replacement bottle for another whisky (if something goes wrong), or as a decanter. According to the Nikka website, "The asymmetry design of the bottle is inspired by the neck of a “Kimono”..," which I find very attractive and appropriate.

Tonight, my club will open a bottle of Balvenie 14 Caribbean Cask at my friend's backyard tiki bar. I've always found this whisky intriguing but overpriced at bars, so I've never had it. Seems like a good pick for a summer night.

Building on the rum theme, he says he'll also share from his big collection of quality aged rums (which I've never really had before) and mix some classic rum cocktails. Should be fun!

@MadSingleMalt enjoy! Not a bad one at all. I wrote a review on it a while ago here.

@RikS, cool—I found your review. And this closing comment you made: "I'm glad to have it, but am not sure I'd buy it again once the bottle is finished."

Sounds like a perfect bottle to buy collectively as a club! :)

Cheers.