What is the next bottle you purchase or open?

@Wierdo Those samples look delightful. I am very jealous of the Talisker 8yo. I have heard very good buzz about it. I also have not tried the Jack Rye. Again, I have heard good things of late . . . And like @Victor I also prefer rye to bourbon. I have long enjoyed the fact that most people have been out chasing all the wheated bourbons and leaving the rye on the shelf. For years the only bottle of the BTAC you could count on regularly finding was Thomas H. Handy. I am sad that it spoiled me. It quickly became a go to for me (not surprising).

I also love that rye seems to work at a much younger age (for me) than bourbon or scotch.

@Wierdo, I'm curious to know, what is your impression of standard Lot N0 40 Rye and Cask Strength 11 YO Lot No 40 Rye? I too prefer Rye to bourbon and profess to be a Ryehound! I would be shocked to learn that you prefer JD Single Barrel Rye 45% abv to Lot No 40 CS Rye.

Bravo @Weirdo and @RianC, thanks for sharing your whisky trades!

I have to admit I currently prefer bourbon to rye in general. Exceptions include the Lot 40 CS (both releases). If I had to choose from among the BTACs, my prize of choice would be the Stagg.

@paddockjudge - A BIG thanks must also go to @cricklewood for providing the very generous Lot 40 CS sample!

That little brown bottle has done some miles!

@Wierdo - Glad they arrived (finally) in one piece!

I'm glad you like the JD rye, mate. When I'm in the mood it's lovely; quirky and floral but I could see some finding it not that great. I keep being pleasantly surprised at what JD can do outside of the Old no.7. Never mind-blowing but usually very drinkable and 'easy'.

Mind you, if I could get a hold of the SB CS stuff though . . .

@RianC Yes, Jack Daniel's Single Barrel (Barrel Proof) is spectacular.

I have a space for a new bottle but am a bit torn. Soon I won't have any peaty ones open so that is kind of a priority (Thinking Benromach Peated or a Laph QC perhaps).

I also feel like indulging a little as I only opened one bottle at my birthday recently and the Tali 18 and Benromach 15 are definitely whispering sweet nothings to me . . .

I also have a few bottles left that are nearing their ends so . . .

@RianC Benromach just announced they've releases as part of their 'contrasts' range a Benromach peat smoke finished in sherry casks. At 59.9% abv too. Not seen a review yet, but sounds good!

I had the Bookers 6 yr old Rye last night. Enjoyed it. I definitely like rye. Probably not more than scotch. But as an alternative when I'm in the mood I can see myself keeping a bottle or two in my stash.

Officially the strongest whisky (whiskey) I've ever drank too at over 62%

@Wierdo How did you end up trying the Booker's Rye? That juice is rarer than hen's teeth. I had a dram at the Old Talbott Tavern in Bardstown KY.

@Wierdo - Glad you're enjoying them! The Booker's is bourbon though - did I put rye on the label? Doh, if so

And yeah 63% . . . and I find it's better neat but I definitely need to be in the mood!

This happened:

@talexander, I pray thee to tell me of this subject, Glendronach upon Aberdeenshire.

@paddockjudge This here bottle, ye see before ye, was Purchased with Legal Tender at Ye Olde Waddington's Auction House.

@talexander @RianC sent me a sample. Although it turns out it was bourbon not Rye.

@RianC you didn't actually put Rye on the label. I just thought Bookers was a Rye. Didn't realise they did Bourbon too.

Maybe there's a psychological element at play with me thinking it was Rye. But it definitely tasted more like Rye than Bourbon to me. There's none of that sweetness I'm used to in Bourbon and it has that sourness you get with Rye.

@Wierdo Booker’s is an exceptional bourbon. It was the second bourbon I ever tried (after I tasted Basil Hayden at a retreat under the stars...) and is one of my favourites.

@Wierdo - yeah it’s definitely on the dryer, spicier side of the bourbon spectrum. I’m finding that it’s getting more sour as the bottle goes down as well. Have you tried the hazelburn or tali yet?

@RianC no not yet mate. I'll probably crack one of them open next weekend. Looking forward to it!!

@Nozinan you can't really argue with 62.7% even if it wasn't that great after a couple of glasses you'd be convinced it was the greatest whisk(e)y you'd ever tasted!

@talexander, a fine purchase indeed. Love that label! Do you know the year in which it was bottled?

Kilkerran are releasing a heavily peated version on March 29th that is calling to me!

@paddockjudge I posted a picture on Malt Maniacs, and someone said 1980s and led me to The Whisky Exchange website, where it's for sale for GBP250 (I paid 50% of that).

In the last Waddington's auction I put in too many low bids, and ended up with 14 bottles, all for relatively low prices!

1974 Canadian Club (1L)

2 CC Classic 12yos (1L and 750ml), older bottlings (but not super old, I don't think. The 1L has a Greek tax stamp). We opened the 750ml, Pam likes it more than I do (it's fine but a bit too sweet)

1971 Gibson 12yo

Gibson Sterling (older bottling, 350ml)

6 bottles of Wray & Nephew Overproof White rum (63% ABV). I gave one to patti and kept the other 5. It's surprisingly good, I'll use it for mixing, cocktails, hot toddies, etc.

Famous Grouse box set (3x350ml): standard blend, 12yo and 1992 Famous Grouse Vintage Malt whisky. The 1992 was bottled in 2004, so perhaps that is the year this set was released (it's beautifully packaged)

Glendronach 12yo (bottled in 1980s)

Tonight I'm cracking the seal on a db that is notorious for having loose corks, Century 25 YO 100th Anniversary of the Calgary Stampede 2012. It may take a few pours over a couple of weeks to make a clear determination. I hope this bottle is as good as the other bottles of Century 25 YO from which I've poured. I wouldn't want to disappoint any of its admirers when it is shared.

@paddockjudge Sweet. What's the ABV on that beauty?

@BlueNote, before I tell you the abv, here is a tasting note for you to look over.

Think MacIntosh's creamy toffee, now make a bit less sweet, add some oak, not tannic oak, but clean reverent oak, the kind that worships 25 YO whisky. Not harsh, but inviting and warm. A taste that makes you want more of, and eventually you agree to accept it as thoroughly enjoyable, if only you can have one more sip... again. This couldn't taste better at Cask Strength and you don't really care because this is the perfect whisky for breakfast, lunch, dinner, bedtime.....

40

@paddockjudge you know that I am looking forward to drinking from that bottle of 25 yo 100th Anniversary of the Calgary Stampede! You might even call your post and pic "Victor bait".

It is always a very tricky matter hoping that a newly opened bottle of a past 'greatest hit' is just the way we remembered it to be in its former glory. Sometimes they fall short.

@Victor, I don't know how this bottle of Century 25 YO will be received when we give it a proper taste, but I'll tell you, it tasted just fine this week when I opened it...and twice sampled the contents. It was opened simply to perform due diligence, to ensure that the contents are suitable for consumption.

"@Victor bait"? You know I wouldn't showcase a long sought after...oh, what the heck! Mea Culpa!

A friend has tracked down a few remaining bottles of the 2015 anniversary edition of Compass Box Flaming Heart at a reasonable price. I’m in for one. Had one back in ‘15 and loved it.

@BlueNote that Flaming Heart 2015 is a sumptuous blend, that's a nice score. I knew three drams into my bottle I had to get a replacement.

@cricklewood the same friend was able to do a head to head with the 2015 and the 2018 versions of Flaming Heart at the Victoria Whisky Festival back in January and concluded that there was no comparison. The 2015 hands down.