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What is the next bottle you purchase or open?

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By @T4sho3 @T4sho3 on 27th May 2011, show post

Replies: page 82/92

@fiddich1980
fiddich1980 replied

Take this with a grain of salt as I am not a "rum expert"

@RianC The primary experience I've had with Guyanese(Molasses based) rum has been the El Dorado brands. These have always been popular with the general public. They are good starter sipping rums and good for mixing. They are sweet and therefore are suspect to the addition of sugar dosage. The favourite among some on this site and other sites seems to be the El Dorado 15 year old. In Canada it is bottled at 40% where as, in the United States it maybe 43%. The higher proof Guyanese rums such as Lemon Hart 151 for most, are probably too strong for daily sipping, and best for mixing. The "agricole rhums", which were classed as "Plantation rhums" when I use to sip them in the 1990's were sweet, light, and mixable. They are produced from cane juice, Barbancourt and Westerhall Plantation. The current trend in rums for the enthusiast is towards higher proof and no sugar and flavour additives. My most recent purchase has been towards Barbados (molasses based), particularly, Richard Seale's Foursquare distilleries. My research indicates that their products have become popular with the whisky enthusiast. There is a lot of disclosure and transparency listed on the label. I'm itching to crack a bottle of "The Premise", this weekend. Then there are Jamacian rums and Appleton being the best example of the bunch. The age statements indicate the minimum age of the rum in the bottle. They are generally, bottle at 43% and the flavour description usually, involve the word "funk". Then, there are the Solera system rums of Columbia and Venezula. I don't think you can go wrong with the Cadenhead's 16yr Green Label or the Tali. 18.

5 years ago 3Who liked this?

@RianC
RianC replied

@fiddich1980 - Thanks for the very helpful response! I was also eyeing up a Foursquare 12 year old at 59% that looked quite tempting as well - which I guess fits the description of 'transparency' and probably one for the rum connoisseur! I've had the Eldorado 12 and really enjoyed it - if a little sweet (but it's rum so I expect that to be honest) . The 15 is about the same price as the 16 Guyanan one . . . hmm!

I tend to go for the Jamaican/British Navy style dark molasses rums but, like you, @cricklewood suggested some of the rums without colouring and added sugar may offer a better experience.

5 years ago 2Who liked this?

@RianC
RianC replied

Went with the Cadehead's @50% in the end after seeing a very positive review by some of @Hewie's mates laughing It's also NCF, uncoloured and without added sugar so probably a good (and cost effective) intro into this presentation of rum.

The 16 year old had some less than generous reviews and the price was unusually cheap with free delivery so not exactly suggesting a pearler!

small world @jordytropp wink

5 years ago 3Who liked this?

@RianC
RianC replied

Just edited my post but lost the link!

5 years ago 0

@Hewie
Hewie replied

@RianC ha ha I've seen a couple of those guys reviews before but didn't actually register with me that they were Kiwi's. An interesting couple of guys - have you watched much of their stuff? What do you think?

5 years ago 2Who liked this?

@RianC
RianC replied

@Hewie - Yeah I've seen a few of their reviews. I quite like their semi-formal, dry humoured style. No 'bells and whistles' but they give the kind of info. I'm looking for and they seem to review accessible and affordable bottles. I'd also trust their judgement even if their ratings are a little higher than mine might be (and I'm generous!).

5 years ago 2Who liked this?

@cricklewood
cricklewood replied

@Hewie I've watched quite a few of their reviews, they are a little stuffy sometimes but it's a good contrast to Ralfy or some of the other over the top vloggers

4 years ago 2Who liked this?

@KRB80
KRB80 replied

I attended a Compass Box seminar this past Wednesday that was a great experience. We tasted both Great King Streets + a special sherried expression, the Spaniard, Peat Monster, Hedonism, Spice Tree Extravaganza, and Flaming Heart 6th Edition.

I got to taste the Spice Tree Extravaganza side-by-side with the regular Spice Tree and, although it was definitely better, I decided that it wasn't worth double the price. So, I came away from it with a bottle of the Spice Tree which I have always loved and a bottle of the Flaming Heart which was really great.

THEN, yesterday, with my recent infatuation with Compass Box, I decided to go to another shop and grab a bottle of the No Name that everyone seems to rave about. I'm excited to open it. I probably will do it soon and decide if I want to grab some more for stock since everywhere else is sold out.

4 years ago 6Who liked this?

@cricklewood
cricklewood replied

@KRB80 Good catch on the No name, I didn't believe the hype either until I was able to try some though the generosity of @fiddich1980 . It's really a great combination of both elements of that distillery and the whole is elevated by the blending.

4 years ago 3Who liked this?

@fiddich1980
fiddich1980 replied

@KRB80 Is the No Name the first release which had 75%, 14 year old Ardbeg or is it the second release which is now 75% Caol Ila from refill sherry butts?

"They will release 8436 bottles at 48.9% ABV from February 2019". Sourced from:

whiskynotes.be/2018/whisky-news/…

4 years ago 0

@KRB80
KRB80 replied

@fiddich1980 It's the first release from late 2017. I didn;t even know about the 2nd release until you just mentioned it. Interesting.

4 years ago 0

@fiddich1980
fiddich1980 replied

@KRB80 The first release is a fantastic blend. I think you'll enjoy it. The 2nd edition, I have no experience with.

4 years ago 2Who liked this?

@Victor
Victor replied

@KRB80 did John Glaser present at your tasting? I heard him in 2011 and asked the majority of all the questions asked of him. I was at an industry tasting event, so I was the only one of 25 or so present who was not a manager, owner, distributor, or professional bartender. I was amazed at how little curiosity those lovely jaded liquor industry people had. That provided me my opportunity to have Mr. Glaser almost to myself.

4 years ago 5Who liked this?

@KRB80
KRB80 replied

@Victor Nope, I wish I could have been as lucky! The Rep/Marketing Specialist for CB in Massachusetts put on the tasting seminar. He was very knowledgeable and informative and even gave us his business card and said we could text him any time with any questions and he'd be sure to get back to us with the answer from himself or John Glaser. They really stress the transparency thing. It's quite refreshing.

4 years ago 4Who liked this?

@Victor
Victor replied

@KRB80, yes, those who have nothing to hide are more likely to hide nothing.

4 years ago 3Who liked this?

@Nozinan
Nozinan replied

Age milestones have a tendency to focus one's mind. As I approach 50:

I have been reflecting on my life. In my 20s everything is smooth sailing, in my 30s new aches and pains emerged. In my 40s things take a lot longer to heal. In my 50s I'm told they don't heal, and in my 60s those unhealed things get surgery.

How many more drinking years do I have left? I've spent 8 years accumulating a whisky collection that would make anyone not on Connosr wonder if I was sane. So many spares to have for the future, so much accumulated.

Well, the future starts at 50.

I will be meeting up with some friends in 2 weeks, shortly after the big day. I plan to open my A'Bunadh batch 50 which is special only in that the number matches my age. But I also plan to open an Octomore for the first time. Not the 4.1 I bought a few years ago, but the one I picked up on sale this year thanks to @Cricklewood's keen eye and my brother in law's quick reflexes in Calgary.

But that's not all. I hope to open an Amrut Intermediate Sherry this year, and if I can coordinate with my MP friend, a Portonova. Unfortunately, due to inflation I can't gift that one to him (rules about gifts over a certain value).

There is a JW Blue I want to open. There is a Lagavulin 8 at the LCBO calling to me. It will be for opening.

I'll start with the first 2, and then I'll try to empty some heels to make room for more. But I think it's time to live for now. Buy less, drink more.

4 years ago 7Who liked this?

@BlueNote
BlueNote replied

@Nozinan "Buy less, drink more" words for maltheads to live by. Or should it be buy less, drink less?....Nah! I hope your second half century will be as fulfilling and satisfying as your first half.

Cheers.

4 years ago 6Who liked this?

@OdysseusUnbound

@Nozinan I have to say, I'm a bit further from my upcoming milestone (I turn 40 in December) than you, but my experience so far has been this: my 20s were terrifying, as I was financially (and emotionally) unstable, in my 30s every aspect of my life (social, emotional, physical, professional, financial) has improved, and I'm hoping my 40s will see this upward trend continue. But reality can kick us in the teeth at times...so what's that saying "Hope for the best, prepare for the worst"? But I'm also following your lead and opening more while buying less. My whisky collection is insignificant compared to most Connosrs (45 bottles or so) but my friends tease me and have called my home bar the L-C-B-Joe. I'm doing my best to minimize FOMO by starting a list of bottles I really want to get my hands on and sticking to the list. Not on the list, not buying it.

4 years ago 2Who liked this?

RikS replied

Thought I'd try a few expressions that are not that well covered (and it's my birthday), so..

  1. Just received my Jura Tastival 2016
  2. Picked up a Connemara peated. I don't expect miracles, but have noticed how the reviews on this one tend to differ a lot, even saw a HtH claiming better than redbreast 12 (but I have some serious doubts about that...) Just curious.
  3. Kavalan ex bourbon. This one will be interesting... oak and tropics combined, and noted that Serge gave this one a pretty high rating.

Notes will follow. And keeping my eye on a Glenfiddich 21 on the pricewatch, just because it's dropping :)

4 years ago 3Who liked this?

@BlueNote
BlueNote replied

Thinking I might go for the Port Askaig 14 that has just arrived. It's either peated Bunnahabain (sp) or Caol Ila. Either way, it sounds good.

4 years ago 1Who liked this?

@paddockjudge
paddockjudge replied

@OdysseusUnbound, with all due respect and the hope that you can stick to the list, I have only one thing to say,

Bahahahahahahahaha !!!

4 years ago 1Who liked this?

@talexander
talexander replied

In Winnipeg for my grandmother's funeral (she was 94 and in failing health, so it was expected and, given her terrible quality of life, rather welcomed). I wasn't expecting anything much from the Manitoba Liquor Mart but I was wrong:

  • MLM exclusive Maker's Mark Private Select, 55.05 ABV

  • Rampur Indian Single Malt 43% ABV

  • MLM exclusive Knob Creek Single Barrel Rye 57.5% ABV

4 years ago 6Who liked this?

@Nozinan
Nozinan replied

@talexander My thoughts are with you - regardless of whether death comes as a relief of suffering, those of us left behind must still bear the loss.

4 years ago 4Who liked this?

@Nozinan
Nozinan replied

Rampur...never heard of it. Let me know if it's good. So for the only Indian whisky that isn't in my list of excellence is Solan.

4 years ago 0

RikS replied

@talexander sorry for your loss. I hope it became thus an event to celebrate a long life rather than lament a passing.

I too will be very curious to get your take on Rampur. I've seen it around but not dared to make the presumption that it might be as pleasant am experience as Amrut. Especially since Paul John seems to get lukewarm reviews as the "other" Indian out there...

4 years ago 0

@paddockjudge
paddockjudge replied

A low fill level on Pikesville 6 YO 110pf prompted me to check the gov't website. With a total of only 103 bottles available in 650+ stores, I managed to find one, and only one ($89.85 CDN), at a store about 15 minutes away from home.

4 years ago 4Who liked this?

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@talexander
talexander replied

@Nozinan Ohhhhh you haven't lived until you've tried Bagpiper....a horror!

4 years ago 1Who liked this?

Astroke replied

@paddockjudge , hmm, I made the same move a couple weeks ago.

4 years ago 4Who liked this?

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Wierdo replied

Confirmation of the discussions we've had on here about Benromach discontinuing the 100 proof 10

thespiritsbusiness.com/2019/04/…

Also means I'll be buying a bottle of the 100 proof soon I guess!

4 years ago 1Who liked this?

Liked by:

@Alexsweden@ajjarrettR@Nozinan@Mantisking + 3 others

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