What is the next bottle you purchase or open?

@Nock there will be other expenses...

@Nozinan don't get me started down that path. We can't afford a wedding anytime soon.

My next opening will be Arran 18. If it's at least as good as the late, lamented 14 I will be well pleased.

My next buy will most likely be a replacement for my rapidly disappearing Corryvrekan (sp).

FORO, FOMO?

I picked up a bottle of WT Rare Breed because everyone was raving about it. Then I found a sample and tried it. Tonight I opened the bottle to see if it was as good as the sample (they have the same ABV so may be same batch).

It is.

I'm thinking I will buy the 2019 Laphroaig Cairdeas. Need to look up some reviews first because it sounds like it might be a kicked up version of the Triple Wood. I'd be happy to hear from anyone who's had it.

@BlueNote ANd in Ontario...

@Nozinan It’s coming up on the annual spirit release here in November. Amazingly, it’s $115 with tax in. It seems to be less, by quite a bit, than in Alberta. $140 at Craft Cellars plus GST. KGBO price is pretty good....if they actually get any.

@BlueNote BIG IF

It's our October club night tonight, and the spooky theme is blind sherry monsters!

I expect the table to be overflowing with foil-wrapped sticky Oloroso goodness. Who know what other club members will bring just for fun, but the official blind monsters that I'm responsible for include easy choices Aberlour A'Bunadh & Glenfarclas 105, and wildcard budget pick Naked Grouse.

Then, as is now our Halloween tradition, we're traipsing through the cool old cemetery next to our host's house, bottles, glencairns, & candles in hand.

@BlueNote I really enjoyed it. The sherry really comes through without dulling the peat. I will likely buy another one. I'm also interested in seeng how the peat and sherry play after more oxidation (the bottle went fast)/

I liked the Fino Cairdeas just as much. Both NAS, one with a dry sherry (Fino) and the Triple Wood (sweeter). I didn't like the Cairdeas QC quite as much as either. I loved the Port cask (the Pink Laphroaig), but I don't know if they'll do that again.

@Jonathan Good to know. Thanks.

I think I’ll grab a bottle of the Heavens Gate Tennessee Bourbon that features a Bob Dylan designed bottle. Even if the whisky’s no good it should at least have some novelty/collectible value.

Finally! The time change and it being Sunday seems to have given me a few moments to of peace. Homework done, kids have some time to themselves, and I get to open this puppy ( the other puppy is still on EDST and so it’s snoozing next to my wife).

First impressions, this is a powerful whisky. Going to give it a half hour of air before adding water.

I'm not sure if this is the best thread for this but I've noticed the appearance of the following bottle to many liquor stores/boards in Canada and was curious if anyone had experience with this release?

Old Ezra 7 Barrel Strength by Luxco. So far the intel gathered mentions it is sourced bourbon from Heaven Hill, it ticks many interesting boxes, age statement, good proof so far I've seen 58.5% ABV listed.

Since it is damn near impossible to obtain Elijah Craig Barrel Proof in Canada, I was wondering how this compared since it would be from similar source? Could we christen it ECBP Jr.?

Curious if anyone has tried it?

@cricklewood, I would very much like to try this in the near future, perhaps by December 7th

@paddockjudge It is available can add it to the list.

@cricklewood, I’ll probably try Ezra Barrel Strength tomorrow (after my 12 hour impersonation of a giant mole is finished).

@paddockjudge still waiting for my email saying my bottle (Old Ezra 7 BP) has arrived in Ancaster.

Finally got a chance to sit down with this one.

I alternated pouring it between a mini glencairn and a snifter. The Jose is definitely better in the snifter but the palate is much better in the mini.

I think this is one that will need to be tried in multiple glasses.

Kris Kringle came early to my house and delivered J.P Wiser's Rare Cask Series Seven Rebels. I will be popping the cork on this one...oh look, it's five o'clock!....popped the cork...tasting notes to follow.

Thanks Kris!!

Cheers!

Definitely some Wiser's Legacy DNA in this one. Not as bold with a moderat amount of spice. Somewhat sweeter than Legacy. I'm guessing 75% corn, 20% rye, 5% malted barley. The virgin Oak finish does not dominate. The Speyside casks leave their mark. I did indeed try this h2h with Legacy (L16 288). A few drops of Samaroli19 YO Speyside Blended Malt were added to the Legacy and this is what convinced me that Seven Rebels shares plenty of DNA with Legacy.

Seven Rebels, Legacy's sweeter, softer little brother.

Upon further consideration I attempted to replicate this from scratch. I did not use seven whiskies, instead I employed five and came very close.

Very, very close...I like mine better.

70% Wiser's Red Letter (corn, new oak finished)

15% Lot No 40 C 12 YO Rye (pot still, new oak)

10% Wiser's Wendel Clark 11 YO Rye (pot still, experienced oak)

3% Deanston Virgin Oak

2% Samaroli Speyside Blended Malt

Thanks again Kris!!

@paddockjudge Did you have to add water to get it down to 42.8%?

Also, given the Samaroli is a blend, you COULD say you used 6 whiskies...

@paddockjudge What a strange coincidence. A pre Christmas parcel arrived from the North Pole for me too. Some interesting Markings on the Canadian contents.

@BlueNote you must have been very well behaved to get that package! Those are some familiar looking bottles and some familiar looking markings to me. Such a treat!

A guided tour from an experienced guide is always best.

@Victor Yes, an unbelievably generous gesture on our resident Canadian whisky expert’s part. I’m rounding up a couple of my whisky jurors to help me pass judgement.

Cracking open Benromach Cask Strength Batch 1 (2019) in preparation for its use in an upcoming tasting, while the nose is rather subdued for now, the palate is explosif, almost fizzy. So far it is keeping in line with what I love about this distillery, looking forward to exploring this.

@BlueNote having been a past recipient of one of these boxes, it is always a treat and such a comprehensive view of the category. I love those little straight sided bottles.

@cricklewood Me too

(exploring the Benromach CS vs the 100/10, not the bottles, which I guess I like too)

@paddockjudge Nice addition to the collection, I'm currently in negotiation to try and obtain the wheatfield gold.

For a second I thought you said Peter Pringle instead of Kris Kringle..anyone remember this guy

@Nozinan It should be interesting to put those head to head, I might try a sneak preview, I have a sample you sent along my way.