Your Top Three whiskies of 2017

@MadSingleMalt I could have easily had the 2015 Flaming Heart in my top three, but I bought it in 2016. You are talking about the Anniversary Edition, right? An absolutely outstanding dram. I'm nursing the last quarter of my bottle and hoping to hell I can find another one.

@BlueNote, yep, the anniversary version. The bottle I've been drinking from actually belongs to my club—not to me—so I only get a crack at it once a month when we meet. It didn't exactly floor me or anything, but it continues to loom large in my mind, eclipsing the more bombastic whiskies that I've had since first tasting it.

@MadSingleMalt - haha my list did exactly the same so I just re did it. Probably quicker than trying to get my head round that formatting malarkey . . .

Tope 3 whiskies I had first tasted, but not necessarily purchased in 2017, are (in no particular order):

1. Chichibu's Ichiro's Malt Double Distilleries

2. Bruichladdich: The Laddie Eight

3. Glengoyne 18yo

Honorable mentions (hope two will be tolerated among the Connsrs):

1. Redbreast 12yo CS (very close to the top 3)

2. Glen Scotia 15yo

I should mention, that my library isn't as extensive as other Connosrs. I am one of those enthusiasts that buys multiple bottles of what I like, before I buy something new.

PS. The laddie eight, is (or at least I think it is) still a Duty Free/Travel Retail expression. I hope you all, if you like the seaside brine of the Bruichladdich expressions, can find it.

@RianC Affordable and available, two good qualities to have when it comes to the 'average' enthusiast.

I do enjoy a good Youtube review (I have my particular favorite reviewers) but I put priority the reivews of whiskies I can find and afford. No reason to listen to sip, swoosh and chatter about a whisky I cannot get either because of it be unavailable, or if it is something that I would feel I need to go to my local bank for a loan for. HA!

Good thread!

@ajjarrett Any thoughts you can share on the Glengoyne 18? I have one on the way.

@BlueNote

Well, I actually had to pour myself a wee dram so I could write a reply. It has been a while since I had a dram of the 18yo Glengoyne. Let me begin by saying that it isn't a 'sherry-bomb' like other whiskies that have been matured in ex-sherry casks. Actually, I experienced in the nose a layer of typical sherry notes, while underneath something else which takes a while to identify. There is a honey sweetness along with what I might describe as white fruit, maybe pear but not fully ripened. After taking a taste, both in the nose and on the palate I got a bit of vanilla, but not extremely strong. Over time, honey sweet becomes a bit more in the forefront. Again, there is some other fruits playing but I cannot easily identify them. Amongst all of this, there is pleasant hint of maltiness.

With a little water, fruitiness comes out more but the honey sweet is still there. Maybe the vanilla becomes more obvious as well.

This is (for me) a dram I can enjoy nosing for a long time, even before tasting.

Not sure if this is what you are looking for. This is definitely a Spring and Summer time dram, if I were to associate seasons to it. But as Ralfy says repeatedly in his reviews, "Just an opinion, it's just an opinion." hahaha

@ajjarrett Thank you, that is exactly what I was looking for. I think I will like it as long as it is not overly sweet.

Cheers.

@BlueNote It isn't 'syrupy' sweet, so you won't have to worry about that. I find the sweetness is more in the nose than it is in the palate. In short, I think you will be happy with your purchase.

@BlueNote - I tried the 18 and 21 a few months back. I'm sure @ajjarrett 's notes above are more informative than what I could offer but will add that I found the 18 to be soft, fruity and quite creamy. Definitely not a sherry bomb!

@RianC Thanks. I should have mine this week sometime. I was expecting it to be more of a sherry bomb as it is matured exclusively in first fill sherry casks. I took a chance on it to see if it was anything like the old Macallan 18. It is described as having dried fruit, leather, fruity tobacco and all the other usual hallmarks of big sherry drams. I have also seen it described as quite soft. I will find out soon and report back.

@ajjarrett That is good to know. I'll give you my thoughts as soon as I'm done with my annual booze-free January.