I'm liking this Forty Creek Confederation Oak more and more. The second half of the bottle has really opened up and it is far more interesting than it was at first. I always hesitate spending single malt bucks on Canadian whisky but it usually pays off, just in a different way.
Started with GD12 but it just wasn't doing it. So I went to Laphroaig 18 followed by aCnoc 16. Just what the doctor ordered.
Courtesy my friend G. Hodder, 25 year old Bowmore. A silky and rich malt if there ever was one with caramel, fine wood, peat and sherry influences. It has the kind of modulated, elegant palate I strive for in my vattings and blendings. Great experience.
Gary
I was out with a friend last night and he ordered me a pour and asked "what is it and what do you think?" He knows I'm a bourbon drinker (and the occasional drinker of other whiskies too). I nosed it and answered the easy part....scotch. Not too smokey/peaty. I then tasted it and said "scotch...but with either something added or finished in an unusual barrel". "Not port....not sherry....but something slightly sweet." He then revealed it as the Balvenie 14 Carribean Cask. Somewhat spicy with a fruity line giving it some appeal.
Randy
Last evening was Irish night... Bushmills 16yo and Tyrconnell 10YO sherry cask finished. Both were very good but the Bushmills landed on top...
"The most futile and disastrous day seems well spent when it is reviewed through the blue, fragrant smoke of a Havana Cigar"
Balvenie Doublewood. Interesting but not great.
A few friends over an a few more Irish pours... Red Breast 12 and 15 plus a few others.... pretty good stuff....
"The most futile and disastrous day seems well spent when it is reviewed through the blue, fragrant smoke of a Havana Cigar"
I'm doing a head-to-head with Forty Creek Barrel Select and Confederation Oak Reserve. Barrel Select is nice and honied with a silky entry and toasted nut flavour, but Confederation Oak really blows it away in terms of fullness of flavour and complexity. Side-by-side, the oak influence of Confederation Oak is very apparent. The finish is also miles longer. Both good whiskies, though.
Pour of Ardbeg 10 yr, followed by Uigeadail, followed by Caol Ila 18 yr. It was a cold windy night in my next of the woods, perfect Islay weather.