What Wee Dram are you enjoying now?

[unclebunk]

Is that the Port-finished one? If so, I was hesitant to try it after the bottle of Angel's Envy I had. That seemed cloyingly sweet to me; just wasn't to my taste ... how did you find the Quinta Ruban? If it costs about the same as the Solera, that's a pretty good price point ...

Yes. That's a port-finish but I did not find it overly sweet at all. Perhaps you can taste some at a bar before making the plunge but I found it really tasty.

[bad_scientist]

Is that the Port-finished one? If so, I was hesitant to try it after the bottle of Angel's Envy I had. That seemed cloyingly sweet to me; just wasn't to my taste ... how did you find the Quinta Ruban? If it costs about the same as the Solera, that's a pretty good price point ...

Glad you said that! When I had the Angel's Envy, I thought that either the producer loves the Quinta Ruban or never has had it, because it's very similar to me. If you thought the AE was cloyingly sweet, and I do, I would bet a lot that you won't like the QR. I hope nobody else tries to finish a mild bourbon in port or wine barrels, or, shudder, sherry. It's been done by the Scots!

[sutton]

Glad you said that! When I had the Angel's Envy, I thought that either the producer loves the Quinta Ruban or never has had it, because it's very similar to me. If you thought the AE was cloyingly sweet, and I do, I would bet a lot that you won't like the QR. I hope nobody else tries to finish a mild bourbon in port or wine barrels, or, shudder, sherry. It's been done by the Scots!

Maybe the AE at a higher-proof might give more balance? - but the Port wood finishes do all seem a bit too sweet for me. I also don't have much of a sweet tooth; so I'm probably at the extreme end of the spectrum.

Some portion of sherry-aging (vs. finishes) I find really nice in the few Scotches I've had. I recently had a Bowmore 15 Darkest with a friend and found that quite nice - I think it is 12 yrs in bourbon, 3 in sherry or something like that. The smoky/peaty note seems to play well with the sherry notes.

[Max Power]

I found Angel's Envy to be hot for a lower proof bourbon. I liked it, but it wasn't my favorite.

I enjoyed a wee dram of Dalmore 12 last night. Really rich orange flavors with a hint of smoke & spice. I liked it quite a bit.

[MacinJosh]

Maybe the AE at a higher-proof might give more balance?

Cask strength AE with the higher proof and additional Port influence improves this dram quite a bit, but I never found the standard AE cloying. I think of Red Gag when I think of cloying.

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[cigarnv]

Cask strength AE with the higher proof and additional Port influence improves this dram quite a bit, but I never found the standard AE cloying. I think of Red Gag when I think of cloying.

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Josh, agree with you on this that the cask strength is a much better pour.... the best however was when we did the 50/50 cask to regular AE .... seems to bring out the best in each. I revisited the regular AE and also don't find it overly sweet.

[MacinJosh]

Josh, agree with you on this that the cask strength is a much better pour.... the best however was when we did the 50/50 cask to regular AE .... seems to bring out the best in each. I revisited the regular AE and also don't find it overly sweet.

I need to try that. Thanks for the suggestion Reid.

[ChainWhip]

Compass Box Peat Monster - sweeter than I thought it'd be but I'm guessing there's some Ardbeg in the blend

[sutton]

Compass Box Peat Monster - sweeter than I thought it'd be but I'm guessing there's some Ardbeg in the blend

I may not be remembering correctly, but I thought Glaser said the main peaty component came from near Port Askaig - that would likely make it Caol Ila .... however, he does go on to say that some comes from the southern part of the island, so you might be correct as well ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQd1oDbL3o0&feature=plcp

[cigarnv]

Last evening I enjoyed a Balvenie Carribean Cask 14YO and a Red Breast CS... a nice switch up from bourbon...