What Wee Dram Are You Enjoying Now - Spring/Summer 2013

[ChainWhip]

Thanks Tim.

I keep eyeing that purple box but the price up here is about what I paid for my bottles of Balvenie TUN 1401 Batch #3. My Longrow 10 is running low so the 18 might be its replacement - just gotta let my funds build up after the month's wallet bloodbath ;-)

Scratch the Benriach 21 off the list so thanks again!

[timd]

Thanks Tim.

I keep eyeing that purple box but the price up here is about what I paid for my bottles of Balvenie TUN 1401 Batch #3. My Longrow 10 is running low so the 18 might be its replacement - just gotta let my funds build up after the month's wallet bloodbath ;-)

Scratch the Benriach 21 off the list so thanks again!

Longrow 10/100 is amazing... so is 14... both are exceptional. But the 18 is in a league of its own. If you can spring for it - then by all means pull the trigger. Just think of the 10/100 or 14 taken to the next level of "wow,"

[Alden]

Any recommendations for a decent dram in the $50-60 range?

I have a bottle of HP12, Balvenie DW, and Glenmorangie 10 open now, and would like another smoky one, maybe an Islay, but I have been hearing the current Laphroiag is to be avoided. I like smoke, but not burnt tires and bandaides and iodine. I like one that is balanced with some sweetness, like the HP12.

Macallan's 12 is one I am considering. From what I have read, it seems to have what I am looking for. I like the sherried scotches quite a bit.

[HighInTheMtns]

Current Laphroaig is to be avoided? What? Why? That's great stuff.

[Trey Manthey]

Any recommendations for a decent dram in the $50-60 range?

Bruichladdich Laddie Ten (non-peated Islay), Ardbeg 10, Port Charlotte An Turas Mor

[squire]

Black Bottle, available in Florida, is a blend containing whisky from all of the Islay distilleries and is a highly regarded brand. With your stated price range you can afford two bottles.

[Alden]

Bruichladdich Laddie Ten (non-peated Islay), Ardbeg 10, Port Charlotte An Turas Mor

[squire]

ABC stores carry Black Bottle but I don't know if all the stores stock the brand.

[Max Power]

I keep wanting to go back to Balvenie 15 SB. Also, the new release of Costco's Kirkland 18 year is a really nice price for a slightly watered down Macallan (80 proof instead of 86) 18 year. It's $33 for 750ML. Darn tasty as well.

[BigRich]

I keep wanting to go back to Balvenie 15 SB. Also, the new release of Costco's Kirkland 18 year is a really nice price for a slightly watered down Macallan (80 proof instead of 86) 18 year. It's $33 for 750ML. Darn tasty as well.

I've heard rumor of such a beast but never seen it. I go into Costco about twice a month and every time I ask I hear "it came in last Tuesday and was gone by Saturday." Apparently, the guys in Atlanta horde Costco Macallan worse than the SB.com guys hoard discontinued bourbons.

[Max Power]

I've heard rumor of such a beast but never seen it. I go into Costco about twice a month and every time I ask I hear "it came in last Tuesday and was gone by Saturday." Apparently, the guys in Atlanta horde Costco Macallan worse than the SB.com guys hoard discontinued bourbons.

It lasts up here for maybe 7-10 days in general. But heck, it's an 18 year old single malt from a good distillery for $33. It's worth a chance for even people who don't love whisky. The first time I bought it, the cashier asked me how it mixed with Coke and I said that I drink it neat. She looked at me like I was crazy. I guess that I'm "baller" enough to mix with my 18 year single malts.

[compliance]

Any recommendations for a decent dram in the $50-60 range?

If you want an intro to Islay at its best go for Lagavulin 16. If you have a Costco near you they usually have it for $55-$65, but it can get expensive at other places. I would stretch the budget to get it, it's probably my fav regular bottling. I also second the Bruichladdich Laddie Ten, which is fantastic.

Do not avoid Laphroaig! That's great whiskey too.

[geereg]

Glendronach 12 PX to celebrate the end of my first year as a high school administrator.

[LostBottle]

If you want an intro to Islay at its best go for Lagavulin 16.

I agree with this assessment. The Lagavulin 16 iodine was what made me really fall in love with good single malts. After all the normal releases, special releases, and limited releases from other distilleries, Lagavulin 16 still stands as one of my favorite drams. The only downside is that my money goes to Diageo.

[ChainWhip]

The Benriach 21, and I didn't pay for it at all - is a solid dram. But..."

"...with a "unappealing funk" in the middle.

I tried the Benriach Authenticus (21) tonight and I get what you're saying about the "funk" - not quite as unappealing to me but I get bitterness like grapefruit rind with the funk and a saltiness on the backend. The peat is there but the sherry takes a back seat for me.

It almost reminds me of a salty, peaty version of Rosebank.

Glendronach 12 PX to celebrate the end of my first year as a high school administrator.

Congrats on your well earned summer break!

Edited May 23, 2013 by ChainWhip

[squire]

You guys are way fortunate to have access to that sort of stuff at Costco prices. No Costco stores within my driving orbit.

[ChainWhip]

The only downside is that my money goes to Diageo.

I know what you mean but I gotta have my Talisker!

[LostBottle]

I know what you mean but I gotta have my Talisker!

I love Tali too. Unfortunately, this is a brand that Diageo is really starting to tinker with, and Diageo tends not to tinker in constructive ways. Tali 18 is now clocking in double what it was a few months ago. The 25 price steadily rose, after they had the nerve to lower the proof. Also, they didn't even bother giving the States any of the 35yo special release. I guess we should just count ourselves lucky that haven't closed the place, which apparently they almost did back in the day.

Edited May 23, 2013 by LostBottle

[Lost Pollito]

It almost reminds me of a salty, peaty version of Rosebank.

[Whisk(e)y]

Opened bottles at the moment:

- Old Pultney 12yr (375ml)

- Linkwood 14yr from 1989 and bottled by Signatory. Its very dark and spent all its life in a sherry cask...possibly first-fill. It's fantastic!

- Talisker 10yr

- Kilchoman Machir Bay (2012)

Been on a Single Malt spree as of late. Just picked up a Longmorn 15yr yesterday and a couple Macallan 18yr (distilled in 1994).

Trying to decide what to open next. I have several Clynelish that are calling my name, but I'm tempted to pop open my Auchentoshan Valinch. For all those people mentioning Kavalan, it was indeed fantastic. I can't wait for it to get to the states. The standard expression barreled in ex-bourbon barrels was phenomenal. The sherried versions were pretty good too...drying, sort of like what I get from Glendronach.

[AaronWF]

I had some Talisker 10yo after lunch (shut up, you're not the boss of me!). It was at the bartender's suggestion, as it's not one I frequent, but it showed better than I expected. Nice dose of earthy peat that cuts through the somewhat syrupy, yet nicely integrated and nuanced malt. I'm not sure if my own bottle would sell me on it or turn me off on the sweetness, but I'm glad my favorite lunch hangout has a bottle of it.

[TBC]

Bruichladdich Trilogy Waves at the moment.

[timd]

So I've got an Ardbog in hand this evening...

and it's delicious!

So my buddies here have been a mix of "meh" and "wow" - and I'll slot myself between those responses.

It's truly a sweet, sultry and viscous dram - the sherry presence is massive, albeit well integrated with the smoke. But the smoke... ahhh the precious smoke... it's a bit understated.

It's got the appeal of a Lagavulin or Talisker DE - and one would be hard pressed to not feel like Ardbeg felt the need to compete with these "Classic" malts seasonal releases at this stage... But by taking 10 years of Ardbeg in Manzanilla casks mixed with some other proportion in 10 years of Bourbon casks, I'm afraid the traditional coastal/medicinal and (I mean this seriously) delicate nature of Ardbeg has been sacrificed to the sugar-pounding grape gods.

If you LOVE sweet whisky finishes - you'll be in hog heaven. This isn't blatant sherry finishing (ie. a raisin storm), but it's daaaaaaaamnnnn sweet. Almost port-like in it's sweetness without being obviously raisiny/grapey.

The smoke is still there - it's an Islay after all, but it's muted beyond any Ardbeg I've tasted (excepting Blasda and 17 year). It may be a shell of an Ardbeg but it's one hell of a an Aberlour or Glenfarclas (I won't even dignify this with a MacAllan ref).

Worth $79 out the door? As a one-time thing, sure - but I won't be back for another bottle at that price. I'd still opt for the (evil) Diego peated DE's over this one at around the same price point (yes, I know - Lagavulin DE's run $100, but it's worth every penny).

Plus - this box has "fossilized monster footprints," skulls, dinosaur heads and a gold-embossed sword. I'm far more manly than I was before I bought this bottle - that alone is worth the $15-$20 premium over Uigadale any day. I think... (ask me tomorrow - 3 pours of this plus 3 of OGD 114 later and I may be biased).

PS - the Ardbeg is actually SWEETER than the OGD114... Yeah, it's that sweet.

[ChainWhip]

Sounds like its bogged down in molasses...

;-)

[ChainWhip]

Oh let's see... It was a good night:

Glenfarclas 17

Nikka Yoichi 15

Nikka Taketsuru 17

Suntory Hibiki 17

Suntory Yamazaki Sherry Cask