Which Water of Life Did You Purchase Today - Spring/Summer/Fall 2013

[Clavius]

Glenmorangie Original.

[sutton]

Picked up a Compass Box Spice Tree because I liked the Clynelish so well and this seemed to have a familial connection. An all malt blend that is an effort to "legally" duplicate the infamous "illegal" Spice Tree from a few years ago.

I think both whiskies are great, but if I tasted blind I don't think I would have picked up the Clynelish as a major component in Spice Tree - the toasted oak of Spice Tree dominated the Clynelish character (meaning that found in the standard 14yo). I had some of the same reaction to the Clynelish DE - the finishes made great whiskies, but seemed to go beyond a "polishing" and produce something very different. Would love to hear what you think.

[Trey Manthey]

Our company hit a big milestone recently, so the owners put me in charge of alcohol procurement for our celebration this weekend. Aside from the champagne budget, I was tasked with picking out a nice bottle for the whiskey drinkers in my office, with a $200 max.

I was tempted by the new Lagavulin 1997 DE (cool new packaging!), but ended up with the Balvenie 21 portwood. I thought it would have more mass appeal. Lucky for me, only about a 1/4 of it got drained, and I got to take the rest home. Very nice stuff.

[Virus_Of_Life]

That's just drippy sweet saccharin sarcasm - post it up LB!

Hah!

Yeah LB, let's see it!

[LostBottle]

Technically, I didn't buy anything today (or yesterday). I'll keep working on chasing down some older Scotch and maybe by the time Lagavulin is Foreign Whisky of the Month, I'll have something worthwhile to show. I'll keep my eyes open and roam the discount aisles, maybe I'll bump into a marked down Lag 37.

[Virus_Of_Life]

Technically, I didn't buy anything today (or yesterday). I'll keep working on chasing down some older Scotch and maybe by the time Lagavulin is Foreign Whisky of the Month, I'll have something worthwhile to show. I'll keep my eyes open and roam the discount aisles, maybe I'll bump into a marked down Lag 37.

[ChainWhip]

Our company hit a big milestone recently, so the owners put me in charge of alcohol procurement for our celebration this weekend. Aside from the champagne budget, I was tasked with picking out a nice bottle for the whiskey drinkers in my office, with a $200 max.

I was tempted by the new Lagavulin 1997 DE (cool new packaging!), but ended up with the Balvenie 21 portwood. I thought it would have more mass appeal. Lucky for me, only about a 1/4 of it got drained, and I got to take the rest home. Very nice stuff.

[Wryguy]

Picked up an Exclusive Malts Mortlach 1995, 17 year old, after getting a sample instore. Left after eyeing the 24 yo Littlemill, the 21 yo Bunnahabhaim and the 11 yo Bowmore, and the 12 yo Aberlour. I wanted to take them all home, who am I kidding. I also picked up a Balvenie Tun 1401 Batch 6 for a friend.

[MtnDew]

I'm back traveling on the east coast and picked this up today thanks to a heads up from another SBer. I'm not sure the exact production date range but I'm hoping its old enough to taste different from the current 10 year offering. Though even if not for a total price of $53 I could not complain.

[ChainWhip]

I'm back traveling on the east coast and picked this up today thanks to a heads up from another SBer. I'm not sure the exact production date range but I'm hoping its old enough to taste different from the current 10 year offering. Though even if not for a total price of $53 I could not complain.

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Can't wait to taste it! ;-)

[Clavius]

Went to Trader Joe's today and saw something I hadn't seen there before. Pardon the bad photo:

Picked it up for $20. As you can see it's simply "Distilled and Bottled in Scotland." That's as specific as they get. Tasting it, it isn't all that bad to be honest. Lacks the complexity and refinement of a Laphroaig or Ardbeg of course. But I can't afford to drink either of those too often! I think this one will do when I want some Islay but can't splurge on the "real thing."

[ChainWhip]

Went to Trader Joe's today and saw something I hadn't seen there before. Pardon the bad photo:

Picked it up for $20. As you can see it's simply "Distilled and Bottled in Scotland." That's as specific as they get. Tasting it, it isn't all that bad to be honest. Lacks the complexity and refinement of a Laphroaig or Ardbeg of course. But I can't afford to drink either of those too often! I think this one will do when I want some Islay but can't splurge on the "real thing."

[squire]

Clearly labeled as an Islay I'd say that is the real thing at a price a Scotsman or his descendents could appreciate. As to origin, Bowmore?

[ChainWhip]

Found an Islay Storm with different packaging:

http://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskies/islay-storm/

Only other review I've been able to find on short notice:

http://www.reddit.com/r/Scotch/comments/1qdvwx/review_trader_joes_islay_storm_california/

Edited November 12, 2013 by ChainWhip

[Clavius]

Found an Islay Storm with different packaging:

http://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskies/islay-storm/

Only other review I've been able to find on short notice:

http://www.reddit.com/r/Scotch/comments/1qdvwx/review_trader_joes_islay_storm_california/

[sutton]

A Blue Hanger, 7th Release, Berry Brothers & Rudd

Have always read about this blended Scotch - looks like this release is the first to the U.S. and exclusive to the U.S. From various online sources: "Limited to only 3,088 bottles, this new variant of Blue Hanger is comprised of the following whiskies; one hogshead of Bruichladdich 1992, one butt of Bunnahabhain 1990, four hogsheads of Miltonduff 1997, and two hogsheads of Bunnahabhain Moine (peated) 2006."

Not quite sure how this works, but I assume these were in cask until blended, maybe in 2012? So that would be a 20 yo Bruichladdich, a 22 yo Bunnahabhain, four 15 yo Miltonduff, and two 6 yo peated Bunnahabhain. A bit over 91 proof.

[ChainWhip]

A Blue Hanger, 7th Release, Berry Brothers & Rudd

Have always read about this blended Scotch - looks like this release is the first to the U.S. and exclusive to the U.S. From various online sources: "Limited to only 3,088 bottles, this new variant of Blue Hanger is comprised of the following whiskies; one hogshead of Bruichladdich 1992, one butt of Bunnahabhain 1990, four hogsheads of Miltonduff 1997, and two hogsheads of Bunnahabhain Moine (peated) 2006."

Not quite sure how this works, but I assume these were in cask until blended, maybe in 2012? So that would be a 20 yo Bruichladdich, a 22 yo Bunnahabhain, four 15 yo Miltonduff, and two 6 yo peated Bunnahabhain. A bit over 91 proof.

I'm very keen to read your impressions on this - I've been eyeing this bottle for a 2014 purchase.

[sutton]

I'm very keen to read your impressions on this - I've been eyeing this bottle for a 2014 purchase.

Might be this weekend - having family over and wanted to try this out on them.

[Trey Manthey]

With the cash I had earmarked for potential PVW/BTAC purchases going unused, I was prepared to snag a 1401/9 as soon as it hit the shelf.

Unfortunately this purchase coincided with recovering from a surgery I had on Monday, so I have to stare at the bottle until I can wean myself off this bottle of Percoset.

[ChainWhip]

With the cash I had earmarked for potential PVW/BTAC purchases going unused, I was prepared to snag a 1401/9 as soon as it hit the shelf.

Unfortunately this purchase coincided with recovering from a surgery I had on Monday, so I have to stare at the bottle until I can wean myself off this bottle of Percoset.

Hope everything is ok Trey - speedy recovery to ya!

[michaelturtle1]

With the cash I had earmarked for potential PVW/BTAC purchases going unused, I was prepared to snag a 1401/9 as soon as it hit the shelf.

Unfortunately this purchase coincided with recovering from a surgery I had on Monday, so I have to stare at the bottle until I can wean myself off this bottle of Percoset.

[ChainWhip]

I'm about done with purchase for the year but I have some stragglers inbound - here's what Brown Santa delivered today:

Karuizawa Asama Selected Vintages 1999 / 2000 - 50.5%

[MtnDew]

So pretty looking... and I bet the whisky inside tastes great to! Let me know if you want help giving it a proper taste

I'm about done with purchase for the year but I have some stragglers inbound - here's what Brown Santa delivered today:

Karuizawa Asama Selected Vintages 1999 / 2000 - 50.5%

[tanstaafl2]

Not up to the standards of some of the bottles here but was filling a box for an order and threw in some Mackmyra 1st Edition Swedish whisky (a liter to boot) just for fun.

A bit young and grainy but soft enough to be interesting and drinkable.

Also picked up a McKenzie Rye. Really wanted to add some other McKenzie products but that was all they had available.

[ChainWhip]

So pretty looking... and I bet the whisky inside tastes great to! Let me know if you want help giving it a proper taste

Ofcourse... what I have open is open to you. :-)