What Wee Dram Are You Enjoying Now - Fall 2013/Winter 2014

[chrisg]

Last night was Lagavulin 16. Starting to seem a little thin now at 43%.

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[bearmark]

Last night it was: St. George Single Malt Lot 13, Lonach 36 Year Blend, Stranahan's Colorado Whiskey, Balcones 1 Texas Single Malt and Glendronach 21 Year 1991 Single Cask Oloroso Sherry Butt Cask Strength. I was introducing my brother (MacAllan fan) to some new stuff. He's on the lookout for St. George and Balcones.

[ChainWhip]

Last night it was: St. George Single Malt Lot 13, Lonach 36 Year Blend, Stranahan's Colorado Whiskey, Balcones 1 Texas Single Malt and Glendronach 21 Year 1991 Single Cask Oloroso Sherry Butt Cask Strength. I was introducing my brother (MacAllan fan) to some new stuff. He's on the lookout for St. George and Balcones.

Is that Glendronach from Specs?

[bearmark]

Is that Glendronach from Specs?

Yes. It's a Specs selection and really great. I'm expecting some improvement in the coming weeks as I only opened it last night. It improved greatly after just an hour. I also have a Specs selection of Glendronach 17 Year PX Cask that I'm looking forward to.

[ChainWhip]

Yes. It's a Specs selection and really great. I'm expecting some improvement in the coming weeks as I only opened it last night. It improved greatly after just an hour. I also have a Specs selection of Glendronach 17 Year PX Cask that I'm looking forward to.

I think I've got both of those and I think they're fantastic!

I'm starting off my Single Malt phase tonight w/ Caperdonich (IB: Whiskybroker) 1995, 55%. I'm getting a *LOT* of sour apple jolly ranchers on the nose paired with some vanilla. On the palate, there's a continuation of the sour apple theme - this is a sweet malt and the smoke is going really well with it. Not a bad introduction to this distillery - I may have to put this bottle on the "to buy" list.

Thx to MtnDew for shining the spotlight on this distillery for me.

Edited November 4, 2013 by ChainWhip

[Trey Manthey]

Just a glass of Old Pulteney 21 last night. Tasted it blind, and aside from the color, thought it was a sherried Speyside malt.

[RVTsteve]

My first pour JW Gold last night. Didn't blow my mind, but I'm not mad at it either.

[MtnDew]

My first pour JW Gold last night. Didn't blow my mind, but I'm not mad at it either.

Do you normally get mad at whisky you don't like?

[LostBottle]

Do you normally get mad at whisky you don't like?

It hinges on who paid for it.

[RVTsteve]

Ha, can't you picture it mumbling angrily at your glass... You sonofa$&@"!

[smokinjoe]

Black Bush at the Irish place across from my Hotel. What a gorgeous pour of whiskey, this is. :yum:

[sutton]

And at $35 a bottle, very good value - I went through mine in record time. The sherry finish complements the Bushmill's blend well, and IFRC there is a higher proportion of malt whiskey in the blend.

[squire]

About 50% malt I believe.

[MtnDew]

Glenfiddich 18. I sometimes get so caught up in learning about or trying fancy and rare whiskey that I overlook the "regular" expressions. I realize that the 18 year is not exactly a bargain bottle, but for less than $100 (in this case $80 for a liter at the duty free) it's a very good dram. My palate is not as sensitive as some, or more likely I just can't put the flavors to words, but this scotch hits me with caramel, oak, and just a nice richness that I really appreciate without being over the top. The finish is a good medium length and leaves a sweetness that makes me smile.

Not a bad dram at all.

[ChainWhip]

Bruichladdich Bere Barley 2006 - started off grainy but it's starting to shine after sitting for a bit

[BigRich]

It's almost cliche at this point but I spent a nice evening with some Macallan 18 last night.

[squire]

Hey, enjoy, I remember when we couldn't get any Macallan at any price.

[WAINWRIGHT]

Settled in for last night for a more than ample pour of '11 Lag 12yr CS,oh how I've missed this fine example of an Islay expression.

[ChainWhip]

I am enjoying a small pour from a sample of Highland Park (IB: Cadenhead) 25yr / 1988 (2013 bottling) @ 55.7%. The sherry overpowers the heather/honey of the HP profile a bit but this is still very good - I want vat this with some OB HP18 next pour.

Edit 1: And staying with the sherry theme, I'm sipping from another sample bottle of Glenfarclas 25yr. This isn't the in-your-face type of sherried malt and it's quite good.

Edit 2: Longmorn (IB: Van Wees Sherry Cask #72318) 5/1/96 - 7/23/13, 57.8%. This one has some rum and brandy notes.

Edit 3: Lagavulin DE 1996-2012 - 43%.

Edited November 7, 2013 by ChainWhip

[miller542]

Ardbeg Uigeadail. Holy peat!

[smokinjoe]

Finishing up the night with an easy pour of one of my Top 5 Whiskies of All Time...Red Breast 12 Cask Strength. Dear God, this is a Great whiskey!

[Parkersback]

Finishing up the night with an easy pour of one of my Top 5 Whiskies of All Time...Red Breast 12 Cask Strength. Dear God, this is a Great whiskey!

Joe, in your opinion, is the Red Breast CS that much better than the regular offering because of the higher proof, or that they're pulling honey barrels, or both?

[MtnDew]

Joe, in your opinion, is the Red Breast CS that much better than the regular offering because of the higher proof, or that they're pulling honey barrels, or both?

I hope it's the latter, I finally picked up a bottle for myself a little while back and have been looking for an excuse to open it

[smokinjoe]

Y'all, I can't answer that question, because I don't know what they're doing as far as barrel selection. What I can say, is that the CS seems thicker and heavier than the standard issue (which I also love, BTW). It doesn't just seem to be a bump in proof that is at work. I think that the fullness of the CS may come from the fact that it is not chill filtered, in addition to it being straight from the barrel. Whatever it is, it is a magical result.

[savagehenry]

Aberlour A'Bunadh - spectacular pour