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

[ChainWhip]

Had my first try of Glendronach with the 12 year expression and really enjoyed it. I caught all the sherry notes I enjoy from Macallan without all the stuff I do not (can't put my finger on it, Macallan just tastes off to me). Going to have to explore this distiller more!

These aren't the drams you're looking for...

[MtnDew]

These aren't the drams you're looking for...

Ha! You don't have to worry about me going on rampage and buying it all out. I'll make sure to leave at least a few bottles for you

[ChainWhip]

Ha! You don't have to worry about me going on rampage and buying it all out. I'll make sure to leave at least a few bottles for you

[Max Power]

Had my first try of Glendronach with the 12 year expression and really enjoyed it. I caught all the sherry notes I enjoy from Macallan without all the stuff I do not (can't put my finger on it, Macallan just tastes off to me). Going to have to explore this distiller more!

[Max Power]

I kid, I kid... Seriously though, Glendronach is one of my favorites - I should stock up on the 12 & 15 as my go-to sherried malt.

[MtnDew]

If you like sherry speysiders, Glendronach is the best IMO. I just tried the 15 revival last night for the first time and it was spectacular.

Are there multiple 15 year expressions? And what about cask strength that are available online? I'll check out high time, they already know me somewhat due to my previous orders

Argh, I just checked local prices and again, we are so freaking high. The 15 year is $100 before taxes, so call it $125 or so after where as it's less than $70 online!

Edited November 18, 2013 by MtnDew

[Max Power]

Are there multiple 15 year expressions? And what about cask strength that are available online? I'll check out high time, they already know me somewhat due to my previous orders

Argh, I just checked local prices and again, we are so freaking high. The 15 year is $100 before taxes, so call it $125 or so after where as it's less than $70 online!

it's $75 at the sale, which means it's about $71 out the door. Hi Time is $66 + shipping. HT is a bit cheaper and they're definitely cheaper on the 12 year. K&L had some Glendronach CS gems, but they're significantly higher ($130+). Living in WA must suck to buy booze. We all need to buy in Wisconsin where they get pissed without their booze and the tax is like 5.5%.

[Brisko]

I've been eyeing the 15 as well. At the same store, there is a Chieftain's Mortlach 15 (CS) that is also tempting me. I think K&L may have a few of these Mortlach's as well. Anyone have an opinion on which would be more worth the money? (The Mortlach is around $85 I think).

[ChainWhip]

I've been eyeing the 15 as well. At the same store, there is a Chieftain's Mortlach 15 (CS) that is also tempting me. I think K&L may have a few of these Mortlach's as well. Anyone have an opinion on which would be more worth the money? (The Mortlach is around $85 I think).

Is that Mortlach 15 matured in first fill sherry casks? I've only had the sherried expression and it was fantastic.

[Brisko]

It's from a single sherry butt (I'm guessing not 1st fill based on the color).

[Trey Manthey]

Warming up my palate with some JW Green. Might dive into a new bottle after that, as I've cleared out some stragglers lately.

[RVTsteve]

nursing myself out of a brutal cold, but managed tasty little pour of the Laddie 10.

[Old Lamplighter]

After dinner, taking a census of whisky stocks, bourbon & monday night football,...decided to finish the evening off in a mellow fashion with Balvenie FR...smooth & refreshing. :yum:

[ChainWhip]

I just can't seem to keep my paws off of my bottles...

Rosebank 21 / 2011

[MacinJosh]

I opened my first ever bottle of Lag 16 a few weeks ago, and I'm not finding much to love with it. I get the sherry, I get the Lag peat, but it's all quite tired and faded. I had a bottle of the CS 12yo last Spring that I really enjoyed, and that will be the one I go back to in the Laga line. I see no reason to spend $80 on the 16 (though I got the one I have for $60, so I can't complain too much).

Bummer! Sorry you didn't care for it Aaron! More than happy to take it off your hands! I'm sure we can work a trade!

[MacinJosh]

Ending the weekend....starting the evening with the Saints and something from the lowland...Auchentoshan 10. I found this one while out & about last week...not sure it's in production now...had not come across it before & hard to pass for under $40.

WHO DAT? WHO DAT? :toast: GEAUX SAINTS!!!

I found this pour very light and delicate. Some nice floral notes but very Speysider-ish. Almost drinks like an Irish. I didn't care for it much. I had to really dig for tasting notes.

[Trey Manthey]

Regular Lag 16 isn't aged in sherry casks, is it? I thought that was the Distiller's Edition only?

[MacinJosh]

Chainwhip requested my thoughts on the Glenmorangie tasting I attended last night. Full Disclosure, I am not a scotch aficionado. I have been a part of a whisky club for about a year. I joined as way to try many different whiskies and get a better feel as to my tastes and get out of my comfort zone of bourbon/rye. I have tried many different single malts and scotches over the past several months. Until last night, none had really knocked my socks off. First up was the 18 year. I enjoyed it but wasn't my cup of tea. The 25 year was second. I wish the price list wasn't on the table for the tasting because no matter how good it was, there was no way I was walking out with a bottle ($529.99). Still at this point I wasn't that impressed. Next up was Ealanta. Holy cow! When I first nosed it I could have sworn my nose was in a bottle of pure vanilla extract. It was heavenly. It had a very soft and easy entry. The finish was warm with some vanilla and spice. I am now trying to locate a bottle. Last but not least was the Signet. I'm glad they saved this one for last. The Ealanta was light and fluffy, the Signet was very rich and syrupy. It had cocoa and a nuttiness on the nose. The palate was chocolate and maybe some hints of coffee? It was very sweet. The finish was right in my wheelhouse. It had a sweet yet spicy finish that went on for a while. Well, for what it's worth that was my take on the evening. It's hard for me to pick a winner. I am torn between the Ealanta & Signet. I did order an Ealanta, but I will probably track down a Signet after the first of the year. I've spent a load on bourbon and rye the past couple of weeks so the wife learning that I am now buying Scotch is not a discussion I am ready to have just yet. ;-) Cheers fellas!!

The Ealanta is Jim Murray's Whisky of the Year. Take that for what it's worth to ya.

Bummed I had to miss this tasting due to my class. I've had the Signet several times and it never disappoints.

[MacinJosh]

Ledaig 10 year old. One of my new favourite Scotches! I'll take this over those overpriced Islays any day.

Ask TomH what he thinks about this one.

Not my cup if tea but I've definitely had much, much worse.

[MacinJosh]

I just can't seem to keep my paws off of my bottles...

Rosebank 21 / 2011

That's good draming right there! Sometimes I think the silent distilleries get a little too much love just because they're no longer producing but Port Ellen and Rosebank are the real deal. Damn shame they're gone.

[MacinJosh]

Regular Lag 16 isn't aged in sherry casks, is it? I thought that was the Distiller's Edition only?

Lag 16 is finished in sherry. It's very evident in the color as well as on the palate in my opinion. I'm not sure the 12y CS has any sherry influence. If it does, it's minimal.

The sherry addition on the 16y adds layers and additional depth that gives it the nod over the 12y CS IMHO.

I'm not kicking either one out of my cabinet though.

[ChainWhip]

Lag 16 is finished in sherry. It's very evident in the color as well as on the palate in my opinion. I'm not sure the 12y CS has any sherry influence. If it does, it's minimal.

The sherry addition on the 16y adds layers and additional depth that gives it the nod over the 12y CS IMHO.

I'm not kicking either one out of my cabinet though.

Edited November 19, 2013 by ChainWhip

[Brisko]

I also remember hearing that Lagavulin was shifting to all ex-bourbon in 2010 or something like that. I don't remember where I read that, though.

[squire]

I was under the impression that for the most part Lagavulin has used the traditional refill sherry casks.

[LostBottle]

Lagavulin Distiller's Edition is matured like normal Lagavulin and then finished in PX sherry casks, this is double maturation and the reason this malt has a ton of sherry influence. Both 21s were honey barrels that were fully matured in first fill sherry casks, which is rare for this distillery. Lagavulin 16 is mostly bourbon casks, as this is the traditional Lagavulin method. However, there are probably a handful of sherry casks that are mixed in to give the 16 a little more depth.

The amount of sherry present in Lagavulin 16 is probably small and not enough to greatly influence color.The light color of most Islay Scotches is why it was traditionally packaged in green glass; it kept people from judging the whisky on the wrong merits. Scotch should not be judged by color as it has little to do with the quality of the whisky or nowadays, how it was matured - the use of E150c is now highly prevalent, not labeled, and designed to mislead.

Edited November 19, 2013 by LostBottle