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

[garbanzobean]

Another glass of Longrow R&K tonight. The Diesel fumes have subsided a bit, and overall its mellowing out. Getting some farmy notes tonight, along with some custardy sweetness. Good stuff. Needs my full attention.

[garbanzobean]

Pairing my Longrow R&K with a bit of dark chocolate tonight. Brings out a lot of smoke in the palate, as well as fruity notes in the finish. Creme de menthe at the end.

[Jazz Nut]

Pairing my Longrow R&K with a bit of dark chocolate tonight. Brings out a lot of smoke in the palate, as well as fruity notes in the finish. Creme de menthe at the end.

Thanks for the posts on Longrow R&K, I've never tried the R&K, and there are a few bottles at my local store. Thinking about pulling the trigger. I have been enjoying a bottle of Longrow Shiraz lately though.

[garbanzobean]

Thanks for the posts on Longrow R&K, I've never tried the R&K, and there are a few bottles at my local store. Thinking about pulling the trigger. I have been enjoying a bottle of Longrow Shiraz lately though.

I don't think you'd go wrong as long as the price is reasonable. It tastes much older than 11 years after it's had a chance to air out a bit. To be honest, with the stone fruit notes coming out it reminded me A LOT of Compass Box Flaming heart last night, and that's a good thing in my book. I'll probably have another glass tonight at some point. See if I feel the same way.

Too bad Springbank R&K apparently never made it to the U.S. I'd love to try that. Also I wish they'd lower their prices a bit to take the 3 tiered U.S. system into account, but their sales don't seem to be hurting. Next time I see Springbank 10 on sale for $49 at my honey hole, I'm going to put a couple aside.

[AaronWF]

Too bad Springbank R&K apparently never made it to the U.S. I'd love to try that. Also I wish they'd lower their prices a bit to take the 3 tiered U.S. system into account, but their sales don't seem to be hurting. Next time I see Springbank 10 on sale for $49 at my honey hole, I'm going to put a couple aside.

[zillah]

Opened up a sample of Talisker 30. Good. Not $500 good or whatever it costs. But good.

[Dolph Lundgren]

Opened up a sample of Talisker 30. Good. Not $500 good or whatever it costs. But good.

What year? Its been unappealing at its current price point since they downproofed it.

[zillah]

Not sure what year but its definitely underproofed. Right around 90.

[GaryT]

Some Laphroaig cask strength this evening is really hitting the spot.

[garbanzobean]

Some Laphroaig cask strength this evening is really hitting the spot.

That's man whisky right there. Going a bit lighter than Gary with a G&M Caol Ila 14. Some of the heat has resolved itself into Talisker-esque pepper. Great dram, though the distillery bottlings do a better job with the mouthfeel. This is much cleaner, less oily.

[garbanzobean]

Following the Caol Ila with a hefty pour of Ardmore Traditional Cask. A bit of air has done this a world of good. The sickly sweet new make character has dissipated, leaving a nice fruity peated spirit with some noticeable bitter oak tannins. Some nice honey on the nose though. Can't wait to try this with some age on it. I think Ardmore could really shine if given a chance.

[dean_martin]

Picked up a bottle of Laphroaig Cairdeas and cracked it open. This is an easy drinker. Light honey and heat at the end that turns to pepper almost immediately. I'm guessing it's the choice of a dry sherry that gives it it's mellowness and unique finish. It has a finish similar to dry wines.

[garbanzobean]

The humanoid typhoon that is my mother in law has landed, so I'm coping with a glass of Ardmore Traditional.

[garbanzobean]

Finished out the night with an Alchemist Springbank bottling. In retrospect, this is pretty muted compared to the OB Springbank 10. It didn't have the liquid robitussin smell of my last bottle of Springbank 10 when I opened it, but that dissipated quickly, leaving a delicious honey/sherry/peat combo that is sort of washed out here. The luxurious mouth feel Springbank tends to have is missing, too. I probably wouldn't buy another, but it has been a nice easy drinker. Port and peat are complimentary enough that I'd like to see more distilleries experimenting with it.

[GaryT]

Cracked open my CB The General, abandoning my plan to "save it" for my 40th birthday in a few months. A friend brought up the point of "What if something were to happen between now and then? If it were me, I'd enjoy it now". And enjoying it I am! This is one of the best whiskies I've ever tasted. Reminds me a bit of my grandmother's mincemeat pie; just delicious.

[BigRich]

Cracked open my CB The General, abandoning my plan to "save it" for my 40th birthday in a few months. A friend brought up the point of "What if something were to happen between now and then? If it were me, I'd enjoy it now". And enjoying it I am! This is one of the best whiskies I've ever tasted. Reminds me a bit of my grandmother's mincemeat pie; just delicious.

Smart friend. You're even smarter for taking his advice.

[zillah]

Finally opened up my bottle of Glenfarclas 21. What a great sherried whisky.

[Nillion]

Followed up Thanksgiving dinner with some Laphroaig Cairdeas Portwood and now I'm sipping on Lagavulin 12 while I read a book and try to fully digest all the food I ate today.

[garbanzobean]

Thanksgiving is over, so obviously the Christmas season has started. Decorating and drinking Kavalan King Car with my father in law. This has opened up nicely. The harsher young spirit notes appear to have been driven off, but some of the nice tropical fruit and coconut flavors have gone with them. Overall, it's quite nice, but I think I'll save my money for the Solist lineup from now on.

[garbanzobean]

Took my father in law to the range today. After, my mother in law continued to be absolutely over the top atrocious, so we started drinking Alchemist Springbank 10. The latter half of the bottle has gotten noticeably bitter, but a healthy dose of water seems to clear it away.

[GaryT]

Had a pour of Macallan CS, and the wife caught a whiff . . . "Hmm, that smells good sweetie. Can you pour me a bit of that?" Always excited when she is curious about something (as in I'm less likely to get crap for having as much if she likes a couple ). Explained how it isn't available anymore, and why "dusty hunting" is so important. She doesn't totally get it, but after a sip, her face lit up and she said "Oh wow - I see driving around looking for this!"

[jvd99]

Over the holiday at Four Winds Casino in MI, I got a double of MacCS for 15 bucks and the bartender said I was only the second customer to ever order it. They had 2 full bottles at the main bar and another full one at their steak house.

Last night was Clynelish 14 followed by the opening of an Ardbeg 10 distilled in 1993 & bottled in 2003. Found a bunch of these at a local shop and bought 3 of them.

[MacinJosh]

Following the Caol Ila with a hefty pour of Ardmore Traditional Cask. A bit of air has done this a world of good. The sickly sweet new make character has dissipated, leaving a nice fruity peated spirit with some noticeable bitter oak tannins. Some nice honey on the nose though. Can't wait to try this with some age on it. I think Ardmore could really shine if given a chance.

A very underrated dram IMHO and one that I always keep on the shelf. For only $28 a bottle in these parts, it's a no-brainer. I enjoy it quite a bit.

[MacinJosh]

Oh Talisker, how I missed thee. Man, every time I crack one of these I forget just how much I enjoy it! Such a fantastic mouth feel too. Silky and very refined. One of my top 5 Scottish distilleries without question. Fantastic dram! Perfect Fall/Winter pour.

[tanstaafl2]

Oh Talisker, how I missed thee. Man, every time I crack one of these I forget just how much I enjoy it! Such a fantastic mouth feel too. Silky and very refined. One of my top 5 Scottish distilleries without question. Fantastic dram! Perfect Fall/Winter pour.

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