Which Water of Life did you Pass Up Today? Fall/Winter 2014

[garbanzobean]

Looks like the old thread was pining for fjords, so I figured I'd start a new one.

Today I passed on Ardbeg Supernova for $190 and Arran Devil's Punchbowl Chapter III for about $130 (Forgot the exact price). If I were to dip into Satan's private stash, I think I'd go with the Chapter II that's still sitting around, due to the inclusion of peated whisky (and the fact that I've tried it and thoroughly enjoyed it). I guess there's no hellfire (and hopefully no brimstone!) in the third and final chapter of this epic tale. I'm sure the Chapter III is awesome, though. Arran puts out some great stuff. Can't wait for their peated stocks to mature a bit more. As always Maryland SBers, feel free to PM me for the details if you're interested.

[garbanzobean]

Passed up a Cadenhead's Caol Ila 22 1991/2013. It's the cask strength edition, so I'll probably buy it eventually . . .

[garbanzobean]

Passed up a Balvenie Tun 1509 batch #1 for $350. That makes the Tun 1401 seem downright reasonable at $250.

[ChainWhip]

Passed up a Cadenhead's Caol Ila 22 1991/2013. It's the cask strength edition, so I'll probably buy it eventually . . .

If you don't get it...

[jvd99]

Passed up a Balvenie Tun 1509 batch #1 for $350. That makes the Tun 1401 seem downright reasonable at $250.

[garbanzobean]

I've passed this up as well, however, Drink Hacker gave the 1509 a rare A+ and touted it as one of the best whiskies ever from Balvenie. I was put off by the news that the smaller Tun 1401 was being retired for the bigger 1501 and took it as a sign that the quality of the releases could drop along with the overall age of the barrels. I also didn't like the price increase because it would seem that production costs would have gone down by only doing one batch per year instead of 2 or 3. Yet, I've seen some really positive reviews and statements that this is one of the best ever from Balvenie has me thinking twice.

[jvd99]

I take some reviewers with a grain of salt, but no doubt they've tried way more stuff than I, and making categorical statements and throwing out an A+ like that is certainly noteworthy. Glad Serge concurs but I'm still hesitant about the price. I know myself, and I'll crumble eventually.

[garbanzobean]

I take some reviewers with a grain of salt, but no doubt they've tried way more stuff than I, and making categorical statements and throwing out an A+ like that is certainly noteworthy. Glad Serge concurs but I'm still hesitant about the price. I know myself, and I'll crumble eventually.

[jvd99]

"eventually" is relative, that could mean hours or days

[drunk]

The new Balvenie's sound amazing, but I think I'm a promotion or two away from springing for those. I still have a hard time justifying anything over $100. My will was challenged at Binny's on Saturday, while staring down a few new Mortlach's - 16, 19, 25 YO's and the new NAS. Anyone tried the new 16YO Signatory Binny's pick?

I was also tempted by the Glendronach 17 oloroso cask after thoroughly enjoying both the 12 and 15 this weekend.

[tanstaafl2]

The new Balvenie's sound amazing, but I think I'm a promotion or two away from springing for those. I still have a hard time justifying anything over $100. My will was challenged at Binny's on Saturday, while staring down a few new Mortlach's - 16, 19, 25 YO's and the new NAS. Anyone tried the new 16YO Signatory Binny's pick?

Interesting. Didn't know this latest attempt by Diageo to take on "The Macallan" with a whisky exorbitantly priced for no apparent reason had moved across the pond (and apparently in the required 75cl bottles. Didn't think we would see it all since the EU gets a 50cl bottle.)

The higher proof "Special Strength" bottle was the one that interested me but I haven't seen much about that one lately. Didn't see any of them in Amsterdam when I passed through last month even though it is supposed to be travel retail only.

Edited November 24, 2014 by tanstaafl2

[jvd99]

I'll never buy one of those Mortlach's. Period. It's total BS trying to create a premium line simply by pricing it on par with Macallan. While Macallan is overpriced to be sure, they have at least put the time and effort into building their brand to such a degree that people are falling all over themselves to pay those prices - especially on the secondary market. Mortlach, not so much.

[garbanzobean]

Apparently it is good stuff, but I won't be buying any. I like mortlach because of its meaty, savory profile and oily mouth feel. It stands up really well to sherry and bourbon, and the IBs are typically good to amazing. Diageo is apparently intentionally blending away those characteristics, which I am not happy about. Also, the packaging offends me.

That said, I certainly wouldn't blame anyone else for trying it out. Its caught my attention a couple of times on the shelves already, so I guess the fancy packaging is doing its job.

[drunk]

Yeah, I'd like to taste $130 NAS Mortlach to see how up their asses they are, but I'm not buying it. The $90 16YO CS might get bought though.

[portwood]

Serge likes it a lot too. My concern with drinkhacker is the whisky reviews rarely seem to be below a B, but in this case I doubt you'd be buying a loser. Seems to be near universal acclaim for the new release.

It is not surprising the first batch of Tun 1509 has received great reviews. Balvenie people are smart enough to make sure the first batch of this is comparable to the previous highly acclaimed tun 1401. Reviewers typically get first batch. If they crow about it, the consumer gets the impression nothing has changed ... and buys into the change.

Wait 'till subsequent batches ... very good chance the following will occur:

- age will drop further

- more (cheaper) ex-bourbon barrels & even fewer (expensive) ex-sherry casks

- quality will slip (i.e. reviews will give lower marks)

Note that although every batch of Tun 1401 received rave reviews, the general consensus is the BATCH 1 was the best of them all.

[Trey Manthey]

It is not surprising the first batch of Tun 1509 has received great reviews. Balvenie people are smart enough to make sure the first batch of this is comparable to the previous highly acclaimed tun 1401. Reviewers typically get first batch. If they crow about it, the consumer gets the impression nothing has changed ... and buys into the change.

Wait 'till subsequent batches ... very good chance the following will occur:

- age will drop further

- more (cheaper) ex-bourbon barrels & even fewer (expensive) ex-sherry casks

- quality will slip (i.e. reviews will give lower marks)

Note that although every batch of Tun 1401 received rave reviews, the general consensus is the BATCH 1 was the best of them all.

I didn't like it at all. Tasted SBS with 1401 batch 6 and 9. Not close.

[jvd99]

Trey, what were the differences that made it such a disappointment? When people review these releases, I doubt many, if any, do a SBS like you did. I'm still debating this one as a purchase.

[tanstaafl2]

Yeah, I'd like to taste $130 NAS Mortlach to see how up their asses they are, but I'm not buying it. The $90 16YO CS might get bought though.

I would like to try it against the original OB Flora and Fauna 16yo (even though that is a low 86 proof bottle to see if it has changed. Some IB's are quite good but the F&F was about the only regularly available OB option I know of and that seems a fairer comparison to the new one to see if they have screwed it up and if so how much.

Of course that means I have to get one of those too in addition to the overpriced new Mortlach!

[ChainWhip]

Trey, what were the differences that made it such a disappointment? When people review these releases, I doubt many, if any, do a SBS like you did. I'm still debating this one as a purchase.

Some of us split a bottle to see if it was worth pursuing and somebody in the group said it best: sour dank wood or baby vomit.

I'm glad I went in on the split - the 1509 # 1 is a pass for me as well.

[garbanzobean]

Some of us split a bottle to see if it was worth pursuing and somebody in the group said it best: sour dank wood or baby vomit.

I'm glad I went in on the split - the 1509 # 1 is a pass for me as well.

Makes me glad I gave it a big miss. Of course, the new pricetag didn't hurt either.

By the way: has anyone on here tried the new Berry Bros & Rudd Bunnahabhain 26? I expect its a total wine exclusive but am not sure. Their 24 was around $130 here before it finally sold out, but the 26 bumped up to $199. I noticed several other barrels have been exceptionally well-received overseas, so I figured I'd ask.

Edited December 4, 2014 by garbanzobean

[garbanzobean]

Makes me glad I gave it a big miss. Of course, the new pricetag didn't hurt either.

By the way: has anyone on here tried the new Berry Bros & Rudd Bunnahabhain 26? I expect its a total wine exclusive but am not sure. Their 24 was around $130 here before it finally sold out, but the 26 bumped up to $199. I noticed several other barrels have been exceptionally well-received overseas, so I figured I'd ask.

Nevermind on the Bunna. Got a look at the bottle and it's not Cask Strength.

Passed up a bottle of Springbank 12 Cask Strength (50.3% abv) for $99, and Springbank 10 for $53. I didn't want to, but I've got 3-4 Springers put away. Maybe I'll go back later this week for the 10 year. I'm starting to see it for around $80 in these parts, so having a spare bottle might not hurt.

[ChainWhip]

I think BBR #24 Bunna was CS?

[garbanzobean]

I think BBR #24 Bunna was CS?

Maybe. The 26 we got locally is 46%. Maybe still worth it, but I should probably cut back anyway.

[garbanzobean]

I'm passing for now, but I have a potential line on an OB Rosebank 21 for $299. I'm assuming its a 2011, but should get clarification soon. That's a lot of money for a 21 year old whisky, but it is still in a price range I'm willing to pay for an OB of a dead distillery. Especially compared to other prices I've seen in the last 6 months. Serge seems to think it's quite good. What say ye, fellow SBers?

[AaronWF]

I'm passing for now, but I have a potential line on an OB Rosebank 21 for $299. I'm assuming its a 2011, but should get clarification soon. That's a lot of money for a 21 year old whisky, but it is still in a price range I'm willing to pay for an OB of a dead distillery. Especially compared to other prices I've seen in the last 6 months. Serge seems to think it's quite good. What say ye, fellow SBers?

Those Rosebanks are getting scarcer and more expensive by the week, so that sounds like a pretty good deal, unfortunately. I don't think I would have the heart (or cash) to shell out $300 though. $200 without question, but there's too much good and interesting whisky out there to throw $300 on a bottle like that IMO.