What Dram are you enjoying? Spring 2018

[kevinbrink]

It had been a while but having heard that this was going away I decided to crack a bottle, might need to try to scrounge up a backup. 

[kevinbrink]

And subsequently decided to turn up the dial a bit. No regrets on this one, @Marekv8 you were correct here, not disappointed in the least this is quite enjoyable

[Marekv8]

After hitting multiple liquor stores in Bentonville and Fayetteville-- I finally gave up and flew back with an empty booze travel kit. Luckily I got in early enough to hit a few stores on the drive home. This is really an unusual and delicate malt, made possible with a well-executed and transparent presentation.

 

[tanstaafl2]

On 5/15/2018 at 7:21 PM, portwood said:

Given the very low volume of production and the amount of whisky they've sold since the distillery's 3 year mark, I highly doubt they have much left in the warehouse from those early years to be able to bottle much over 6yo. And if they do, prices won't be attractive to the average person.

 

Also, from what I've read, they specifically "designed" the spirit to be sold at a young age. Not sure if a 12+ year old Kilchoman will be as good as one half that age.

I happened to be at Kilchoman when they released their 10th Anniversary bottling and was able to bring one home (2015? Could it have been that long ago???). It is not all 10yo but had some (unknown) quantity of 10yo whiskey in it. Certainly the best by far of their non finished whisky that I have had. But price, presuming it was even available as you say, would likely be rather spendy based on past prices and the current market.

[Marekv8]

Kicking off the weekend with the Glenlossie… I'll try to pick up the Cadenhead bottling when back up in Chicago next week, as these releases are tough to come across in my neck of the woods.

 

[Marekv8]

Just arrived today... 46% ABV and stated NCF— but I've got to think it's unfortunately been colored. Very interesting sweet development and spicy delivery.

 

[Marekv8]

On to the "buck-o-five"-- the lack of an age statement has never bothered me with this one.

 

[BigPapa]

Just arrived today... 46% ABV and stated NCF— but I've got to think it's unfortunately been colored. Very interesting sweet development and spicy delivery.
 

How do you like it?

[portwood]

On 5/15/2018 at 10:54 PM, kevinbrink said:

Well, glad I got a discount on this one, it's not bad by any stretch but not worth the $129 Astor is asking, though I suppose that is where we have landed with Glendronach "Single" Casks.

The days of Glendronach releasing HIGH quality at relatively LOW prices are gone.

They are now living off of the early successes of the Billy Walker regime - quality is down and prices are way up .... very similar to Macallan's history

[portwood]

9 hours ago, Marekv8 said:

On to the "buck-o-five"-- the lack of an age statement has never bothered me with this one.

Have a close look at the back label. The bottles I have say "aged 10 years"

[kevinbrink]

11 hours ago, Marekv8 said:

Just arrived today... 46% ABV and stated NCF— but I've got to think it's unfortunately been colored. Very interesting sweet development and spicy delivery.

 

Doesn't look as heavily colored as the 12, out of curiosity what was the price on this don't believe I've ever seen it around here.

[kevinbrink]

52 minutes ago, portwood said:

The days of Glendronach releasing HIGH quality at relatively LOW prices are gone.

They are now living off of the early successes of the Billy Walker regime - quality is down and prices are way up .... very similar to Macallan's history

Well this one's actually been hanging around since 2014 so not a terribly recent bottling and a couple years before Billy Walker split and they sold.

[portwood]

6 hours ago, kevinbrink said:

Well this one's actually been hanging around since 2014 so not a terribly recent bottling and a couple years before Billy Walker split and they sold.

The price increases started around that time

[Marekv8]

9 hours ago, kevinbrink said:

Doesn't look as heavily colored as the 12, out of curiosity what was the price on this don't believe I've ever seen it around here.

 

The Loch Lomond 18 was $80.00. I've never seen it in the wild, but now that Stoli Group is handling distribution-- there may be more expressions on the way. I was told only a single case came into Louisiana. Yes, the caramel could be worse-- it just bothers me.

[Marekv8]

10 hours ago, portwood said:

Have a close look at the back label. The bottles I have say "aged 10 years"

 

Not on this US label…

 

 

[Marekv8]

I have my name in the hat for one of the forthcoming 57.9% ABV Oban 21 Special Releases. This beats the 14, but it'd be great to try a completely unbridled version.

 

 

 

[Marekv8]

Back to Glenfarclas… I'm glad that I took a chance on this one.

 

[Marekv8]

It's been a while, but this is a really nice dram…

 

[Marekv8]

Comfort food in bottled form…

 

[portwood]

13 hours ago, Marekv8 said:

 

Not on this US label…

 

Makes sense, my last purchase was early 2015

[smokinjoe]

Very much enjoying the Binny’s Compass Box Gold Standard. 

[GaryT]

Enjoyed quite a number of ridiculously great pours with some pretty great people on Saturday (thanks again Bruce!)  Not sure I can pick out a favorite, but this one was definitely one of the top 5!

 

[beasled]

Enjoying a Black Bull 10 rum cask finish on the rocks. It's a bit lively but I'm liking it. Prefer the 12. 

[jeffrey r]

On 5/18/2018 at 10:16 PM, Marekv8 said:

On to the "buck-o-five"-- the lack of an age statement has never bothered me with this one.

 

 

 

I can't vouch for a current release, but any Glenfarclas 105's that I have purchased in NJ have the 10 year age statement.  Generally speaking though, my doubt about maintaining the age statement in today's climate caused me to just buy a few of the 10 year age stated bottles, throw them in the bunker, and be done with it for awhile.

[kevinbrink]

19 minutes ago, jeffrey r said:

 

I can't vouch for a current release, but any Glenfarclas 105's that I have purchased in NJ have the 10 year age statement.  Generally speaking though, my doubt about maintaining the age statement in today's climate caused me to just buy a few of the 10 year age stated bottles, throw them in the bunker, and be done with it for awhile.

So you cleared the shelves around here!