PaulO Posted March 24, 2020 Share Posted March 24, 2020 You guys are such a bad influence on me. I decided to dabble a little on "the dark side". Tonight I'm having some Loch Lomand single malt (no age statement). I'm not sure I have the vocabulary to properly describe. It seems thick and oily for 80 proof. I get some flavors like honey, and just a small amount of cigar box or humidor. I like it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vosgar Posted March 24, 2020 Share Posted March 24, 2020 15 hours ago, PaulO said: You guys are such a bad influence on me. I decided to dabble a little on "the dark side". Be very, very careful . Thanks to the wonderful people here on SB I too dabbled a while ago with the darkside and now I have..... let's just say, a lot, of Scotch and Irish. Not nearly what some of the guys here have but damn sure more than I ever guessed I'd buy . But I'm loving every minute of it! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulO Posted March 24, 2020 Share Posted March 24, 2020 I'm using the skills gleaned from hunting and tasting Bourbon. I won't buy unless I do a little research first. So far, I have a short list of items to seek. As with Bourbon, the brands that advertise a lot, or on every shelf - probably a waste of time for us. I also tried Famous Grouse recently. It was not bad at all for a blend. The next night after that, I went back to Wild Turkey. It gave me a whole new perspective on the barrel influence on WT, very interesting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marekv8 Posted March 28, 2020 Share Posted March 28, 2020 Just picked this up this 2014 bottling an hour ago— for good luck and strength to survive— as it was distilled back when I first opened shop... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevinbrink Posted March 28, 2020 Author Share Posted March 28, 2020 On 3/21/2020 at 8:45 PM, Vosgar said: Poured some Laphroaig 15yr 200th anniversary and while it was OK, it was a little thin and weak to me tonight. Looked at what else was open on the bar and ended up adding some standard Ledaig 10yr. Still a bit thin but the added flavor made it much better. I bought a few of these at the time without trying and agree that it's an underwhelming pour, Pretty sure the first one I opened is still the one in the "liquor cabinet" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vosgar Posted March 28, 2020 Share Posted March 28, 2020 2 hours ago, kevinbrink said: I bought a few of these at the time without trying and agree that it's an underwhelming pour I did the same thing and have two more unopened . I never thought it'd be a "meh" pour. However, the bottle is decent enough that it's worth playing around with. I've got a PS Ledaig open that comes in at 120.2 proof so I might try a 50/50 blend and see what happens. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevinbrink Posted March 28, 2020 Author Share Posted March 28, 2020 2 hours ago, Vosgar said: I did the same thing and have two more unopened . I never thought it'd be a "meh" pour. However, the bottle is decent enough that it's worth playing around with. I've got a PS Ledaig open that comes in at 120.2 proof so I might try a 50/50 blend and see what happens. Sounds like a good idea, I have a few higher ABV Young Laphroaigs that could be good companions, might try one tonight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guss West Posted March 30, 2020 Share Posted March 30, 2020 (edited) Talking Islay, I'm stoked to hear of the five year old age-stated Ardbeg. If you like the 10, you should stock up before the price hike. I've recently opened the Port Charlotte 10 and Finlaggan to add to the Islay corner. I've opened some real stunners over the past fortnight of introvert indulgence. Enjoying a Springbank 10 vs Hazelburn 10 vs BenRiach 10 showdown that will roll thru the length of all three bottles, as they were opened together. Celebrated my new job with some Armagnac and a couple of teenagers; Longmorn 16 and Pulteney 17. Edited March 30, 2020 by Guss West speeling 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marekv8 Posted March 30, 2020 Share Posted March 30, 2020 1 hour ago, Guss West said: Talking Islay, I'm stoked to hear of the five year old age-stated Ardbeg. If you like the 10, you should stock up before the price hike. I've recently opened the Port Charlotte 10 and Finlaggan to add to the Islay corner. I've opened some real stunners over the past fortnight of introvert indulgence. Enjoying a Springbank 10 vs Hazelburn 10 vs BenRiach 10 showdown that will roll thru the length of all three bottles, as they were opened together. Celebrated my new job with some Armagnac and a couple of teenagers; Longmorn 16 and Pulteney 17. Great bottles all around— is the Hazelburn the Rundlets & Kilderkins expression? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marekv8 Posted March 30, 2020 Share Posted March 30, 2020 Comfort food… 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevinbrink Posted March 31, 2020 Author Share Posted March 31, 2020 On 3/28/2020 at 4:33 PM, Vosgar said: I did the same thing and have two more unopened . I never thought it'd be a "meh" pour. However, the bottle is decent enough that it's worth playing around with. I've got a PS Ledaig open that comes in at 120.2 proof so I might try a 50/50 blend and see what happens. On 3/28/2020 at 7:03 PM, kevinbrink said: Sounds like a good idea, I have a few higher ABV Young Laphroaigs that could be good companions, might try one tonight. Went with a blend of these three, will let them mingle for a week or so it's mostly the first two with a splash of the Battlehill which has a bit of a banana note that reminds me of young Jack Daniels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guss West Posted April 2, 2020 Share Posted April 2, 2020 My good man, I've never even seen an R&K bottling of any Springbank or Hazelburn. I must be looking for love in all the wrong places. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marekv8 Posted April 2, 2020 Share Posted April 2, 2020 13 hours ago, Guss West said: My good man, I've never even seen an R&K bottling of any Springbank or Hazelburn. I must be looking for love in all the wrong places. I still see the Hazelburn around from time-to-time, but the Springbank and Longrow variants seem to be gone for good. It may be hard to tell, but it's one of my favorite drams… Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRich Posted April 2, 2020 Share Posted April 2, 2020 On 3/28/2020 at 4:33 PM, Vosgar said: I did the same thing and have two more unopened . I never thought it'd be a "meh" pour. However, the bottle is decent enough that it's worth playing around with. I've got a PS Ledaig open that comes in at 120.2 proof so I might try a 50/50 blend and see what happens. I just find Laphroaig to be the shining example of older isn't always better. I've tried them from NAS to 32 years and while most were good, I never really enjoyed one more than the 10 Year Cask Strength. That's just a great damn whisky. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevinbrink Posted April 3, 2020 Author Share Posted April 3, 2020 6 hours ago, BigRich said: I just find Laphroaig to be the shining example of older isn't always better. I've tried them from NAS to 32 years and while most were good, I never really enjoyed one more than the 10 Year Cask Strength. That's just a great damn whisky. Mostly agree but there is a time and a place for the old 18 year old for me, austere as it was, wish I had bunkered a few more of those. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beasled Posted April 4, 2020 Share Posted April 4, 2020 I didn't have anything unpeated open so I thought this needed rectifying. Cheers all! 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kane Posted April 6, 2020 Share Posted April 6, 2020 Last of my No2. I poured a generous amount on the table for good measure 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GaryT Posted April 6, 2020 Share Posted April 6, 2020 Poured some Balvenie 15yr Sherry Cask after dinner. I've enjoyed every Balvenie that I've ever tried, although some more than others. This is definitely on the 'more' side for me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeeTen Posted April 9, 2020 Share Posted April 9, 2020 Decided to change things up a bit and opened a bottle of The Macallan 12yr Double Cask last night. Just noticed that's it's about 1/3 gone this morning. Must be a leak in the bottle - that's my story and I'm sticking to it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishnbowljoe Posted April 9, 2020 Share Posted April 9, 2020 8 hours ago, GeeTen said: Decided to change things up a bit and opened a bottle of The Macallan 12yr Double Cask last night. Just noticed that's it's about 1/3 gone this morning. Must be a leak in the bottle - that's my story and I'm sticking to it! Nahhhh. Really? Biba! Joe 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vosgar Posted April 9, 2020 Share Posted April 9, 2020 A cold and blustery day has me wanting this pour this afternoon. Peatiness with some black licorice and leather. Very nice 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevinbrink Posted April 9, 2020 Author Share Posted April 9, 2020 53 minutes ago, Vosgar said: A cold and blustery day has me wanting this pour this afternoon. Peatiness with some black licorice and leather. Very nice Just logged in to post that I had determined it to be a holiday of sorts and that holiday is Ballechin Day, glad to see someone was already celebrating! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vosgar Posted April 9, 2020 Share Posted April 9, 2020 16 minutes ago, kevinbrink said: Just logged in to post that I had determined it to be a holiday of sorts and that holiday is Ballechin Day, glad to see someone was already celebrating! I see we both have a cask 270 bottle. Interested to get your thoughts on it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevinbrink Posted April 9, 2020 Author Share Posted April 9, 2020 3 minutes ago, Vosgar said: I see we both have a cask 270 bottle. Interested to get your thoughts on it! It's the best of this lot, I like it quite a bit, interestingly despite the higher proof it's more balanced than the OB 10 year. All of these are good swimmers and I think I like them all better with a small splash with the exception of the K&L Bourbon Cask. There is a 10 year old Cask Strength Sauternes cask bottle that I am currently socially distanced from in Hackensack, that I'd love to try with it's siblings as I've often considered it one of the better malts I've had. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevinbrink Posted April 9, 2020 Author Share Posted April 9, 2020 I capped off my night with a tiny pour of that Laphroaig blend I put together and first impressions were positive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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