flahute Posted January 23, 2021 Share Posted January 23, 2021 I didn't actually purchase anything today (yet) but am starting this new thread since the old one is for summer of last year. Also making this a year long thread since it's not as active as others. If I was to purchase a water of life today what would it be? I'm going with Power's John Lane 12yr. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beasled Posted January 27, 2021 Share Posted January 27, 2021 Couple of Campbeltown's finest, still hazy from the trip. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LCWoody Posted January 29, 2021 Share Posted January 29, 2021 (edited) Picked up this Teeling store pick today. Edited January 29, 2021 by LCWoody 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GaryT Posted January 29, 2021 Share Posted January 29, 2021 10 minutes ago, LCWoody said: Picked up this Teeling store pick today. Mmmmm - Oloroso Sherry finished . . . that sounds amazing!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dad-proof Posted February 7, 2021 Share Posted February 7, 2021 I had been eyeing these a while. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tanstaafl2 Posted February 9, 2021 Share Posted February 9, 2021 On 2/6/2021 at 9:02 PM, dad-proof said: I had been eyeing these a while. That Longrow Red Malbec is practically a dusty. Released in 2017! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marekv8 Posted February 10, 2021 Share Posted February 10, 2021 My first lottery win in years… Serge Valentin’s 15 yo WhiskyFun Anniversary Kornog from his personal cask. I threw my hat in the ring just for grins and got a surprise email. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mal00768 Posted February 10, 2021 Share Posted February 10, 2021 On 2/6/2021 at 9:02 PM, dad-proof said: I had been eyeing these a while. How is the Wee Beastie? A 5 year old scotch feels like a 2 year old bourbon. Too young to be any good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clueby Posted February 10, 2021 Share Posted February 10, 2021 3 hours ago, mal00768 said: How is the Wee Beastie? A 5 year old scotch feels like a 2 year old bourbon. Too young to be any good. Can't speak for dad-proof's assessment, but I thought the Wee Beastie was a little brash and young tasting but still had that unmistakable Ardbeg-ness to it. It has more sweetness on the tip of the tongue than a lot of their stuff that helps with the young part. I would say that it is more like a WSR vs. a W12. (Wee Beastie vs. Ten) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dad-proof Posted February 11, 2021 Share Posted February 11, 2021 7 hours ago, mal00768 said: How is the Wee Beastie? A 5 year old scotch feels like a 2 year old bourbon. Too young to be any good. 4 hours ago, Clueby said: Can't speak for dad-proof's assessment, but I thought the Wee Beastie was a little brash and young tasting but still had that unmistakable Ardbeg-ness to it. It has more sweetness on the tip of the tongue than a lot of their stuff that helps with the young part. I would say that it is more like a WSR vs. a W12. (Wee Beastie vs. Ten) I just opened the bottle and had my first pour earlier today, and mostly agree with Clueby's take. The Wee Beastie is noticeably young and brash, especially compared to the 10. Most days I would prefer the 10, but the Wee Beastie is plenty good, and I am happy to have it as a change of pace. In my relatively limited experience, I have had more success with young 5-8 year old peated Scotch (Ardbeg, Kilchoman, Bunnahabhain Stoisha, Ben Nevis McDonald's, and this Arbeg) than any bourbon under 4 years old. The "estery" raw corn cereal flavors combined with the rough edges of new charred oak barrels combine to make underaged bourbon pretty off-putting. Raw malted barley spirit seems to have fewer off notes and/or the peat in these specific examples do a much better job of covering them up. Not sure if one or the other or both! I am guessing young single malts also benefit from the mature (bourbon/sherry/scotch) spirits that aged in the barrels before along with the more nuanced initial wood influence. I did a SBS of the two below today. Initially, the stronger sherry influence of the McDonald's was more noticeable and more enjoyable, but the Wee Beastie opened up after about 15 minutes and a couple of drops of water to really make things interesting. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guss West Posted February 11, 2021 Share Posted February 11, 2021 (edited) I prefer the Ardbeg 10 over the wee beastie, myself. Great drams. Picked up a Springbank 10 and 15 today. Should I go back and get either the Hazelburn 9 Barolo or Hazelburn 10 Rundlets and Kilderkins at $130 a bottle? They had a few of each and I'll be back next week. Had to get the only Springbank 15 they had today; ya know, priorities! Edited February 11, 2021 by Guss West Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guss West Posted February 11, 2021 Share Posted February 11, 2021 On 1/27/2021 at 6:57 AM, beasled said: Couple of Campbeltown's finest, still hazy from the trip. I have absolutely adored drink these two SBS the past year. Still half a bottle each, taking my sweet time, both of these are now "buy on sight" bottles. Sigh... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokinjoe Posted February 11, 2021 Share Posted February 11, 2021 41 minutes ago, dad-proof said: I just opened the bottle and had my first pour earlier today, and mostly agree with Clueby's take. The Wee Beastie is noticeably young and brash, especially compared to the 10. Most days I would prefer the 10, but the Wee Beastie is plenty good, and I am happy to have it as a change of pace. In my relatively limited experience, I have had more success with young 5-8 year old peated Scotch (Ardbeg, Kilchoman, Bunnahabhain Stoisha, Ben Nevis McDonald's, and this Arbeg) than any bourbon under 4 years old. The "estery" raw corn cereal flavors combined with the rough edges of new charred oak barrels combine to make underaged bourbon pretty off-putting. Raw malted barley spirit seems to have fewer off notes and/or the peat in these specific examples do a much better job of covering them up. Not sure if one or the other or both! I am guessing young single malts also benefit from the mature (bourbon/sherry/scotch) spirits that aged in the barrels before along with the more nuanced initial wood influence. I did a SBS of the two below today. Initially, the stronger sherry influence of the McDonald's was more noticeable and more enjoyable, but the Wee Beastie opened up after about 15 minutes and a couple of drops of water to really make things interesting. Really nice write up! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beasled Posted February 11, 2021 Share Posted February 11, 2021 6 hours ago, Guss West said: I have absolutely adored drink these two SBS the past year. Still half a bottle each, taking my sweet time, both of these are now "buy on sight" bottles. Sigh... They seem to be in good supply here in the UK, maybe not at the major retailers but looking around at the smaller stores usually helps. The hype on Springbank seems to be ramping up these days, rightfully so! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marekv8 Posted February 11, 2021 Share Posted February 11, 2021 11 hours ago, Guss West said: I prefer the Ardbeg 10 over the wee beastie, myself. Great drams. Picked up a Springbank 10 and 15 today. Should I go back and get either the Hazelburn 9 Barolo or Hazelburn 10 Rundlets and Kilderkins at $130 a bottle? They had a few of each and I'll be back next week. Had to get the only Springbank 15 they had today; ya know, priorities! I quite like the Hazelburn Rundlets & Kilderkins 10yo-- surprised to hear that bottles are still on the shelf. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marekv8 Posted February 11, 2021 Share Posted February 11, 2021 12 hours ago, dad-proof said: I just opened the bottle and had my first pour earlier today, and mostly agree with Clueby's take. The Wee Beastie is noticeably young and brash, especially compared to the 10. Most days I would prefer the 10, but the Wee Beastie is plenty good, and I am happy to have it as a change of pace. In my relatively limited experience, I have had more success with young 5-8 year old peated Scotch (Ardbeg, Kilchoman, Bunnahabhain Stoisha, Ben Nevis McDonald's, and this Arbeg) than any bourbon under 4 years old. The "estery" raw corn cereal flavors combined with the rough edges of new charred oak barrels combine to make underaged bourbon pretty off-putting. Raw malted barley spirit seems to have fewer off notes and/or the peat in these specific examples do a much better job of covering them up. Not sure if one or the other or both! I am guessing young single malts also benefit from the mature (bourbon/sherry/scotch) spirits that aged in the barrels before along with the more nuanced initial wood influence. I did a SBS of the two below today. Initially, the stronger sherry influence of the McDonald's was more noticeable and more enjoyable, but the Wee Beastie opened up after about 15 minutes and a couple of drops of water to really make things interesting. I'm glad you're enjoying the Ben Nevis-- it was a surprise find for me. If you get a chance to try some young Talisker (6 to 8 yo), you'll find similar zesty traits to the other young peated drams you mentioned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dad-proof Posted February 11, 2021 Share Posted February 11, 2021 2 hours ago, Marekv8 said: If you get a chance to try some young Talisker (6 to 8 yo), you'll find similar zesty traits to the other young peated drams you mentioned. I've never met a Talisker I didn't like, so will definitely keep an eye out. In the US, I think stumbling across an indie bottling may be my best option. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GaryT Posted February 12, 2021 Share Posted February 12, 2021 Picked up a Tomatin 14 yr as I really liked both the 12 and 18 yr (the 15 yr - not so much, but this is what replaced that). Some port maturation, NCF and 46% should bode well. Hopefully will find out this weekend! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MM818 Posted February 13, 2021 Share Posted February 13, 2021 I usually miss the cadence when the CS appears on the shelf at my local. Glad I was there the right week. Love this stuff! 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guss West Posted February 13, 2021 Share Posted February 13, 2021 Tomatin 14 is a good dram and Redbreast 12 CS is easily my favorite Irish whiskey and it's not even close! Head, shoulders, and red breast above the others in the category, imho. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokinjoe Posted February 13, 2021 Share Posted February 13, 2021 2 hours ago, Guss West said: Tomatin 14 is a good dram and Redbreast 12 CS is easily my favorite Irish whiskey and it's not even close! Head, shoulders, and red breast above the others in the category, imho. Yessir. I love the Irish whiskey category, and more than a few I really, really, like, but that Redbreast Cask Strength is super special. In my Top 5 whiskies of any type. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tanstaafl2 Posted February 16, 2021 Share Posted February 16, 2021 On 2/13/2021 at 2:16 PM, Guss West said: Tomatin 14 is a good dram and Redbreast 12 CS is easily my favorite Irish whiskey and it's not even close! Head, shoulders, and red breast above the others in the category, imho. On 2/13/2021 at 4:34 PM, smokinjoe said: Yessir. I love the Irish whiskey category, and more than a few I really, really, like, but that Redbreast Cask Strength is super special. In my Top 5 whiskies of any type. Well it is perhaps the best readily available (although it gets scarce at times) and affordable pot still whiskey but the Redbreast 21 is in a different league in terms of my favorite pot still whiskey! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dad-proof Posted February 16, 2021 Share Posted February 16, 2021 (edited) On 2/13/2021 at 4:34 PM, smokinjoe said: Yessir. I love the Irish whiskey category, and more than a few I really, really, like, but that Redbreast Cask Strength is super special. In my Top 5 whiskies of any type. I don't have much experience with Irish whiskey aside from Black Bush and similar sorts of fare, mostly for St. Paddy's day. I have a bottle of something very forgettable (like Tyrconnell) at the office (which I haven't been to in a year). I have been thinking about buying the Redbreast CS 12 as it consistently gets great praise, and I want to see if I can click with "good" Irish whiskey. But I have read a few posts about "off" batches of the CS 12 more recently. See Serge at Whisky Fun for an example (http://www.whiskyfun.com/2019/A-little-tour-of-Ireland.html). He is an admitted Redbreast fan so I found this surprising. Can anyone here give me their perspective on how safe the water currently is before I dive in? Edited February 16, 2021 by dad-proof Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beasled Posted February 16, 2021 Share Posted February 16, 2021 I'd recommend the Powers John's Lane 12 if you see it. Not sure what the price is there but it's a solid whiskey. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokinjoe Posted February 16, 2021 Share Posted February 16, 2021 1 hour ago, beasled said: I'd recommend the Powers John's Lane 12 if you see it. Not sure what the price is there but it's a solid whiskey. You beat me to it David. Another fave of mine. $78ish here in ATL. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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