What Wee Dram are you enjoying now?

[unclebunk]

I knocked off the last of a bottle of Highland Park 12 last night. It had been a gift from a wonderful Glaswegian (former) girlfiend of mine, so it saddened me to see it go. Alas, all good bottles must come to an end. Once I stopped crying I poured myself two fingers of Black Bottle for a nightcap. Man, that stuff sure is drinkable and a hell of a bargain at $18!

[dean_martin]

I picked up a bottle of Balvenie doublewood 12 last night. Hope to try a little taste tonight. The manager at the liquor store suggested that I track down the Dec'08 issue of Men's Health for an excellent article on Scotch. Anybody see that article?

[unclebunk]

I picked up a bottle of Balvenie doublewood 12 last night. Hope to try a little taste tonight. The manager at the liquor store suggested that I track down the Dec'08 issue of Men's Health for an excellent article on Scotch. Anybody see that article?

Didn't see the article but I LOVE the Balvenie DoubleWood. I had it two nights ago, along with a few fingers of Aberlour 16. Heaven!

[dean_martin]

Didn't see the article but I LOVE the Balvenie DoubleWood. I had it two nights ago, along with a few fingers of Aberlour 16. Heaven!

It's good to hear some praise for the Balvenie DoubleWood. This is only my second bottle of Scotch. First was Bowmore 12. Quite an experience. I'm picking up a bottle of Highland Park 12 later today and I may do some comparison tasting among all 3 tonight if the wife doesn't keep me out too late.

The Balvenie DoubleWood is on our ABC price list for $51.99. Fortunately, I live on the AL/FL line. I can get it in Pensacola (easy drive) at a privately owned store operated by friendly folks (unlike some state store employees I've come across lately) for $39.99. What are prices like in Chicago?

[unclebunk]

It's good to hear some praise for the Balvenie DoubleWood. This is only my second bottle of Scotch. First was Bowmore 12. Quite an experience. I'm picking up a bottle of Highland Park 12 later today and I may do some comparison tasting among all 3 tonight if the wife doesn't keep me out too late.

The Balvenie DoubleWood is on our ABC price list for $51.99. Fortunately, I live on the AL/FL line. I can get it in Pensacola (easy drive) at a privately owned store operated by friendly folks (unlike some state store employees I've come across lately) for $39.99. What are prices like in Chicago?

I think I paid something in the neighborhood of $40 as well for the Balvenie DoubleWood which isn't too bad. Listen, I'm not sure how much experience you have drinking scotch, but Bowmore and Highland Park 12 (to a lesser extent) are sort of heavy hitters for novices, in that they can be quite "peaty" for those folks unfamiliar with that somewhat intense flavor/aroma. My Scottish relatives did me a disservice by starting me off with Laphroaig and Talisker--way too heavy for most newcomers. I would recommend a few more Speysides first, which tend towards the slightly more "honeyish" side which may appeal more to bourbon drinkers who get a bit of sweetness in most pours. Try the Aberlour 16--it's killer. Then maybe a Macallan 12 which introduces a bit more smokiness but is still very approachable. I personally don't care for most Islays (I know--heresy to say that), so I hated the Bowmore, but Highland Park 12 is considered a classic and rightly so. Then you can work your way towards the Taliskers and so on and perhaps enjoy them a bit more. Just a suggestion, for what it's worth.

[dean_martin]

I did a lot of reading on the Islay single-malts and the tastes described intrigued me to the point where I wanted to experience it myself. The Bowmore had all those tastes - smoke, peat - that kept coming back to me for a couple of days. It won't be a regular pour, but I can see getting the urge to go back to it. I guess I had read enough to not be jolted, but I really didn't believe what I'd read 'til I tried it. Heck, even my wife was intrigued enough to try it and she appreciated the fact that she could taste the peat and the smoke even though she may never want to taste it again.

Trying this stuff was really happenstance. At the same time I was reading up on single-malts and mentioning some of the unique qualities of those from Islay to my wife, she was reading a novel that was set in Scotland which mentioned the locals burning peat for heating and the smells, etc. Curiosity got the best of us.

My brother came over and tried the Bowmore earlier this week. We discussed the tastes beforehand so he wouldn't be caught off guard. he said it was the only drink he'd had that produced a vivid painting in his mind. I think he mentioned waves beating against a rocky coastline, salt spray, an old wooden ship, etc. (I try not to get into his head. One could get lost in there.)

[Megawatt]

Funny how some people take to smoky malts right away and others are repelled by them initially. I couldn't stand Lagavulin at first and even Highland Park was a little too smoky, but now these are some of my favourites.

[Gov]

Incidentally, how is Cutty Sark? I was considering it for a cheap weeknight sipper. Does it stack up well against other cheap blends? Or should I take your comment to mean that it does not?

Cutty is very boring and lacking in flavor. That being said, it is drinkable, but there are way better cheap blends out there to be drunk.

[Megawatt]

Cutty is very boring and lacking in flavor. That being said, it is drinkable, but there are way better cheap blends out there to be drunk.

I will avoid it for sure, then. Cheap blends are always a risk, I find. For around the same price there are good Canadian whiskies and McClelland's single malts, so I'll probably stick with those.

[JamesW]

Funny how some people take to smoky malts right away and others are repelled by them initially. I couldn't stand Lagavulin at first and even Highland Park was a little too smoky, but now these are some of my favourites.

Same here, the first time I had Lagavulin I almost had an allergic reaction. But a few tries a week later from the bottle and I was hooked! Now I'm almost exclusively Islays and other Island malts.

[Megawatt]

Great malts tonight: Highland Park 12, Glenkinchie Distillers Edition, and now Talisker 18. This stuff is heaven in a glass .

[unclebunk]

Cutty is very boring and lacking in flavor. That being said, it is drinkable, but there are way better cheap blends out there to be drunk.

I'm with you on that. All of my Scottish relatives had Famous Grouse on hand when they weren't reaching for a single malt. It's considerably better than Cutty and most other inexpensive blends in my opinion, as well as very drinkable. Any Black Bottle fans out there? We've been knocking them down like bowling pins.

[PAspirit1]

I'm with you on that. All of my Scottish relatives had Famous Grouse on hand when they weren't reaching for a single malt. It's considerably better than Cutty and most other inexpensive blends in my opinion, as well as very drinkable. Any Black Bottle fans out there? We've been knocking them down like bowling pins.

Out of the inexpensive blends I've had recently, Teachers, the Famous Grouse, Grant's and Ballantines, The Grouse is my clear favorite so far. I'm still planning to buy Dewars, J&B and Cutty.

[unclebunk]

Out of the inexpensive blends I've had recently, Teachers, the Famous Grouse, Grant's and Ballantines, The Grouse is my clear favorite so far. I'm still planning to buy Dewars, J&B and Cutty.

I seem to recall that a bit of Highland Park and Macallan are among the whiskies in the Famous Grouse blend which may account for its nice quality and the fact that it is the biggest selling blend in Scotland year after year. I managed to find a place that sells the 1.75L for a mere $24--a terrific bargain in my book considering that the 750ml goes for around $21 in most stores here in Chicagoland.

[unclebunk]

I did a lot of reading on the Islay single-malts and the tastes described intrigued me to the point where I wanted to experience it myself. The Bowmore had all those tastes - smoke, peat - that kept coming back to me for a couple of days. It won't be a regular pour, but I can see getting the urge to go back to it. I guess I had read enough to not be jolted, but I really didn't believe what I'd read 'til I tried it. Heck, even my wife was intrigued enough to try it and she appreciated the fact that she could taste the peat and the smoke even though she may never want to taste it again.

Trying this stuff was really happenstance. At the same time I was reading up on single-malts and mentioning some of the unique qualities of those from Islay to my wife, she was reading a novel that was set in Scotland which mentioned the locals burning peat for heating and the smells, etc. Curiosity got the best of us.

My brother came over and tried the Bowmore earlier this week. We discussed the tastes beforehand so he wouldn't be caught off guard. he said it was the only drink he'd had that produced a vivid painting in his mind. I think he mentioned waves beating against a rocky coastline, salt spray, an old wooden ship, etc. (I try not to get into his head. One could get lost in there.)

I can relate to all of the sentiments expressed in your post. I lived in England for several years and spent a fair amount of time in Scotland visiting relatives, all of whom drink scotch on a daily basis. I've learned to appreciate a bit of smoke, peat , sea salt, etc. in my scotch and cannot have a dram without images of peat fires, rugged mountains and crashing seas coming into my mind. Your brother was on to something with his "mind painting" and that's a fine reason to pour another glass on a cold winter evening.

[PAspirit1]

I managed to find a place that sells the 1.75L for a mere $24--a terrific bargain in my book considering that the 750ml goes for around $21 in most stores here in Chicagoland.

I've never bought a 1.75L but I think I would buy that one.

[JamesW]

Had some Ardberg 10 tonight followed by Bowmore 17.

[Gov]

Any Black Bottle fans out there? We've been knocking them down like bowling pins.

You bet ya!! I love Black Bottle! The only problem is it is hard to find in the Chicago Metro area. So far, Binnys and Sam's have it. I have not found it anywhere else

[unclebunk]

You bet ya!! I love Black Bottle! The only problem is it is hard to find in the Chicago Metro area. So far, Binnys and Sam's have it. I have not found it anywhere else

I've had the same problem finding Black Bottle, so I usually pick up a few bottles when I go to Binnys just to have some on hand. I should mention that a sales clerk at the south loop Binnys on Jefferson told me there may be some sort of distribution problem in the near future which could make it difficult even for Binnys to get ahold of Black Bottle. I'll check with fellow SB'er "Lost Pollito" who also works at the store and find out what he's heard.

[Gov]

I've had the same problem finding Black Bottle, so I usually pick up a few bottles when I go to Binnys just to have some on hand. I should mention that a sales clerk at the south loop Binnys on Jefferson told me there may be some sort of distribution problem in the near future which could make it difficult even for Binnys to get ahold of Black Bottle. I'll check with fellow SB'er "Lost Pollito" who also works at the store and find out what he's heard.

Yes please do!! I may have to make a trip to Binny's and stock up!

[unclebunk]

I heard from Joe (aka Lost Pollito) today that Binny's has plenty of Black Bottle on the shelf at the moment, though it remains unclear whether there will be a shortage when that stock sells out. I probably started a stampede now for Black Bottle that will hasten its disappearance. :bigeyes: At $17.99 a bottle I think I'll bunker a few just in case.

[Gov]

I heard from Joe (aka Lost Pollito) today that Binny's has plenty of Black Bottle on the shelf at the moment, though it remains unclear whether there will be a shortage when that stock sells out. I probably started a stampede now for Black Bottle that will hasten its disappearance. :bigeyes: At $17.99 a bottle I think I'll bunker a few just in case.

Actually "Islay Mist" is very good too, which Binny's carries as well.

[OscarV]

I'm enjoying a Laphroaig 15yo over cracked ice.

[Gov]

Yamazaki 12, no ice :grin:

[Squash]

Jon, Mark, and Robbo's Rich, Spicy One and

Jon, Mark, and Robbo's Smooth, Sweeter One.

I tried both based on recommendations here - thanks. They are quite good.