What Wee Dram are you enjoying now?

[timd]

Just cracked my first Ardberg 10. This stuff is great!

Welcome to heaven!

[boss302]

The Balvenie 17-year Madeira Cask.

Those of you who've been reading my posts for a few years now know that I bear a marked preference for Madeira-finished whiskies. With a hint of toffee and bitter orange in the nose, this one certainly didn't disappoint!

Too bad it was a 2009 Limited Release...

[bad_scientist]

Amrut Cask Strength. Lots of peaches and pears.

Note to bartenders: please do not serve cask strength whiskies in brandy snifters because the whisky will melt your customer's face off when he tries to drink them.

[BigRich]

Over the weekend I dipped into the Highland Park 18 and killed the last of my Glenlivet French Oak.

[GreggJ]

I have been getting back into my Laphroaig 10yr CS. Really like the power of this one.

[Eth3rStrik3r]

Did not think I was a fan of any peat at all, but after being recommended Highland Park 12 by a friend, I bought a bottle, and damn! It is very delicious.

[ebo]

Did not think I was a fan of any peat at all, but after being recommended Highland Park 12 by a friend, I bought a bottle, and damn! It is very delicious.

I'm a fan of HP 12, but the peat is very limited. I always recommend Ardmore Traditional Cask to people that want to try a peated scotch, but are leery of paying for an Islay they may not like. Ardmore is a fully peated Speysider that is quite different from Islays.

This is a good introduction to peated whisky that isn't so...... Islay :grin:...and a quite good one, IMO.

[Eth3rStrik3r]

I'm a fan of HP 12, but the peat is very limited. I always recommend Ardmore Traditional Cask to people that want to try a peated scotch, but are leery of paying for an Islay they may not like. Ardmore is a fully peated Speysider that is quite different from Islays.

This is a good introduction to peated whisky that isn't so...... Islay :grin:...and a quite good one, IMO.

I just noticed Binnys has it for $30, I will probably pick up a bottle tomorrow and will report back that I am probably drinking it

[Tico]

The Balvenie 17-year Madeira Cask.

Those of you who've been reading my posts for a few years now know that I bear a marked preference for Madeira-finished whiskies. With a hint of toffee and bitter orange in the nose, this one certainly didn't disappoint!

Too bad it was a 2009 Limited Release...

Are you sure it was really a limited release? I love this stuff and see it everywhere in CA, supermarkets, Costco, wine stores. My only gripe is that I can't find it for under $100 as much as I used to, that's why I find myself reaching for the carribean cask more often.

[BigRich]

Are you sure it was really a limited release? I love this stuff and see it everywhere in CA, supermarkets, Costco, wine stores. My only gripe is that I can't find it for under $100 as much as I used to, that's why I find myself reaching for the carribean cask more often.

Yes. Balvenie changes their 17 year old every year.

[Tico]

Yes. Balvenie changes their 17 year old every year.

didnt know that, thanks for the info. I see the peated 17 as well, so if the madeira was 2009, I am guessing the peated 17 2010? When is the 2011 going to be released?

[BigRich]

didnt know that, thanks for the info. I see the peated 17 as well, so if the madeira was 2009, I am guessing the peated 17 2010? When is the 2011 going to be released?

[M Pickle]

Two digits of Black Bush. Silky smooth!

[Clavius]

Bought a bottle of McClelland's Islay Single Malt. I just cracked it open and, honestly, it's not that bad. Not bad at all. Definitely better than I expected it to be. I'm glad I took a chance on it because I can't be drinking Laphroaig and Ardbeg all the time!

[Brisko]

Bought a bottle of McClelland's Islay Single Malt. I just cracked it open and, honestly, it's not that bad. Not bad at all. Definitely better than I expected it to be. I'm glad I took a chance on it because I can't be drinking Laphroaig and Ardbeg all the time!

[ebo]

Does it still have.that overbearing wet dog note? I had a bottle a couple years ago and it was pretty good except for that.

Yes...lol.

.............

[Parkersback]

Spent a night with a friend and as we talked we compared Laphroaig 10 with Laphroaig Quarter Cask.

The Quarter Cask was the winner: more nuance, more layers. There's some sweetness and richness within the smoke and peat. The 10 year old is heavier on the band-aids and peat, with some salt in the finish.

I think both are pretty good, but I preferred the QB.

I also realized again that I prefer the taste profile of Ardbeg over Laphroaig for an Islay.

[Tico]

Spent a night with a friend and as we talked we compared Laphroaig 10 with Laphroaig Quarter Cask.

The Quarter Cask was the winner: more nuance, more layers. There's some sweetness and richness within the smoke and peat. The 10 year old is heavier on the band-aids and peat, with some salt in the finish.

I think both are pretty good, but I preferred the QB.

I also realized again that I prefer the taste profile of Ardbeg over Laphroaig for an Islay.

It's amazing how much better laphroaig gets once you go up the line. The 10 is a great entry level scotch but is definitely on the more peaty side when compared to the others. The Quarter Cask is a big step up for a bit more coin and the 18 is some really special stuff. It seems like the 18 with 8 extra years over the 10 mellows out a bit more, picking up more of the wood elements while shedding some of the peat characteristics.

[Clavius]

Strange... I prefer the standard 10 over the Quarter Cask. Can't quite put my finger on why, though.

[ebo]

I find that I tend to like the younger Islays (10 - 12 years) over the the older ones. The peat and smoke mellow with more aging. I guess I just really like the intense peat/smoke in the younger whiskies.

That doesn't mean I don't like or appreciate the older stuff.... I do!:cool:

[Clavius]

Ardbeg Uigeadail!!

[GreggJ]

Ardbeg Uigeadail!!

Funny I revisted my bottle of "Uigie" 2 days ago as well. Prompted my purchase yesterday of Ardbeg Alligator.

[BigRich]

I finished off the last 1 1/2 drams in my bottle of Springbank 10/100

[unclebunk]

It's amazing how much better laphroaig gets once you go up the line. The 10 is a great entry level scotch but is definitely on the more peaty side when compared to the others. The Quarter Cask is a big step up for a bit more coin and the 18 is some really special stuff. It seems like the 18 with 8 extra years over the 10 mellows out a bit more, picking up more of the wood elements while shedding some of the peat characteristics.

I love the entire Laphroaig line but appreciate each expression for different reasons. Personally, I tend to enjoy the 10 Year Old and Quarter Cask more than the Cask Strength and 18 YO with the QC being my favorite if forced to choose one over the others.

I find that I tend to like the younger Islays (10 - 12 years) over the the older ones. The peat and smoke mellow with more aging. I guess I just really like the intense peat/smoke in the younger whiskies. That doesn't mean I don't like or appreciate the older stuff.... I do!:cool:

My assessment as well. They're all good but the younger Islays tend to have a more rough and tumble character that I prefer.

[clingman71]

Tonight was a very special occasion, enough so that I pulled out my Cadenhead's Highland Park cask strength 17 to share a pour with my Fiancee's son. Incredible how the added proof adds so much to this compared to the regular HP.