What Wee Dram are you enjoying now?

[unclebunk]

Have you had the Supernova? It's very similar to the regular 10 year except much higher in proof and a bit smokier. The phenol content is like 3 times what it is in the 10 year, but to be honest, I found that the increase in proof made more of a difference to me.

I have had Supernova but was "well oiled" when I did, so don't remember much about it. It's one of those bottles on my short list to be purchased in the near future.

[MacinJosh]

Actually, you definitely will not be getting away from the phenolics with the Laphroaig QC. That's just a flavor/aroma that you either love or hate. (Or in my case, came to love over time.) As to whiskies such as Octomore, I'm of two minds about super hyper-peated malts. While I enjoy tasting them, I often find myself asking, "What's the point?" Any fool can over-peat a whisky, just as any brewer can over-hop an IPA. But to achieve a unique characteristic that is in harmony with the rest of what's in the glass is the sign of a true classic, in my book. Which is why Ardbeg Uigeadail has so much appeal to me. But others will no doubt see it differently.

[MacinJosh]

Oh my ... now that IS frightening! :bigeyes:

Maybe I will open up that Laphroaig QC, if you think it will be less of a phenolically experience than the 10 y.o. - it is that medicinal element that holds me back more than the smokey notes.

Do you eventually lose your ability to discern the higher peating levels? In other words, would an Octomore really taste 7-8 times more intense than a Laphroaig 10? Or do you eventually reach a point of saturation (which, by the way, is not a point I care to reach, at least at this point!)

Thanks ... good to hear from someone with more experience with these big Islays. How would you compare the phenolics between a Lagavulin 16 and the Laphroaig QC?

[sutton]

Great information, thank you!

[Bmac]

I was kn Halifax NS this past week and tried tne Balblair 16. And enjoyed it immensely. Going to see if i can track a bottle down.

[Max Power]

I was kn Halifax NS this past week and tried tne Balblair 16. And enjoyed it immensely. Going to see if i can track a bottle down.

I have Balblair 97. I like it quite a bit. A decent price too.

[ChainWhip]

Clynelish 14 & Ardbeg Alligator tonight - tasty

[unclebunk]

Clynelish 14 & Ardbeg Alligator tonight - tasty

I enjoy Clynelish 14 as well. We had a blazing hot evening two nights ago and were drinking tequila and Mexican beer. But last night the temps plummeted so we went to Orkney: HP12 and 18 with some very tasty Skull Splitter on the side. Great whisky, great beer!

[ChainWhip]

I enjoy Clynelish 14 as well. We had a blazing hot evening two nights ago and were drinking tequila and Mexican beer. But last night the temps plummeted so we went to Orkney: HP12 and 18 with some very tasty Skull Splitter on the side. Great whisky, great beer!

I need to put my bottle of HP18 back into the rotation - I just have too many bottles open at the moment (apparently a common SB condition)

[Dramiel McHinson]

Finally opened my bottle of Abelour a'bunadh batch 16. This one was bottled at 59.6 % abv. I was horrified by the overpowering taste of kerosene and muriatic acid with a wee hint of ammonia. My batch 13 was smooth and fruity and I was expecting a similar experience. I decided to add some filtered water to tame the beast. After cutting it, I dove back in only to bail back out with my inward self feeling like I swallowed ground glass. My mother always accused me of being stubborn but I look at it like I paid $65 for this bottle so I'm going to find a way to drink it. I went with a 40% mix with water and finally I could taste the Abelour I've always liked. Unfortunately, there is a persistent harshness that usually comes with alcohol found in a mason jar with no label. Final verdict- mixer bottle not for those with a strong dislike for cleaning agents mixed with flammable fossil fuels.

[AaronWF]

I'm putting the Glenfarclas 17yo through its paces. It was my first impression, and continues to be my impression on third tasting: I prefer the 10yo. Though the 17yo enhances much of what is present in the 10yo, the extra oak is hindering the mouthfeel on the 17. There's a shallowness to the 17yo that is disappointing, like the extra time in the barrels soaked up some of the oils that make the 10yo so appealing to me. It makes me wonder about their use of chill-filtering: My 10yo bottle is an older label and it tastes unchill-filtered to me, whereas I'm finding the 17yo much firmer and less viscous.

The 31yo 1974 vintage brings so much distillery character, even diluted appropriately from its 114.8pf CS form. I love the nascent attributes of this character in the 10yo, even at 80pf, but the middle ground 17yo at 86pf just isn't living up to either so far. Hopefully one of us comes around. On the other hand, $45 for the 10yo makes for a very rare enjoyable everyday pour for a scotch! I'm interested in looking into the 105, which is bottled, I believe, at 120pf and is 8-10yo whisky.

[Megawatt]

Tried Tangle Ridge 10 year old rye yesterday for the first time. I was pleasantly surprised.

[ChainWhip]

Ellenstown 12 - tastes like Ardbeg, CI, & PE to me... A rather confusing dram but I need to spend more time with it (may try with some H2O next)

[cigarnv]

Crown Royal XR Waterloo..... this is quite a nice pour on a warm evening when a lighter whiskey is called for....

[unclebunk]

After record high temps over the holiday weekend, the weather has now turned cool, rainy and dreary. Scottish weather to be sure, so I'll be turning to single malts tonight and will be pouring all Laphroaigs: 10, QC and CS. Will have to pick up some Belhaven Wee Heavy to go along with them. Can't wait!

[T Comp]

Really enjoyed some Ardbeg Day being poured from a "Jeroboam" type bottle at an Ardbeg event here last night...also the 10 and Corryvreckan... while in the fine company of TomH and Barb.

[Clavius]

Really enjoyed some Ardbeg Day being poured from a "Jeroboam" type bottle at an Ardbeg event here last night...also the 10 and Corryvreckan... while in the fine company of TomH and Barb.

Oh wow! I'm super jealous. As a committee member I've gotten info about Ardbeg day for awhile now. But unfortunately none of it is happening near me.

[unclebunk]

We had a big single malt spread last night (and a damned slow day today after I woke up with a cracking headache:bigeyes:). Started off with some Sheep Dip and Glenfarclas 10. Segued into Ardmore Trad Cask and Springbank 10. Big finale with Caol Ila 12, Laphroaig 10, L-Quarter Cask and L-Cask Strength. Woke up with an ashtray in my mouth and a woodpecker trapped inside my head but it sure was fun at the time!

[T Comp]

Woke up with an ashtray in my mouth and a woodpecker trapped inside my head but it sure was fun at the time!

Still better than a woodpecker being trapped inside your pants :grin: .

[bad_scientist]

Really enjoyed some Ardbeg Day being poured from a "Jeroboam" type bottle at an Ardbeg event here last night...also the 10 and Corryvreckan... while in the fine company of TomH and Barb.

Can you compare it to the Oogie? It's the closest relative, I guess. I saw a few bottles of the Day around here but it's more expensive than the Uigedail and even Laph 18, so it would have to have a pretty unique profile for me to get it.

[Max Power]

Still better than a woodpecker being trapped inside your pants :grin: .

Don't knock it til you've tried it.

I enjoyed Aberlour 16 yesterday. I love me some Aberlour.

[MacinJosh]

Can you compare it to the Oogie? It's the closest relative, I guess. I saw a few bottles of the Day around here but it's more expensive than the Uigedail and even Laph 18, so it would have to have a pretty unique profile for me to get it.

It's the best Ardbeg I have had in recent memory....including the Uigeadail. I'm a sucker for peat with sherry finishes....and the Day not only has both....but it has them in BALANCE. My palate never stood a chance.

You get an initial burst of peat and salt, very Ardbegian to say the least. And a hint of sweetness kicks in mid-palate followed by seaweed and ash. On exit and moving towards the finish is where the big, red ripe fruit kicks in. The sherry makes an appearance and complements the dram beautifully.

I got to taste this while recording the latest WhiskyCast Virtual Tasting with Mark Gillespie. Upon finishing the tasting.....I immediately secured a couple of bottles.

If you like Ardbeg, and you like sherry finishes......this one is a can't miss slam dunk. Don't miss out.

[bad_scientist]

It's the best Ardbeg I have had in recent memory....including the Uigeadail. I'm a sucker for peat with sherry finishes....and the Day not only has both....but it has them in BALANCE. My palate never stood a chance.

You get an initial burst of peat and salt, very Ardbegian to say the least. And a hint of sweetness kicks in mid-palate followed by seaweed and ash. On exit and moving towards the finish is where the big, red ripe fruit kicks in. The sherry makes an appearance and complements the dram beautifully.

I got to taste this while recording the latest WhiskyCast Virtual Tasting with Mark Gillespie. Upon finishing the tasting.....I immediately secured a couple of bottles.

If you like Ardbeg, and you like sherry finishes......this one is a can't miss slam dunk. Don't miss out.

Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy, you should be an Ardbeg ambassador! I'm not going to miss this one now

[unclebunk]

Don't knock it til you've tried it.

I enjoyed Aberlour 16 yesterday. I love me some Aberlour.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: Aberlour 16 is my favorite mainland single malt, bar none. To be sure, there are many others that I love, but the A16 is still my ideal non-island dram.

[Kalessin]

I've said it before and I'll say it again: Aberlour 16 is my favorite mainland single malt, bar none. To be sure, there are many others that I love, but the A16 is still my ideal non-island dram.

I miss the old Aberlour 10 from the 1990s... one of the great inexpensive single malts...