What Wee Dram are you enjoying now?

[Parkersback]

I finished the night on a high note with Ardbeg Day. This bottle has really grown on me over the last few months. I think I can say I have officially acquired a taste for the richly sweet sherry finish on top of the earthy smoke of the peat; it's like smoking a cigar dipped in sherry. I'm heading out to look for more sherry finished Islay. Like, now.

Your description reminds me a lot of Ardbeg Ugedail. It's one of the best scotches I've ever had, and around these parts it's cheaper than Day.

[sob0728]

At a tasting today I was able to try Knappogue Castle 1951. Pretty incredible stuff.

[Lab Walker]

I'll be sippin McClellands Islay isle tonight...not bad at all...Cheers!

[brritscold]

Was in a nearby Trader Joe's (in the LA area), and saw two new Trader Joe's brand expressions, both bottled by Alexander Murray & Co. One was a Highland 10 yr old, 80 proof, that says on the front that it's "matured in oak casks." $19.99. On the back, the description: "It has a golden honey color and a floral nose with hints of diced apples, toffee and a smooth oaky finish."

Tasting it neat in a Glencairn, I would have to say that's pretty accurate. Nose: rounded sweetness, hints of apple/pear. Palate: a fair amount of harshness/burn initially, that resolves into sweet sherry notes. Finish: creamy vanilla with more of that sherry flavor.

Tastes like a 10 yr-old Macallan, to me. A little less smooth, a little more brash than the 12 yr. Still very enjoyable, though, esp. since I like sherry flavors. To me, a pretty good value.

Will try the 18 yr Speyside some other time. I'd love to hear what you guys think of these. They also had some more bottles of the well-received Trader Joe's brand irish, too.

Edited November 11, 2012 by brritscold

[Trey Manthey]

Inspired by the recent discussion of Ardbeg Day, I decided to pit the Day against Uigedail, wee dram vs. wee dram.

The Day has a more delicate nose, but neither have overpowering peat. The sherry on the Oogie is strong in the nose, with some toffee/butterscotch in there too.

The Uigedail is more brash on the palette, with a bit of alcohol sting. I like the complexity of the taste, and the thick mouthfeel. The peat comes out here more, with a long finish.

The Day is very smooth on palette entry, and is more of a taste crescendo than a punch in the face. Very long finish here as well, but with fewer bitter notes. Sweet and almost refreshing.

They are both outstanding malts, but I would give the nod to the Day for it's overall presentation.

I know a place that has four of these on the shelf for $85, and I think it might be worth the $30 premium over the Uigedail, considering its not going to be around forever.

[unclebunk]

Was in a nearby Trader Joe's (in the LA area), and saw two new Trader Joe's brand expressions, both bottled by Alexander Murray & Co. One was a Highland 10 yr old, 80 proof, that says on the front that it's "matured in oak casks." $19.99. On the back, the description: "It has a golden honey color and a floral nose with hints of diced apples, toffee and a smooth oaky finish."

Tasting it neat in a Glencairn, I would have to say that's pretty accurate. Nose: rounded sweetness, hints of apple/pear. Palate: a fair amount of harshness/burn initially, that resolves into sweet sherry notes. Finish: creamy vanilla with more of that sherry flavor.

Tastes like a 10 yr-old Macallan, to me. A little less smooth, a little more brash than the 12 yr. Still very enjoyable, though, esp. since I like sherry flavors. To me, a pretty good value.

Will try the 18 yr Speyside some other time. I'd love to hear what you guys think of these. They also had some more bottles of the well-received Trader Joe's brand irish, too.

Very interesting and you can't beat the price at $20. I wish our TJ stores here in Illinois sold whiskey instead of just beer and wine. You guys are lucky! And I'm with you on digging sherry flavors/aromas. It seems folks either love or hate the influence of sherry or port but I enjoy both.

[unclebunk]

I thoroughly enjoyed the Old Pulteney 17 I sampled yesterday at Binny's. I was also knocked out by a lightly smokey Clynelish I tried but for the life of me I can't remember the exact bottling. I think I'll call Joe or Pat at Binny's tomorrow to find out and I'll report back. Whatever it was really hit the spot. Delicious!

[bad_scientist]

Bought a dusty (late '70s) Ballantine's yesterday. I asked for the 12 year, but there was some confusion and I was distracted by the bourbon dusties I was getting, so I didn't notice until I left that they gave me the regular version instead. It's pretty nasty, like most old blends, but some of the traits are nice, like a clear phenolic component that's a bit more muscular than modern blends. Maybe these old blends tasted better when they were fresh.

[jcg9779]

Some Ardmore Traditional Cask during the Texans/Bears game. Will probably reach for another dark side selection next as well.

[jcg9779]

Balvenie Doublewood up next.

[ChainWhip]

Balvenie 17 Madeira

[DaveOfAtl]

Balvenie Doublewood up next.

Jack, have you tried the new Doublewood 17 year? Saw it this weekend and almost pulled the trigger but at $120, I figured I'd wait and see what others had to say before trying it.

[LostBottle]

Started with a small pour of Ardbeg Gaileo and then moved onto some Lagavulin Distillers Edition 1995. The Lag DE was perfect tonight as I was in the mood for muted peat and a touch of that raisiny PX sherry sweetness.

[smokinjoe]

I feel like Irish, tonight. Redbreast 12 Cask Strength. This whiskey is so good, it almost makes me cry...

That should cover it...

[sutton]

Just opened an Abelour A'bunadh ... not sure what to think yet - a bit one-dimensional and spirity - not what I expected. Enjoyable - but will withhold judgment until I spend a bit more time with it.

[timd]

Just opened an Abelour A'bunadh ... not sure what to think yet - a bit one-dimensional and spirity - not what I expected. Enjoyable - but will withhold judgment until I spend a bit more time with it.

Yeah, you need to hold off. It's hot - high proof and all - but the flavor this expression packs is massive. It's far from one-dimensional, IMHO. Always a winner for me...

[unclebunk]

Just opened an Abelour A'bunadh ... not sure what to think yet - a bit one-dimensional and spirity - not what I expected. Enjoyable - but will withhold judgment until I spend a bit more time with it.

[portwood]

Just opened an Abelour A'bunadh ... not sure what to think yet - a bit one-dimensional and spirity - not what I expected. Enjoyable - but will withhold judgment until I spend a bit more time with it.

Batch #?

As pointed out above, give the open bottle a few days - maybe a week or two. The next time you try it add a couple of drops of water ...

[sutton]

Batch #?

As pointed out above, give the open bottle a few days - maybe a week or two. The next time you try it add a couple of drops of water ...

Batch #35, 60.3% abv - I did try with and without water (perhaps too much) - don't get me wrong, it was v.good, but for some reason it seemed younger than I was expecting - granted, this was right after opening the bottle. I just think it needs more time to open up a bit.

[MacinJosh]

Last night I took a rare dip into a Springbank Society 11yo Local Barley bottling that was finished in re-charred sherry butts. Man I love this stuff. It has a deep earthy minerality that is lifted by fruity malt sherry influence. I wish I could get more.

After dinner I had a pour of Laddie 10. I think there's something wrong with my bottle. I've thought it from the moment I opened it, and it is confirmed each time I pour from it. It has that somewhat gamey quality that I associate with cork taint. I opened it right after I opened an awfully corked Springbank 10/100, so I tried to ignore it, in disbelief that I could open two whiskies gone bad in a row. Really disappointing. I never have this problem with bourbon...

I finished the night on a high note with Ardbeg Day. This bottle has really grown on me over the last few months. I think I can say I have officially acquired a taste for the richly sweet sherry finish on top of the earthy smoke of the peat; it's like smoking a cigar dipped in sherry. I'm heading out to look for more sherry finished Islay. Like, now.

My Laddie 10 had an "off note" as well Aaron. I don't think it was just your bottle.

And the Ardbeg Day is delicious!!! Welcome to the club!

[MacinJosh]

I know a place that has four of these on the shelf for $85, and I think it might be worth the $30 premium over the Uigedail, considering its not going to be around forever.

I'd gobble those up ASAP. The Ugi is going to be around for awhile. The Day is a limited release. I'm amazed there are any still sitting on shelves.

[Vosgar]

A nice Islay night.... Laphroaig Cairdeas, Laphroaig 10 and Ardbeg Alligator

[unclebunk]

A nice Islay night.... Laphroaig Cairdeas, Laphroaig 10 and Ardbeg Alligator

[sob0728]

Did some scotch tasting last night. Really enjoyed the Compass Box Oak Cross. Also had Glendronach 12, Laddie 10, Macallan 12, Ancnoc 12, and a few others I can't remember. It's always harder to remember when you do a blind tasting. The Macallan was a cut above the other 12 year olds.

[Yeti]

Good man. That's a nice line-up. What do you think of the Cairdeas?

I had a bottle of Cairdeas 2012 in October, sadly it didn't make it out of the month. I thought it was a real cracker of a whisky. Bright and friendly. Like a slightly less full throttle Uigeadail.

Tonight I'm going to drink a Balvenie 15 Year Single Barrel.