What Wee Dram are you enjoying now?

[CorvallisCracker]

I found the 12 and 18 share more similarities and the 15 kind of stands on its own. Less peat influence, more sherry. But mind you I'm only comparing from memory, so take it for what it's worth.

Hmmm, that's kind of discouraging, because I always have some a'bunadh on hand, so I've got the sherried malt slot covered.

[unclebunk]

Hmmm, that's kind of discouraging, because I always have some a'bunadh on hand, so I've got the sherried malt slot covered.

I thought the same. And now you've got me thinking about A'bunadh tonight instead of the scheduled Thomas Handy Sazerac and Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye. Hmm...a true dilemma.

[JamesW]

Started with my first taste of Black Bottle. Not too bad for $15. The proof's low at 80 but there's still some decent flavor and smokiness. Again, a very decent value for an Islay lover who wants that profile at a bargain.

I've since moved on to Laphroaig QC. Ahhh.... that's the stuff.

[Megawatt]

Started with my first taste of Black Bottle. Not too bad for $15. The proof's low at 80 but there's still some decent flavor and smokiness. Again, a very decent value for an Islay lover who wants that profile at a bargain.

I've since moved on to Laphroaig QC. Ahhh.... that's the stuff.

What has this world come to when we judge a whisky by its alcoholic content?

I find myself judging whiskies this way sometimes too but in doing so we forget that there are some superior 80 proof whiskies out there.

[JamesW]

What has this world come to when we judge a whisky by its alcoholic content?

I find myself judging whiskies this way sometimes too but in doing so we forget that there are some superior 80 proof whiskies out there.

I agree, but usually the 80 proofers lack intensity of flavor for me. This was the case with black bottle, just a little too watered down for my tastes (but still an excellent value to have around, no doubt). I'd like to see it around 95 or 100 proof to get the most from it. (I also drink a lot of high proof bourbons neat as well, Stagg (140+ proof), WLW (130+), Handy (~130), etc.) Proof isn't everything but it can help concentrate the flavors, and for a young whisky, that's not a bad idea sometimes.

[Lost Pollito]

Tonight I was lucky enough to enjoy a tasting with Dr. Bill of Glenmorangie. We had the 10/original, Astar, La Santa, 18, and the sonnalta. I loved them all, but still find the Astar to be my favorite. Wonderful evening.

[BigRich]

Tonight I was lucky enough to enjoy a tasting with Dr. Bill of Glenmorangie. We had the 10/original, Astar, La Santa, 18, and the sonnalta. I loved them all, but still find the Astar to be my favorite. Wonderful evening.

Sounds wonderful. I've been really impressed with the changes to the Glenmo line up.

Last night my dram was a little more pedestrian. Just a glass of Glenfiddich 12.

[ggilbertva]

Last night I switched it up and instead of bourbon, had a nice dram of Balblair '97.

[JamesW]

While watching the state of the union, I started with Clynelish 14 yr old. Nice honeyed peat and smoke, a solid dram every time. Now I'm sipping down some Black bottle and I have a Laphroaig QC opening up on the counter, should be ready in about 20 mins :grin:

[Lost Pollito]

After selecting barrels of etl, blantons, and er, the crew dipped into The aforementioned Glenmo line, Lagavulin 91-17 DE '08, Cragganmore DE, Caol Ila finished in Burgundy, and some Auchentoshan 18. :grin: I dipped into some 33, and 34 year old cask strength hp hand selected bottles by Brett. The 33 was foolish. Also, re-tasted the Glendronach line. Quite tarrey. But very rich and bigger than I'd expected.12,15,and 18.

[AVB]

For my birthday I took a dram of a 1948 Glenlivet and some 1956 Glen Grant. Finishing up with some Cutty Sark 25 at the moment.

[Lost Pollito]

Happy Birthday AVB!!! Sounds like you're having a great one.:grin:

[TomH]

Poured a 17YO Balvenie finished in a rum cask tonight....very nice with the rum adding a nice sweet edge to it.

Tom

[Lost Pollito]

Enjoy that rum cask. Delicious, and I think it's gone. :grin:

[AVB]

Balvenie produced a 14 yo RumWood in the UK that was much better IMO. You'll see that they went back to the 14 version for the Golden Cask and the Cuban Selection. Of course, the best of the rum casks that I've had was still the original Glenfiddich Havana Reserve 21.

Poured a 17YO Balvenie finished in a rum cask tonight....very nice with the rum adding a nice sweet edge to it.

Tom

[Megawatt]

After selecting barrels of etl, blantons, and er, the crew dipped into The aforementioned Glenmo line, Lagavulin 91-17 DE '08, Cragganmore DE, Caol Ila finished in Burgundy, and some Auchentoshan 18. :grin: I dipped into some 33, and 34 year old cask strength hp hand selected bottles by Brett. The 33 was foolish. Also, re-tasted the Glendronach line. Quite tarrey. But very rich and bigger than I'd expected.12,15,and 18.

How'd you like Cragganmore Distillers Edition?

[JamesW]

Starting with some HP12 tonight. Later will be a vatting of 1/4 Laph QC and 3/4 Black Bottle.

[unclebunk]

Starting with some HP12 tonight. Later will be a vatting of 1/4 Laph QC and 3/4 Black Bottle.

Have you sampled your vatting yet? How is it? Quite honestly, I've never vatted anything before out of fear of ruining what I already know to be a good whisky. I would be afraid to tamper with a Laphroaig Quarter Cask because it's so damned good, but I may try it on a real small scale to see what I get.

[JamesW]

Have you sampled your vatting yet? How is it? Quite honestly, I've never vatted anything before out of fear of ruining what I already know to be a good whisky. I would be afraid to tamper with a Laphroaig Quarter Cask because it's so damned good, but I may try it on a real small scale to see what I get.

I had read on another board someone saying that what they loved about the Black Bottle was that it made for a great platform to add some of the more $$ Islays, that it carried the other whisky's flavor very well. They suggested the % as per above.

I can attest that their advice was sound. This vatting has worked very well and has given me a very nice dram for less $$. Give it a try and tell me what you think (maybe it's all in my head )

Just an FYI, my mixing was a bit off - more like 50-50.

[Megawatt]

I'm enjoying some good old Crown Royal at the moment. Damn good, if I may say so.

[Lost Pollito]

How'd you like Cragganmore Distillers Edition?

Honestly, I loved it. Nice and rich with hints of smoke. I'll admit that I've not been impressed by cragganmore, but I'm changing. :grin: I'm a sucker for Mortlach, and Mannochmore. Perhaps the Crag is in the mix as well. How about you? You've tried it?

[JamesW]

Just tried another ... 60 % Black Bottle 40% Bowmore 17. Working like a charm :grin:

[JamesW]

I'm enjoying some good old Crown Royal at the moment. Damn good, if I may say so.

It's been so long since I had Crown Royal. My last Canadian whisky I owned was Canadian Club 12 which was very underwhelming indeed. What are your notes for the Crown Royal.

[Gillman]

I always liked CR. It has a particular balance and character, soft and subtle yet distinct. It inspires me when I do my bourbon blends.

Gary

[Megawatt]

It's been so long since I had Crown Royal. My last Canadian whisky I owned was Canadian Club 12 which was very underwhelming indeed. What are your notes for the Crown Royal.

If you are accustomed to cask-strength bourbon and Scotch you may well find all Canadian whisky underwhelming. That said, I find Crown Royal has a pleasant herbal/leafy aroma with some mild sweet bourbon notes, and oak. On the palate it is smooth and warming with butterscotch and hints of rye. That is from memory; I will give you some better notes when I'm not at work ;-).