What Wee Dram are you enjoying now?

[JamesW]

Looks like you've turned the corner of the Bunnhabhain. Tasty stuff, eh?

Really tasty :grin:

[AVB]

Found my bottle of 1971 Ben Nevis 32 yo bottle by Blackadder. The nosing is one of fruits and oak with more fruits coming out the longer is sits in the glass. The taste is apples and plums with a very slight citrus & oak background. The finish is medium long and moves from dried apples to a solid toffee before fading, very flavorful.

[Megawatt]

Sounds like nice stuff, ABV. Never had a whisky quite that old...

I'm finding out that Johnnie Walker Black goes down like water after drinking a'bunadh.

[AVB]

LOL! Not Alcohol By Volume, AVB

Sounds like nice stuff, ABV.

[JamesW]

Started with JWB, Talisker 10, Laphroaig QC, and now Caol Ila 12.

[ebo]

I'm going to explore some cheap blends a bit more. I just finished the bottle of Ballentine's Finest I've had for 3 years... not bad, really. Smooth and mellow. I found a quarter of a bottle of Chivas that I've had for I don't know how long... I used to like it a lot... still do...lol.. Locally, I have available, besides Ballentine's, Cutty Sark, Grant's and McIvor. I can purchase two right now. Suggestions?

[JamesW]

I'm going to explore some cheap blends a bit more. I just finished the bottle of Ballentine's Finest I've had for 3 years... not bad, really. Smooth and mellow. I found a quarter of a bottle of Chivas that I've had for I don't know how long... I used to like it a lot... still do...lol.. Locally, I have available, besides Ballentine's, Cutty Sark, Grant's and McIvor. I can purchase two right now. Suggestions?

[ebo]

I never liked Cutty Sark for some reason. Tasted like soap to me... but that was a long time ago. UncleBunk or Megawatt may have some knowledge of these, I do not, yet!

I tell you, I'm loving the blends for value. The JWB was very nice tonight.

[JamesW]

JWB is always in the house... it is very good for the price. I have access to many different blends, but I have to drive about 15 miles to get them. My local store is 1.5 miles away, so, I usually get what's available there.

The thing with me is: if I'm going to spend $35.00 or more for a blend, I will buy a single malt for the few dollars more, every time. I'm looking for $11.00 (Ballentine's) to around $30.00 for blends. This economy is killing my whisk(e)y habbit/hobby...lol.

I hear you. The JWB cost me $28 so its cheaper than any single malt I like. Try Black Bottle if you can find it. Ballantines is having a big sale on their 1.75L ... I've seen it everywhere marked down. I paid $19.30 making it about $8 for a 750ml... can't beat that. Also, NH is having a sale on Chivas 12 for $25 :bigeyes: .

btw, I've heard McIvor is decent but never tried it. Is that the one with a green plaid sticker? I won't buy anything though that comes in a plastic bottle. The alcohol is sure to be stripping off the Bisphenol A which can cause havoc in the body.

[Megawatt]

LOL! Not Alcohol By Volume, AVB

Whoops! Guess it just came out naturally like that :grin:

[boss302]

I'm going to explore some cheap blends a bit more... Suggestions?

Definitely Grant's. Don't forget Famous Grouse-- the best-selling Scotch in Scotland for a reason (IMHO)!

[boss302]

A little bit of contrast exercise going on here-- Glenmorangie Original (10-year, American Oak), and Glenrothes Select Reserve (NAS, plenty of Sherry presence).

Tasting the Glenmorangie first helps to bring out the fruit-and-nuts taste of the Spanish Oak in the Glenrothes, since my palate is already adjusted to the vanilla-and-spice taste of the American Oak. I got the idea from a Wine-and-Chocolate pairing I conducted recently at my place of employment.

[ebo]

My wife was going out, so I asked her to pick me up a bottle of either Grant's or McIvor. She brought back a bottle of McIvor. It was $14.00. Everything I've found says it's 5-6 years old.

It compares well with the Ballentine's. It may be a bit more smokey and it seems a little sweeter. I'll try the Grant's next.

[JamesW]

Jus having my first taste of White Horse. As well, it reminds me a lot of Ballantine's except that it's not as smooth and it has some firey spice on the finish. It's a curious one so far. Like a Ballantine opening and a very young Talisker finish. Very spicy indeed. Each sip really tingles on the tongue.

[JamesW]

Had some JWB, and Caol Ila. Next Talisker 10 me thinks.

[Megawatt]

I would like you guys to try the Black Grouse. You might find it a bit more distinctive in style.

I'm having my last glass of The Arran Malt St. Emilion finish. I think this is really one of the tastiest whiskies I've had. Marvelous fruit, oak, and spice from the nose to the exceptionally long finish. Aged 9 years, bottled at 50% alc/vol, and non-chillfiltered.

[Megawatt]

Ah, Glenkinchie 12. Remarkable. An unlikely fusion of oatmeal and citrus. Sweet, creamy, and delicate, with a drying finish.

[smokinjoe]

I guess you can do a Canadian in this thread. After a rousing rendition of "O Canada" by the folks at the medal ceremony for the Canadian who won Gold in the Men's Moguls, I felt compelled to pour a Forty Creek Barrel Select in honor of our Canadian friends. Cheers!

:toast:

[PAspirit1]

I've been exploring the around "around 20$" blends for a a couple of years now. I think Dewars White Label, The Famous Grouse, Teachers and White Horse are all good and not lacking in flavor at all. A little roughness would be the only draw back. I don't remember Ballantines that well and I think I will pick it up again. Grants was very drinkable but kind of weak. I figured that it may have suffered from the fact that I was discovering Wild Turkey 101 around that time.

The Black Grouse sounds very interesting but I've never seen it. I am also curious about Haig and Haig Dimple Pinch, though it's priced a little above JWB and Chivas 12. A far as the 20$ blends, I have J&B and Cutty Sark left on my list.

[unclebunk]

Jus having my first taste of White Horse. As well, it reminds me a lot of Ballantine's except that it's not as smooth and it has some firey spice on the finish. It's a curious one so far. Like a Ballantine opening and a very young Talisker finish. Very spicy indeed. Each sip really tingles on the tongue.

[JamesW]

Get on that (white) horse and ride, James. Famous Grouse and Ballantine's when you're feeling mellow. Teacher's and White Horse when you need a kick in the pants. :grin:

My Scottish relatives are visiting in a few weeks. I'll be stocking up on SMS and the blends to cover all my bases. By the way, I finally cracked open my bottle of Laphroaig Cask Strength the other night. I was shocked to discover that the rear label actually suggests that you drink it with "twice as much water as whisky." What?!? I couldn't even imagine pouring this exquisite whisky in a glass and filling the remainder of the glass with water. Two ounces of LCS and four ounces of water? That's insane! I had just a splash of water with mine and loved it. My friend did a 50/50 with his and RUINED his pour.

Funny you should mention the White Horse because that's what I started the night with. I can't seem to find Black Grouse in my state. btw- I have the Laphroaig QC and love it... top of my list right now. I can't imagine why they'd recommend you dilute the CS in that kind of manner, it's not like the proof is all that high. I prefer it without a drop or maybe a teaspoon with a 2 oz pour tops.

Right now I'm enjoying the Bunnahabhain 12 again. Very flavorful and a very nice spice in the finish. Next up Lap QC after all this talk. I need to pick up a replacement tomorrow, down to the last 1/4 btle.

[Gillman]

Good choice Joe. I decided to buy an old-school Canadian, Wiser's 18 years old, which at about $35 is great value. It is very well-modulated with a long finish. It never reminded me really of CC's older whiskies before but does now (somewhat like CC 20 year old). I wonder if whiskies distilled at Corby's historic distillery have run out or mostly. The Corbyville plant was closed in 1989 (to be replaced by stock distilled in Windsor at Hiram Walker - HW was the majority shareholder after Allied Lyons bought control of Corby). I recall the older dram being more fruity and the current one is more smooth and non-estery but is still very good - almost Cognac like. Great value again.

gary

[OscarV]

Cragganmore from The Un-Chillfiltered Collection, neat.

16yo, 92prf, Bottle No 241 of 366.

There is a sweetness to this that surprised me, I've never tasted that in a scotch before.

[JamesW]

Started with Black Bottle this afternoon and then enjoyed a Clynelish 14. The Clynelish 14 was really great, and it seems each time I take a nip from this bottle I am surprised by how good it is. Waiting on a buddy to come over to start sampling the rest of the bar :grin:

[Megawatt]

Good choice Joe. I decided to buy an old-school Canadian, Wiser's 18 years old, which at about $35 is great value. It is very well-modulated with a long finish. It never reminded me really of CC's older whiskies before but does now (somewhat like CC 20 year old). I wonder if whiskies distilled at Corby's historic distillery have run out or mostly. The Corbyville plant was closed in 1989 (to be replaced by stock distilled in Windsor at Hiram Walker - HW was the majority shareholder after Allied Lyons bought control of Corby). I recall the older dram being more fruity and the current one is more smooth and non-estery but is still very good - almost Cognac like. Great value again.

gary

Heck yes, Wiser's 18 is nice.

And cheers to you too, Joe :grin: