Which Water of Life Did You Purchase Today?

[Megawatt]

I'll have to give that a try next time. What profile do you pick up in that blend?

[JamesW]

I know you didn't ask me but since I've had Ballantine's recently enough, I'll give my thoughts: peatier than one might expect, with a fine note of honey and sherried malt. Firm grain bite. Decent body for a cheap blend.

Evidently Jim Murray gives this top honours for NAS blends in his 2010 Whisky Bible.

Thanks for answering the post though:D . I definitely have to give it a try.... as I'm always on the lookout for decent everyday pours and money... she's tighter these days.

[Megawatt]

Thanks for answering the post though:D . I definitely have to give it a try.... as I'm always on the lookout for decent everyday pours and money... she's tighter these days.

Michael Jackson

Nose

Perfumy. Very fragrant smokiness.

Palate

Soft and light. Silky, oily peat. A therapeutically medicinal relaxant.

Finish

Lemon-honey. Some late sweetness. Late surge of gentle warmth.

Comment

Very gentle, but a precise clarity of flavours. Drink while listening to Vivaldi.

[JamesW]

Michael Jackson

Nose

Perfumy. Very fragrant smokiness.

Palate

Soft and light. Silky, oily peat. A therapeutically medicinal relaxant.

Finish

Lemon-honey. Some late sweetness. Late surge of gentle warmth.

Comment

Very gentle, but a precise clarity of flavours. Drink while listening to Vivaldi.

Thanks again. I just saw a handle (1.75L) on sale for 23.99. Is that the same one we're talking about? Ballantine's Finest?

[Megawatt]

Thanks again. I just saw a handle (1.75L) on sale for 23.99. Is that the same one we're talking about? Ballantine's Finest?

Yes, that's the one.

[unclebunk]

As I've mentioned in earlier posts, I always have 1.75's of Ballantine's Finest, Famous Grouse, White Horse and Teacher's Highland Cream on hand in my home. At least one of the four is bound to please most folks, and I happen to really like them all. Lots of single malt snobs like to crap on the inexpensive blends, but these four are not bottom shelf swill. They are, in fact, carefully crafted blends with huge followings all over the world. And to me, they kick the daylights out of Grant's and Cutty Sark, which are decent enough but considerably less complex, IMO. Get that Ballantine's, James, and enjoy.

[JamesW]

As I've mentioned in earlier posts, I always have 1.75's of Ballantine's Finest, Famous Grouse, White Horse and Teacher's Highland Cream on hand in my home. At least one of the four is bound to please most folks, and I happen to really like them all. Lots of single malt snobs like to crap on the inexpensive blends, but these four are not bottom shelf swill. They are, in fact, carefully crafted blends with huge followings all over the world. And to me, they kick the daylights out of Grant's and Cutty Sark, which are decent enough but considerably less complex, IMO. Get that Ballantine's, James, and enjoy.

[Megawatt]

Thanks unclebunk. Of the four you mention, which do you prefer. Also, which has the most peat and smoke (I'm an Islay lover). Have you had Black Bottle? What did you think about that in relation to those others?

Thanks again for the advice from everyone.

I know you didn't ask me , but I would probably rate Teacher's as the smokiest of the three (I have not tried White Horse). However I find Teacher's somewhat lacking in character. I will say, though, that it has an interesting salty bacon flavour.

[JamesW]

I know you didn't ask me , but I would probably rate Teacher's as the smokiest of the three (I have not tried White Horse). However I find Teacher's somewhat lacking in character. I will say, though, that it has an interesting salty bacon flavour.

Thanks for answering again :grin: so you'd still take Ballantine's over the others then? By a large margin, or are they all pretty decent etc.

[Megawatt]

Thanks for answering again :grin: so you'd still take Ballantine's over the others then? By a large margin, or are they all pretty decent etc.

Actually The Famous Grouse might be the best of those three, but Ballantine's has a more pronounced smoky note. While we're on the subject, Black Grouse is smokier than all those others, and probably the best of the cheap blends that I've tried. It has more complexity than Islay Mist, which is also quite decent.

Another nice surprise was Whyte and Mackay Special. Not smoky, but if you don't mind sherried malt it is very good stuff.

[unclebunk]

Thanks unclebunk. Of the four you mention, which do you prefer. Also, which has the most peat and smoke (I'm an Islay lover). Have you had Black Bottle? What did you think about that in relation to those others?

I went through a phase when I was drinking all things Islay and put away a few bottles of Black Bottle. I enjoy it quite a bit for what it is but found that Islay Mist 8 Year Old had about as much peat/smoke flavor and even a touch more body perhaps. It costs only $1 more at Binny's, so I usually alternate buying them, as they make a nice Laphroaig alternative for when my friends are coming over to play cards, for example, and I don't care to blast through an entire bottle of Laphroaig due to the cost involved. Having said all that, none of the four whiskies we're talking about (Famous Grouse, Teacher's, Ballantine's and White Horse) are even remotely like an Islay whisky. While they each have varying degrees of peat and smoke, none possess the brine, seaweed and iodine flavors found in the Islay malts. Perhaps you can find a few miniatures to sample before investing in entire bottles to satisfy your curiosity. Alternatively, buy them one at a time, drink them down until you've got a quarter of a bottle or less, then buy the next one until you've got a stable of four to compare and contrast more than once, since one exposure rarely gives you a great understanding of what you're drinking anyway.

If I had to rate flavor intensity, I'd say Teacher's (with Ardmore as a fingerprint malt) and White Horse (with Lagavulin as a component) are the smokiest and have some presence of peat in the mix. The Ballantine's Finest and Famous Grouse would similarly stand shoulder to shoulder, with the former having a touch more smoke and complexity. But I would not call any of them necessarily better than the others because I think they are all quality blends that satisfy different tastes. I personally drink more of the Teacher's and White Horse than the other two, but that's just the way my tastes run. My brother prefers the Ballantine's and Famous Grouse, so who's to say? There's always room on the bar for one more bottle, so start sampling and let me know what you think.:drinking:

[The Boozer]

Ardbeg 10 and Laphroaig CS. Got both open on the bar, just needed to replenish the bunker.

TJ

[JamesW]

I went through a phase when I was drinking all things Islay and put away a few bottles of Black Bottle. I enjoy it quite a bit for what it is but found that Islay Mist 8 Year Old had about as much peat/smoke flavor and even a touch more body perhaps. It costs only $1 more at Binny's, so I usually alternate buying them, as they make a nice Laphroaig alternative for when my friends are coming over to play cards, for example, and I don't care to blast through an entire bottle of Laphroaig due to the cost involved. Having said all that, none of the four whiskies we're talking about (Famous Grouse, Teacher's, Ballantine's and White Horse) are even remotely like an Islay whisky. While they each have varying degrees of peat and smoke, none possess the brine, seaweed and iodine flavors found in the Islay malts. Perhaps you can find a few miniatures to sample before investing in entire bottles to satisfy your curiosity. Alternatively, buy them one at a time, drink them down until you've got a quarter of a bottle or less, then buy the next one until you've got a stable of four to compare and contrast more than once, since one exposure rarely gives you a great understanding of what you're drinking anyway.

If I had to rate flavor intensity, I'd say Teacher's (with Ardmore as a fingerprint malt) and White Horse (with Lagavulin as a component) are the smokiest and have some presence of peat in the mix. The Ballantine's Finest and Famous Grouse would similarly stand shoulder to shoulder, with the former having a touch more smoke and complexity. But I would not call any of them necessarily better than the others because I think they are all quality blends that satisfy different tastes. I personally drink more of the Teacher's and White Horse than the other two, but that's just the way my tastes run. My brother prefers the Ballantine's and Famous Grouse, so who's to say? There's always room on the bar for one more bottle, so start sampling and let me know what you think.:drinking:

Thanks for taking the time to explain. Much appreciated. I have a regular place that cuts me deals and I can get the 1.75 of Ballantine's there for just under $20. So I can't really lose on eway or the other. :grin:

[greenman]

Finally, BOWMORE 1957 bottle #517/#861, still pretty pumped up. Never thought I would spend that kind of money for a bottle. It is an investment, good or bad-I have one, and can look at it whenever I want too. That is worth something to me.:shocked:

[JamesW]

Finally, BOWMORE 1957 bottle #517/#861, still pretty pumped up. Never thought I would spend that kind of money for a bottle. It is an investment, good or bad-I have one, and can look at it whenever I want too. That is worth something to me.:shocked:

[ACDetroit]

Though this was hard for me to believe I went into a store today and the Whisk(e)y section was in a different room than all the other things. This old man comes up and says may I help you? To which I reply well you whisk(e)y section is very difficult to see, to which he replies well come back here with me.

I almost fell over when I noticed another Ardbeg 1977 on the shelf. Needless to say this little fella followed me home and is safe in the bunker. I will say this may be one of the best SMS I've ever enjoyed.

The picture is on the what Bourbon did you purchase today thread due to many bottles picked up today.

Cheers!

Tony

[gblick]

Congrats!!! What did this investment cost you?

http://www.straightbourbon.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13238

[Tennessee Dave]

Picked up Batch 27 of Abelour Abundah and Dalwhinnie 15. Looking forward to trying them both.

[CorvallisCracker]

Picked up Batch 27 of Abelour Abundah and Dalwhinnie 15. Looking forward to trying them both.

Please post you impressions of the Batch 27 - it's the one that's showing up around here.

[rocky480]

Today I just got the Signatory Glen Grant 26 Year Old 59.1% distilled in 1976, bottle #53 of 261. Normally I only buy one or two SMS periodically to replace what I have on the bar, and nothing too exotic, but I had to have this one since it was distilled four days after I was born. It finally ends my quest for a 1976 SMS that I can only take a pour from on significant occasions. Now I just have to hope that it's a good SMS since it's supposed to be around for a long while!

[ACDetroit]

So I did not pick them up cause I am not sure of the profile. Today on the way home I came across a store with (3) Ballantines 30 yr old... these were old government tax stamped bottles. I guess I should have asked to see if they were 750ml or 4/5 Quart bottles. Any thoughts on this bottling? Would you buy them for say three bills?

Should have taken pictures as well but didn't think about it till now.

Thanks in advance guys.

Tony

[Lost Pollito]

Finally, BOWMORE 1957 bottle #517/#861, still pretty pumped up. Never thought I would spend that kind of money for a bottle. It is an investment, good or bad-I have one, and can look at it whenever I want too. That is worth something to me.:shocked:

So here's why I was teasing you about opening the Bowmore. I sold 2 to a guy. He'd planned on this as an investment. One got opened, He thought it was the most amazing Bowmore ever. Needless to say, I got another call. That was the last one I've seen in person. He told me they were no longer investments. :grin: Resist if you can Greenman. You've got a winner.:grin:

[OscarV]

Picked me up a bottle of Laphroaig 18yo 96prf.

If I told you what I paid for it you would say "NO WAY!!!"

Then I could ony respond with "WAY!!!"

So I won't start an argument.

Hey Tony, ya better get in on this!

[ACDetroit]

Hey Tony, ya better get in on this!

Just like a Big Dog, always leading us pups around. Thanks brother and I did get in on that deal. I will be getting a case next week.

OHV - You da man!!!!

Cheers!

AC

[Lost Pollito]

Picked me up a bottle of Laphroaig 18yo 96prf.

If I told you what I paid for it you would say "NO WAY!!!"

Then I could ony respond with "WAY!!!"

So I won't start an argument.

Hey Tony, ya better get in on this!

I'm guessing $70? $130 in Chi. The Mitten is gettin some love from Islay.:grin: