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Zarkboy posted:Okay, I'm a long-time lurker who doesn't post much, but over the years I've learned a lot and gotten some great recommendations in this thread. I've recently started up a whisk(e)y blog, and if anyone wants to check it out, I'd be thrilled the get any feedback - are my tasting notes coherent, is the writing remotely interesting, etc. I'm still trying to figure this whole "blogging" thing works. Anyway, the address is https://www.adramgooddrink.com. No pressure, but I'd welcome anyone's input! Thanks! Bookmarked. Good stuff.
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Feb 14, 2015 20:28
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Wachter posted:Bookmarked. Good stuff. Thanks! I hope you like what you see.
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Feb 14, 2015 21:49
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There's some Pappy 20 being auctioned here right now: http://veiling.catawiki.nl/kavels/1368069-pappy-van-winkle-20-years-old Currently at €900 
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Feb 15, 2015 18:26
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spankmeister posted:There's some Pappy 20 being auctioned here right now: All that fuss over a wheater.
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Feb 16, 2015 01:02
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On a recent shopping trip to a large liquor store (Wine and More in Arlington Tx.) I spied several bottles of "Battle Hill" and "Berry's". Some had the name of the distillery mentioned on the label (one was a Battlehill Bunnahabhain 21 Year). Others just hinted at areas (Islay Reserve etc...). Are there any treasures to be found among these two independent bottlers? While there I picked up a Nikka 12  and a bottle of Ardbeg 10  .
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Feb 16, 2015 19:17
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GEEKABALL posted:On a recent shopping trip to a large liquor store (Wine and More in Arlington Tx.) I spied several bottles of "Battle Hill" and "Berry's". Some had the name of the distillery mentioned on the label (one was a Battlehill Bunnahabhain 21 Year). Others just hinted at areas (Islay Reserve etc...). Are there any treasures to be found among these two independent bottlers? Really, the best advice I can give you for indie bottlers is: "If you really like the distillery's own bottlings, and the price isn't too bad all things considered (the age, the proof, the barrel type, etc.), then it will probably be worth the money. If you don't, then it's not." So, if you really like Bunnahabhain (and who doesn't), and the price isn't bad for a 21-year whisky, then you shouldn't feel bad about adding it to your collection. As for the mystery bottlings, if you see one that interests you, just Google it and see if you can find a review or two before buying.
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Feb 16, 2015 20:17
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Zarkboy posted:Thanks! I hope you like what you see. Really well written. Bookmarked!
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Feb 17, 2015 04:30
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Took me 23 years but I've recently discovered Jameson and hot drat it's a keeper. I typically enjoy it straight, although I have mixed ginger ale on the rocks with great success. Do recommend.
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Feb 17, 2015 08:04
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itsrobbiej posted:Really well written. Bookmarked! Awesome! Thanks!
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Feb 18, 2015 04:03
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Took the opportunity to go spend some (Slightly Pre-)Birthday money today: Technically, I shouldn't open it for a few more days, but... I probably will.
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Feb 19, 2015 08:11
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Distorted Kiwi posted:Took the opportunity to go spend some (Slightly Pre-)Birthday money today: Oh my, that even looks tasty! Be sure to tell us how it is. Oh, and pre-emptively happy birthday!
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Feb 19, 2015 08:55
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Distorted Kiwi posted:Took the opportunity to go spend some (Slightly Pre-)Birthday money today: Nice! I just finished the last of my Nectar d'Or last night, was considering picking this up as a replacement. Let us know what you think.
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Feb 19, 2015 09:11
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Jon Von Anchovi posted:Oh my, that even looks tasty! Be sure to tell us how it is. Oh, and pre-emptively happy birthday! And it's proving to be just as good as it looks. Light, toffee/creme brulee nose, soft and lightly spicy o n the tongue. Hints of mango, almost a honied aftertaste. Very nice, and a massive departure from the smoke and peat bombs I've been drinking recently. This one will get portioned out in very small drams, methinks.
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Feb 19, 2015 10:38
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Distorted Kiwi posted:Took the opportunity to go spend some (Slightly Pre-)Birthday money today: Glendronach hasn't let me down yet! I bet that one's delicious! (And yes, happy birthday!) Oh, and has anyone here tried the Kavalan Concertmaster? I'm not too familiar with Taiwanese whisky, but it sounds interesting.
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Feb 19, 2015 19:56
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Zarkboy posted:Glendronach hasn't let me down yet! I bet that one's delicious! (And yes, happy birthday!) I have a few of the Kavalan line and find them all quite good in their own right. I find them a lot fruitier than most whiskey, possibly due to the accelerated aging from their climate. Their soloist fino sherry cask finish is one of the most delicious things I've put in my mouth. I wish I could afford more than just a sample. Anyways, their stuff is solid and definitely underrated.
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Feb 19, 2015 20:42
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I'm jealous of that Glendronach. I've wanted a bottle of even their regular stuff for a while because it sounds like something I'd love to share with some friends, but I can't get it in nearby MD and we only recently got it in VA at stupid prices ($65 for the 12yr, the only one available). I guess I'll be keeping my eye open in DC 
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Feb 19, 2015 20:47
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ChickenArise posted:I'm jealous of that Glendronach. I've wanted a bottle of even their regular stuff for a while because it sounds like something I'd love to share with some friends, but I can't get it in nearby MD and we only recently got it in VA at stupid prices ($65 for the 12yr, the only one available). I guess I'll be keeping my eye open in DC That's almost exactly what the standard 12-year-old would have cost me, taking into account the exchange rate. The Sauternes Finish was about NZ$13 dollars more, so I figured it was worth the upgrade.
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Feb 20, 2015 03:33
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The Hebug posted:I have a few of the Kavalan line and find them all quite good in their own right. I find them a lot fruitier than most whiskey, possibly due to the accelerated aging from their climate. Their soloist fino sherry cask finish is one of the most delicious things I've put in my mouth. I wish I could afford more than just a sample. Anyways, their stuff is solid and definitely underrated. Very cool, thanks! I bet the fruitiness will work really well with the port finish on the Concertmaster.
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Feb 21, 2015 03:08
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So. My local liquor store got in a few bottles of Highland Park 25. At $299 a bottle I'm curious as to if its worth it or just kinda meh like some of the longer aged whiskies I've had before.
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Feb 23, 2015 23:28
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Sticky posted:So. My local liquor store got in a few bottles of Highland Park 25. At $299 a bottle I'm curious as to if its worth it or just kinda meh like some of the longer aged whiskies I've had before. That is $10 above cost so they at least aren't ripping you off.
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Feb 23, 2015 23:48
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Our state run liquor store has been getting in some new stock. They had Westland American Single Malt Sherry Cask and I almost snagged a bottle but at $40 thought I'd ask around first. Anyone here tried it? Impressions?
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Feb 24, 2015 05:11
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I found a few of bottles of Johnnie Walker Green Label in stock at the SavMor in Cambridge MA, thinking it was a rare sighting of the discontinued stuff in stock, and picked one up. When I got it home, I found that the bottle had the strange anti-tamper cap that I have seen on travel retail bottles, and so I googled it. Turns out Johnnie Green is back for a limited time. http://scotchaddict.com/is-johnnie-walker-green-back-in-production-not-really.html To me it tastes exactly like the Explorer's club gold, so maybe it is the same or very similar stuff.
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Feb 24, 2015 19:16
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Leopold Stotch posted:I found a few of bottles of Johnnie Walker Green Label in stock at the SavMor in Cambridge MA, thinking it was a rare sighting of the discontinued stuff in stock, and picked one up. Is it still pure malt? Can you post a picture please?
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Feb 24, 2015 21:00
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Sure, and yes, it appears to still be pure malt. 43% ABV. 
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Feb 24, 2015 23:26
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Leopold Stotch posted:Sure, and yes, it appears to still be pure malt. 43% ABV. Interesting, thanks. I'll keep a lookout for any bottles once/if they pop up here in Europe, I still have some original to compare it with.
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Feb 24, 2015 23:45
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I'm always on the look out for a cheap-rear end single-malt to dethrone Alexander Murray "Bon Accord" as my favorite everyday pour. In that vein, I recently impulse bought two interesting "mystery malts:" Trader Joe's 8-year Single-Malt Irish Whiskey Price: $25 8 years old, 40%, probably aged in ex-bourbon I posted about this one before but thought that I'd provide some notes for it. It's from the Cooley distillery, which produces Tyrconnell and Connemara, and since this bottle isn't peated it's probably not Connemara. Like lowland Scotches, Irish single malt whiskey is distilled three times to produce a cleaner, more neutral tasting spirit. Nose: This is some seriously light stuff, but not in a bad way like Auchentoshan Select where the spirit doesn't have enough "oomph" to cover the funky/off-putting aromas. A nice, soft honey is the dominant whiff here, with rose petals, tart green apple, fresh-mowed lawn, and a bit of wort-like malt along for the ride as well. Taste: Honey again, except more herbal (like wildflower honey) and mixed with something vegetal, like green tea. Just a touch bitter. Kind of two-dimensional, but that's okay for the price. Finish: Surprisingly long for how light this dram is. The vegetable notes fade quickly into waves of whipped cream/marshmallow, something nutty (walnuts?), and a pleasant, bittersweet, matcha-like quality. Verdict: Kind of weird - I've never tasted green tea in a whisk(e)y before - but not unpleasant in any way. Definitely grab a bottle if you see it. The Carn Mor Cask 12-year Highland Single-Malt Whisky Price: $34 12 years old, 46%, non chill filtered, no coloring added I saw this one at BevMo the other day and decided to pick it up on impulse due to the craft presentation. Let's see how it goes. Nose: The dominant aroma is this fruity sour-sweetness; it honestly smells like how a semisweet sake tastes. The aroma crawls up your nose and makes it difficult to get a good reading. Poke around and you can detect underripe strawberry, unrefined (demerara) sugar, and a touch of campfire smoke. Taste: Hot and oaky, but underneath it all there's some spice and wisps of smoke. There's an underlying, corn syrup-like sweetness to it that I can't help but find off-putting. Finish: The bitterness clings to your palate for a bit, and when it subsides you're left with white sugar, oak, and... not much else. Verdict: Avoid. At least I can use it to mix.
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Feb 25, 2015 04:31
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wormil posted:Our state run liquor store has been getting in some new stock. They had Westland American Single Malt Sherry Cask and I almost snagged a bottle but at $40 thought I'd ask around first. Anyone here tried it? Impressions? I've had their peated single malt and an awesome peated single cask, both were great. Had a more piney flavor than the peat in scotch, and I definitely got some clove from their yeast. And 40 bucks is a good deal assuming the sherry cask is on par with the peated.
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Feb 25, 2015 06:37
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door Door door posted:I've had their peated single malt and an awesome peated single cask, both were great. Had a more piney flavor than the peat in scotch, and I definitely got some clove from their yeast. And 40 bucks is a good deal assuming the sherry cask is on par with the peated. Good to know. Too often my spontaneous buys turn out disappointing.
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Feb 25, 2015 08:25
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Devil Wears Wings posted:I'm always on the look out for a cheap-rear end single-malt to dethrone Alexander Murray "Bon Accop,rd" as my favorite everyday pour. In my experience the really cheap single malts aren't worth it and usually plain bad. For the sub €/$ 35 segment blends or vatted is usually better.
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Feb 25, 2015 08:29
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spankmeister posted:In my experience the really cheap single malts aren't worth it and usually plain bad. For the sub €/$ 35 segment blends or vatted is usually better. aren't glenfiddich 12, glenlivet 12, and macallan 10 all around this price range, depending on where you live?
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Feb 25, 2015 08:51
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gwrtheyrn posted:aren't glenfiddich 12, glenlivet 12, and macallan 10 all around this price range, depending on where you live? proves my point the three most boring single malts
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Feb 25, 2015 08:56
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spankmeister posted:proves my point well, then what's better at that price range that's easy to find? I wouldn't go so far as to say that johnnie walker black is better, though I really like the bottles since I don't have to mess with cork
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Feb 25, 2015 09:04
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The thing about the sub $35 Scotch market is that it is filled with drinkable stuff, but it's mostly everyday drinkers - stuff that you keep so that you don't have to dip into something more expensive. Monkey Shoulder, Glenlivet 12, AM Bon Accord, Macallan 10, Glenmorangie 10, Lismore NAS, hell even super budget stuff like Finlaggan and Speyburn 10 have their devotees. I just have a bad habit of occasionally impulse buying cheap bottles of whisky.  Sometimes it leads to good finds like the TJ's Irish single-malt, but I've also drain-poured one or two really bad bottles before.But yeah, around the $40 mark is where Scotch starts to get just plain good, and not just "good for the price." (I think we should call this the "Balvenie Doublewood Point.") Devil Wears Wings fucked around with this message at 16:34 on Feb 25, 2015 |
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Feb 25, 2015 16:27
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Okay, mystery time! I recently came into possession of an old bottle of Ballentine's blended whisky, bottled for the (I think) German market. The label looks noticeably different from the current label, and it's bottled at 43% ABV. I haven't had any luck finding the exact bottle online, but I'm hoping someone on here will be more knowledgeable than myself. The closest bottled I've found are these, supposedly from the 1970s and 1980s, but they're definitely not a perfect match. Here are some pictures to help with the sleuthing: Label:  Side:  Back:  Cap:  I'm not interested in value (I figure that as a cheap blend, it's not worth much), I'm just curious about how old this bottle is. My plan is to crack it open sometime and compare it to a current bottle. Thanks in advance
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Feb 26, 2015 01:24
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Devil Wears Wings posted:The thing about the sub $35 Scotch market is that it is filled with drinkable stuff, but it's mostly everyday drinkers - stuff that you keep so that you don't have to dip into something more expensive. Monkey Shoulder, Glenlivet 12, AM Bon Accord, Macallan 10, Glenmorangie 10, Lismore NAS, hell even super budget stuff like Finlaggan and Speyburn 10 have their devotees. I got some Speyburn 10 a few months ago when I wasn't in the money for a nice dram and I don't think I'll be buying it again except perhaps to use in a hot punch. It's just not a great whisky. Finlaggan, on the other hand, totally owns, especially if you wanna go hog wild and use it in cocktails.
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Feb 26, 2015 09:23
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Sticky posted:So. My local liquor store got in a few bottles of Highland Park 25. At $299 a bottle I'm curious as to if its worth it or just kinda meh like some of the longer aged whiskies I've had before. The 25 is a wonderful bottle, but you will be just as happy with the 18.
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Feb 27, 2015 15:34
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Going on a tour of the New World Distillery (http://newworldwhisky.com.au/#/home) today. Who are really new and mainly new experimental type of batches. They do stuff like a ginger beer cask-finished whisky, and get looked upon kind of favourably despite some of their offerings only being aged for 2.5years. So, yeah, interesting day ahead.
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Feb 28, 2015 01:44
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I'm normally a bourbon and rye drinker, but I've been waiting to try out some scotches. I've been looking at giving something peaty a try and I see Ardbeg 10 brought up a lot. I was going to ask if there was anything cheaper that is recommended, bit I guess based on the past few posts I should just go with the ardbeg. For what its worth, I enjoyed Speyside for being as cheap as it was, and doublewood was exceptional but I want something a bit more robust.
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Mar 2, 2015 00:32
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Laphroaig 10 might be slightly cheaper depending on how your local stores are pricing it, but that and Ardbeg 10 are really the flagship young Islays, and easily worth the cost in my opinion. There are cheaper options out there like Bowmore Legend, but those are more in the "good for the price" category rather than just good, as someone was describing earlier.
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Mar 2, 2015 01:17
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eSporks posted:
Speyside is a whole region with many distilleries, so which one? (It's like saying "Yeah I like bourbon I had a Kentucky".) Also, doublewood is a bit robust but not very. Now Ardbeg, that's robust. You'll find out. 
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Mar 2, 2015 06:29
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