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Any goons interested in doing blind sample exchanges & reviews? I have more whiskey on hand than I know what to do with these days.
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Sep 13, 2017 23:16
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Would any US goons be willing to trade a bottle of Suntory Toki for something of equivalent value from here in Japan? Maybe Chita? Suntory doesn't sell Toki in Japan, but they don't sell Chita outside of Japan. Edit: Chita won't blow you away, if there's something else you have in mind in the 3000-5000 yen range that's fine too zmcnulty fucked around with this message at 04:35 on Sep 15, 2017 |
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Sep 15, 2017 04:24
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I saw Chita in travel retail and I had the distinct impression of "meh".
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Sep 15, 2017 07:55
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Yeah it's meh at best. If there's something else in the same price range that interests you, that's fine too.
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Sep 15, 2017 20:52
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Has anybody tried Woodford Reserve orange bitters?
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Sep 15, 2017 22:27
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sean10mm posted:Has anybody tried Woodford Reserve orange bitters? I've not had the orange, but the Woodford bitters in general are pretty good. Although any orange bitters that don't have glycerin oughta do the job.
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Sep 16, 2017 01:56
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As I get older I notice that that I can't handle alcohol like I was a college student, so I've been getting into brandy and cognac lately because it's so light and mellow in comparison. I am afraid that I might end up betraying whisky.
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Sep 18, 2017 16:02
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BravestOfTheLamps posted:As I get older I notice that that I can't handle alcohol like I was a college student, so I've been getting into brandy and cognac lately because it's so light and mellow in comparison. I am afraid that I might end up betraying whisky. Brandy is so good, and I'm simultaneously sad and glad that it hasn't caught on yet. Sad because I want to nerd out with other nerds, but glad because it's still such a good deal. Cognac not so much, but basically any other kind of brandy.
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Sep 18, 2017 17:25
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The older I get, the more I appreciate moderation, the next day. I don't know much about brandy but there is a very good apple brandy made locally that I enjoy. Carriage House.
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Sep 18, 2017 19:34
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I picked up a Whistlepig single barrel private label from Total Wine and here's to hoping it is as good as the floor manager thought. He said it was "gently caress you good" when I asked him if he'd had it before.
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Sep 18, 2017 19:49
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Brandy is amazing. I love that no one gives a poo poo about it, which means my Armagnac and Calvados go unnoticed on shelves. I've started my own infinity bottle. So far it's just Canadian Rockies 21, but soon it should be getting pretty cray. I'll keep it updated with contents.
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Sep 19, 2017 02:52
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I actually had a pre-prohibition Calvados cocktail at my favorite bar last week and it was one of the most delightful things ever. I'd love to get my hands on a bottle sometime, because I've never really given brandy a chance.
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Sep 19, 2017 03:17
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Distillery near me just launched a series of fruit brandies, releasing 3 white spirits this month and the rest of the production got barreled up to sit for 5 years. Between tasting that stuff and finding a local real-deal Apple Jack I'm head over heels for brandies now.
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Sep 19, 2017 03:26
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Sextro posted:Distillery near me just launched a series of fruit brandies, releasing 3 white spirits this month and the rest of the production got barreled up to sit for 5 years. Between tasting that stuff and finding a local real-deal Apple Jack I'm head over heels for brandies now. Any chance this local apple jack is anywhere on the west coast?
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Sep 20, 2017 05:03
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 Looks like Stagg fans are in luck this year.
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Sep 20, 2017 08:21
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I just went to the Yamazaki distillery tour. A++ would tour again. Unfortunately those fuckers seem to be exporting all the good stuff and basically nothing is for sale there, nor could I find anything in Osaka.
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Sep 20, 2017 08:57
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Vox Nihili posted:
Now to find a store that accidentally puts it on the shelf
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Sep 20, 2017 14:02
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Glottis posted:I just went to the Yamazaki distillery tour. A++ would tour again. Unfortunately those fuckers seem to be exporting all the good stuff and basically nothing is for sale there, nor could I find anything in Osaka. It's the same in reverse at Four Roses where the company was making money hand-over-fist exporting to Japan most of their product until the Japanese investors said to make sure to spread the product in the US to keep up with following competition and constantly adjusting their grain orders to match. I think it was reasoned that of you keep delivering to one country you become accustomed to constantly change your product line to match their tastes. Japanese like sweeter whiskeys (there was a bartender manga at some time and it was funny to see them take out Makers Mark in the book like it holy but it was a good read) and that makes your skills stagnant if you are trying to sell yourself as a American bourbon country when you are exporting something that tastes wildly different to the American audience. I hope Yamazaki learns something from Four Roses. That story of how that distellery was created wad awesome from the manga. Dude loved bourbon in a world of sake and how his wife helped a ton in the beginning.
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Sep 20, 2017 16:37
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EVIL Gibson posted:I think it was reasoned that of you keep delivering to one country you become accustomed to constantly change your product line to match their tastes. Japanese like sweeter whiskeys (there was a bartender manga at some time and it was funny to see them take out Makers Mark in the book like it holy but it was a good read) and that makes your skills stagnant if you are trying to sell yourself as a American bourbon country when you are exporting something that tastes wildly different to the American audience. The Bartender anime is actually really good, I should add. There's a couple episodes revolving around whiskey; one specifically about Japanese varieties and another revolving more around Scotch. I don't know how accurate it is when it comes to explaining facts and history because a lot of it is tied up in plot stuff, but it's definitely a good watch if you're into it.
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Sep 20, 2017 17:07
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Matsuri posted:The Bartender anime is actually really good, I should add. There's a couple episodes revolving around whiskey; one specifically about Japanese varieties and another revolving more around Scotch. I don't know how accurate it is when it comes to explaining facts and history because a lot of it is tied up in plot stuff, but it's definitely a good watch if you're into it. I was mistaken. Reading the manga again they are talking about Nikka Whiskey. They talk about while waiting for the first batches to age they made apple wine in the meantime and you can still buy that wine today The book actually taught me things about mixing like how to mix gently (just moving the ice around slowly to mix by moving a small spoon with a long neck).
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Sep 20, 2017 19:32
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NHK ran a dramatization of the Taketsuru/Nikka story called "Massan" a few years back, it was really popular. If you're interested in the actual history check out the book Whisky Rising by Stefan Van Eycken. Alternatively I have a shorter version here, if you can get through my terrible writing.
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Sep 21, 2017 01:20
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You want to import Toki into Japan?! It's the crappy stuff imo. I'm trying to get something like Nikka From The Bottom from there.
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Sep 21, 2017 05:29
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Mandalay posted:You want to import Toki into Japan?! It's the crappy stuff imo. I'm trying to get something like Nikka From The Bottom from there. lol 
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Sep 21, 2017 07:17
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Nikka's latest expression, Nikka From The Bottom. Aged in Japanese domestic butts with NAS Color: Dark chocolate, with a tint of crimson Nose: Pungent earthy notes of freshly composted manure Palate: Digested burritos, earthworms, and warm copper Finish: Lingering bile, heavy fecal matter zmcnulty fucked around with this message at 08:05 on Sep 21, 2017 |
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Sep 21, 2017 08:02
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Made an Old Fashioned with Bushmills Black Bush because I was out of bourbon and was pleasantly surprised!
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Sep 21, 2017 18:07
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Copper& Kings in Louisville, KY is making some amazing brandy that I think it really bridges the gap between a brandy and a bourbon. It's made in a pot still and aged in a solera of new and ex-bourbon barrels, but is still fruit forward enough to make it definitely not a bourbon. They also recently released an apple brandy that I'd like to try. What is everyone's thoughts on Old Forester? I just bought a bottle of the 1870 and I really like the spice profile. Are there other bottles from their lineup that are better than others?
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Sep 22, 2017 06:11
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zmcnulty posted:Nikka's latest expression, Nikka From The Bottom. Aged in Japanese domestic butts with NAS Oh my... Simultaneously curious and horrified by the flavor of warm copper. All the other descriptors are very specific, but that one just spurs the imagination.
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Sep 22, 2017 06:57
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Chuck Biscuits posted:Copper& Kings in Louisville, KY is making some amazing brandy that I think it really bridges the gap between a brandy and a bourbon. It's made in a pot still and aged in a solera of new and ex-bourbon barrels, but is still fruit forward enough to make it definitely not a bourbon. They also recently released an apple brandy that I'd like to try. I'll second this. Copper and Kings makes some amazing craft, and their distillery is one of the cooler tours I've been on. I honestly prefer their 40%, not their barrel proof, options, but I've never been disappointed.
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Sep 22, 2017 12:37
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Old Forrester 1920 is fantastic. Easy to drink for the proof and hints of cherry on the finish.
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Sep 22, 2017 12:59
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Chuck Biscuits posted:What is everyone's thoughts on Old Forester? I just bought a bottle of the 1870 and I really like the spice profile. Are there other bottles from their lineup that are better than others? The entry-level offerings ($30 or under range) are pretty awful relative to the competition and as such I haven't really found any reason to try their higher-end stuff. Brown-Forman is probably my least favorite major American distiller.
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Sep 22, 2017 23:08
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sean10mm posted:Made an Old Fashioned with Bushmills Black Bush because I was out of bourbon and was pleasantly surprised! Love that whiskey.
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Sep 23, 2017 18:47
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Nth Doctor posted:Love that whiskey.  Also Four Roses Small Batch rubbed me the wrong way for some reason, but I really like this Eagle Rare I just got. I can't really explain why though.
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Sep 27, 2017 18:26
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Has anyone tried Redbreast 12 cask strength and can say how is compares to Redbreast 12 (which I love)? I'm wondering if the cask strength is worth the signficant price premium. edit: Also this brandy discussion is very interesting. Whiskey is great but the prices seem out of proportion compared to other spirits, presumably because of the recent surge in popularity(?). Nocturtle fucked around with this message at 00:51 on Sep 28, 2017 |
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Sep 28, 2017 00:36
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Have you seen Redbreast Lustau? I made an earlier post about it. Thought it was awesome. Just finished my bottle actually.
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Sep 28, 2017 01:13
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sean10mm posted:
I think four roses does have a strange rear end start. Like it takes like any cheap whiskey for a hot second before it changes to smooth. Let me try one. I think I have eagle rare too in fact. edit: gently caress, I think the Eagle Rare was killed last BBQ. I did have a four roses small batch so I used a Elijah Craig 23 to compare. The small batch actually has a normal start, but the finish is super rough. Everything but the end is great which is a good price for one lame thing about the bourbon. On a side note: Thank you for giving me an reason to drink tonight lol. EVIL Gibson fucked around with this message at 01:29 on Sep 28, 2017 |
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Sep 28, 2017 01:22
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Eagle Rare is pretty bland, so anything compared against it will seem more bitey I'd guess. Except maybe Makers or a Canadian whiskey.
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Sep 28, 2017 01:39
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I have to admit I passed over the Redbreast Lustau when I saw it didn't have an age statement, but that was probably snobby. I'll see if it's still at the store, I recall it being cheaper than the cask strength 12yo. It would be nice it's any of the local bars carried either of them.
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Sep 28, 2017 16:31
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Nocturtle posted:Has anyone tried Redbreast 12 cask strength and can say how is compares to Redbreast 12 (which I love)? I'm wondering if the cask strength is worth the signficant price premium. I've had Redbreast 12 CS, but haven't had the standard bottle. I really enjoy the CS, though, and it received the top average score in a small tasting I held with some friends.
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Sep 28, 2017 19:15
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Vox Nihili posted:I've had Redbreast 12 CS, but haven't had the standard bottle. I really enjoy the CS, though, and it received the top average score in a small tasting I held with some friends. I ran an Irish Whiskey tasting earlier in the year and the Redbreast 12 was by far the best. Really smooth and rich.
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Sep 29, 2017 12:59
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What's the best rye I can get at most bars? I usually default to Old Overholt because a) most bars have it and b) it's cheap. But am I missing out on some other generally available rye? I'm not too knowledgeable about american whiskey in general but I understand this is a pretty broad and probably dumb question.
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Sep 29, 2017 18:43
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