So, what are you drinking now?

@Victor You're a real whisky drinker. I also am open to trying anything. I once sat in a Chinese restaurant in a very small town and asked if they had whisky. The waitress sheepishly said "We only have 'Monarch'." I ordered it neat and actually enjoyed it quite a bit.

@Wodha, yes, we are expand our learning by being willing to actually have the experience. Where can I get Monarch? Do I have to go to Teipei?

@Wodha, um, (edit, last post): delete "are" before "expand".

@Victor I see Monarch all the time on the bottom shelf of local liquor stores. I think it's $12 for 1.5 L or ing those lines. If you don't like it you can use it to clean you car's engine.

@Wodha, or use it as disinfectant. Wait, is Monarch a really famous bottom shelf whisky? I may have heard of that one.

I would have enjoyed a few years in Taiwan. I spent 18 hours there once. I loved my two years in Seoul.

I use the really bad stuff to wash film in the darkroom.

Just returned from the Albion River Inn where the have 150 whiskies to try. I was able to try about 27 while I was there. Many over 25 years old. Really a treat and a great place to stay to get away from cell phones and electronics.

Som highlights were 8 expressions of highland park. Port Ellen 8th release, six Bowmore expressions, very tasty, and several others which wrer hand carried back from Scotland.

We found a few bottles to take home from San Francisco.

Great get away.

Auld Reekie 10yo "Islay Malt" by Duncan Taylor & Co. 46%ABV. 2010 Whisky Bible rates it a 95. Jim Murray calls it a "must have for Islayphiles". I've been looking for it for more than 2 years. Found it at Royal Mile Whisky in Edinburgh. It's good.

Dewer's 12 Year Old. I got it because it's in Ian Buxton's 101 Whiskies to Try Before You Die (a fabulous book, by the way). This is remarkably good whisky - especially for a blend. It's on par with some single malts that I love.

W. L. Weller Antique 107 7-Yr Bourbon (wheated). In the past year, I never cared for this, but as of lately, after tasting the magnificant William Larue Weller Antique Collection Bourbon 2010 (63.3%) (which is the only one that tops Antique 107), I am finding the Antique 107 (53.3%) to be a remarkably rich, bold and flavorable bourbon ... with the same genes as the W. L. Weller 2010. The Antique 107 easily surpasses, or holds its own, when compared to other 50+%-ters, such as Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit, and Knob Creek 50%. Wild Turkey Rare Breed (54.1%) gives it a good run, but it is more of a rye character. Pappy Van Winkle 15 (53.5%), wheated, is right up there, but more sophisticated. Noah's Mill at 57.15% easily challenges, but with more complexity of walnuts and fruit. All in all, Weller Antique 107 is truely remarkable, and is without doubt a best-buy. Has anyone else tried this?

@jeremyeccles, I also find Dewar's 12 to be a fine whisky ... glad to see that someone agrees. And, you may also enjoy Ballantines 12 Blended as well (I reviewed it some time ago).

Monkey shoulder bang for buck this scotc is right up their!!

I agree with both of your assessments firstly about the book and secondly about Dewars 12yr old excellent choice!

@jeremyeccles If you like Dewer's try Aberfeldy single malt, "The Heart of Dewer's", one of my favorites. Dewer's "World of Whisky" is located at the Aberfeldy distillery in Scotland. Sadly I didn't have time to visit on my recent trip. I'll use this as an excuse to go back.

@AboutChoice @Wodha Thanks for the recommendations. I haven't tried either of them, but I will. Wodha, where do you suggest I start with Aberdeldy? The 12 year old?

@AboutChoice, @dbk and I are avowed long-time fans of Old Weller Antique 107, as we have posted in various places. It really is a best-buy whiskey. As for comparisons, I consider wheated bourbons to be a completely separate flavour category from rye bourbons and rarely compare them to each other for flavours.

@Wodha, I am usually sympatico with your likes in whisky. I have yet to have a mouthful of Aberfeldy, but I expect that that condition will not yet much longer remain...

Dewars. You'd think I'd know THAT spelling.

If I had my way you'd all have Aberfeldy 12 on your shelves. I've had the Aberfeldy 21 on a few occasions and honestly, while stunningly smooth, I prefer the 12. But then again I tend to like younger malts. I'll take Laphroaig Quarter Cask over Laphroaig 18 and/or 30 any day. Recently I found myself rather irritated while discussing Scotch with a newbie. She was dazzled by older expressions only because of their age and cost. I failed to convince her that age does not guarantee quality. If she drinks enough she may figure this out.

@Wodha, right with ya brother, on the subject of the age of whiskies.

@Wodha and @Victor, Indeed. While Glenmorangie Signet is the finest non-peated whisky I have tasted, I find that Glenmorangie 10 is remarkably enjoyable at $35 instead of $200 and the 18 is better in some ways for half the cost (even though the Signet has 30+ year old whiskies that go into it). That said, Dewar's 12 falls in with the above names for my palette. It's smoother than the 10 with complexity and flavor closer to the 18 and Signet, and it's only $40 (and a blend!).

I'm looking forward to the Aberfeldy 12. I may have to pick up a bottle this weekend to share with a few other gentlemen. Thanks again for the recommendation and the follow up. I'll try the 21 eventually, but I'll start with the 12.

The Black Grouse blended Scotch. Quite smoky and this whisky really pops!

Just spent some time with Aberlour 18 ... an elegant, soft, complex and altogether lovely whisky. The 18 does not appear to be double casked, as is the 12 (more vibrant) and the 16. The 18 is softer and more elegant than Glenfiddich 18 and nicely compliments a soft and warm spring rain with a favorite novel, or an outdoor summer concert ... pairing well with Vivaldi. This is not a must-have, but a glad-to-have, and a deserving bottle to balance my whisky portfolio.

Glen Garioch 15. A nice way to start Oktoberfest.

@Wodha, You were right. The Aberfeldy 12 is a nice dram. Though, I prefer the blended Dewar's 12. They took Aberfeldy and made it smoother while adding several layers of complexity with the blend. That said, I wish I would have picked up the Aberfeldy 12 a few months ago. It would be perfect for warm Summer days.

Glenfiddich 18 year old. Dreamy.

Something I really never expected I would have the chance to taste: The Glenlivet 70yo Gordon & MacPhail Generations 1940-2010. A great privilage indeed :-).

Lucky you @Stu_R ! How did you like it ?

@Stu-R Is the experience worth it's retail value if you are buying?

Sat down last night, after running around Boston for most of the day, and had a dram of Benromach 10 before dinner and then a dram of the Kichoman Winter 2010 after dinner.

Black Grouse as Victor talked it up. He was right. It's a great deal and a delicious dram.

nursing a laphroaig qtr cask with no diluting....YUM