So, what are you drinking now?

Bruichladdich Port Charlotte Islay Barley 2008. It really opens up with a little water. I detect some of the same characteristics as the non-peated Bruichladdich Islay Barley Rockside Farm 2007 bottling.

I had some Octomore 2.1 last night. I think it is magnificent. For peat lovers only.

@NamBeist, that is excellent to hear about the Octomore 2.1. I've never had a taste of it, but I do own an unopened bottle of it. That is one I have been saving to open for the future. So far I have never read anything but high praise for 2.1.

@Victor I have a 4.1 in the same condition. I did taste it at the store. It was fabulous. Wouldn't it be something to try those together?

@Nozinan, yes it would.

Opened my Dissertation last night and I'm having more of it tonight. This is dram good stuff !!!

@OdysseusUnbound It certainly is... I find it's a little weird on the first pour because of the shape of the bottle, but the whisky itself.... excellent!

Hi Everybody! Apologies for my extended absence. It's always nice knowing you are all here discussing important matters. Tonight I'm sipping one of my favorites, Aberfeldy! 12 year old to be exact. I had one bad bottle once and honestly, I swear no two bottles are exactly alike. Tonight's is a solid effort. Cheers!

@Wodha Great to see you back! May all your drams be outstanding!

@OdysseusUnbound, have you tried hand-warming Dissertation in a brandy snifter?

@paddockjudge Have you? sounds fascinating.

@Nozinan, someday I'll get one of these...

@paddockjudge That would be dangerous with some CSers

@paddockjudge that picture makes me nervous. As a Science teacher I've seen even good quality laboratory glassware crack from a heat source concentrated in one area. It looks pretty cool, but I think I'll stick to the heating pads I was born with. On a side note, I accidentally broke my favourite glass last night by putting it down too firmly on the kitchen counter. Fortunately, I had finished my Bunnahabhain 12 by that stage.

@paddockjudge - that picture brings new meaning to "Sherry bomb". :-)

@Hewie, safety first! The tried and true method of hand-warming will stand the test of time.

@paddockjudge Nothing unsafe about the modified Ashok Manoeuvre, and it keeps your hands free...

I am enjoying a Springbank 12 CS, but I am still aware of the knock out by Octomore 2.1 . Yes, I am.

Toasting the sunset with some barrel strength bourbon with @Pierre ('scuse us while we kiss the sky).

@jeanluc - great photo!

@Nozinan, that would require me to buy an outdated computer with a fan....try leaving a flask full of whisky in the hot sun for an hour, the effect is incredible.

@Wodha, it is sad and sometimes embarrassing to encounter a bad bottle of a whisky which you have known to be very good. You may remember that I had a bad experience with the one bottle of Aberfeldy 12 which I purchased. It was a lot better 8 months later, though. I waited until it tasted much better before I wrote a review of it, then told the full story. A bottle redeemed by air exposure is much better than an unredeemable bottle.

The embarrassing part comes when you insist that your friend buy a bottle of something you have loved, they do, and then it turns out that what they bought tastes nothing like the wonderful stuff you have been used to drinking. That is a horrible experience.

Sitting in the backyard with Octomore 7.1 (208 ppm).

@bwmccoy I just bought a bottle, but haven't cracked it yet. Love the 7.3 I have. What's your take?

@bwmccoy stunning view from the backyard jealous does not come into it.

@bwmccoy That IS a beautiful backyard

@Nozinan and @Pete1969 - Thanks. We feel very blessed to live in such a beautiful setting.

@nooch - I love the 7.1. While it's not my favorite Octomore (nothing will ever beat Orpheus 4.1), 7.1 is very good! It is unexpectedly light and sweet (but not too sweet) with a huge explosion of flavor and complexity in the finish. I don't think you will be disappointed. I've never had the chance to try 7.3. Hopefully, I can still find a bottle.

@nooch - correction. Orpheus 2.2, not 4.1, is my all time favorite Octomore. Got them mixed up in my original reply.

Sunday Weller after a game of scrub.

@paddockjudge - nice, relaxing setting you have there!