So, what are you drinking now?

@OdysseusUnbound , the key with NAS whiskies is just to assume they're 3 years old, and then make your buying decision from there. I think that's more than fair and what they deserve.

I object to them on principle too, but when they're good, they're good. And especially when I've had them before or seen enough positive reviews, I'll still buy them if value is there.

As for Talisker 57N specifically, it's pretty darn good, at least based on the one bottle I've had. I would not buy it at the prices I usually see ($150 for a liter?), but I would buy it (again! ) for €59 from finedrams. They're not supposed to ship to the US, but they do. Canada might be the same. (You're in Canada, right?) Poke around online a little bit (reddit) and see if folks in the Great White North have luck getting their stuff delivered.

@BlueNote , I'll do a proper tasting of that Kilkerran 12 myself now that it's finally opened and—spoiler alert—not chosen by my club as its new bottle (and thus, safe in my own keeping). The huge upside (to me) here is that the advent of this 12 into my personal "open" collection will also herald the opening of a few Kilkerrans I've been holding in my stash for this moment: the WIP #1, the WIP #6 Sherry, a second WIP #7 Bourbon, and the new 8 YO Cask Strength.

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And here are the promised results from the club's blind Campbeltown vote-off.†

•0 votes: Mitchell's blend

•0 votes: Campbeltown Loch blend

•1 vote: Kilkerran 12

•2 votes: Glen Scotia 12

•2 votes: Springbank 10

How will I break this tie? Well, I intended to bring a bonus bottle to go with the winner to our next meeting, and I already have a Springbank 12 CS open, so Springbank 10 is the winner by fiat! :) The Glen Scotia 12 will go into my personal "open" collection, and will inevitably trigger my opening of an 22 YO indie Glen Scotia sometime this winter.

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† One person of the six present must not've voted. Regardless, that was indeed a small club turnout this month. I'm a little concerned about that. Blame it on summer?

@Victor, about NAS whiskies, John Glaser, the SWA, and transparency:

As I understand it, the disclosure rules that the SWA enforces are indeed real laws that were adopted by the EU, even if they were first set as something like softer "standards" by either the SWA or the UK proper.

So I don't know what real authority the SWA has to enforce the rules, but if they don't, it seems like the EU could tackle it as a labeling problem. Brexit could change the EU's authority on this down the road, but it hasn't yet.

Aside from any conspiratorial motivations that the SWA (actually, its members) might have to prevent the John Glasers of the world from sharing their blends' full recipes, I get the impression that it's a case where the industry gets to regulate itself as long as it's seen to be responsibly doing so.

I'm ending my night with a dram of Laphroaig 10. After having a Lagavulin DE earlier, the Laphroaig seems much less sweet than I normally perceive it. Blame it on the PX finish of the Lagavulin. The iodine/medicine/TCP of Laphroaig's nose is really jumping out at me. It's still terrific though. The peaty, smoky finish of each is quite distinct.

@MadSingleMalt I'm indeed in Canada. I believe the last time I saw Talisker 57 North, it was $190 CAD for 750ml. Way too much for something I've never tried. And well past what I generally consider my personal "point of diminishing returns" (approx $150 CAD). Corry, Oogie and Lore all fall into the same category as Talisker 57N. Lagavulin 12 CS sells for about $160 when it's around, but it's Lagavulin, so I may as well tell Diageo to "shut up and take my money!"

@OdysseusUnbound , seriously: See if you can get shipments from finedrams.

@OdysseusUnbound If I can find an Uigeadail for less than $90 tax included in Calgary do you want me to try to mule you one this winter? Then it won't be in your law of diminishing returns category.

@Nozinan Yes, sounds good. I'd gladly email you $90-ish dollars for a bottle of Oogie. It also sounds like you're trying to lure me to the "dark side". Lol. Seriously though, for all my posturing about NAS, I don't think I can turn down the chance to try an Ardbeg or a Laphroaig that's received rave reviews. My objections to NAS (the marketing side, not the juice itself) stand, but it appears as though I lack the courage of my convictions.

@OdysseusUnbound Well, come to Toronto before December, I'll open my bottle of Uigeadail (and we can try some others) and you can decide if you want me to look for one.

@Nozinan I'll definitely be in Toronto before December. My brother's friend wants him to go to a monthly scotch tasting club in "the six". I told him I'd go along, so maybe we can meet up. That said, if you can get your hands on a bottle of Oogie or Corry for $100 or so, shoot me a message. I'm willing to e-transfer funds and make arrangements. It seems that much like Doc Holliday, my hypocrisy knows no bounds.

@OdysseusUnbound Nothing wrong with low-fat dairy and whole grains. Lots wrong with booze, though.

@talexander Maybe lots wrong with booze, but not much wrong with fine Scotch, when taken in moderation

@talexander I agree. But it's more of a "back to basics" thing after a summer of dietary debauchery. Lots of veggies, fruit, some lean meats and nuts...

@OdysseusUnbound That is an excellent plan, and one I should follow.

@talexander @OdysseusUnbound I understand the sentiment. I have had a couple of "dry Januaries" and they've done me no harm.

@Nozinan All things in moderation, including moderation. Oscar Wilde

@OdysseusUnbound Yes...Wild Oscar.

@Nozinan I doubt Oscar was ever moderate in anything.

I am enjoying a rye by Jim Beam. It is the notorious ( ri )1. Who does remember this one? My glass contains probably the last dram . Cannot find it anymore. I am enjoying it while listening to ¨ The Fighting Side Of Me" by Merle Haggard. I stil would prefer Old Potrero, I guess.

@NamBeist, as I have reported in the past, I've had some very good (ri)1, but I've also had it more than once when it tasted like tap water. The bottom line is that I'd have to taste from the batch to trust buying a bottle.

Tonight it's 7 days since the move. I opened a bottle of 12 YO Springbank CS with @paddockjudge the next night to celebrate (and thank him for helping me move the collection) and tonight I poured another dram after my wife drank most of the l'acadie vineyards dessert wine we opened to reward ourselves for a week of hard work.

I may have added a little too much water, but the nose was brilliant. The palate was a little bitter and thin. I think this one needs a few months to open up.

@Nozinan yes I agree. This really improves with a little time. I Hope I can make mine last long enough to ensure it gets to its best.

Douglas laing epicurean, nice vatted malt at a good price point!

Sitting at my desk, surrounded with boxes, typing up a long list of all the things the contractor needs to finish so we can unpack and put things away.

Every so often, a welcome distraction in the form of a new Connosr post.

Sipping Wiser's Dissertation and enjoying it immensely.

@Nozinan You sound like a happy man. I'll raise a dram of Kilkerran 12 to toast your successful move.

Also, it's heartwarming that you could rely on @paddockjudge to help reduce the strain on your cabinet shelves. What a mensch.

Enjoying this whisky barrel aged beer. Wondefull treat. I get the delicate red fruit, vanilla and oak flavours that complements this beer really nice. Give it a go when you find it, you won't be dissapointed. Local price € 2,- for 33 cl.

Enjoying a dram of Macallan No. 1 Edition. Fantastic dram. I've debated getting No. 2 as well. Anyone have any insights?

Now I'm cracking open a new bottle of Kilkerran 12yo. First go at it. mmmmm....Campbeltown

@nooch I'm loving mine too. Not too hard to tell there is Springbank DNA in there.

TIFF is just far too busy for me to simply sit down and enjoy a nice dram!