So, what are you drinking now?

Well it was a Van Winkle 10 year 107 and now I'm going to move on the a Springbank 12 Cask Strength. The springbank is absolutely great, haven't been this enamoured of a scotch in a while.

@thecyclingyogi, how is it? I have some at home but I haven't tried it yet. Also, in other news, during the test in my spirits class, I confused 12 Year Old Canadian Club Classic with an aged rum. I should be tarred and feathered (though the vast majority of my class made the same error). I shall carry this shame for the rest of my days.

Last nights blind tastings: Heat #1 a) Glenfiddich 12yr, b)Macallan 12yr, c)Ben Riach "Curiositas"( very Islay peaty, told this was originally made for Chivas Regal blends). Heat #2 a)Glen Moray 12 yr, (my favorite in this heat) b) Balvenie 12 yr Double wood, c) Cragganmore 12 yr- on the fence with this one. Heat #3 a)Glenlivet 12 yr, b)Glenlivet 15 french Oak, c)Glenlivet 21 yr, (this confirmed I am not a Glenlivet fan) Heat #4 a) Chivas Regal 18 yr blend, (horrible stuff IMHO), b)Aberlour a'bunadh batch 36- lovely, c) Glenfiddich 30 yr -Oh so smooth. Had a great time and would highly recommend anyone to go to a Scotch tastings night.

You go, Lars! You recommend going to a Scotch tastings night? I think having a tastings night about two or three times per week would be ideal. How else are you going to get through 4,000 whiskies?

@Victor I don't think my Liver could handle that many tastings/week, lol. I think I need to get my own group going as there aren't that many events put on in this province. Something to ponder on.

@Lars, yes, absolutely, getting your own groups together is the easiest and cheapest way to taste a lot of whiskies.

@Lars, you and Victor have a wondeful idea there, count myself and Lilyrose in on that. I just need a little heads up as I live in the Lac du Bonnet area.

@Victor , I do have scotch tastings 3-4 times a week, although it's usually just me and 15 varieties. I like how you think Victor.A man who thinks as I do. After work today I am getting my first bottle of Edradour 10, if Wodha says it's a great dram, then it must be. I have to trust you gentlemen as you have not led me astray yet. Cheers...

Excellent to hear, @A.J! Also consider organizing with Connosrs at a distance when you travel (or consider whisky-tasting as a part of your travel plans, to the extent practical). I've done tasting with more Connosr friends in Toronto now, than I have with Connosrs in the DC region where I live.

It's Thursday and it's bourbon-time: Knob Creek single barrel to warm up the tastebuds and the the trio infernale: Pappy van Winkle 15, Old Grand Dad 114 Proof and George T. Stagg 2010...wham bam thank you dram!

Winding down a really LONG week with a dram of Mortlach 15 followed by A'bunadh batch 28.

@A.J. Edradour is a tricky one. Most folks I know don't like it at first or don't like it enough to try it again. If you have a bottle you'll end up giving it more of a chance. I'm interested to hear your thoughts on it.

Sipping on AnCnoc 12 year, currently. Might venture out to the whisky bar a little later... maybe explore speysides a bit. I have yet to find one that really grabs me... with the exception of the Ben Riach Curiousitas... but that's far from a typical speyside. Not wild about Abund'h. Any recommendations for atypical speysides that might grab me?

@Devo: You might like Benromach 10yo. This is now Gordon & MacPhail's 'Make' & any Whisky they turn their hand to is first class. Their knowledge of casks and maturation is second to none.

Cheers.

Redbreast 12 year old whiskey. It's only 11 in the morning but what the hell, it's St. Patrick's day!

Out of Irish whisky at the moment, so I'm having a little Glenmorangie Sonnalta tonight.

I had a few drams tonight of Tyrconnel 10 year old port finish while watching The Quiet Man (John Wayne movie set in Ireland). Perfect end to a great day.

@Devo, Ardmore Traditional Cask (no, not cask strength) is a Speyside that is medium peated, and has a semi-sweet, almond-like character; I like it a lot. It is not pungent and rubbery like Curiositas.

@A'bunadhman and @AboutChoice... thanks guys, I'll put these on my list to check out. Interesting that you find a pungent rubbery note in Curiositas AboutChoice, I haven't found that at all in the couple bottles I've tried.

Tried my first Glenfarclas last night. The 15 year. Bigger than I expected... real big. And I didn't mind it, however it still had that waxy cough syrup note that I've found in several Speysides which has been turning me off of the region. Also tried my first Clynelish 14 and really enjoyed it. Yes, not a speyside, I know... now I'm just rambling. :)

@Wodha -- I think the Edradour 12 Caledonia bottling is better than the Edradour 10.

I got a minature Edardour ten last year, its the only whisky that i have ever poured down the sink. I still have nightmares.

I'm going back to basics, this week, with several Glenfiddich and Balvenie whiskies. The Snow Phoenix was a pleasant surprise, although somewhat overhyped, while the Balvenie 14y GoldenCask was a stunner. As I write this, I'm sipping the Balvenie 21y PortWood. Oh, if only it was bottled at 46% instead of 40%, this could be brilliant.

@markjedi1 Am sure duty free do a 47% version, nearly worth a holiday just for the bottle.

@Victor...yes, it does seem that us Connosr folk will travel many miles for tastings and/or bottle acquisitions! ;)

@markjedi1, Snow Phoenix is a great example of a good quality product overhyped to the point where it can't help but disappoint a little - even though it shouldn't, as it is once of my favourite Speysides.

@Pudge72: Not to mention 1litre bottles. God, I love these and for some bizarre reason, litre bottles seem (to me) to taste just that little bit better...or is it just greed?

Buffalo Trace @ 45% abv. This is a magnificent Whiskey that has none of the perfume that has kept me away from Bourbon for decades.

The nose is brilliant with lots of butterscotch, even treacle pudding and a clean fresh fruitiness that I find enticing. The palate is a logical continuation of the nose with added spice, nutmeg bound up with an intrigueing green apple tart freshness. The finish is all the above, long lasting and an elegant echo of the whole Whiskey; in harmony and wonderful balance, the Buffalo Trace finish is quite special and I'm quite sure I'll find many more facets as I dig deeper.

@Victor: I've enjoyed Knob Cree 9yo. and now this beautiful Buffalo Trace; where to now, bearing in mind that many of the better expressions are unavailable, here, in Australia and noting that the very highly perfumed, resinous, oaky and overpowering Whiskies are a bit much for me...Thanks in advance!

@markjedi1. I picked up a bottle of Balvenie 21 Port Wood recently at LA airport duty free and it is indeed 47.6%. Haven't tried it yet, but it is only a 70cl bottle and cost $165 so I am saving it for an occasion of some sort. I'm trying to convince myself that the third Tuesday of March qualifies as a suitable occasion.

BTW Mark. I'm enjoying your YouTube reviews. Keep them coming.

@Onlyhalfmad My first taste of Edradour made me want to spit. That was a couple of years ago. Now I rather enjoy it. Try it again later when you're in a different stage of the journey. You might like it.