So, what are you drinking now?

@bwmccoy we don't have mail-in in Tennessee...im heading to a location after work.

Having a Quinta Ruben after a nice risotto dinner. Truth be told it was a touch too salty so a little sweetener is perfect fodder. I may have a Longrow after as well . . .

@RianC, it is a different climate these days. The pressure is off for frequent flyers.

I've had a crazy week so far, and it's only Tuesday. There were two accidents on the South-bound 400 this morning, so it took me 3 hours to travel a total of 110 km. Tomorrow, I drive over 200 km to Hamilton for a day's work, then I head to Pearson International Airport to fly to Edmonton for a 2 day conference. SOOOOOO I opened one of my bottles of Lot 40 CS 12 Year (2017) to take the edge off. It's very satisfying. Heck, I may open one of my bottles of the 11 year 2018 just to do a H2H. Maybe....

And I did it. I opened a bottle of this year’s 11 year old Lot 40 CS. The biggest difference (after one dram of the 2017, and a nosing and small sip of the 2018), is on the nose. This year’s offering has a LOT more low-end. Deep, dark caramel, almost like a good dark sipping rum. Both have a nice chai tea (a redundant expression if ever there was one) flavour on the finish. Both feel like medicine for the soul. I’m glad to have another bottle of each, and I may buy more in Edmonton if the opportunity presents itself.

All that said, it will be fun to do more H2H tastings of these as time goes by to see how they evolve. If I had to choose right now, I’d probably pick this year’s version, but it would be a photo finish. And I might choose differently next week.

Cracked open that Arran 12CS to celebrate college basketball starting and election day.

@casualtorture and....?

Tonight, celebrating the end of political ads until the next election... :-)

High West American Prairie Bourbon batch # 18B14. 46% ABV.

Dry Fly Port Finish Wheat Whiskey 45% ABV

Laphroaig 10 year 43% ABV

Kilkerran 8 Cask Strength, as I pop open every Kilkerran from my stash one-by-one this week in preparation for a big vertical I'm hosting for my club next week.

@Nozinan I enjoy it. It needs some air time but it's a low-mid 80s whisky so far. Not as complex as the wonderful 14yo. Lots of white cake and tropical fruits.

@MadSingleMalt , how is it? I've read conflicting reports but then again you have a lot of experience with the WIP releases to so you might have better perspective.

@casualtorture I agree, the 14 is probably the sweet spot in the Arran lineup. It has two important things going for it: it's affordable and delicious.

@MadSingleMalt I'm trying hard to avoid the sin of envy.

@cricklewood, the Kilkerran 8 CS is clean & bright & fresh. I dig it.

The previous Kilkerran I opened a couple days ago was one of the bourbon-cask WIPs. (The pink one, maybe? Forgive my vagueness—I opened it in a casual moment doing other things.) The 8 CS is waaaaay better. In comparison, that WIP is dirty and sour.

The real comparison will come when I compare the 8 CS side-by-side with one of my WIP #7 CS bottles, which I'll probably open this weekend.

@BlueNote, you've got five days to reach Madison.

@MadSingleMalt If only, my friend, if only. I could stop off in Toronto on the way and join @Nozinan and his merry band. Maybe one day.

I’m drinking water right now. I’m at Pearson waiting for my flight to Edmonton. I absolutely hate flying. So if there is literally any whisky available on the flight, I will buy it, regardless of the absurd “10 dollars for a 25 ml sample” price.

@OdysseusUnbound should have splurged for air cananda lounge. They have glenlivet 12, but it isn't that bad.... Also JW black

@Nozinan But I’m flying WestJet...

@OdysseusUnbound, here's to the JW & coke you'll be enjoying on flight shortly

@cricklewood Coke schmoke, give me that Red Label straight up! (Ok, maybe on ice)

@MadSingleMalt I'm real keen to hear your comparison between the 8 CS and the WIP7 Bourbon CS. I had a wee WIP7 last night - it tastes amazing but the nose is still very closed on it.

Glenmorangie 10

@bwmccoy - Just read @conorrob's review of Glenfiddich 12 of which I'm not a big fan (the whisky not the review!). This, however, I'd happily pick up on offer. How was it and do you get it at 43%?

Last night I used the last bit of Michter's bourbon (not a fan) to marinate a pork roast, and had some Macallan 12 with my Dad who was over for dinner.

The SAQ resumed it's Thursday tastings but I haven't had a chance to attend. I figured today was a good opportunity for me to build up "enzymes" (this treatment is recommended by the Copper Cliffs medical association) ahead of this weekend.

The line-up was Achentoshan 21, Edradour 10, Ardbeg An Oa & Laphroaig Triple Wood. All were new to me except the Laphroaig.

The 'Toshan was good but too limp on the palate. An Oa has some interesting moments but just suppresses too many of the fun elements of Ardbeg. Triple Wood is a nice twist on Quarter Cask, not quite as bold.

The Edradour was the most interesting one, such a strange whisky, mixing some elements of springbank but still an original whisky on this own. I need to try more of their stuff..

@RianC - Glenmorangie 10 is consistently good for me and sometimes it tastes exceptionally good. It’s a solid everyday dram. Yes, it’s at 43% ABV. I wish it was a little higher, but it doesn’t taste watered down.

Tonight is the start to my weekend, so I opened another sample from @Victor; William Larue Weller Wheated Bourbon Barrel Proof 67.3% ABV (2015 bottling). On the nose, I got brown sugar, maple, polished wood, cereal grains and sweet honey. On the palette, leather, tobacco leaf, dark caramel and toffee, a little treacle. The finish is medium-long, dark caramelised sugars, polished oak and anise. Thank you again @Victor for the sample!

Also, Aultmore 18 year (Feb. 1997) SMWS 73.72 "A ray of sunshine" from a refill ex-bourbon hogshead.

Finished with a Laphroaig 10

@cricklewood - Sounds like a nice line up! I've not had any Edradour but really fancy trying some. I'm a bit put off by the 10 due to it's 'old fashioned' presentation. They do, however, seem to release CS bourbon 10 year olds and CS sherry aged a bit longer (13?) each year. I'd like to try both but the sherry one is definitely on 'the list'. The 12 is also supposed to be be a good one.

@bwmccoy - We get it at 40% . . . It's still quite a nice lighter styled malt though and not bad value at c£25 on offer.

@RianC, I'll post my tasting notes for the Edradour later today. I have a 5 hour train ride, I forgot my headphones and didn't pack a book.

I've heard really good things about the 12 as well as the CS versions, the sherry sold out very quickly in stores here despite the hefty price tag.