So, what are you drinking now?

@MRick, there are some subtle differences between APCS 2019 and APCS 2020.

I attribute these differences to the already open bottle of 2019 APCS (opened Nov 7th 2020) vs the newly opened bottle of APCS 2020. The differences are too small to matter. They are virtually the same.

I was worried that the second batch would take the route of ALBERTA PREMIUM’S alter ego, Pendleton’s, or perhaps CC 100%, both of which possess traits derived from heavy barrel char and whatever else diminishes this alternate flavour profile. I worried for nothing. In a blind H2H you would be hard pressed to identify one from the other.

This is damned good whisky and an excellent value play. Get ‘em while you can for there is no telling when Alberta Distillers Ltd. will produce the next batch.... if at all.

@BlueNote, you got that right. Like Chuvalo, I can take a lickin’ and keep on tickin’. George Chuvalo lasted a lot better than Ali.

What an unbelievable life! Chuvalo endures tragedy after repeated tragedy. He makes King Lear’s turmoil look like a much welcomed upgrade.

@paddockjudge Well said. I have a great deal of admiration for George for both the physical and emotional punishment he has endured and somehow survived. For Muhamad, on the other hand, the rope-a-dope turns out not to have been his best strategy. Would you say that @Nozinan dances like a butterfly and stings like a bee?

Started off the evening making a couple Cinnamon Maple Whiskey Sours for my wife and me. Now moving on to Revival Jimmy Red Bourbon Whiskey finished in Oloroso Sherry casks. Comes in at 46.5% ABV.

@BlueNote I think I dance more like a bee and sting like a butterfly...

Tonight no whisky. Why? Tomorrow I'll be tasting 6 expressions from a Middle Eastern distillery. And tonight, we popped a bottle of Moët and Chandon Nectar Impérial to celebrate my daughter's success, and to ring in the lunar new year! 5 people, one bottle. And it was delicious!

@BlueNote, he stings like a "Milk & Honey" bee.

Tonight, before dinner, a couple of cocktails.

First, a Black Irish Coffee Manhattan, recipe courtesy of @yaklord. 1oz Irish whiskey (standard Jameson in this case), 1oz cold brew coffee infused whiskey (Jameson Cold Brew), 1oz Amaro, a dash of coffee bitters and a dash of orange bitters.

Next, a Chocolate Manhattan. 2oz bourbon (Maker's Mark 46), 1/2oz sweet vermouth, 1/2oz Creme de Cacao and 2 dashes of orange bitters.

After dinner, on a cold, snowy, windy night, peat and re-peat.

Allt-A-Bhainne SMWS 108.14 (7 year - Nov 2011) "An enjoyable curiosity" - 2nd-fill ex-bourbon barrel - 66.2% ABV.

Caol Ila SMWS 53.325 (7 year - Mar. 2012) "When two powerful pearls meet". After six years in an ex-bourbon hogshead, finished in a refill ex-Madeira hogshead - 61.2% ABV.

@BlueNote two of my favourites. Both bottles from 2018 so will need replacing at some point. The Longrow has rum casks in it and this adds something interesting to it. I think the latest release does too so might have to try and get hold of one. Cheers.

@bwmccoy that Caol Ila sounds interesting. What do you think of it?

@Timp after having tried some Springbank & Hazelburn in rum. It's an interesting pairing with the distillery profile.

@Timp - I'm a huge Caol Ila fan, especially when it is cask strength and from independent bottlers, especially the Scotch Malt Whisky Society. This bottling does not disappoint. What I really like about this one is that the Madeira finish does not cover up, but rather enhances the underlying spirit. It adds a layer of depth and complexity to the standard ex-bourbon hogshead notes. The Madeira is present, but is in the background. An amazingly balanced dram.

@bwmccoy There's getting to be a bit of a cult-like following for Caol Ila. I think it's finally getting its due alongside the Islay big boys. I'm loving the SMOS bottling of Caol Ila 8 year old cask strength.

@paddockjudge If they can maintain the current quality standard, an annual release of APCS would be a great addition. Unfortunately, I think it will become a collectible.

@bwmccoy Really happy to see that Black Irish Coffee Manhattan work it's way into your cocktail rotation.

@MRick I have not noted any of my Canadian whiskies to have increased in value as a collectible in the 10 years I've been at this. And believe me, at the rate I drink them and my current levels of FORO and FOMO, most of my bottles remain collected and unopened.

Now, if Glen Breton had LOST the Battle of the Glens and had to change their name, my bottles would have appreciated considerably. As it is... enough said.

@Nozinan good luck to anyone who buys bottles of Canadian whisky for "investment" purposes. If history is any indication, price appreciation, if any, will be less than inflation.

Today has been all sleet, freezing rain and snow. Made a Whiskey Queen cocktail for myself and a Cosmopolitan for the wife. I’m following that up with a Larceny and Old Lace cocktail (my wife has moved to wine). Will end the evening with a Kilchoman Sanaig as this winter evening needs some peat!

@65glenfarclas One of the many reasons I do not buy for investment.

Every bottle I buy is bought with the intent of one day being opened, either by me or someone else, at the right time.

Played in the snow with my son and shoveled the driveway this afternoon, so I figured this bottle kill was appropriate.

High West A Midwinter Nights Dram; Act 7 Scene 6 - 49.3% ABV.

Thanks @jordytropp and his wife for this Christmas present in 2019!

After coming in from the cold, had a couple of traditional Manhattan’s that I am aging in the bottle with a charred oak stick. This is week 3 of up to 6 weeks of recommended aging. Progressing nicely.

Later, playing on-line poker with my brother-in-law and some friends.

Bushmills SMWS 51.15 (16 year - May 2002) "Boiled sweets and cut flowers" - First-fill barrel - 56.4%

M&H Elements Sherry Cask (tasting especially good tonight!)

Kilchoman Machir Bay Cask Strength Christmas Edition (Santa hats on sheep). 58.6% ABV

@Nozinan i meant ‘collectible’ in terms of quality for money, not investment grade.

After playing in the snow with my son and shoveling the driveway, had a couple of “Noix on Broadway” cocktails before dinner. 3 parts whiskey (supposed to be rye, but I used Old Grandad 114) and 1 part Walnut liqueur with a dried orange garnish.

After dinner, lit an Ardbeg peat cone and poured a dram of Kilchoman Small Batch #3 (Port hogsheads, bourbon barrels and sherry casks) - 48.9% ABV while watching a Bond movie.

I feel like I can related to all of our Canadian Connosr friends today. 10F this morning and covered in ice with snow now piling on top of that. As soon as I log off work I'm pouring either some Laphroaig or some ECBP. Or both.

@casualtorture when the travel restrictions ease up be sure to visit the Canadians during the winter. That's the real Canada, you know, The Great White North.

@Victor Yes I do need to go. But not in winter. I would really enjoy some of the pine forests and trout fishing in the Canadian Rockies. They would probably laugh at me and my many layers as soon as it dropped below 50F.

After writing an annual review for one of my employees tonight, I wanted some peat.

Allt-A-Bhainne SMWS 108.14 (7 year - Nov 2011) "An enjoyable curiosity" - 2nd-fill ex-bourbon barrel - 66.2% ABV.

@casualtorture.

both, eh?!

No whisky, as I was taking part in the Embassy of Japan in Ottawa's Virtual Sake Tasting.

@YakLord Did you get to keep the fine porcelain?

Last night (Wednesday), a dram of M&H Elements Sherry Cask.

Did the same thing tonight.