So, what are you drinking now?

@OdysseusUnbound - when you purchase the Caol Ila distillery, can I work there? I'll do whatever, sweep the floors, clean the toilets, etc. Anything, if I can have access to some of the product. Will work for Caol Ila! :-)

It's been a pretty good whisky weekend so far. On Friday night, I went over to my brother-in-laws for a family only birthday for his youngest daughter. After a few beers and ribs that he smoked for dinner, we have a few drams;

Clynelish SMWS 26.151 (26 year - October 1993) "Fragrance clings to the hand that gives flowers". Refill ex-bourbon barrel - 47.3% ABV. A beautiful example of this distillery from an ex-bourbon cask.

BenRiach SMWS 12.49 (10 year - March 2010) "Is this the way to Amarillo?". After 9 years in an ex-bourbon barrel, transferred to an ex-Tempest Old Fashioned IPA cask - 60.0% ABV. Fortunately, not a lot of obvious beer influence. Maybe some resin notes from the hops. It's a good dram, but not my favorite.

Glenlossie SMWS 46.100 (27 year - November 1992) "Heart of Gold". After 25 years in an ex-bourbon hogshead, transferred to a 1st-fill Spanish oak ex-Pedro Ximenez hogshead - 53.2% ABV. This is stunning!

St George's Distillery English Whisky Company SMWS 137.7 (7 year - Feb 2012) "How to kill your dragon" - 2nd-fill ex-bourbon barrel - 65.5% ABV. I purchased this about a year ago simply because it was peated and from England. I have never had anything from this distillery and wanted to try it. I opened it on Friday night for us to try and was not disappointed. Notes of white-hot peat embers, charcoal, sea salt, brine and ash, but also has a sweetness to it. Very happy with this one!

Glenturret SMWS 16.46 (6 year - July 2013) "Cooking on a rusty grill". Re-charred hogshead - 64.9% ABV. A peated Highland dram that I didn't really care for previously, but on Friday night, it tasted much better to me. Still very meaty, but the off notes that I previously tasted were not present.

We finished the night with one of Brother-in-law's bottles; Caol Ila SMWS 53.344 (12 year - Sep. 2007) "A seaside picnic" from a refill ex-bourbon hogshead - 56.3% ABV. Notes of barley, honey, biscuit, brine, seafood, sea breeze, salt and grass. Sorry I didn't purchase a bottle of this for myself. So good and a great way to end a fun night.

Last night, we had another couple over for dinner and drams.

Started with a head-to-head tasting of two brand new releases from Woodinville Whiskey Company. Both were their standard straight bourbon whiskey, but one was finished in an ex-Oloroso cask and the other was finished in an ex-PX cask. The Oloroso bottle is 47% ABV and the PX is 47.5% ABV. The consensus from each of us was the nose was better on the PX, but the Oloroso had the better palate. Both were very good, but the PX had a weird finish to it which was disappointing.

Next, we did another head-to-head between a Glendronach 15 and a Glenallachie 15. Both are 46% ABV and both are a combination of ex-Oloroso and ex-PX casks. This particular Glenallachie 15 is not available in the states yet and it is so much darker that the Glendronach. We all thought the Glenallachie was the clear winner between the two and we probably should have compared it head-to-head with a Glendronach 21 instead. That's how good it was and very well priced. Our friends paid the equivalent of $77 USD for this UK release.

Next we did a head-to-head tasting of a single cask Westland and a single cask Ben Nevis. The Westland is 5.5 years in an ex-Oloroso hogshead and the Ben Nevis is 6 years in an ex-Amontillado gorda cask. The consensus was the nose was better on the Westland, but the palate was better on the Ben Nevis.

With dinner (grilled ribeye steaks and Portobello mushrooms with roasted goat cheese), our friends opened a bottle of Compass Box Menagerie. 46% ABV. This blend is made up of 42% Mortlach, 17% Deanston, 17% Highland blend, 18% Glen Elgin and 5% Laphroaig. The Laphroaig was not detectable, but this is another beautiful blend from Compass Box and went very well with dinner.

Next we had a small dram of Glenglassaugh Torfa. This a peated release, bottled at 50% ABV. This was enjoyable enough, but didn't do much for me. I should probably try this one on its own before deciding whether I would own one or not. Based on last night, no, I wouldn't purchase, but that is simply because there is so much other stuff out there at the same price point that I enjoy more.

Next, our friends opened another Compass Box; No Name #2. This is 75% Coal Ila from ex-sherry butts, 10% Talisker (ex-bourbon), 14.5% Clynelish (ex-bourbon) and 0.5% vatting of 3 Highland malts finished in new French oak casks. WOW! I can't believe I am going to say this, but this very well may be worth paying $180 USD for a blend. It is obviously Caol Ila, but the sherry casks and the Clynelish add a sweet and creamy element that is stunning. I'm sure the Talisker adds something as well, but it wasn't as noticeable as the Sherry and the Clynelish.

Next was a very unique Kilchoman; an 8 year old ex-Calvados cask finish. Distilled May 17th, 2012, bottled September 25th, 2020. 56.5% ABV. The Calvados influence was very noticeable; not balanced, but it was still very good. Think smoked apples. The nose is citrus sweet, tropical fruit and light peat smoke. The palate is green apples, vanilla, cinnamon, floral and smoke with a citrus and earthy peat smoke finish.

Next, I shared with them my newly opened St George's Distillery English Whisky Company SMWS 137.7 (7 year - Feb 2012) "How to kill your dragon" - 2nd-fill ex-bourbon barrel - 65.5% ABV.

We finished the night with a head-to-head tasting of Caol Ila SMWS 53.320 (12 year - Sep. 2007) "Raiders of the flossed ark" from a refill ex-bourbon hogshead - 58.2% ABV and Compass Box No Name #2 since it is 75% Caol Ila. Both have that Caol Ila nose, but the Compass Bos is so much more creamy and sweet.

A fun night of whisky, food and friendship.

I’m preparing mince and tatties for dinner so I figured a healthy 3-finger pour of Laphroaig 10 was in order. This bottle is almost gone and it’s been particularly good. The smoke feels thick, yet it’s perfectly balanced by the softer & sweeter vanilla underneath.

Wild Turkey 101 (1986, Baby Skunk Decanter), sample courtesy of friend in the US, with some Patagonian Black Cake. This is really good bourbon. Better without adding water, I think.

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

@OdysseusUnbound It may be just me, but I think the Laphroaig 10 has "firmed up" recently. It seemed a bit weak and watery a year or two ago and had lost some of its peat punch. My last couple of bottles seem much tastier. Could just be evolving (aging) tastebuds I suppose. I seem to need more pronounced flavour these days.

@YakLord That's some hefty (and tasty) looking cake.

@BlueNote I think your right. Had a couple of bottles last year and enjoyed them very much. Thought it was because I hadn’t had one for a few years or my taste buds, but interesting you felt the same way. Nice to see good batch variation if that’s what it is. Cheers. Tim.

@BlueNote, @Timp I've had one or two "just OK" Laphroaigs, but I have never ever had a BAD one. I have long considered Laphroaig to be the most consistent distillery in the world for high quality.

@BlueNote Welsh fruitcake...dense and filled with rum soaked fruit...

@BlueNote - Tonight’s the night. Finished off the Kilchoman Machir Bay Cask Strength Festive Season Edition (Santa hats on sheep). 58.6% ABV. Good stuff! Going to miss this one for sure.

@Paddockjudge challenged me to compare the North of 7 barrel 16 vs my Blend of four 2015 batches of Bookers.

So what could I do?

Both are hypercharged with flavour and are making a great accompaniment to some late night charting.

@bwmccoy You never know what Santa might bring this year. That one is the first item on my letter to the North Pole.

Last night, I had the next to last dram of Westland Single Cask # 2631 release (5 year 6 months-Distilled 2014) - 1st Fill Oloroso Hogshead - 57.9% ABV. I have really enjoyed this bottle. Nutty goodness.

Right now, I'm having a Manhattan served up using a Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Label Batch 1102, Bottle 1409, 45.2% ABV. Our friends that were over on Saturday night brought a chocolate pecan pie with homemade (from scratch) whip cream for dessert. They brought a mostly empty 375ml bottle of the Woodford to drizzle over the pie and whip cream. They left the bottle. There was just enough bourbon in the bottle to make a Woodford Reserve Manhattan (2oz Woodford Reserve bourbon, 3/4oz sweet vermouth, 3 dashes of Angostura bitter and a Luxardo cherry for garnish served in a martini glass). I prefer rye for a traditional Manhattan, but this is not a bad version at all. It's good to "mix" things up a bit from time to time.

I’m having another traditional Manhattan now, but this time with Old Grand Dad 114. After having the Woodford version, this one has a ton of chocolate notes upfront.

@bwmccoy Wow, to have so much access to OGD114 to be able to use it in a cocktail. I suppose I could too, given the current rate that I consume my whisky. But I'm afraid that could open the floodgates, and leave me with only a 50 year supply!

While playing on-line poker with my brother-in-law and friends, Ben Nevis 6 year (Dec. 2013). Full maturation in a 1st Fill Amontillado Gorda. 67.6% ABV. Single Cask Nation bottling.

Finished with a peated St George's Distillery English Whisky Company SMWS 137.7 (7 year - Feb 2012) "How to kill your dragon" - 2nd-fill ex-bourbon barrel - 65.5% ABV

A pretty cool evening here in Maryland. Made me crave a smoked Manhattan. I prefer bourbon Manhattans.

@TracerBullet - love your cocktail smoker!

@TracerBullet I was outside in Sykesville, Maryland about 20 miles from you last night presenting a tasting to 7 people. Intermittent hail, rain, sunshine, and quite chilly standing and sitting outside for 6 hours.

We tasted about 25 things, and I was not in the mood to take notes or record the drinks. One that really stood out to me. An incredible outlier of a newly opened bottle of Macallan 12 yo Sherry Oak. This bottle tasted like dessert wine! Incredibly sweet. I have never tasted another batch of 12 Sherry Oak remotely like it. The guy who had just bought it was disgusted with it and gave it to the folks at whose house we were holding the gathering. Educational, but very disappointing for the guy who bought it. What's in the bottle this time does not necessarily taste much like what you had tasted the last time from a bottle with the same label on it.

The food highlight for me last night was that the Costco Brats which we ate were outstanding, and among the best I've had since I was an undergrad in Milwaukee 50 years ago.

The group loved the Van Winkle 12 yo Special Reserve 'Lot B' Bourbon which I had brought, but they also very much liked the Ancient Age Bourbon which I brought. Both from Buffalo Trace Distillery. The one $ 11, the other $ 1,100 on the secondary market.

Yesterday, for the cocktail hour, I made my wife a couple of our usual Black Manhattan's; Maker's Mark 46, Fast Penny Spirits (FPS) Amaricano, Aromatic and Orange bitters with a dehydrated orange wheel and Luxardo cherry garnish, but we are running low on the Amaricano, so I made a couple of different cocktails for myself trying to use up some samples of stuff that I don't like enough to drink neat.

First up, I followed a traditional Manhattan recipe, but used 2Bar Spirits (Seattle) Bourbon that had been finished in ex-Amaretto casks. This did not work. In addition to the flavors not blending, it was way too sweet. I drank it, but didn't really enjoy it.

Next, I followed the Black Manhattan recipe. Maker's Mark 46 was still the base, but instead of FPS Amaricano, I used another local distillery's Amaro; Letterpress distilling (Seattle) Amaro Amorino Riserva. This amaro was aged for 6 months in ex-malt whisky whiskey barrels. This was a much better cocktail, but also completely different from our usual Black Manhattan. The FPS Amaro uses burnt sugar which gives provides for the "black" in the name. The Letterpress Amaro gave notes of clove, cinnamon and spice.

@bwmccoy another reminder that the EXACT ingredients make the cocktail.

Did a trip to Sagamore Distillery today as they held a cocktail class for Mother’s Day. Made two different cocktails (they were a bit on the sweet side for me) and my wife had a blast. Got to try the new release of their tequila finished rye. I liked it much better than their first release of tequila finish but I still didn’t buy a bottle.

Tonight, for the cocktail hour, I am again making my wife a couple of our usual Black Manhattan's; Maker's Mark 46, Fast Penny Spirits (FPS) Amaricano, Aromatic and Orange bitters with a dehydrated orange wheel and Luxardo cherry garnish, but since the bottle of Amaricano is almost empty, I am once again making a slightly different version for me in order to use up some samples of stuff that I have in the cabinet. My version is the exact same as hers except instead of FPS Amaricano, I'm using their Amaricano Bianca. The Bianca does not use the burnt sugar that the Amaricano does. While the cocktail is ok, the lack of flavors from the burnt sugar is really noticeable making for a lacking cocktail.

This exercise in changing up the ingredients not only proves what @Victor just said, but also reaffirms my love for the perfection that is the Black Manhattan. To me, it is the perfect cocktail. However, the real benefit is clearing out my whisky cabinet of some unwanted samples.

@Victor Sounds like a good time in Sykesville aside from the weather. What a unique bottle of Macallan! I would have been very interested to try that one!

Finishing the night by rating the last of my open, unrated bottles. A peated St George's Distillery English Whisky Company SMWS 137.7 (7 year - Feb 2012) "How to kill your dragon" - 2nd-fill ex-bourbon barrel - 65.5% ABV. Rating: 90.

Tonight, Caol Ila SMWS 53.320 (12 year - Sep. 2007) "Raiders of the flossed ark" from a refill ex-bourbon hogshead - 58.2% ABV.

Well, last night I went over to a friends house, who just lives down the street. They provided the snacks and I provided the whisky.

This time I decided to take with me the following whisky:

1. Glendronach 12yo
2. Aberlour 12yo Non Chilled Filtered
3. Glendronach 18yo
4. Glencadam 15yo

Being new to whisky I thought I wouldn't push the 'new'/challenging flavor and aroma envelop too much, with the exception of the Glencadam 15yo. In the end my friends both said they really enjoyed the 12yo Glendronach, which I left for them to enjoy.

This was our first time to get together for whisky since the pandemic hit the US. It was truly enjoyable.

Yes, I know this isn't what I am drinking now, but it would have been if I had posted this last night. HA!

@bwmccoy Is there ever not a good time for Caol Ila? Methinks not.