So, what are you drinking now?

@OdysseusUnbound Nothing wrong with getting a head start on the season.

Yesterday, my wife and I attended "The Judgement of Westland" event at the Westland distillery in Seattle. Westland is conducting this event around the world where attendees blind taste and score 4 single malt whiskies from around the world (4 different countries). Obviously, one of the 4 is Westland representing the USA. The other 3 whiskies were picked by Dave Broom. Attendees are asked to judge the 4 whiskies on a scale of 1 to 5 and to judge them on their own merits (not against each other). Unfortunately, at the end of the event, Westland can only tell what country each whisky is from, not the brand, because the other brands did not agree to be part of the event. Each whisky that Dave Broom selected to compare to Westland was each distillery's flagship release (no finishes, single casks or special releases). They were all about the same retail price point, widely available and similar ABV. My wife and I correctly guessed which country each was from Australia, India, USA and Scotland. On the 1 to 5 scale, I rated the Australia whisky a 4, India a 3, Westland a 3 and Scotland a 4. Westland is keeping track of every score from every event around the world and publishing that on the event's website; www.thejudgementofwestland.com

It was a fun event, but I would love to know exactly what we were drinking. I'm assuming that Australia was Starward and India was Amrut, but I have no idea which one was representing Scotland.

On the way home, my wife and I stopped at Mexican restaurant for appetizers. I had a flight of Avion tequila; Silver, Reposado and Anejo. All were 40% ABV. The silver had a very vegetal, mezcal-like note to it. It was good, but a little harsh. The Reposado was very good, but the Anejo was outstanding. Creamy and almost un-tequila like. It was head and shoulders above the other two.

Tonight, finished off my bottle of Bruichladdich Islay Barley 2010 - 50% ABV.

Then had a dram of Bend Distilling (Bend, Oregon) Black Butte Whiskey 3 year. Release #5. 47% ABV.

Finished with Laphroaig 10 year Cask Strength Batch 012 (Feb. 2020) - 60.1% ABV. Love this one more every time I drink it! Great whisky!

Tonight, rated a recently opened bottle;

Dallas Dhu 1980 (29 year) Signatory Bottling (Distilled Oct 31, 1980 - Bottled Mar 17, 2010) Cask # 1855 Bottle # 108 of 154.

Rating: 94

I forgot to post last night that before I had the Dallas Dhu, I also had a couple of Black Irish Coffee Manhattan's made with 1oz Irish Whiskey (Teeling), 1oz Jameson Cold Brew and 1oz Amaro with a dash of coffee bitters and a dash of orange bitters. Cocktail recipe courtesy of @yaklord.

Tonight, while playing on-line poker with the guys, I rated the last of my two unrated open bottles;

BenRiach The Original Ten - three cask matured (ex-bourbon, ex-sherry & virgin oak) - 43% ABV. Rating: 87, but it needed a little water to obtain this rating. It tasted a little "hot" without water, even though it is only 43%.

Fettercairn SMWS 94.10 (13 year - Aug. 2007) "The gentle beast from the east". After 11 years in a refill ex-bourbon hogshead, transferred to a 1st-fill ex-Pedro Ximenez sherry hogshead - 56.0% ABV. Rating: 93. This is a lovely dram both with and without water.

Finished the night with a dram of Ardbeg Wee Beastie - 5 year old - 47.4% ABV.

Yesterday, we celebrated the Thanksgiving holiday at my brother-in-law's house. After dinner, my brother-in-law and I had the following drams;

BenRiach The Original Ten - three cask matured (ex-bourbon, ex-sherry & virgin oak) - 43% ABV.

Since the next two were both 13 years old and finished in PX, we drank them head-to-head. It was interesting how similar these two were.

Dailuaine SMWS 41.142 (13 year - May 2007) "Jam-packed with darkness". After initial maturation in an ex-Oloroso butt, transferred to a 1st-fill ex-Pedro Ximenez butt - 57.5% ABV.

Fettercairn SMWS 94.10 (13 year - Aug. 2007) "The gentle beast from the east". After 11 years in a refill ex-bourbon hogshead, transferred to a 1st-fill ex-Pedro Ximenez sherry hogshead - 56.0% ABV.

Since the next two were both Laphroaig's we had them head to head as well. The distillery character came through in both, but they were also very different. The 25 year was subtle and beautiful. The 10 year was big and bold.

Laphroaig SMWS 29.273 (25 year - April 1995) "Do not go gentle into that good night" from a second-fill ex-bourbon barrel - 57.4% ABV.

Laphroaig 10 year Cask Strength Batch 012 (Feb. 2020) - 60.1% ABV.

Since the next two were Ardmore's, we drank them head-to-head as well. Engine was an apt descriptor for the one. It was very good, but my favorite of the two was the "Big and punchy" even though the sherry influence was very slight; almost non-existant.

Ardmore SMWS 66.193 (7 year - Sep. 2013) "An engine starter for cold mornings" from a 1st-fill ex-bourbon barrel - 61.3% ABV.

Ardmore SMWS 66.167 (7 year - April 2012) "Big and punchy" from a refill ex-Oloroso puncheon cask - 61.6% ABV.

Since the next two were Caol Ila's, we drank them head-to head. Both were excellent, but if I had to pick one, it would be "A seaside picnic". It was quintessential Caol Ila!

Caol Ila SMWS 53.344 (12 year - Sep. 2007) "A seaside picnic" from a refill ex-bourbon hogshead - 56.3% ABV.

Caol Ila SMWS 53.363 (10 year - Nov. 2009) "Delicious earthy smoke" from a refill ex-bourbon hogshead - 57.7% ABV.

Only one Bunnahabhain available, so this one was on its own. It's so good, no need to compare it to anything else!

Bunnahabhain SMWS 10.176 (11 year - Dec. 2007) "Tea-smoked salmon" - After nine years in an ex-bourbon hogshead transferred into a second fill Spanish oak ex-Oloroso hogshead - 59.2% ABV.

We finished the night with another head-to-head tasting. Again, both were very enjoyable drams, but I preferred the heavily peated one because it was rich and bold. The peated one was a little more tame, even though it was the younger of the two.

Glenturret (peated) SMWS 16.50 (6 year - Oct. 2013) "Tar in the night" from a re-charred ex-bourbon hogshead - 64.1% ABV.

Glenturret (heavily peated) SMWS 16.52 (11 year - Dec. 2009) "Campfire breakfast on a damp morning" from a re-charred American oak hogshead - 63.4% ABV.

An excellent lineup to celebrate the occasion.

Benromach cask strength batch four and now a Signatory Edradour 10. Cheers all.

@bwmccoy All that and turkey too? Happy Thanksgiving.

Behind in my posting;

On Friday night, a couple of Black Manhattan’s made with Maker’s Mark 46.

On Saturday night, started with a Jerry Thomas Manhattan, but like last weekend, it tasted off. I thought my vermouth had gone bad, but used a new bottle of vermouth last night, so that wasn’t the issue. Discovered it’s the Rittenhouse Rye. This was a new bottle last weekend, so must be a bad batch. It tastes like paint thinner. After that disaster, had a Black Manhattan. Much better! I also finished off my bottle of Bend Distilling (Bend, Oregon) Black Butte Whiskey 3 year. Release #5. 47% ABV.

Tonight (Sunday), had a couple of Black Manhattan’s. The first one was made as usual, but didn’t have quite enough Maker’s Mark 46 for the 2nd round, so I used 1oz Maker’s Mark 46 and then added 1oz of Copperwork’s Special Release 34 WA state peated malt (Skagit Valley Maltings) aged for 49 months in 8 new American oak - 52% ABV. This worked much better than expected. It had a great Maraschino cherry note that isn’t present with the standard recipe.

Ardbeg Wee Beastie - 5 year old - 47.4% ABV.

BenRiach The Original Ten - three cask matured (ex-bourbon, ex-sherry & virgin oak) - 43% ABV.

Fettercairn SMWS 94.10 (13 year - Aug. 2007) "The gentle beast from the east". After 11 years in a refill ex-bourbon hogshead, transferred to a 1st-fill ex-Pedro Ximenez sherry hogshead - 56.0% ABV. This is the first Fettercairn I have owned and possibly even tasted. It’s so good, it won’t be my last!

@BlueNote - Sorry. Just now saw your post. My brother-in-law smoked a turkey for Thanksgiving dinner and it was perfect!

If I put a new purchase in the “to try” list, it may languish there for years. Amrut Bangalore Tiger has been in my collection since 2018. Caol Ila unpeated 15 YO (my first of 3 unopened bottles bought at discount prices) was 2017. Bladnoch 10yo CS (Raymond Armstrong Era) was purchased so long ago I can’t remember when, probably 8-9 years ago.

The only way to avoid that is to open it as soon as I get it. Also a good way to find out if I would want more bottles should they become available.

Thanks to @fiddich1980 I was able to be one of the first in Ontario to taste this. First impressions are positive. Great nose, nice palate. I would say reminiscent of a thin Uigeadail.

A little water and time in the glass is more than kind to this one. Not convinced I would buy another (if I had fewer than 20 bottles in my collection I would definitely want a spare) but I intend to enjoy this one!

@Nozinan The Lap 10 Sherry cask is excellent IMO

Peat night tonight. Laphroaig 10 year Cask Strength Batch 012 (Feb. 2020) - 60.1% ABV.

Ending with a heavily peated Glenturret SMWS 16.52 (11 year - Dec. 2009) "Campfire breakfast on a damp morning" from a re-charred American oak hogshead - 63.4% ABV

Bit of peat for me tonight too.

Caol Ila 9 yrs Signatory for WhiskySponge. 53.6%. Lovely dram. Makes me think I should get more Caol Ila given how much there is about. So much choice!!

Started my Whiskey Advent calendar last night so I will have 24 days of drams coming. I got the Single Cask Whiskey Advent Calendar from Drinks by the Dram. Last evening’s dram was from Smooth Ambler. 5-yo Old Scout high rye bourbon coming in at 59.6% ABV. I believe I have read that this juice comes from MGP. I’ve not had anything from Smooth Ambler until now. Little to no burn and the usual brown sugar/caramel you would expect in many bourbons. This one also had a cinnamon quality. I’m guessing that spice is the high rye mash bill. Overall, not a bad start to this Advent season.

@Timp - As far as I'm concerned, you can never have too much Caol Ila! :-)

I thought about leaving this one sealed until I secure a backup, but what’s life without whimsy? Enjoying some Lot 40 Peated Quarter Cask Rye.

@OdysseusUnbound It's pretty impressive stuff, non?

@OdysseusUnbound Life’s too short….etc, etc. You can only drink it on the up side of the turf.

Start of a 3-day weekend, so I'm celebrating with Teaninich SMWS 59.51 (30 year - November 1983) "A refined cocktail" - Refill hogshead - 51.5% ABV. Only a dram or two left in this amazing bottle.

Last evening’s Advent Calendar selection was an English whisky; Gulliver’s 47 - Toasted and re-charred edition coming in at 47% ABV. It was ok. Not a whole lot going on. Nose was fine and initially on the palate was enjoyable but that was about it. It didn’t have much of a finish. If someone gave me a bottle, I’d drink it but I won’t seek out a bottle to purchase.

@Nozinan it is interesting, that’s for sure. I don’t get a ton of peat, although it is there. I got a lot more vanilla and banana than I normally would with lot 40. Oh, and peppermint, lots of peppermint.

Next Advent calendar selection (yesterday) was a Caol Ila 9-yo at 57.6% ABV. I know there is a lot of Caol Ila love on this forum but this one was just ok. Nice mouthfeel and the Islay peat was there but nothing really special about this one IMO.

@TracerBullet

Ah, Caol Ila, the underrated dram….

I am still working through the advent calendar from 2019 that I got in Jan 2020…

Last night’s Advent dram was a 10-yo Glen Spey at 57.2% ABV. This was quite pleasant. Floral notes an a fruity element that reminded me of pears. I wouldn’t mind a bottle of this one.

I noticed I had quite a few little pours left from samples so thought I'd get creative. First blend is some Springbank 12 from a Cadenhead's cage sample bottle (fresh bourbon barrel) with some more Cadenhead's Glen Ord 12. 1:1

They've married all afternoon and I'm well impressed with the result: the Glen Ord was a very sweet malt and the SB was more dry and austere so it's perhaps no surprise they've created a perfectly balanced sweet to dry whisky - with the GO sweetness all in the arrival then more herbaceous SB notes kick in as it develops. The SB also adds more grime and twiggy smoke that complements the clean and fresh character of the GO. Finish is a bit weird and all over the place but not unpleasant - like licking charcoal dipped in icing sugar.

I do feel a tad guilty mixing these but when the result is this good, who cares?! Cheers.

@RianC sounds like a good experiment mate.

Having a post dinner Tamdhu 15. After two single cask bourbon drams, the sherry comes across much more pronounced, especially the dark chocolate and bitter orange notes. I'm really digging the sherry of late, actually, and this bottle has got better and better.

I haven't opened my F&F Dailuaine yet but there's a North Star 14 single cask from a refill sherry butt that I'm eyeing up ...