So, what are you drinking now?

Had Christmas dinner at my brother-in-law’s. After dinner, we had a couple of drams head-to-head;

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.

I’ve had both of these before and previously preferred “A seaside picnic". It is quintessential Caol Ila. However, tonight, while the nose of seaside was still best, the palate of "Delicious earthy smoke" stood out.

Hope everyone had a lovely Christmas!

Had xmas dinner/afternoon at my partner's home with some of her extended family. Only her brother enjoys whisky so I took a bottle of Baron de Sigognac 20 armagnac which was opened and shared after dinner. I had to inwardly cringe as her uncle downed his pour then exclaimed loudly in his thick Yorkshire accent that he didn't like it and wasn't a spirits guy anyway, but, otherwise, well received.

I paired mine with some Portuguese brandy her Mum likes (forget the name - began with an M) which was pretty decent actually and more like armagnac than cognac, I'd say. The 20 was lovely - absolutely gorgeous nose and an immensely spicy palate. Much better then the 10 when fresh opened and I think air will continue to.improve it.

A couple of small glasses of Cotes de Rhone with some supper at home was all I could muster, later on. Xmas with kids is tiring ... Ha!

Merry Xmas all!

Opened the new Laphroaig 10 sherry finish earlier. Liked it a lot. Profile is as you'd expect, I guess? The sherry definitely gives it a new angle and it works. Gorgeous colour too (natural? Who knows? Probably not but there is clearly a lot of sherry influence as opposed to caramel). Reminds me a little of the Meteorite 'ralfy' Port Charlotte sample @Timp generously gave me, if not quite as engaging - dark red fruits, smoke, ash, medicinal, tar and a rich mouth-feel. Glad I got two and might get another if they're still around ...

@RianC Been wondering whether to get this one and given that slight reference to the ralfy bottle, just snagged one. From your description sounds worth a punt for £60. Cheers mate.

After shoveling 9” of snow off of the driveway this afternoon, my wife and I finished off the Pennsylvania Dutch Egg Nog. 14.75% ABV.

After dinner, 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. Such an amazing whisky!

Also rated another unrated, open bottle; Compass Box No Name No.3. Rating: 92.

Laphroaig 16 tonight. Cheers.

@bwmccoy Been waiting for No Name No.3. It gets sold out very quickly.

Tonight, a couple of Black Manhattan’s made with Maker’s Mark 46.

@Timp Is that from an indie bottler?

I’m down to the last couple of drams of my Cadenhead 11 year old Miltonduff. 56% ABV and very, VERY tasty.

@BlueNote. No it was an official bottling specifically released for Amazon that I got for my father in law last year. He had some left so we had a dram or two the other night. Very nice. Quite subtle and fruity and I would probably get another for me although the price seems to have gone up a bit to over £100 now.

We got home last night from theirs and I had a dram of Laphroaig 12 2006 Old malt cask bottled for Feis Isle 2018 for Ardnahoe distillery shop. Now this one is chisel sharp, very clean and just lovely distillery character. They had loads in the distillery shop when I went in September so thinking about seeing if I can get another as it’s a cracker.

@NamBeist I have got a bottle of Amrut Peated Cask Strength. I loved the one I finished years ago. It is a present of my wife. It is still a very punchy whisky. It is not made for the faint of heart. I wonder if I will write a review again. It seems to be much sweeter now, but still a force to be reckoned with. Thank you, honey!

My father-in-Law and stepmother-in-Law visited on Monday night (came up from Georgia). Brought out a sample I had pull from a cask at Laphroaig in 2018 to share with him. Cask # 0000004, Year filled: 2005, ABV: 54.1% From rack warehouse 9

Matured in bourbon for 5 years followed by a final maturation in a PX hogshead.

Very delightful dram and more importantly, I know my Father-in-Law really enjoyed it. Merry Christmas, Pop! (my kids call him Pop)

Last night, a Jerry Thomas Manhattan made with Knob Creek Rye (50% ABV) before dinner.

Tonight, rated another open, unrated bottle. Glen Elgin 14 year (2006) The ImpEx Collection - Cask #9800012 (ex-bourbon barrel) - 52.5% ABV. Rating: 92.

Also had a dram of Ardbeg Wee Beastie - 5 year old - 47.4% ABV.

Finished the night with a dram of Laphroaig 10 year Cask Strength Batch 012 (Feb. 2020) - 60.1% ABV.

Last night we had some friends over to exchange gifts. Started off with a Black Manhattan, then a Westland Peated American Single Malt. Ended the evening by finishing off my bottle of Glenmorangie Companta.

Earl Grey Tea, it has been a while since I had a cup of the Earl, about 15 years. I don't know what possessed me to pour a cup, but I did. A spoonful of raw honey. A 2 ounce splash of Old Grand-dad BIB.

It must have been muscle memory calling to me, loudly.

...and the kettle is back on.

@paddockjudge I don’t think Captain Picard had the Old Grand Dad in his. You need to get the replicator kettle, then you could just look at it and say ”tea, Earl Grey, Old Grand Dad option.”

My older son and his wife are in town and staying with us tonight for a belated Christmas. My son and I started off with a Green Point cocktail (basically a Manhattan with Chartreuse liqueur). I used Knob Creek Rye (50% ABV).

After that, switched to Scotch and had the following;

Glen Elgin 14 year (2006) The ImpEx Collection - Cask #9800012 (ex-bourbon barrel) - 52.5% ABV.

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

Bruichladdich 24 year (1992) Valinch (15 year bourbon cask + 9 year Sauternes cask) - 50cl hand-filled bottle #149 of 310 - 48.5% 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.

Finished with Compass Box No Name No.3.

@bwmccoy How’s the No Name No.3?

@BlueNote - It’s lovely! The Laphroaig character comes through, but the other parts of the blend really mellow out the edges. It is sublime; a “refined” Laphroaig.

My last dram of 2021 was the wee heel of some Kilchoman Sanaig. I will undoubtedly purchase another in the future. What a lovely whisky! All the best to my fellow Connosrs in 2022. May we finally get to have an Epic Tasting in person !

Celebrated New Year's Eve at my brother-in-law's house last night.

Dailuaine SMWS 41.142 (13 year - May 2007) "Jam-packed with darkness". After 11 years in an ex-oloroso American oak butt, transferred into a first fill Spanish oak PX sherry butt. 57.5% ABV.

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

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

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.

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.

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

Finished the night with the last dram of 2021; Glenturret SMWS 16.50 (6 year - Oct. 2013) "Tar in the night" from a re-charred hogshead. 64.1% ABV.

Hope everyone has a happy, healthy and prosperous 2022!

On an unrelated note, in looking through my Instagram feed early today, I was surprised to see a familiar face on one of the Society's chapters page; @markjedi1 (see photo below).

Tonight, my wife and I had a couple of Black Manhattan’s made with Maker’s Mark 46.

After dinner, I had a dram of Glenmorangie X - 40% ABV in order to try out my new Norlan whisky glass thss as t my older son gave me for Christmas. I need to do a head-to-head with same whisky comparing the Norlan with a Glen Cairn.

My first whisky of 2022 was, wait for it ... drum roll ... Johnny Walker Red

Was out playing golf and a playing partner was kind enough to offer me some (in a little silver cup too!) Honestly, it wasn't as bad as I'd feared. Nothing like those 80's bottles but the overall nose and profile was pretty decent (and recognisable) for a cheap blend - very peaty. Granted, being outside probably helped. Certainly worthy of dumping in a hip flask.

The golf was absolutely awful though so I'm not sure if I should see this as a rather inauspicious and disconcerting start to 2022 ...

Later on I had some lovely, juicy and dark Chilean red with a roast leg of lamb which I followed by doing a h2h with the two Baron de Sigognac armagnacs (10 & 20) I have open. You can clearly see the age difference, with the 20 being softer and richer, but the freshness of the 10 made it easier to drink/quaff and I enjoyed the punchier profile. They seem to know how to handle wood too as there is a gentle and restrained oak presence in both, but especially the 20.

@RianC I am happy to hear that you enjoyed your taste of Johnnie Walker Red Label to start 2022. Yes, one CAN get a taste from a good batch of Johnnie Walker Red Label in the current millennium. I've had some from two or three post-2010 bottles that I liked very much. OR you could roll snake-eyes!...and crap out with something horrible in your mouth. I've had that experience more than once also. Johnnie Walker Red Label is indeed like a crap shoot...or a game of Russian Roulette.

I taste Johnnie Walker Red Label every time I get the opportunity, because I am curious to see which direction the current wind is blowing. The range and variation in flavours and quality of the batches of JW Red is a fascinating study all its own.

I never pooh-pooh a whiski because it is inexpensive. For example I will never say a bad word about Clan MacGregor blended Scotch. I have very much liked every single taste I have had of it. Now of course if later experience should prove different I will honestly report that difference.

@Victor @RianC About 4 years ago three of us decided to do a bottom shelf blend tasting. We were essentially trying to determine if JW Red was any worse or better than other blends in the same price category. Among the three of us we came up with Ballantyne's, Famous Grouse, Grant's Family Reserve, Cutty Sark, Teachers, Dewar's White Label and the dreaded Red. I think there was one other but can't remember. We excluded JW Black and Cutty Prohibition as we considered them to be up a shelf from the rest.

We didn't do it blind and the consensus was that Ballantyne's and Dewar's White label were the best of the bunch. Teacher's Highland Cream was next, Cutty was drinkable on ice. The Grouse and the Grant's were pretty much relegated to the same category as the Red, with either being preferable if you had to choose. Except for the Teacher's and the Dewar's, the rest were purchased fresh, mostly in half bottles. The JW Red was a recent purchase by one of the guys and we agreed that it was, by a slim margin, the worst bottom shelf blend of those we tasted. I know there are other bottom shelfers that we didn't try, but they would have to be pretty bad to out-bad JW Red.

Do any of you have a favourite of all the bottom shelf blends? In Canadian terms that means in the $20-$25 range give or take a couple of bucks either way. You Americans and Brits will have lower price points than us, but you know the brands we're talking about.

@BlueNote We did a whole budget blend taste-off in 2013: dan-the-tax-man.livejournal.com/69414.html Te Bheag won...but Islay Mist 8yr is pretty good, as is Teacher's.

We repeated the experiment in 2019 with Canadian Whisky, and the winner was Stalk & Barrel Blue Blend.

@BlueNote Nice experiment. Personally I have a fondness for Teachers. Always liked the taste generally although it's not about as much as is used to be. Nowadays I tend to go for Black Bottle and it pretty much surprises me every time with how good it is. Nice to do a head to head though like you did.

@YakLord Nice taste off notes too. Cheers for posting the link.