So, what are you drinking now?

Tonight, Glen Grant SMWS 9.224 (14 year - May 2007) “Harvest hayride happiness” - 1st-fill ex-bourbon barrel - 61.7% ABV

Followed by Glen Scotia SMWS 93.148 (12 year - Feb. 29th, 2008) "Tour de force". After ten years in an ex-bourbon hogshead, it was transferred into a first fill port hogshead - 56.4% ABV.

Greenore 8 yo Single Grain Irish Whiskey, 40% This one is so much better now than the first few years it was opened

J.P.Wiser's 19 yo Seasoned Oak Whisky, 48%, grace au @paddockjudge. A quite righteous spice trip, this one. I can get one more pour out of that sample bottle. I'll hate to see this one go

Old Weller Antique 107, 53.5% bottled c. 2008, 7 years old @OdysseusUnbound I wanted to save you a taste, but I think that I'll be polishing off the rest of this bottle soon. This bottle has been open a good 12 years

@Victor better a good 12 years than a bad 12 years….

I can get you another sample of the Seasoned Oak easily. It is languishing in my cabinet. Not that I don’t like it. Just that I have so many Wisers’ open. I have not tasted it since 2019. I will need to remedy that soon. Maybe even today…

@Nozinan thank you for your kind regards, and the bottles and samples which you have gifted me over the years.

@Victor, the J.P.Wiser's 19 yo Seasoned Oak Whisky 48% abv. is a beautiful example of the influence of extended seasoning (air drying) in oak staves. In this case 48 months. I’ll be sure to include this one for our next tasting session and will check to see if I have an unopened bottle.

Last night, Glenrothes SMWS 30.108 (12 year - Feb. 2008) "A Taste of Home" - Refill sherry butt - 64.3% ABV.

Followed by a peated Speyside dram. Allt-A-Bhainne SMWS 108.19 (7 year - Nov 2011) "Forget Convention!" - 2nd-fill ex-bourbon barrel - 64.6% ABV.

Holy smokes! You guys are still here! I stepped out for a smoke and WOOSH I missed a few months, years?!?

Hello everybody!

Looks like I have some catching up to do.

I have returned to the bottle that got me on the armagnac 'kick', the Darroze Domaine de Poutëou, 2000 Vintage, 21yo at 50% abv. Just enjoying the nose reminds me of why I purchased two more bottles while nosing the first pour. I really should have purchased at least another bottle, or two, especially now that it is no longer in stock. I guess I should work on drinking the bottles I have. Oh yeah, I still need to open a bottle of 16yo Nadurra one of these days. Shhhhh.

@Wodha great to see you make an appearance! I hope you will be back more often.

What is new in your world these days? Have any good drams?

Was working on a project and put together a little flight of 8yr old (or almost) single malts.

-Benromach 2009-2017 single cask for the SAQ, ex-bourbon 59.4%

-Talisker 8yr old (2018 Diageo Special Editions)also 59.4%

-Kilkerran 8yr old batch #4 (2019) Re-charred Oloroso Sherry cask 57.1%

These bottles have all been open for a long time and it's funny but I've never reviewed them hell I don't think I've ever taken notes while trying them, that's usually a good sign and that they've been enjoyed in company or samples doled out.

It was an interesting experience, despite the youth none were raw but I definitely think they wouldn't be as successful if bottled at 40-46% ABV. The Benromach is all on wax/polish, linseed oil, citrus & stone fruit with a touch of that burnt leaf/chocolatey peat. The Talisker's nose was as muted as I remember it, that one needs a lot of time in the glass or water but has a really approachable palate. The Kilkerran is nice, a surprising amount of the sherry influence on the nose (like old fruitcake wrapped in wax inside a metal tin) but the cask influence covers the Kilkerran spirit too much, where's my aspirin tablets, damp concrete and green fruits??

Last night, Up North Distillery North Idaho Single Malt Whiskey (43% ABV). Every time I revisit this one, it tastes different. The only consistency is how bad it is each time. Not sure I'm going to make it through the bottle before pouring it down the drain.

Tonight, my wife and I had a couple of Black Manhattan's for cocktail hour made with Maker's Mark 46.

After dinner, we finished off our bottle of Compass Box No Name No. 3. Exquisite Laphroaig blend.

@bwmccoy interesting...a different sort of "bad" every time, sort of the multi-headed Hydra.

• Before dinner: a pour of Four Roses SiB. This particular bottle is more "cinnamon and spice" than the big fruit I normally get from FR SiB. My last bottle was a lot of "Juicy Fruit gum" notes, but this one is much spicier. I like it.
• After dinner: A generous pour of Old Tub. This one is much better than I expected. I may have to grab a backup bottle.

Tonight, while finishing up semi-annual reviews for my 8 employees, Glen Grant SMWS 9.224 (14 year - May 2007) “Harvest hayride happiness” - 1st-fill ex-bourbon barrel - 61.7% ABV.

Followed by a peated Speyside dram, Allt-A-Bhainne SMWS 108.19 (7 year - Nov 2011) "Forget Convention!" - 2nd-fill ex-bourbon barrel - 64.6% ABV.

Head to head. Lagavulin 8 yo and Port Charlotte 10 yo . I love the Lagavulin 8 yo. Port Charlotte 10 yo is even better. I guess it is the best entry level peated whisky from Islay that I know. I would like to rate the PC with 89-90 points. Anyway, I recommend this whisky to every peat lover on Connosr.

@NamBeist couldn't agree with you more. Was always a bit underwhelmed by the 8 tbh.

I always have a bottle of the PC 10 on the shelf.

Last night, a Black Manhattan made with Maker’s Mark 46.

Just finished a dram of Amrut Peated Cask Strength from batch 54 (december 2019). I was a little dissapointed at first. It is a beast, a force to be reckoned with, but it seemed to be rather unbalanced. It took some time, some special attention and a little water to integrate it. Its abv is 62.8 %. Now it has improved quite a lot. Lots of smoke, spices, pepper and tropical fruit like mango and oranges. Did I mention the peat?

I am now enjoying a small glass, a dram, of Darroze Domaine de Martin armagnac, 1992 vintage, 29yo. I have to say, My nose is beginning to get more distinct aromas; however, my brain is still needing more time to process it all. This particular bottle is a mixture of baco, ugni blanc, folle blanche and colombard. And yes, I can say there are unique qualities that the bottle from Domaine de Monturon that is 100% baco, doesn't and vice versa. Sadly, I am still not at the level where I can pinpoint what I am detecting. This adventure is quite exciting, and I am glad I am getting into it. It is a good way to spend a Saturday evening. Watching small clawed asian otters on youtube and enjoying a glass of armagnac. Oops, I mean, listening to jazz and enjoying a glass of armagnac.

Last night two large pours of 20 Baron de Sigocnac Bas armagnac. Once I acclimatise to it, it goes down far too easily!

Last night I cracked open my new bottle of Ben Nevis 10 with its newish livery. I thought it was a really good dram. Immediately that Ben Nevis fusty, musty note was apparent with loads of sweetness in the range of butterscotch, fudge and golden syrup. A delightful fizz or pepper note on the finish along with some nice tropical fruits too. Very happy with this one.

Afterwards I had a dram of my open bottle of Cadenheads 21 Ben Nevis 1996 51.1% bourbon cask, which was similar in every way but just amped up on the tropical fruits and mustiness. I have always liked this bottle and very pleased that there are enough similarities in the 10.

@RianC Were able to acclimatise to it during the first pour, or not until the second?

@ajjarrett - After the first sip, I guess?

Like you, I'm relatively new to armagnac so still getting to appreciate the subtleties. I find the more I drink, the sweeter it becomes, and the drying, slightly peppery finish compels one to take another sip.

@RianC Perfect.

Just like many expressions of whisk(e)y out there, primarily single malts, I am really relishing the nose much more than the taste in the beginning of the adventure. Of course, I am enjoying the taste; however, I am finding that I am getting more nuances on the nose than I am on the palate. I am sure over time that will change a bit. Last night I found myself nosing for a very long time, just like I do (did) with some of my favorite malts.

I love turning the glass at an angle to get the armagnac to coat the sides of the glass. Yes, I do watch the tears, but what I enjoy the most is the sweetness I get after the tears have come down and the sides begin to dry a little.

Last night, we had a couple of friends over for dinner and drams. We started off with a Vieux Carre cocktail made with Knob Creek Rye (50% ABV), Remy Martin VSOP Cognac, sweet vermouth, Benedictine, Peychaud's and Angostura bitters with a cherry garnish.

Before dinner, we had the following drams;

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

GlenDronach SMWS 96.34 (11 year - March 2009) "Stroll Through the Seasons" - 1st-fill ex-bourbon barrel - 60.2% ABV.

Glenrothes SMWS 30.108 (12 year - Feb. 2008) "A Taste of Home" - Refill sherry butt - 64.3% ABV.

With dinner (Grilled New York steaks, grilled Portobello mushrooms with goat cheese and grilled Brussel Sprouts), Fukano Japanese rice whisky bottled for Women Who Whiskey. 42.2% ABV.

After dinner, Benriach Smoke Season Double Cask Matured (ex-bourbon and virgin oak). 52.8% ABV.

Corsair Triple Smoke (Beechwood, Cherry & Peat) American Single Malt Whiskey Pot Distilled 40% ABV.

Allt-A-Bhainne SMWS 108.19 (7 year - Nov 2011) "Forget Convention!" - 2nd-fill ex-bourbon barrel - 64.6% ABV.

We finished the night by having a couple of Octomore's head-to-head; 12.1 (5 year, ex-bourbon casks, Concerto Scottish mainland barley, 130.8ppm, 59.9% ABV) and 12.3 (5 years, 75% ex-bourbon casks, 25% PX casks, Concerto Islay barley from Church field on the Octomore farm, 118.1ppm, 62.1% ABV). These could not be more different. On the 12.1, I got a ton of grass and Mezcal notes. 12.3 was more refined and balanced. It was more "whisky like" than 12.1. We were trying to pick a favorite. I really liked the uniqueness of 12.1, but also liked the quality whisky components of 12.3. If I had to choose, I would take 12.3, but would happily drink either one or both!

Another great whisky night with great friends.

Tonight, my wife and I had a couple of Vieux Carre cocktails for happy hour.

I also sampled the 6 whiskies I will be pouring tomorrow night for my first in-person Society tasting in over 2 years! Since it’s a blind tasting, I won’t reveal details until after tomorrow night’s event. Suffice it to say, they’re all good, but 5 of the 6 blew me away. So excited to be conducting in-person tastings again!

@bwmccoy I love me a good Vieux Carré. I'm forever indebted to our own @Victor for suggesting I try the cocktail. I never thought a garnish would make that big a difference in a drink, but the Vieux Carré showed me how big a difference a lemon twist can make.

The last of my Penderyn Merlyn Welsh Cream Liqueur. Happy Saint David's Day! Cymru am byth!

@OdysseusUnbound - totally agree about the garnish in a Vieux Carre. Per the recipe that I have, I make mine with a cherry garnish. My friend makes his with an orange peel. He was commenting how different mine was from his and I agreed. With the cherry, the Benedictine shines more than with orange peel. Also, it seemed to have a little more depth and complexity. I will have to make 3 Vieux Carre cocktails exactly the same with the exception of the garnish; one with a cherry, one with orange peel and the 3rd with a lemon twist to try them head-to-head.

Last night, @jordytropp and I conducted our first in-person whisky tasting for the Scotch Malt Whisky Society in over 2 years! We had almost 40 attendees and 6 great Society whiskies.

Clynelish SMWS 26.179 (17 year - Feb. 2004) "Eastern coastlines" - 1st-fill ex-bourbon barrel - 54.5% ABV.

Glen Moray SMWS 35.298 (7 year - Aug. 2013) "Big bumper bag of buttons" - 1st-fill ex-bourbon barrel - 60.7% ABV.

Inchmurrin SMWS 112.83 (25 year - Jan. 1995) "Rara avis" - After 23 years in an ex-bourbon hogshead, transferred to a 1st-fill Sauternes barrique cask - 52.6% ABV.

Strathmill SMWS 100.27 (11 year - Mar. 2010) "Colorful and flavorful" - After 8 years in an ex-bourbon hogshead, transferred to a 1st-fill Oloroso hogshead - 55.3% ABV.

Glen Scotia SMWS 93.170 (9 year - Mar. 2012) "Mermaid karate" - 1st-fill ex-bourbon barrel - 58.6% ABV.

Caol Ila SMWS 53.386 (10 year - Jan. 2011) "Phenomenal" - Refill ex-bourbon hogshead - 59.4% ABV.

While all of these were very nice whiskies, a few stood out. However, there was not a bad one in the bunch. The Inchmurrin and Strathmill were especially amazing! If I were to rank them in order starting with my favorite and working my way down; Inchmurrin, Strathmill, Glen Scotia, Caol Ila, Clynelish and Glen Moray.

After everyone left, @jordytropp and I were helping the owner of the restaurant clean up. The owner poured us a couple of very special drams to celebrate restarting in-person tastings.

17 year Nikka Taketsuru Pure Malt - 43% ABV.

21 year Nikka Taketsuru Pure Malt - 43% ABV.

What a treat to taste these amazing beauties that are way outside my price range, if you can even find a bottle.

Overall, an amazing night!