So, what are you drinking now?

@RianC the use of the definite article definitely adds to the value!

@MRick @RianC @OdysseusUnbound et alii, my friend @Nock likes to refer to "The Glens", I think we should consider referring to the "THE"s...to wit THE Macallan, THE Balvenie, THE Glenlivet, etc.

@paddockjudge I remember it well from back then. It used to be a staple in my cabinet which now is a completely THE Macallan free zone.

@OdysseusUnbound The finest locally sourced ingredients?

@BlueNote, I've reached the bottom of my last open Macallan, an 18 YO released in 2011 from a 1993 batch, purchased in Nov. 2013. A very, very nice whisky. It is safe to say, I will not be replacing it. Opened in 2014 while hosting @talexander and his brother. It was an epic evening. We also opened a Macallan Cask Strength, Alberta Premium 25 YO, and a 2013 Four Roses Small Batch Barrel Proof 125th Anniversary.

@paddockjudge That sounds like an epic evening.

I bought a bottle of the Macallan 18 at the distillery in 2011. They actually gave me a taste before I bought a bottle. That was in their old, very friendly visitor centre befor they spent mega millions on their new, very institutional visitor centre where nobody wants to know you unless you look like you're ready to part with some serious cash. It looks very impressive from the outside, but inside it's cold and somewhat creepy and your every move is watched by security people who seem convinced you are only there to steal something. There were more of them than visitors when we were there in 2018.

@BlueNote, yeah, company mantra "y'all come back now, you hear...with fists full of cash!"

Couldn't let RB day go by without a (literally) thimbleful of Laphroaig Cairdeas Port and Wine casks.

@Nozinan I had to break the dry January rule with a tiny dram of 11 year old Maltbarn cask strength Glentauchers. Back on the wagon tomorrow.

Went to a Robert Burns event tonight.

Started with a welcome cocktail consisting of Robert Burns Single Malt (Arran), Fino Sherry, sweet vermouth and bitters. It was ok, but seemed more appropriate as a Fall, Harvest time cocktail.

We had the following drams as part of the event. Robert Burns Single Malt, Arran 10, Old Pulteney 12, Balblair 15, and Speyburn 18. My favorite was the Speyburn 18.

At the event, I won a drawing for a basket of 5 bottles of whisky consisting of Robert Burns Single Malt, Old Pulteney 12, Arran Quarter Cask (cask strength), Arran Sherry Cask (cask strength) and Speyburn 18. See photo below.

After the event, had a dram of Ardbeg Uigeadail. Fun event. Fun night.

@paddockjudge - now don't get me wrong here ... I'd LOVE to try some of those older bottles! No doubt it was great in its day, but it seems to running on nothing but reputation and fanfare at the moment.

@RianC, totally agreed. I bought a cask strength Macallan Classic Cut 3, or so years ago ($150?), it was absolute donkey piss! I also purchased NEW ERA Macallan 12 YO (blue/black box, I forget the price), it was absolute donkey piss! I see a theme developing.

@paddockjudge Locally sourced from the finest organic donkeys.

@bwmccoy Congratulations on the win. The Arran Quarter Cask and the Speyburn 18 are the currently the new darlings and most talked about whiskies among whisky bloggers. These won't blow your socks off but, they are solid whiskies.

A floral Irish whisky finished in mizunara cask - Glendalough 13 year old.

@fiddich1980 - Thanks! We had the Speyburn 18 as part of Burns Night last night and it was my favorite of the 5 drams that we had. However, I'm happy to have won a bottle of it because there is no way I would pay the $200 they are asking for a bottle in the Seattle area. As for the Arran Quarter Cask, I've never tried that one or the Sherry Cask. I'm anxious to try both of them.

Tonight, started off with Teaninich SMWS 59.65 (13 year - Feb. 2008) "Red oak" - After 10 years in an ex-bourbon hogshead, transferred to a 1st-fill ex-red wine barrique - 55.7% ABV.

Finished with Blair Athol SMWS 68.70 (12 year - Aug. 2008) "Intriguing idiosyncratic" - After 9 years in an ex-bourbon hogshead, transferred into a 1st-fill custom toasted American and European oak barrique - 59.5% ABV.

Opened up a JW Blue label from pre 2001 last night. Initial thoughts weren't great but that was due to the cork completely disintegrating upon opening. I mean, this thing fell to pieces - I then had to decant the bottle to sieve it all out!

Honestly though, it was a very nice blended whisky! Quite light and fresh but with a little peat, old, musty raisins and sour fruits. As it sat in the glass, the nose really bloomed and was easily the best part.

I started the night with a little bourbon (with pulled pork and Sweet Baby Ray's sauce in wraps for dinner) and then went onto a 70's bottle of Dimple 'Pinch'. The Dimple is a lovely blend with big oranges and Campbeltown like industrial funk but it does lack on the palate with little development and a very short finish. The Blue Label though had a much longer development, by comparison and had a kind of pink and white nougat thing going on. Became a wee bit bitter right at the death but, that apart, I did enjoy the bone dry, chalky finish.

I then had a little pour of Mortlach 15 which bizarrely smelled like bananas after the Blue Label. One could really see the malt's quality on the development and finish, which were much deeper, fuller and engaging.

But hey, It's a blend, not a malt, and I was quite pleasantly surprised by it. My partner, who only occasionally likes spirits, really enjoyed it too, which speaks volumes. In fact, she only seems to like the more expensive ones . I paid about £100 for this bottle, and it's no doubt better quality (@43% too) than current bottlings, so the question is, is it worth it? No. In a word. But, in truth, one could say that about many whiskies currently. Is it good though? Definitely! Super easy to drink with a gorgeous nose and easy going on the palate. They nailed it, really - price apart

Tonight, a couple of Jerry Thomas Manhattan's made with Old Forester 100 proof Rye.

@BlueNote, yes! Only the ginest organic donkeys!

DYC 8 yo Blended Spanish Whisky, 42% ABV. About 10 years ago a friend gave me this bottle. I do like it quite a bit. Closest comparison? Probably Black & White Blended Scotch. I still have not seen anyone else on Connosr ever having mentioned having had any familiarity with DYC.

Wemyss Malts Nectar Grove tonight. Nice dram with the Madeira cask influence coming through nicely.

Cheers all..

Wrapping up a whisky weekend. On Saturday, met up with some friends.

We started at Woodinville (WA) Whiskey where we sampled their Straight Bourbon, Straight Rye, Bourbon finished in Port casks, Rye finished in Port casks and Bourbon finished in Sherry casks. We also tried their bourbon barrel aged maple syrup. I always enjoy Woodinville's standard releases (especially the rye), but the port and sherry finished ones are very well done (balanced) and a nice change of pace from their core expressions.

Next, we went to Northwest Spirits where we sampled their Bar Boss Vodka, Bar Boss Gin, Bar Boss Bourbon and Savor Spear Straight Bourbon. My expectations were pretty low for all of these, but I was pleasantly surprised. While none of them blew me away, nor would I purchase any of them, they were very drinkable.

After dinner, we went over to our friend's house for some drams.

First, our friends put together a blind tasting of 4 whiskies. I failed miserably at figuring out what the theme of the flight was. I thought the theme was that they were all from Campbeltown, but none of them were. :-) The theme was that they were all ex-sherry cask expressions. The 4 drams (in order) were:

Teaninich 12 year from Adelphi - 1st-fill Oloroso sherry hogshead.

Craigellachie 12 year from Old Particular - forgot to note the details of the sherry cask.

Glenrothes 8 year from Single Cask Nation - forgot to note the details of the sherry cask for this one as well.

Mortlach (no age statement) from The Sovereign - Sherry butt (no additional details).

At first, my favorite was the Mortlach, but the more I sampled each of them, the Craigellachie was giving the Mortlach a run for its money. My wife preferred the Teaninich and the Glenrothes.

I also had a dram of Ledaig 2005 (11 year) from Signatory Vintage - 1st-fill sherry butt. This was an excellent dram!

Finished the night with Caol Ila SMWS 53.357 (10 year - Nov. 2009) "Smoke and smirr" - Refill ex-Bourbon hogshead - 56.7% ABV. I'm never going to turn down a Society Caol Ila when offered. This one did not disappoint!

A fun afternoon and evening with friends.

Today (Sunday), my wife, son and I met up with @jordytropp and his wife. We had a dram at their place before heading to a local whisky bar / restaurant for dinner and drams.

At their house, @jordytropp poured a Cadenhead's single cask from the Glenrothes-Glenlivet distillery, aged 21 years, 50.9% ABV. Such a beautiful dram!

At the whiskey bar, I had a flight called the SMWS sampler consisting of:

Royal Brackla SMWS 55.66 (13 year - Jan. 2008) "All things nice" - 1st-fill ex-Bourbon barrel - 64.7% ABV. This one really exceeded my expectations. My favorite of the flight.

Glenburgie SMWS 71.81 (9 year - May 2011) "His Satanic Majestys sweetie emporium" - 1st-fill ex-Bourbon barrel - 60.5% ABV. This was not a good representation of a Glenburgie. My least favorite of the flight.

Auchroisk SMWS 95.44 (7 year - Oct. 2012) "Something to mull over" - After 4 years in an ex-bourbon hogshead, transferred to a 2nd fill charred red wine barrique - 60.9% ABV. I have very little experience with this distillery, but I enjoyed this one quite a bit.

Glen Scotia SMWS 93.151 (10 year - Mar. 2010) "Members remember embers" - 1st-fill ex-Bourbon barrel - 60.4% ABV. This one was ok but had a slight peroxide note that I didn't like.

I also had a sip of the 4 drams that @jordytropp had in his flight.

Glenfarcas - 17 year. Always a classic.

Glenfiddich - Grand Cru 23 year. Lacking and not worth the price they charge for a bottle of this one.

Kilkerran 16 year. Not a lot of experience with this distillery either, but a very good dram!

Ardbeg - Hypernova. No, unless you like the smell and taste of burnt rubber.

A fun time with great friends.

Later, after getting home, one final dram. Caol Ila SMWS 53.398 (11 year - Sep. 2010) "Death of the T-1000" - Refill ex-Bourbon hogshead - 58.2% ABV

"I'll have what @bwmccoy is having"!

Usqaebach Reserve Blended Scotch Whisky, 43% ABV, Twenty Oaks Limited, Glasgow/Cobalt Brands LLC. @Dramlette wanted to buy this bottle. We did so, about 7 years ago, for about $ 45, which is the most I have ever paid for a bottle of blended Scotch whisky. This one is quite piquante in both nose and on the palate, with quite noticeable and pleasant wine influence. Quite an enjoyable whisky, if you are looking for one with an edge and a bite, in a pleasing way.

wine-searcher.com/find/….

Famous Grouse and Famous Grouse 12 yo.

I've never purchased a bottle of Famous Grouse, but have been given a couple of partial-fill bottles by friends over the years. I never liked standard Famous Grouse much at all, but this second partial gift-bottle has gotten better with more air exposure. No great draw even at this point, but drinkable and capable of being enjoyed. It still seems a bit out of sync, with a discordant sort of bitter-sour thing going on, but if I were trapped at a social function with this the only option I would still definitely choose to have some, rather than go without a whiski.

As for Famous Grouse 12 yo, I had some 10 years ago from @JeffC's bottle that I liked so much that I went out and bought a bottle of it for myself. I was greatly disappointed, because it didn't taste at all like what I had liked in Jeff's bottle. I would have rated that bottle that I had purchased then low 80s on a GOOD day, compared to the 88 pts I would have given to Jeff's bottle. 10 years of the bottle open later, this bottle is somewhat improved, but would still rate no better than about 84 points. I would not take the chance in buying another bottle of Famous Grouse 12 yo, even though I know that it COULD be quite good if I got a lucky-good batch. . . .

We're covered in ice so some Laphroaig 10 cask strength is really hitting the spot. I'm ready for spring

@casualtorture, I feel your pain. Thursday night and I’m sipping cask-strength-anything:

Hazard: Wind chill values of minus 40 to minus 45.

Timing: Tonight through Saturday morning.

On Tuesday night, had a dram of Glen Grant SMWS 9.224 (14 year - May 2007) “Harvest hayride happiness” - 1st-fill ex-bourbon barrel - 61.7% ABV.

Tonight (Thursday), after dealing with a vendor outage at work for the past week, the issue was finally resolved today. Celebrating with the best open bottle in the cabinet. Macallan Speymalt from Gordon & Macphail. 21 year (Distilled 1990, Bottled 2011). 43% ABV.

Staying with the Sherry theme, finished off my bottle of Strathmill SMWS 100.29 (11 year - March 2010) "Misbehaving in a country house" - After 8 years in an ex-bourbon hogshead, transferred to a 1st-fill ex-Oloroso hogshead - 57.2% ABV.

@paddockjudge I'm not sure I could live there haha. I told my wife if we ever have to move anywhere again for work it's going to be Miami, ATL, or the Texas triangle. I refuse the cold.