So, what are you drinking now?

Tonight, Caol Ila SMWS 53.398 (11 year - Sep. 2010) "Death of the T-1000" - Refill ex-Bourbon hogshead - 58.2% ABV.

I have 13 open, unrated bottles. I rated 5 of them tonight.

Arran Robert Burns Single Malt - 43% ABV. Rating: 85

Glen Garioch SMWS 19.57 (18 year - Feb. 2003) "Maverick" - 1st-fill ex-bourbon barrel - 58.7% ABV. Rating: 88

Braeval SMWS 113.53 (11 year - Jan. 2010) "A bit of a bibelot" - 1st-fill ex-bourbon barrel - 62.6% ABV. Rating: 86

Speyburn SMWS 88.28 (12 year - Feb. 2009) "Big, complex and impressive!" - Refill ex-bourbon hogshead - 54.3% ABV. Rating: 87

Caol Ila SMWS 53.401 (10 year - Apr. 2011) "Islay karate" - Refill ex-bourbon hogshead - 57.4% ABV. Rating: 91

Last night, a couple of Sazerac cocktails made with Old Forester 100 proof rye, Absinthe rinse, 1/2oz simple syrup, 2 dashes Peychaud’s bitters and an expressed lemon peel for garnish.

Laphroaig 18 yo, 48% ABV.

I am toasting our own @MadSingleMalt, aka Jason Craig. The Single Malt Society of Madison Wisconsin, of which Jason is president, is the featured whisky club in the new Spring 2023 issue of Whisky Advocate magazine. Page 103 recounts the story of the club, with Jason himself also prominently featured. Nice going, Jason! Slainte!

Yesterday (Saturday), I rated 6 more unrated, open bottles. The first 3, while different in taste, all rated the same. Each had a unique flavor that while not off-putting, it prevented each of them from scoring higher. The last 3 were each better than the one before it and therefore rated higher than the first 3.

Inchmurrin SMWS 112.99 (18 year - Sep. 2003) "Feels like a caress" - After 15 years ex-bourbon hogshead, transferred to a 1st-fill Sauternes barrique - 51.4% ABV. Rating: 86

Glenfarclas SMWS 1.262 (8 year - Feb. 2013) "A commune of delights" - After 5 years ex-bourbon barrel, transferred to a 1st-fill Cosecha wine barrique - 60.3% ABV. Rating: 86

Glenlossie SMWS 46.128 (11 year - Mar. 2010) "Lotta good stuff" - After 9 years ex-bourbon hogshead, transferred to a 1st-fill toasted Caucasian oak barrique with toasted heads - 54.5% ABV. Rating: 86

Tormore SMWS 105.40 (8 year - Jun. 2012) "The sweet kiss of complexity" - After 5 years in an ex-bourbon hogshead, transferred into a 2nd-fill Heavy Toast, Medium Char hogshead - 66.2% ABV. Rating: 88

Glen Grant SMWS 9.235 (17 year - Mar. 2004) "The proof is in the finish" - After 15 years ex-bourbon hogshead, transferred to a 1st-fill ex-Spanish oak Oloroso hogshead - 55.8% ABV. Rating: 89

Blair Athol SMWS 68.76 (15 year - Aug. 2006) "Pleasantly pleasing, simply sublime" - After 12 years in an ex-bourbon hogshead, transferred into a 1st-fill Spanish oak ex-Oloroso hogshead - 52.8% ABV. Rating: 90

Yesterday's (Sunday) happy hour - A couple of Jerry Thomas Manhattan cocktails made with Old Forester 100 Proof Rye.

Tonight, I rated another open bottle.

Inchgower SMWS 18.45 (11 year - June 2010) "Hola!" - After 8 years ex-bourbon hogshead, transferred to a 1st-fill ex-Oloroso hogshead - 57.3% ABV. Rating: 91

Finished the night with a heavily peated Caol Ila SMWS 53.398 (11 year - Sep. 2010) "Death of the T-1000" - Refill ex-Bourbon hogshead - 58.2% ABV.

Yesterday (Tuesday), a co-worker and I emceed our company's annual all-employe meeting. Afterwards, to celebrate being done with those duties, we went out for drinks.

I first had a Manhattan made with Michter's Rye. It was ok, but not worth ordering another one.

Next, I had a cocktail called Calico. Michter's rye, Cherry, Cacao, Coffee liqueur, bitters and lemon zest. It was slightly better than the Manhattan, but again, not worth ordering another one.

I definitely saved the best for last. This cocktail was called Chesterfield. Famous Grouse, aged Barbados rum, banana liqueur, gum syrup, bitters and lemon zest. I'm not usually a fan of Scotch based cocktails, but this is an excellent exception. The smoke really came through and paired well with the sweet to balance things out. I would order this one again!

Clontarf Blended Irish Whiskey, 40% ABV. Irish High King Brian Boru finally ended the Vikings' military conquest of Ireland by his victory at the battle of Clontarf in 1014.

I toast all of my Connosr friends: HAPPY IDES OF MARCH!

Speyburn SMWS 88.27 (12 year - Feb. 2009) "The nutcracker" - Refill ex-Bourbon hogshead - 54.0% ABV

I don't normally make cocktails during the week, but last night (Thursday), before dinner, I was in the mood for something, but neither a beer nor a single malt sounded good. I decided to make a Ron Arroyo. This is Whiskey Del Bac's (Tuscon, Arizona) version of a Rob Roy, but using their American single malt instead of Scotch. It hit the spot.

3 parts Whiskey Del Bac Classic (46%), 1 part Carpano Antica Formula sweet vermouth, 3 dashes of Angostura orange bitters and a dehydrated orange slice for garnish.

Not exactly now, but expected tonight.

My aunt is having guests for dinner tonight and they will come down to my mother’s condo (same building) for dessert. We’ve none her since we were babies. He likes hood whiskies. To celebrate St Patrick’s Day (which I really don’t celebrate but that excuse is good as any) I’ll bring over a few Glencairn glasses and my bottle of Blue Spot.

That should hit the spot.

@Nozinan I'm considering "chasing" a bottle of Blue Spot (IF it ever shows up at a nearby store). Just bought a Yellow Spot and RB 15 (opened a green spot and RB 12 last week). From your experience, how does it compare to Redbreast 12/15 and yellow spot?

@65glenfarclas I don’t have a lot of experience with RB other than 12 YO CS, and mostly one batch (2015 I think). So don’t think I could give a useful opinion. The Blue Spot was really delicious tonight with a few drops of water. I am looking forward to comparing it to the Gold spot which I understand was available for about 50 seconds this week.

I don't have any Irish whiskey open at the moment, so my St. Patrick's Day amounted to a couple of Guiness Draught cans.

Later, I rated my last open, unrated bottle.

Highland Park SMWS 4.304 (16 year - Jan. 2005) "A proper summer dram" - After 14 years ex-bourbon hogshead, transferred to a shaved, toasted and recharred (STR) 1st-fill ex-Pedro Ximénez barrique - 58.3% ABV. Rating: 93.

A pre dinner Blair Athol 2009 Parcel No. 5, Single Malts of Scotland, 25 ml sample - I'm guessing bourbon matured. It's OK but rather forgettable, if I'm honest. Sweet and sour grain, almost porridgy. A little creamy malt with something and lemon grass - It puts me in mind of a mild Thai curry, oddly.

Now onto a post dinner pour of another sample from @weirdo - a Glenturret 12 Maiden Release. Enjoying this one much more. What the heck, I'll add a quick review ...

@RianC - I find most Blair Athol matured in ex-bourbon to be lacking, at least nothing special. However, Blair Athol matured in an ex-Sherry cask is often great.

It’s interesting that Blair Athol uses their ex-bourbon matured whisky mostly for blends. Their ex-Sherry matured whisky is mostly used for single malt releases.

@bwmccoy - as it was a sample from a tasting set, I have no further into about the age or casks. My only other Blair Athol was the F&F which was sherried and far superior to this.

I get the feeling there are quite a number of malts that don't suit sole bourbon maturation - Aberlour comes to mind.

Finally cracked open a (small 180 mL) bottle of Yoichi 10yo I've had for 11 years! Bought it in March 2012 when the LCBO marked them down to $21.50 (don't remember what the original price was). At the time, not many people seemed to want it and being the anal accountant that I am, I only bought one because the small size translated to ~$90 for a 'normal' bottle ("expensive" in 2012). What a lovely lightly peated whiski. Had I guessed that age stated Japanese whiski would become as rare as hen's teeth, and affordable only by Saudi oil sheiks, I should've cleared the shelf.

BenRiach Cask Strength Batch #2 (60.6% ABV), the last 3/4oz from the sample provided for a virtual tasting from a month or so ago.

Last night (Saturday), my wife and I had a friend over for dinner and drams.

Started by finishing off one of my two bottles of Arran Robert Burns Single Malt - 43% ABV.

Next, our friend went through a blind tasting of the February Outturn from the Society (6 expressions). While he was working on that, I had a dram of Tormore SMWS 105.40 (8 year - Jun. 2012) "The sweet kiss of complexity" - After 5 years in an ex-bourbon hogshead, transferred into a 2nd-fill Heavy Toast, Medium Char hogshead - 66.2% ABV.

Followed by a dram of Blair Athol SMWS 68.76 (15 year - Aug. 2006) "Pleasantly pleasing, simply sublime" - After 12 years in an ex-bourbon hogshead, transferred into a 1st-fill Spanish oak ex-Oloroso hogshead - 52.8% ABV.

After dinner, our friend went through a blind tasting of the March Outturn from the Society (also 6 expressions).

Our friend, had my wife do a blind tasting of 4 whiskies. He told us they were all peated, but they were all from different countries. He asked us to rank the four from favorite to least favorite and guess what each country the whisky was from.

First up, McCarthy's Oregon Single Malt aged 6 years (50% ABV). Batch No. MC6-21-01. Bottled 10/18/2021. This was our second favorite, but we correctly guessed that it was American.

Next, a Battlehill bottling of a 7 year peated Bunnahabhain (52% ABV). This was our favorite, but we guessed it was Japanese, not Scotland.

Next, a Danish peated whisky from Stauning (57% ABV). Distilled 10/2017. Bottled 09/2022. This apparently uses peat from Denmark. It wasn't very peaty. It was ok, but our least favorite. No, we did not correctly guess the country. :-) We thought it might be Australian.

The final whisky was a peated single cask Paul John (56.5% ABV). Cask #5882. This was our 3rd favorite. We did correctly guess India, but thought it was an Amrut.

After the blind tastings, our friend and I had the following;

Glenburgie SMWS 71.87 (10 year - May 2011) "Cowboys at dinner" - After 8 years in an Oloroso butt, transferred into a heavy charred 1st-fill puncheon - 58.2% ABV.

Strathmill SMWS 100.34 (11 year - March 2010) "Oh, to be in a bodega again..." - After 8 years in an ex-bourbon hogshead, transferred to a 1st-fill Oloroso hogshead - 56.7% ABV.

Caol Ila SMWS 53.395 (11 year - Nov. 2009) "Smoky explosion" - Refill ex-bourbon hogshead - 56.4% ABV.

We finished the night by finishing off my bottle of Caol Ila SMWS 53.398 (11 year - Sep. 2010) "Death of the T-1000" - Refill ex-Bourbon hogshead - 58.2% ABV.

A fun night.

This afternoon (Sunday), I went over to @jordytropp and his wife's home. Before heading over to an Irish Pub near his house, we had a dram of a single cask GlenDronach. Distilled December 15th, 2005, bottled 2020. 14 year old. Fully matured in a PX Puncheon Cask number 1928. Bottle #83 of 612. 58% ABV. Such a stunning dram! Thanks @jordytropp for sharing this one with me.

At the pub, we all had a new to us Irish Ale from Sullivan's in Kilkenny. It was really good. Dark chocolate roasted malt and cream (not a nitro beer).

Next, @jordytropp and I tried a new Irish whiskey that the bartender recommended. She said the master distiller was formerly at Bushmills and this whiskey was similar. Limavady Single Malt Whiskey. 100% Irish Barley. Small Batch. Triple Distilled. Finished in ex-bourbon barrels and PX sherry casks. 46% ABV. I thought the whiskey was really good and couldn't disagree with the bartender's comment about it being similar to Bushmills. Photo below.

A fun afternoon with great friends!

Catching up a bit here as I was traveling to Georgia to visit family for St. Patrick’s day. Here is a picture of the Irish Whiskey lineup:

Not whisky, but last night (Monday), I had a small pour of barrel aged Society gin. I don't normally sip gin, but this one is just too good to put in a cocktail! Notes of dried citrus peel, juniper, coriander and lemon meringue pie. Down to my last or next to last pour. Going to miss this one!

Makar / The Glasgow Distilling Company (Scottish Gin - London Dry style) SMWS GN1.3 (No age statement, but distilled August 2017) "Coriander meander" - 2nd-fill ex-bourbon barrel - 57.8% ABV.

Last night (Tuesday), I had the following drams.

Linkwood SMWS 39.225 (10 year - Feb. 2011) "Easy over" - 2nd fill ex-Bourbon barrel - 60.6% ABV

Glenlossie SMWS 46.128 (11 year - Mar. 2010) "Lotta good stuff" - After 9 years ex-bourbon hogshead, transferred to a 1st-fill toasted Caucasian oak barrique with toasted heads - 54.5% ABV

Caol Ila SMWS 53.395 (11 year - Nov. 2009) "Smoky explosion" - Refill ex-bourbon hogshead - 56.4% ABV

Tonight, Clynelish SMWS 26.186 (10 year - Feb. 2011) "Polished and refined" - 1st fill ex-Bourbon barrel - 59.2% ABV.

Blair Athol SMWS 68.71 (12 year - Feb. 2009) "Rather scrumptious" - After 10 years in an ex-bourbon hogshead, transferred to a 1st-fill Oloroso hogshead - 58.6% ABV.

Caol Ila SMWS 53.401 (10 year - Apr. 2011) "Islay karate" - Refill ex-bourbon hogshead - 57.4% ABV.

I don’t normally drink throughout the week, but it’s been a tough one so far so I’m having some WT Rare Breed after dinner tonight. This bourbon never disappoints.

Tonight, I attended a Society event where we sampled 6 Society whiskies from casks that haven't been bottled yet. Attendees write the tasting notes, name the bottles and decide which ones to bottle. The chairman of the Society's Tasting Panel flew in from Edinburgh to walk us through the whiskies.

Started off with a 25 year (July 1996) Caperdonich that spent 22 years in an ex-bourbon barrel before being re-racked in a 2nd-fill ex-bourbon barrel for the final 3 years. 51.4% ABV. This was stunning! Light and floral, but yet very complex.

Next was a 9 year (October 2012) Clynelish from a 1st-fill ex-bourbon barrel. 59.6% ABV. This was a very good whisky, but it didn't stand a chance after the Caperdonich.

15 year (August 2006) Macduff. After 13 years in an ex-bourbon hogshead, transferred into a 1st-fill heavy char #4+ hogshead. 56.3% ABV. All of the whisky tonight was very good, but this one and the next two were my least favorites of the night. They just didn't stand out to me.

15 year (May 2006) Dailuaine. After 13 years in an ex-bourbon hoghead, transferred into a 1st-fill Chinkapin oak barrel, heavy toast / medium char. 59.3% ABV.

13 year (January 2009) Fettercairn. After 10 years in an ex-bourbon barrel, transferred into a 1st-fill ex-Bodega PX barrique cask. 54.3% ABV.

Finished with a 13 year (September 2008) Caol Ila. After 10 years in an ex-bourbon hogshead, transferred into a refill Spanish oak Sherry hogshead. 58.2% ABV. This was outstanding. It retained the typical Caol Ila house style. The sherry cask didn't cover it up, but it gave it a depth and complexity that may have not been there if it was matured exclusively in an ex-bourbon cask.

It's hard to pick one favorite. The Caperdonich and the Caol Ila were my favorites, but they couldn't be more different. What a fun experience.

After the event, a few of us went out for dinner. I had a Bonfire Old Fashioned cocktail made with Westland Flagship American Single Malt whiskey, brown sugar rosemary syrup, Angostura bitters and Skiprock Nocino walnut liqueur.

@bwmccoy bravo!!! Such magnificent whisky fun you have been having. You are really living the whisky life and getting into the thick of it. And that as a "second job" too. Lovely stuff you are doing, and, if you ask me, you are getting the part of it which is the greatest fun-- tasting, exploring, and selecting. The physical industrial side is interesting, but doing the dog work in the distillation rooms and in the warehouses is a much slower more patient sort of exploration than is sampling "la creme de la creme" of the finished products. A whisky connoisseur? Yes, sir, Bryan McCoy, you are that!

And thanks for being my friend.

@Victor - Wow! Thank you so much for your kind words. I'm truly humbled!

I agree with you that since this is my "second job" and since I'm not an employee of the Society, I get to do all of the "fun stuff" without having to be burdened with the actual job-related tasks, i.e., sales quotas, etc., if I was "in the industry". I feel truly blessed in that regard.

I consider myself more of a whisky enthusiast than I do a connoisseur, but I, again, thank you for your kind words and I will take that as the ultimate compliment coming from you!

I also thank you for being my friend! I'm honored to have known you all of these years on Connosr, but being able to meet you in person a couple of times and share drams together has been truly special! Hope we can get together again soon!