So, what are you drinking now?

Last night's (Sunday) happy hour consisted of a couple of Jerry Thomas Manhattan's for my wife and I, but the first one was made with half Old Forester 100 Proof Rye and half Maker's Mark 46 due to running out of the Old Forester. I used Maker's Mark 46 bourbon due to the French oak influence hoping that would make up for the lack of spice from the rye. It worked! I couldn't really tell the difference. The second one was made exclusively with the Maker's Mark 46 and again, the difference was minimal. While I will continue to use Old Forester if I have it, it's good to know that I have a suitable back up option.

Lindores Abbey Lowland (46% ABV)...

Last night I had a small pour of Nikka From the Barrel. This whisky has really impressed me. I’ve always kind of rolled my eyes when I read “blends can be just as interesting as single malts” but this Nikka may have convinced me. It’s also gotten more interesting with time. The fruits and peat are nicely balanced.

@OdysseusUnbound for what it’s worth I couldn’t agree with you more. Lovely balance and the consistency of their product over the years is admirable. Need to get another. Cheers.

@Victor I did a H to H with the 17 and the current 18 a while ago. No contest, 17 by a mile. I have one full one left in the bunker and it's slated for consumption very soon.

@Timp - my previous two bottles were excellent but this one I have open now, not so much. It's OK, and air has helped, but far less balanced with more neutral grain notes coming through.

@BlueNote - my one remaining bottle has been placed in the 'retirement' section of my stash

Worked late last night (Tuesday), so only had time for one dram before bed. Decided to go with Balblair 18 year old (46% ABV) because I wanted something quality, but not too complex and a sherried whisky sounded good.

@RianC A well stocked retirement bunker is essential.

@RianC @OdysseusUnbound @Timp I have a bottle of the Nikka from the Barrel that a friend gave me about 6 years ago. I guess I'd better crack it and see what you guys are on about.

@YakLord What's the verdict on the Lindores? I've been tempted but haven't pulled the trigger.

We had some of my wife’s family in town tonight. My brother-in-law and I had the following drams;

Killed off my bottle of Balblair 18 year old - 46% ABV.

Ledaig SMWS 42.77 (13 year - Feb. 2008) "Smoke from a burning drum" - Refill ex-bourbon hogshead - 58.3% ABV.

Caol Ila SMWS 53.447 (14 year - May 2008 "The edge of midnight" - 1st-fill American oak PX hogshead - 57.6% ABV.

@BlueNote I'm glad it was a 5cl mini? It was OK, but I certainly wouldn't be shelling out for a full-sized bottle.

@YakLord Any idea why it is "mcdxciv"?

@Nozinan MCDXCIV is 1494: it's a reference to Friar John Cor and the 6 bols of malt to be distilled at Lindores Abbey, as per the exchequer rolls of June 1, 1495...although the identity of Cor is disputed: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Cor

@YakLord Good to know. Thank you.

For happy hour tonight, my wife and I had a couple of Vieux Carre cocktails made with Old Forester Rye 100 Proof.

After dinner, I had a Black Manhattan made with Maker's Mark 46.

@YakLord I agree with your view on the Lindores. I had a sample from KWM tasting last year. My personal "notes": N) Vanilla, tangerine, pear, apple. P) Spirity, sweet bread, lemon juice. F) Bitter oak, pepper, lemon. It's a competent single malt, but like you, I'm not paying $97 for a bottle. I MIGHT reconsider if I see it as a manager's special (20-30% off)

Last night (Saturday), we had some friends over for dinner and drams.

The Irishman Single Malt Irish Whiskey - 40% ABV. Starter dram.

Glentauchers SMWS 63.91 (19 year - May 2002) "Oh behave!" - 1st-fill ex-bourbon barrel - 52.3% ABV. Bottle kill. This one was elegantly sublime.

Bruichladdich (unpeated) from The Single Cask (independent bottler) 11 year (distilled 12 Oct 2009, bottled 21 Oct 2020). Cask # 3615. 1st-fill ex-bourbon barrel. Bottle # 63 of 247. 61.3% ABV. Bottled in conjunction with The Water Of Life film. Farmyard notes. Loved it.

Oban 12 year Dieago special release 2021 from ex-bourbon and refill casks. Natural Cask Strength - 56.2% ABV. One of the best Oban's I've had in a long time.

Ardnamurchan AD/02.22 Cask Strength (58.7% ABV). I've had other offerings from this distillery and while they are all quality whisky, so far, they haven't done much for me. Having said that, this was one of the better ones.

Teaninich from Adelphi Selection. 12 year (Distilled 2010, Bottled 2022) Single Cask No. 709032 (1st-fill Oloroso sherry hogshead) - 59.1% ABV. A meaty, viscous, "dirty" (no Sulphur) sherried whisky. Stunning!

Octomore 10.4 (3 year - Virgin oak) 88ppm. 63.5% ABV. By far, my favorite of the night. This is one of the best Octomore's that I've had. A distant 2nd to 2.2 Orpheus, but still 2nd.

Bainbridge Organic Distillers Battle Point Wheat Whiskey Barrel Proof - 67.3% ABV. While probably not best to drink this one following Octomore, my friend asked if I would open it to try it. Of course! Actually, it held its own. Tasted as good as I remember it at the distillery a couple of weeks ago.

A fun night of great whisky, great food and great friends.

Worked my way through a few samples this afternoon.

1. Old Perth - nice, easy sherried dram. Reminded me of a Glenfarclas style. Quaffable.

2. Speyburn 15 - rich, fruity and honeyed, great mouth-feel. Surprisingly good, this one.

3. North of Seven Four Grain Mash - wow! This one is a contender, for sure. Like a bourbon/rye on steroids - lots of oak, toffee, spice and, well, grain notes, with a buttery, creamy mouthfeel. Lovely drop!

4. Not a sample, but a Mortlach 15 SV - so much more meaty and savoury than the others. Even tried a sip after eating some very salty, crispy chicken skin (straight from the oven) and it paired spectacularly, as one might expect; however odd that may seem. The balance and mouth-feel are sublime!

Cheers to @weirdo & @cricklewood for the samples

Last night (Sunday), my brother-in-law came over and we had the following drams.

Highland Park SMWS 4.346 (12 year - Oct. 2009) "Savoury and sweet" - After 8 years ex-bourbon hogshead, transferred to a 1st-fill ex-bourbon barrel - 62.9% ABV.

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. (Bottle kill)

Ledaig SMWS 42.77 (13 year - Feb. 2008) "Smoke from a burning drum" - Refill ex-bourbon hogshead - 58.3% ABV. (Bottle kill)

Caol Ila SMWS 53.447 (14 year - May 2008) "The edge of midnight" - 1st-fill American oak PX hogshead - 57.6% ABV. (Bottle kill)

For the final dram, we opened up my bottle of Bainbridge Organic Distillers Battle Point Two Islands Islay Cask Wheat Whiskey - 43% ABV. While it was good, since this is only 43%, after drinking the cask strength whiskies above, the peat was not present on the finish as it was when I tried it at the distillery. Will have to revisit this one with a clear palate.

A 70's Dimple. I thought this had flattened out a bit when I last had some but it tastes very good tonight. Maybe a slight cardboard note but otherwise, it's quite a dense and aromatic blend, especially for 40%. The most 'orangey ' whisky I've ever had! Some peat and a little industrial note. It's quite the charmer!

Cheers!

I have 5 open, unrated bottles at the moment. Last night, I rated one of them.

Glenfarclas SMWS 1.265 (9 year - Jan. 2012) "OMA at the cinema" - 1st-fill ex-bourbon barrel - 58.3% ABV. Rating: 88.

Tonight, I rated the last 4 unrated, open bottles.

Bainbridge Organic Distillers Battle Point Two Islands Islay Cask Wheat Whiskey - 43% ABV. Rating: 85

Bainbridge Organic Distillers Battle Point Wheat Whiskey Barrel Proof - 67.3% ABV. Rating: 87

Highland Park SMWS 4.346 (12 year - Oct. 2009) "Savoury and sweet" - After 8 years ex-bourbon hogshead, transferred to a 1st-fill ex-bourbon barrel - 62.9% ABV. Rating: 90

Tomintoul SMWS 89.17 (9 year - Dec. 2012) "Keep nosing" - 2nd-fill ex-bourbon barrel - 67.5% ABV. Rating: 91

On Friday night, my brother-in-law came over. I opened a couple of bottles.

Glen Scotia SMWS 93.177 (8 year - March 2013) "Crossing the event horizon" - 1st-fill ex-bourbon barrel - 58.6% ABV. A really good Glen Scotia.

Caol Ila SMWS 53.276 (6 year - Mar. 2012) "Ein kleiner deutscher samurai" - Refill ex-bourbon hogshead - 61.2% ABV. Translation: My little German samurai. I’ve been hanging on to this bottle since Nov. 2019. It did not disappoint. One of the best Caol Ila’s I’ve ever had.

Tonight (Sunday), we’re taking our son to some you tubers show (Dude Perfect) in Seattle. While waiting for the doors to open went to Chinese restaurant for appetizers and drinks. I had the Tyler Old Fashioned. Evan Williams Bourbon, Baijiu, maple syrup, aromatic bitters. Funky note upfront with notes of cinnamon in the finish.

After eating, the owner brought a shot glass of Longrow Peated for me to try. Notes of grass and earthy followed by the peat. Lovely!

Tonight (Tuesday), my wife and I shared a pre-made Old Fashioned cocktail from On the Rocks company using Knob Creek Straight Bourbon. It was ok, but I added a dash of aromatic bitters to give it a little more character.

After dinner, I made a Black Manhattan with Maker's Mark 46.

@bwmccoy I usually have to add a bit more Knob Creek as I find their Old Fashioned a bit sweeter than I like.

@TracerBullet - I completely agree with you, but I didn’t have any Knob Creek, so I added the bitters as the next best option to cut the sweetness.

Last night (Wednesday), I had a couple of very small drams while trying to decide what I was in the mood for.

Mannochmore SMWS 64.127 (12 year - May 2009) "Going luxe" - After 9 years in an ex-bourbon hogshead, transferred into a 1st-fill custom toasted American and European oak barrique cask - 58.4% ABV

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

I ultimately decided to have the last dram of a very special bottle. I doubt I will ever be able to have a Macallan of this age and from that era ever again in my cabinet. Thanks again @jordsytropp for this very special gift!

Macallan Speymalt from Gordon & Macphail. 21 year (Distilled 1990, Bottled 2011). 43% ABV

Last night an Old Pulteney single cask. Had to decant this on opening as it was a touch nippy but it has started to settle now: lots of rose water, lemony, biscuity malt, light toffee, wee touch of coconut and sour fruits like apple and gooseberry and a salty note running through. It's a nice drop but not sure it was worth the £100 I shelled out, being honest. Takes water well too, which kind of backs up what I've always thought about OP, in that it still works at 40%.

Then had a SV Mortlach - almost emptied now but, man, this is a top dram. A real sitting by the fire and relaxing one.

Cheers!