So, what are you drinking now?

After floating down the Deschutes river, stopped at a local brewery called Crux Fermentation Project. After a flight of four of their beers, I had a flight of their whiskies. There were two batches. Batch 1 is a straight bourbon at 50% ABV. Batch 2 is also a straight bourbon at 50%, but it is aged in their Tough Love stout casks. They also poured a sample of their Tough Love stout as part of the flight. I preferred batch 2.

Tonight, I rated several open, unrated bottles.

Glenfiddich 18 Year Old - 43% ABV. Rating: 87

Bruichladdich Islay Barely 2013 - 8 years - ex-European & ex-American oak casks - 50% ABV. Rating: 91

Isle of Raasay Single Malt (Lightly Peated) - 46.4% ABV. Rating: 92

Ardnamurchan SMWS 149.6 (7 year - Sep. 2015) "Recipe for success" - 1st-fill American oak Oloroso butt - 61.3% ABV. Rating: 93

@bwmccoy, dang — high scores for the newbies!

@MadSingleMalt - The scores may seem high, but those whiskies were personally selected by Dave Broom for an event that I assisted him with last month. If they're good enough for him, that's worth a couple of extra points in my book. Seriously, I compared the scores that I gave those bottles with the other bottles that I have opened and have previously rated. They are in line with them.

Tonight, while making almost 2.75 liters of Manhattans for an upcoming family reunion, I rated the last 3 open, unrated bottles.

Clynelish SMWS 26.210 (9 year - Oct. 2012) "A yum, fun and waxy one" - 1st-fill ex-bourbon barrel - 60.1% ABV. Rating: 90. This is bottled, liquid summer. A lovely dram!

Arran Quarter Cask - 56.2% ABV. Rating: 88

Arran Sherry Cask - 55.8% ABV. Rating: 89

I'm finishing the night by trying some of the Manhattan that I made tonight (pictured below). These are standard Manhattans in that they are 2 parts Rye (Old Forester 100 Proof), 1 part sweet vermouth and 2 dashes Angostura bitters.

@bwmccoy Our club has that same Isle of Raasay lined up for our "new distilleries" night in a few weeks, so I'm just excited that it could be really good.

We have an Ardnamurchan too, but it's one of the standard ones. Even so, I've heard lots of good things about the whole Ardnamurchan output.

Cheers!

@MadSingleMalt - Prior to the Dave Broom event, I had only tried Isle of Rassay once, but really liked it. My favorable initial impression was confirmed at the event and each time that I’ve had it since.

I’ve tried several standard releases of Ardnamurchan and while they were each a good quality dram, none of them blew me away. My thought each time I tried one was that as their stock continues to age, their releases would get better and better over time. Having said that, when I tried the Society Ardnamurchan at the Dave Broom event, I was very impressed with that particular cask. If that cask is any indication of things to come, we can expect great things from them.

Cheers to you as well!

Laws Whiskey House Distillery, Denver, Colorado, Centennial Straight Wheat Whiskey, 5 years old, Bottled-In-Bond, mashbill 100% wheat, Batch # 4. Photo:

lawswhiskeyhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/…

This was a gift from my very generous sister 89 days ago. It was a little tight then, so I decided to wait until now to try it again.

The nose is very high-pitched and without water is very very much like many noses of American whiskeys with water added with respect to high pitch and very noticeable sweetness. Strong intensity of flavours. A little varnish like, but still quite pleasant. Not complex. Forceful is the word. Some floral hints around the edges too..Water added unexpectedly made this blossom into a complex creature of very great beauty.

In the mouth this presents me with an extremely unusual two-tier effect of high sweet flavours corresponding to the nose, coupled with the rumble of a bundle of bass flavours operating completely independently of the high-pitched sweet confection theme. Water added brings the two tiers closer together.

What number would I give this tasting tonight? 85 without water, 87 with water. The palate is perfectly fine, but there is just no real beauty there, and harmony of the parts is somewhat lacking. The nose with water added is quite beautiful.

This is one I will watch closely for positive flavour evolution as it sits for years in the bottle. In my house most of the bottles sit for years! .

Just got back from a short family trip to the Mt. Rainier area.

On Friday night, my brother-in-law and I had the following.

Arran Quarter Cask - 56.2% ABV.

Arran Sherry Cask - 55.8% ABV.

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

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

Caol Ila SMWS 53.276 (6 year - Mar. 2012) "Ein kleiner deutscher samurai" - Refill ex-bourbon hogshead - 61.2% ABV

On Saturday night, we started off with a Manhattan cocktail (Old Forrester Rye 100 Proof) that I pre-made before the trip. (As I mentioned in a previous post, I took 2.75 liters of pre-made Manhattan's. I didn't bring home a drop. I guess my wife's family liked them.)

Later on Saturday night, my brother-in-law and I had the following.

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

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

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

Caol Ila SMWS 53.276 (6 year - Mar. 2012) "Ein kleiner deutscher samurai" - Refill ex-bourbon hogshead - 61.2% ABV.

Last night (Sunday), we only had a dram of Arran Sherry Cask - 55.8% ABV..

Tonight (Monday), after getting home from Mt. Rainier, Glenfiddich 18 Year Old - 43% ABV, followed by Bruichladdich Islay Barely 2013 - 8 years - ex-European & ex-American oak casks - 50% ABV.

Tonight, a couple of sherried drams before transitioning to smoke.

Kavalan Oloroso Sherry Oak - 46% ABV. This bottle was a little rough around the edges when first opened, but that has disappeared with some air in the bottle and is now what I would expect from Kavalan.

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.

Isle of Raasay Single Malt (Lightly Peated) - 46.4% ABV

Bainbridge Organic Distillers Battle Point Two Islands Islay Cask Wheat Whiskey - 43% ABV

@bwmccoy I was watching Ralfy review the Arran Quarter Cask the other day. He proceeded to add 3 full teaspoons of water which he claimed was the best way to drink/tame it. I thought, okay, I'll try it his way. Completely ruined it as far as I'm concerned. I have found that it needs no more than the equivalent of half a teaspoon or less to take the edge off. Often I just take it neat.

How about those Mighty Mariners!!

@BlueNote - I totally agree with you that the Arran Quarter Cask doesn’t much, if any, water.

Very happy (pleasantly surprised) by the Mariners recent success. September baseball is going to a lot of fun to watch, especially considering the M’s play Texas and Houston the last 10 games of the season.

My family and I are in Taos, New Mexico for the next few 5 days, attending my niece’s wedding on Saturday. I didn’t bring any of my own whisky with me on this trip. We were at the grocery store picking up some snacks for our hotel room when I saw a 750ml bottle of Bulleit Manhattan Cocktail made with their straight rye, sweet vermouth and bitters. My wife and I are having a glass right now. It’s pretty good, especially considering the price I paid.

@BlueNote - ralfy sure does like some whisky with his water

@bwmccoy Taos! One of my favourite places on earth! I probably would have moved there 30 years ago if Julie had been willing. Taos is not for the faint of heart. Tough strong geomagnetic energies around there. 25% of people are bothered by "The Taos Hum" which never goes away. Probably from secret government projects in that region, Los Alamos, etc. Beautiful beautiful country. Be sure to walk across the 600 foot drop Rio Grande Gorge bridge if you haven't already. That one has a low guardrail and sways in a strong wind...a little dangerous and scary for a tall person. I drove @paddockjudge up there from Albuquerque in 2016 when we went to drink whiski with @Benancio. I wish I were there with you!

@RianC and @BlueNote - drowning whisky is hardly unique to Ralfy. I was shocked when Charlie MacLean poured an equal amount of water to the amount of whisky in his glass. When I asked why he did that, he said he needed to reduce the alcohol to a point where he could detect the finer notes of the whisky. No wonder my tasting notes are so different from the experts.

@Victor - As a kid, my family would camp at Tres Ritos, which is in the mountains near Taos. As a teenager, our church youth group would ski at Taos or Angel Fire ski resorts. I have a lot of fond memories of Taos, but I haven’t been back here in more than 40 years. One of the things I want to do while here is check out the places I remember from my childhood to see if they live up to my memories of them.

In addition to the Taos hum you mentioned, the elevation at 7,000 feet is also something to take into account. Since we live at basically sea level, we are taking it easy today as we try to acclimate.

I wish I could have come to Albuquerque when you and @paddockjudge went a few years ago. I also wish you were here now. I definitely would have brought whisky with me in that case!

@bwmccoy

When a group of us were planning, a private cask purchase, we assessed 10 different casks. In each case, we tasted them at CS, near CS and diluted a long way down. I think the point in that case was to see if we could find some of the subtle flavours that might be overshadowed by the high ABV. But I think when you come down to it, it’s how you normally drink your whiskey that makes the most sense. And I do not put a lot of water in my whiskey.

Been a busy weekend visiting New Mexico and attending all of the events related to my niece’s wedding.

On Thursday night, my wife and I had some more of the Bulleit Manhattan.

On Friday, we drove up to Red River, NM and had lunch at Red River brewery and distillery. My wife and I had a flight of four of their spirits; Silver King Vodka (it didn’t have much flavor, but wasn’t offensive), Cabresto Canon Agave Spirit (this was really good!), bourbon (this was really good as well. I actually enjoyed the bourbon over their rye), Rye (it was fine, but didn’t have much rye notes). Later, at the rehearsal dinner, I had a couple drams of Dewar’s white label (the only whisky available at the open bar was Dewars and standard Jack Daniels).

Yesterday (Saturday), went to a great local Mexican restaurant and had a Margarita with lunch. Later, at the wedding, had a Mezcal margarita and a couple of Rosemary mint whiskey sour cocktails made with Bulleit bourbon.

@Victor - we walked across the Rio Grande Gorge bridge on Thursday.

@bwmccoy outstanding! And thanks for posting the picture.

Today, we went back to Red River, NM and again visited the Red River Brewery and Distillery. My wife and I shared a flight of four of their spirits. Three of them were the same as last time; Cabresto Canon Agave Spirit, Black Copper Rye Whiskey and Goose Creek Bourbon. Instead of their vodka that we had last time (and the reason we went back), was to try their Rio Grande Sotol. While Red River does not produce the Sotol (It is distilled in Mexico), they proof (40% ABV) and bottle it.

Sotol is a distilled spirit from the plants of the Dasylirion Wheeleri that grow in the Chihuahuan desert of northern Mexico, New Mexico, Arizona, and west and central Texas.

This Sotol has notes of citrus (lime peel), lemongrass, mandarin, moist wood, pine resin and earthy smoke with an herbal background.

To me, the Sotol was very similar to Mezcal. We’d never heard of Sotol before and we liked it so much that we purchased a bottle. It’s good enough to drink on its own, but I think it will make some killer cocktails as well!

This is our last night in New Mexico, so my wife and I are finishing off the bottle of Bulleit Manhattan that we purchased on our first night here. It’s been a great trip celebrating my niece’s wedding and exploring northern New Mexico. On the drive back to Taos from Red River today, we took the Eastern loop through Eagle Nest and Angel Fire. While at the Angel Fire ski area, we saw a double rainbow.

Last night on the flight home from New Mexico, I had a canned Old Fashioned cocktail.

Straightaway Oregon Old Fashioned (40% ABV). Rye whiskey (they did not disclose who made the whiskey), simple syrup and house made bitters of filbert and fir. It wasn't overly sweet like some Old Fashioned's can be, especially when they are pre-batched or canned. Notes of oak and orange with a dry finish. It also had an earthy note which I'm assuming came from their bitters.

Laphroaig 10 CS batch 14, 2021, 56.8% from a 25 ml sample: 1 tsp of water added.

As expected, really. Massive nose nip of medicinal peat; iodine, tcp, coal tar soap and creosote, which is all rather hard to get past, but do we care? A hint of something sweet lurks beneath. Big peppery spices, savoury herbs. Big 'ash tray' flavour. Quite a short but surprisingly clean finish. I feel more water would tease more out but, na!

I kind of forgot how enjoyable these types of whisky are. Nothing too complex but an absolute full-on peat assault! I would have to say this or Ardbeg probably sit as my two fave peaters, but man, I'm enjoying this one!

Perfect for such a chilly summer evening, actually.

Right onto the next Laphroaig 10 CS! This one is batch 11, 2019, also @56.8%, a sample from my last bottle: 1 tsp of water added to 30 ml. They're both quite closed up, neat.

Not much in it, really, but this one is more elegant, perhaps; no cleaner, that's it. The peat, whilst still full-on, is more monotone - all TCP. Thinner mouth-feel here but more sweetness on the palate, and less ash, for sure, and some creamy vanilla. Lemony, hint of toffee and rose water. Both have a hint of mezcal about them too.

Hmm. Think the 2021 might just edge this due to is more overt elemental nature, although I really do appreciate the clarity, especially on the nose, of the 2019. Dealer's choice, I guess.

Ooh, isn't this fun?! . I think my peat groove might well be back!

Last night (Tuesday), 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.

Tonight (Wednesday), 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.

We had the third meeting of our fledgling whisky club last night. It was a tasting of a few Speysides. IB of Tamdhu from Alexander McMurray - 7 yo Distilled in 2014 40% ABV This was fine. Nothing remarkable and a bit thin. A pleasant dram but not one I would seek out again.

Aberlour 12 Double Cask - also 40% ABV Much better than the IB Tamdhu. Mouthfeel was much better and the sherry influence is a bit more pronounced. Wish this was bottled at a higher ABV but I guess then we should go with an A'bunadh.

Mortlach 12 - The Wee Witchie - 43.4 ABV This was the winner last night. The sherry influence was there but not overpowering. Great mouthfeel. I think the increase in the ABV really helped this one.

Overall a great gathering. We usually have snacks but our host last night fed us which was unexpected. (And the food was great!)

Looking forward to the next meeting!

My mom passed away late Wednesday night / early Thursday morning, so last night (Thursday), I honored her memory and toasted her with a 21 year Longrow from ex-boutbon hogshead - 44.1% ABV. (As a child, my mom used to hoe, by hand, long rows of cotton on her dad’s farm, so I figured Longrow was appropriate.) This is a stunningly beautiful whisky! Nose is very fruity with hints of cream soda. Palate is lightly smoked fruits and candy sweetness. The finish is light peat, salt, fruit and dry.

My mom was an amazing woman! She was 89 years old and married to my Dad for 71 years. Unfortunately, the past 4 years, she’s been in declining health, so her passing was not a shock or surprising. Thanks Mom for your love, support and the example you set for my siblings and I to follow! You will be greatly missed!

@bwmccoy I wish you my deepest sympathies on the passing of your mother.

@bwmccoy Very sorry to hear of your loss. My condolences.

@bwmccoy

No matter how long we have with our parents it’s always too soon. We don’t move on. But we can love forward.

Please accept my condolences on your loss. May your happy memories sustain you through this difficult time. And May the pain be overtaken by happy memories in the future.

@bwmccoy Sincere condolences. Each of us gets one mother. Losing her is an imeasurable loss.