So, what are you drinking now?

Last evening was our visit to The Macallan distillery. I have always enjoyed The Macallan but have not purchased very many bottles as I believe it has gotten a bit overpriced. That said, we had a wonderful time. The distillery is amazing as was the staff and the tasting.
During our tasting we tried: The Harmony Collection: Amber Meadows The Macallan 21 The 2018 release of Easter Elchies Black

I got tons of pictures but here is one of the stills.

One of the places we visited today was Speyburn. This distillery has only recently opened their doors to visitors (starting this August I believe). The staff were very friendly and accommodating. We were offered 5 expressions to try and I’m sure we could have tried more if we asked. We did not do a formal tour but were somewhat free to walk around (the outside) of the distillery and take pictures.

Tonight’s happy hour was a couple of Noix on Broadway cocktails. 3 parts Rye (Old Forester 100 Proof and 1 part walnut liqueur with an orange peel garnish.

Later, 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

@TracerBullet Anything from Speyburn you would recommend. I have no experience with this distillery at all.

@BlueNote - in my opinion, their 18 year is really good. It’s all ex-Sherry matured. I got my bottle for free so that helps because I doubt I would pay the $200 retail price for it. However, it is a quality dram unlike their 12 which to me isn’t very good and the 15 is only slightly more appealing, again, in my opinion.

On Sunday night, we had some friends over for dinner and drams. Started off with a Noix on Broadway cocktail (3 parts Old Forester 100 Proof Rye and 1 part Walnut Liqueur with an orange peel for garnish).

Our friends brought over several Compass Box bottles. First up was Myth & Legends (a blend of mostly Glen Elgin with some Caol Ila and "an Orkney" distillery). This is a very lightly peated, but rich dram thanks to the Glen Elgin. Beautiful whisky.

Our friends suggested that we use the Myths & Legends for a Rob Roy cocktail which was surprisingly earthy which I didn't get on its own. Nothing like using a $300 bottle of whisky for a cocktail, but who am I to argue. Picture below.

Next we had two different expressions of Flaming Heart side-by-side. The first one was their 6th edition (bottled June 2018). The second one was the seventh edition.

Next we had No Name #2 and No Name #3 side-by-side. I love the palate on #2 and the nose on #3.

Next, we had a dram of  Caol Ila SMWS 53.276 (6 year - Mar. 2012) "Ein kleiner deutscher samurai" - Refill ex-bourbon hogshead - 61.2% ABV.

We finished the night with a couple of peated drams finished in PX casks side-by-side.

Ardmore SMWS 66.229 (15 year - July 2007) "Tarred and re-feathered" - Matured for 12 years in an ex-bourbon hogshead before being transferred to a first fill American oak Pedro Ximénez hogshead - 59.4% ABV.

Bunnahabhain SMWS 10.245 (9 year - Oct. 2013) "That shed won't paint itself" - After 5 years in an ex-bourbon hogshead, transferred to a 1st-fill ex-PX hogshead - 59.3% ABV.

Last night (Monday), I rated 3 open, unrated bottles.

Glentauchers SMWS 63.94 (8 year - Feb. 2013) "Old style enthusiasm" - 1st-fill ex-bourbon barrel - 60.6% ABV. Rating 86.

Inchmurrin SMWS 112.94 (20 year - July 2000) "A stranger in these lands" - 2nd-fill ex-bourbon barrel - 56.0% ABV. Rating 87.

Glenfarclas SMWS 1.279 (11 year - Jun. 2011) "Deeeep" - After 8 years in an ex-bourbon hogshead, transferred to a 1st-fill Spanish oak Oloroso hogshead - 63.1% ABV. Rating 92. Absolutely stunning example of a sherry finished whisky.

@bwmccoy I've yet to meet a Glenfarclas I didn't like. Too bad those family cask offerings are so expensive.

@bwmccoy Thanks for the heads up on the Speyburns, btw.

@BlueNote Sorry for the delay. Been spending a lot of time in the car on our last two days. I would say the 15 or the 18. The 18 is quite nice but a bit pricey. Nice sherry finish though.

Last night I BBQed some chicken and Miami ribs with a Korean marinade. For dessert we had butternut squash tapioca pudding that my sister in law made.

I decided to find myself an after dinner dram and as soon as I opened my cabinet this is where my gaze fell.

It’s great when your mind, your palate and your whisky are all aligned.

I’m glad I picked up a couple of spares on sale in 2019. But what was I thinking when I gave one to my nephew last year for his birthday?

@Nozinan I wish I'd had an uncle like you. I'm sure your nephew appreciates your generosity.

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

Clynelish SMWS 26.210 (9 year - Oct. 2012) "A yum, fun and waxy one" - 1st-fill ex-bourbon barrel - 60.1% ABV

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

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

Inchgower SMWS 18.51 (15 year - Sep. 2007) "Dark and Decadent" - After maturing for 12 years in an ex-bourbon hogshead, transferred to a first fill Spanish oak oloroso hogshead - 60.5% ABV.

We had a couple of blind flights for our friends to work through and they had the following blind flight for my wife and I.

Lindores Lowland Single Malt Scotch The Exclusive Cask single cask release. Distilled 2018. Bottled 2023. First-fill ex-bourbon barrel. 60.7% ABV

Kingsbarn Lowland Single Malt Scotch Limited Single Cask Release. 6 years. 1st-fill ex-bourbon barrel. 60.4% ABV

Andalusia Whiskey Company (Blanco, Texas) Single Cask from Lost Lantern independent bottler. New oak. 52.6% ABV.

Isle of Raasay Na Sia Single Cask series peated spirit, ex-rye cask. 62.4% ABV.

After that, we had a couple of peated / wine finished whisky's head-to-head.

Port Charlotte Heavily Peated The Distillery Valinch Single Cask Distillery only release. SYC:03 2009. 12 year old. 2nd-fill Syrah hogshead. 61.7% ABV.

Bunnahabhain SMWS 10.245 (9 year - Oct. 2013) "That shed won't paint itself" - After 5 years in an ex-bourbon hogshead, transferred to a 1st-fill ex-PX hogshead - 59.3% ABV.

Last night (Sunday), Ardnamurchan SMWS 149.6 (7 year - Sep. 2015) "Recipe for success" - 1st-fill American oak Oloroso butt - 61.3% ABV.

Today a member of my party's caucus was kicked out and then censured by the legislature. Why? Because she is an antisemite.

I celebrated with a 15 cc pour of Milk & Honey Apex Pomegranate Wine cask finish single malt. And it was GOOOOOOD.

@bwmccoy Love the bottle kilts!

I'm in Tucson, Arizona for a work conference. At the happy hour last night (Monday), had 3 Old Fashioned cocktails made with Maker's Mark.

Later, after dinner, had a couple of Laphroaig 10's. Still a solid dram! Does not disappoint.

Still at my conference in Tucson. At last night's (Tuesday) happy hour / dinner, the bartender made an excellent Manhattan. It was so good, I had to ask what he used to make it. He used a bourbon that I've never heard of. Broken Barrel Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon (47.5% ABV). The mash bill is 70% Corn, 21% Rye and 9% Malted Barley. The batch is a vatting of 40% ex-bourbon barrels, 40% New French Oak and 20% Sherry Casks. The label says that the whiskey is finished with Broken Barrel staves, but it doesn't say what type of wood was used or if the percentages above included the staves or not. Details, I need / want the details. :-)

The Manhattan had a depth and complexity that I haven't experienced in a Manhattan before. I'm sure the French oak and Sherry casks played a part, but I think the secret sauce was the brand of bitters which I've never heard of. The Bitter Truth Old Time Aromatic bitters. The Manhattan had some orange notes mid-palate that I really enjoyed. I'm going to have find a bottle of these bitters to see if it's the whiskey. the bitters or the sweet vermouth that makes the difference. I hope it's the whiskey or the bitters because I forgot to ask what sweet vermouth he was using.

Over the course of the evening, I had 4 Manhattan's all from the same bartender. Some of my co-workers got Manhattan's from other bartenders and they were not nearly as good (they were using Maker's Mark instead of the Broken Barrel). The bartender also gave me a small pour of the bourbon to try neat. I liked it a lot. I would definitely purchase a bottle!

Yesterday (Wednesday) was the last day of my conference. At happy hour / dinner last night, I had a Manhattan, followed by an Old Fashioned. Both were made using Maker’s Mark. They were both fine, but the Old Fashioned edged out the Manhattan as the better of the two cocktails.

I forgot to mention that at the event on Wednesday night, there was a tequila tasting with Tequila Corazon de Agave. I had a sample of their Blanco, Reposado and Anejo.

Yesterday (Thursday), before heading to the Tucson airport to fly home, I stopped by the Whiskey Del Bac distillery. I've previously owned a bottle of their "Classic", but wanted to try more of their offerings.

Up first was their standard tasting of their core lineup starting with their Classic single malt (46% ABV).

Next was their "Dorado" which is also an American Single Malt but it is Mesquite smoked (46% ABV). The barley is sourced, but it is smoked in house by them. The smoke is very light on the nose, but really comes through in the finish. I purchased a 375ml (half) bottle of this to take home.

Next was "their" Sentinel Rye. I say "their" because the rye is sourced from MGP, but they take the rye whisky and finish it in casks that previously held their Dorado Mesquite smoked whisky. They then filter the finished whisky across the mesquite charcoal that was used to smoke the barley. This gives the rye a nice earthy balance to go with the spice from the rye. I don't mind that the rye is sourced because they are very open and transparent about that.

Following their 3 core expressions, I was able to taste an additional 3 special releases.

Their "Fall Release Distiller's Cut - Dustin's Blend" is their mesquite smoked whiskey finished in Sauterne barrels blended with mesquite smoked whiskey finished in Tawny Port barrels. (58% ABV). This was a very nice balance between the smoke and the dessert wine influences.

Next was their "Frontera" bottling (48.5% ABV). This is their "Classic" American Single Malt Whiskey originally aged in new American White Oak, then finished in Pedro Ximénez Sherry botas. I wasn't familiar with the term "botas". It's the Spanish name for “butts” and is a 600-liter (160-gallon) American-oak cask used in Jerez for aging Sherry.

Finished the tasting with a bottle that won't be released until November 4th called "Ode to Islay" (55% ABV). This is a heavily "mesquited" (not peated) American Single Malt Whiskey.

My favorites (in order) were the Ode to Islay, Fall Release and Dorado. I bought the Dorado because they only offer their core expressions in the 375ml size and I didn't think I could fit a 750ml bottle in my luggage. All of the people that I met at Whiskey Del Bac were very friendly, accommodating and knowledgeable. If you are ever in Tucson, I highly recommend a visit.

@bwmccoy thank you for your info on Whiskey Del Bac Distillery. I have a sister who spends 5 months a year in Tucson, so I may get to that distillery one day.

Tonight (Friday), for happy hour, my wife, mother-in-law and I had a Noix on Broadway cocktail. 3 parts Old Forester 100 proof Rye and 1 part walnut liqueur with an orange peel garnish.

Later, while playing cards, my mother-in-law and I had the following.

Highland Park SMWS 4.328 (14 year - Jan. 2008) "Meets expectations" - At 9 years of age, they Society combined selected casks from the same distillery. They then returned the single malt into a variety of different casks to develop further. This 1st-fill ex-bourbon barrel was one of those casks.

Next, we had 2 drams of Caol Ila SMWS 53.276 (6 year - Mar. 2012) "Ein kleiner deutscher samurai" - Refill ex-bourbon hogshead - 61.2% ABV.

After that, I finished the night with a dram of a heavily peated Bunnahabhain SMWS 10.245 (9 year - Oct. 2013) "That shed won't paint itself" - After 5 years in an ex-bourbon hogshead, transferred to a 1st-fill ex-PX hogshead - 59.3% ABV.

@bwmccoy that is way-cool that you have a mother-in-law that you drink with! I have never had that blessing.

@Victor - Yes, I am very blessed to have such an amazing Mother-in-law. First of all, she’s just a really neat lady, but she also likes a good dram! Not to mention, her preferred dram is an ex-bourbon peated Scotch!

For the past 10 years or so, she has lived in Iowa, so opportunities to drink together have been greatly reduced. However, she recently moved back to Washington state (about a 3 hour drive away), so we will be drinking together on a much more frequent basis going forward!

Decided to have a dram while prepping some 18oz Rib Eyes for dinner after working in the yard on a sunny, but cold fall day.

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

Also last night (Saturday), while grilling the rib eye steaks, had a dram of Bainbridge Organic Distillers Battle Point Wheat Whiskey Barrel Proof - 67.3% ABV.

Later, my brother-in-law and I finished off my bottle of Glenfarclas SMWS 1.279 (11 year - Jun. 2011) "Deeeep" - After 8 years in an ex-bourbon hogshead, transferred to a 1st-fill Spanish oak Oloroso hogshead - 63.1% ABV.

After that, we switched to Peat and PX.

Ardmore SMWS 66.229 (15 year - July 2007) "Tarred and re-feathered" - Matured for 12 years in an ex-bourbon hogshead before being transferred to a first fill American oak Pedro Ximénez hogshead - 59.4% ABV.

Bunnahabhain SMWS 10.245 (9 year - Oct. 2013) "That shed won't paint itself" - After 5 years in an ex-bourbon hogshead, transferred to a 1st-fill ex-PX hogshead - 59.3% ABV.

Tonight (Sunday), for happy hour, my wife, mother-in-law and I had a Jerry Thomas Manhattan made with Old Forester 100 Proof Rye.

I also had a Black Manhattan made with Maker’s Mark 46.

After dinner, while playing cards, my wife, mother-in-law and I had the following drams.

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

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

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

The one on the left does not meet expectations where as the one on the right is an ACE. I'd take the (m) over the big M.

@fiddich1980 That Signatory is a fantastic bottling. Thank you so much for the opportunity to taste it!