Which bottle did you just buy and why?

@ajjarrett

干杯 !!!

@Nozinan Without too much explanation, I will definitely go back and get the other bottle (hoping it doesn't disappear by the time I can get to it). This is definitely a winner for my first bottle purchased in 2018. At least, from my first impressions of my first dram. 乾杯！

@ajjarrett that looks and sounds fantastic. I've only tried the standard 12 but my bottle had a very deep, rich sherry influence - your one should be amazing. I've seen a few of the retail exclusive bottlings (with unpronounceable Gaelic names) on a NZ web site but I've not been brave enough to give them a crack yet. I'm interested to hear your thoughts on this one later.

@Hewie

I thoroughly enjoy the 12yo Bunnahabhain standard bottling. It definitely is one I will always have a bottle of in my library. I was introduced to the 12yo Bunnahabhain after watching Ralfy's video, even though there were a few years between his review and the time I bought my first bottle. It is still an enjoyable dram. Now, whisky.com with Hörst, and his son, reviewed the 12yo with a new bottle. Although they suggested/said that the contents are the same, I am guessing there could be slight difference since things can change over time, even if it isn't a batch style product. I might just have to get a couple more bottles of 12yo.

Bought the A'Bunadh 61 because prices are going insanely high and I'm aon sherry kick. This is not a proper review, but I strongly recommend this batch.As Kurtz in Heart of Darkness/Apocalypse Now might say, "The fruits, the fruits...."

@ajjarrett My first encounter with the 12 was disturbing. It was the first time I had a taste of boiled cabbage in a whisky. It was not pleasant. I am glad that I overcome this first impression although it's been a while since I had the 12, the 18 was one of the highlights of 2017 for me.

@Robert99

That's interesting. I don't think I had any experience with any bottle of 12yo Bunnahabhain that I could describe as being boiled cabbage. I do have a few online friends, in Taiwan, who agree their experience with many expressions of the unpeated Bruichladdich, e.g. Bruichladdich Laddie Ten, has a bit of cheesy foot aromas. Interesting enough, they all say it is a positive 'cheesy foot' aroma. I don't think I get the same aroma, but I can see how they can get it when we all try to describe aromas and tastes to our best abilities.

Do you plan to go back to the 12yo Bunnahabhain, or stick with the 18yo?

@ajjarrett I will probably get both in the future, reserving the 18 for special treats or, at least for the week end.

...or at least only for Tuesdays! Tuesdays and Wednesdays! And Thursdays when the wife is out of town! And...

:)

@Robert99

It is always good to have a 'go to' bottle, and a bottle for 'special occasions' or the occasional weekend dram.

Well, everyone, I went back to the liquor store where I got the 14yo Bunnahabhain PX, thinking I should go get the second bottle that was on the shelf in case it was the last. I got there and to my pleasant surprise there were four bottles on the shelf. Now don't think I got all four, that would be a bit crazy, especially on my budget (I am still playing Power Ball and Mega Millions). I picked up another bottle to put away for future drinking. I don't plan on getting through my first bottle very quickly. And to answer the possible question I might get from some of you, yes, if I get more money and there isn't any other whisky I really want to get, I will get another (third) bottle.

I am on a hot streak of picking up solo returns at the SAQ lately. I picked up a Benriach 15 PX last week for a friend who promptly killed it before I could get a sample for review.

This week, One solitary bottle of Stagg Jr. came back into inventor on Tuesday, called to reserve it. I picked it up tonight Batch 8 129.5 proof. This was another one of my discoveries from December's Epic tasting.

This weekend if I all goes well, I'll have one more pick-up to round out the streak. I'll share then

@cricklewood This is a fantastic catch. Well done!

@cricklewood I am a bit jealous, that's a great catch!

@Robert99, I will gladly share. If I see anything along those lines I'll let you know about it.

Today's haul. I drove an hour and a half from ME to MA to hit up the store outside of Boston. As to the "why" aspect of this post most of them are self explanatory. I have a few other spirits in there like the Rum (heard excellent things, especially for its price point) and the Cardenal Mendoza. As for that one I had never heard of that brandy, but they liked a photo I had on Instagram so I'm going to match their proactive approach and try their spirits. Another "why" reason is that many of these I can't get in ME or if I can they're much more expensive than the store that I hit up today.

@jsilevinac that is a decent haul there but as you say if they were too good to pass up. .... Have you read the Resolutions for 2018 thread? You are definitely bucking the (self imposed) buying tend that some are committing to.

@Hewie - I’ll check that out now

@jsilevinac, you're definitely a prime recruit for our informal but expanding network of movers, shakers, and traders.

@jsilevinac

Let me add my 'voice' to what others have mentioned, "nice haul." The two that stand out for me are the CS 12yo Redbreast and the 12yo Glengoyne. Don't let those who rave about the 18 and 21yos Glengoyne discourage you from enjoying the 12yo. It has its own personality and I find it very enjoyable. It can turn out to be a very lovely "go to dram." As for the CS 12yo Redbreast, I adore the 15yo and lean towards that one; however, the CS 12yo is an amazing adventure that takes a lot of time and a bit of water to explore. Make sure you have a lot of time to do that and your favorite music. 乾杯！

@Hewie - Well, I made no promises ;)

I got Green Spot and Amrut Fusion a couple of weeks ago and saw a good deal for Powers 12 over the weekend (with free delivery!) so took the plunge.

They make up 3 of my top 5 most wanted for 2018. Heard good things about the Amrut and the others are two pot stills I've never had but do like the style a lot.

I thought my fiances looked quite good, hence the treats; until yesterday when I had to buy some 'emergency' water proof golf trousers and then my golf bag straps gave way on me (during the driving rain!) so will need to buy a new bag as well! Feel like that may be the Gods' way of telling me something . . .

@ajjarrett - I enjoyed the Redbreast 12. Hear only good things about the CS version but it's quite pricey over here.

@RianC

Although I am not sure how much the CS 12yo cost in your area, but I would suggest it might be worth saving for. Or you might need to go on a hunt for it, in other areas where it might be less expensive. I suspect there are a few people here who might agree, it is worth saving up for.

I must admit, I haven't had the 12yo Redbreast since my first taste of a Redbreast was the 15yo, and I don't mind paying the extra dollars for it compared with the 12yo. Of course, if I have the chance to taste the 12yo, and I enjoy it, I might get a bottle. However, I am guessing (only guessing mind you) that I will end up deciding to put my money towards the CS 12yo and/or 15yo.

I hope you get the chance to get yourself a bottle of the CS. 乾杯！

@ajjarrett - Well, if it's that good it may have to go on the wanted list. Probably be next year now though. Thanks

I picked up a bottle of Knob Creek Single Barrel 9 Year Old and a bottle of Four Roses Small Batch today. I’m supposed to be abstaining from buying, but I only had one bourbon in my home and it was getting lonely. I’m fairly certain I’ll like the 120 Proof KC, but the FR Small Batch was suggested to me by a secretary at my school who is a huge bourbon enthusiast. She swears it’s one of the best deals in bourbon at the KGBO and that it’s better than he FR Single Barrel. We’ll see. And now I really need to stop buying....unless I score something from the BTAC.

@OdysseusUnbound I do not agree that the 4 roses small batch is better than the single barrel. There are batch variations but these latest batches at the LCBO are very nice.

@Astroke I really liked the FR Single Barrel. But I wanted to try the Small Batch. For science.

@OdysseusUnbound Still a nice pour and decent value as the LCBO goes

@OdysseusUnbound Four Roses Single Barrelis a favorite of me. I am not familiar with the Small Batch but I am sure it is very good. If you like the floral notes of rye, you are in for a treat and if you like wood spice they usually are superb although on the gentle side.

@OdysseusUnbound - I found Four Roses small batch to be lovely. Quite a 'feminine' bourbon, really soft on the palette but very rewarding. I bought a couple back last year when they were on offer. It's one I'd recommend to a bourbon 'newbie' as it's so approachable.

FRSB is the Japanese whisky of the bourbon world.