Which bottle did you just buy and why?

Thanks everyone. Think I'll start my journey into independent bottles with a Cadenhead or two. Owned by Springbank so feel I'm on safe territory.

I did have some Clynelish from Signatory once which was very good. Couldn't tell you the vintage though, was a few years ago.

@paddockjudge I agree. I've had few IBs but they have all been good.

I took a chance on the same Linkwood 11 that @BlueNote mentioned a couple of days ago, they way it was described seemed too good to pass up. I had an old virtual visa that I received as a gift. It was about 80 cents short to buy it online. I called KWM and they agreed to create 2 credit card transactions (I also had another with a few dollars left).

Gotta love KWM. Great service.

@Nozinan I’m pretty confident you are going to love it and look forward to your review when you get it. Having followed you for quite a few years on connosr I think I know what you like and I’m pretty sure this one is right in your wheelhouse.

I totally agree that KWM is an excellent source with excellent service. I’ve bought far more from them in the past few years than from BC Liqour stores.

Bought a 2012 (4th edition) bottling of Flaming Heart today ... from the same shop as the Last vatted malt and grain last week. A friend told me he had enjoyed a few drams of it a few days back so I thought it would make a good Christmas present... for me ... from my wife. Sadly the interesting stuff seems to have thinned out so the off licence hunt continues!

@conorrob - If I remember rightly Ralfy scored that one very highly (not sure which release though?). And more to the point, what off licence are you shopping in? Handy Harrod's?!?

I'm lucky if there's a bottle of any malt at all in the corner shop opposite my house . . .

@conorrob The new Flaming Heart is high on my wish list. I had the 15th anniversary edition and it was very tasty. I’d be interested in your thoughts on this one. Do you have to wait till Christmas?

@RianC haha honestly i only really buy whisky now at off licences .... just takes a bit of time finding the ones that are hiding gold. Finding them is becoming a bit of a hobby though it must be said.

@BlueNote unfortunately the review will have to wait until after Christmas .... i’m under the strictest of orders. Plus it’s probably best shared I’d imagine so maybe New Years!

@conorrob Good things come to those who wait?

@conorrob - Buying whisky gifts, to me, from other people (especially my partner) is a regular occurrence . . one doesn't get if one doesn't ask (well, buy on their behalf)

@BlueNote haha in this case I have to hope that they most certainly do !!!

My recent haul whilst in PA

@jsilevinac The Dad's Hat is really good.

@jsilevinac, interesting. Have you found that you can get a lot of products in Pennsylvania that you can't get in Maine?

@Victor - That’s exactly the main reason why I bought what I did.

@jsilevinac, the details on that Big Peat are kinda hard to make out. Is that the 2018 Christmas edition?

Well, it's super cold in Edmonton, and I didn't want to walk very far. The closest liquor store I found was called deVine Wines and Spirits. It was interesting, though much of what was there wasn't priced much better than the KGBO, though the selection was quite interesting. There was an Edradour 10 I almost bought, but the price was a bit high for a 40% ABV whisky ($90, I think). I had a Springbank 15 in my hands but I was worried about the bottle surviving the trip back to Ontario, and $125 is more than I'm willing to gamble. Hazelburn 13 Oloroso was the same price as the Springbank 15, and I rationalized not buying it the same way.

So I picked up a bottle of Springbank 10 for $80, which is about $26 cheaper than Ontario. I'd still be angry over the loss of $80 if the bottle were broken, but it's a whisky I've had before, ergo the anger wouldn't be compounded by missing out on trying a new whisky. I also got a 3 X 50 ml sample of Tomatin, a distillery I've never tried for $26. So it was like being in Ontario, buying a Springbank 10 and getting 3 free samples (Tomatin 12, 15, 18). I'll post reviews of the vertical tasting later tonight.

@OdysseusUnbound, pack your whisky well into your checked baggage and you will have no problems. I've never had any problems with whisky on flights.

@conorrob good catch most editions of Flaming Heart are well regarded.

@BlueNote I agree with you, the 2015 Flaming Heart is a gem, I'm hoping the 2018 edition lives up to it.

@Nozinan @BlueNote nice purchase, the staff at KWM are top notch.

Did you see the amount of interesting stuff they've just received?? Bonkers, new Amrut single cask, an old aberlour IB refill sherry 23yrs old, two new 22yr old Arran, 2 shelter point single cask...the list goes on.

Damn FOMO!

I'm getting a head start on the holiday shopping. I picked up a bottle of Ezra Brooks 7 year old 117 proof for a family member.

@OdysseusUnbound apparently all you have to do is to travel away from Ontario and your team the Pittsburgh Steelers will kick ass.

@Victor I'm watching it while doing this vertical Tomatin tasting. I hope my happiness about the Steelers isn't obscuring my judgment.

@OdysseusUnbound, that would be a vertical Tomlin tasting....

@Victor I've still got mixed feelings about Tomlin. I thought he had lost the attention and respect of the locker-room, but the past 4 weeks have vindicated him I guess.

@OdysseusUnbound My BIL and I picked up the Tomatin 3 pack a few years ago and took it for a spin. I have to say I was underwhelmed, but in fairness I have been more open to lower proof whiskies since that time and I think my palate may have matured.

He still may have the rest of those 50 cc bottles left. I'll check in December.

With respect to carrying back, My good man... you have more to worry about breakage if your wife unpacks your bag than it breaking en route. My wife and I once brought back 14 bottles in 2 suitcases...plus minis.

@cricklewood KWM usually have a pretty good sale every November. Damn FOMO indeed, damn bank account too.

@Nozinan I was introduced to Tomatin a couple of years ago by a friend who had a bottle of KWMs cask strength offering. Big, big sherry and very good. Also had their 18 which is also very nice. I visited the distillery in September and got to taste a very nice distillery only CS. I get the impression that they are rapidly becoming a serious player. And their prices are still realistic.

So I've been after something 20+ years for a while and I finally pulled the trigger on this Balblair. It's both the most expensive bottle I've ever brought at £121 and also the oldest bottle I've brought at 26/27 years old. For those who arent aware Balblair don't use specific age statements. They put year of distillation (1991) and then year of bottling (2018) on all their range. Little bit of a risk as I've never had a Balblair before. But I feel it's a fairly safe bet as the reviews of all their whiskies are good.

I also have to say I'm not normally a sucker for the packaging. I'm generally an open the bottle and throw the box away person. But the packaging and presentation of the Balblair is just fantastic. It comes in a magnetic box which opens up with photos of the distillery and their history on the inside. Really nice and the bottles nice too.

Finally, I also got a sample of Tomintoul 21 free with it, which is a bonus as I loved their 14.

@Wierdo - Nice! Was that with MoM?

@jsilevinac, I love how the Mellow Corn is standing loud & proud un the middle of your photo, I notice a Wiser's triple barrel in there too. Nice selection!