Which bottle did you just buy and why?

@Nozinan I'll behonest...

I probably have around 25 bottles total with 6 open that I've been enjoying over the past several weeks.

If I find a good sale on something that I enjoy - I won't hesitate to pick up 3, or 4 bottles, and in many cases I'll allocate 2, or 3 of those for gifts come Christmas/holidays/birthdays/etc.

@Nozinan I have approximately 50 bottles right now. About half are opened as I have been opening a few more sealed bottles as of late for tastings. I have recently moved where I had a bar but now have a whisk(e)y cabinet but have alredy outgrown it and am about to outgrow the top of it as well. I'd like to keep it to just the amount of bottles that would fit inside the cabinet which woud be about 35-38 or so depedning on the size of the bottle/box/canister.

Nozinan wrote: . . . But I get the impression most people, even with the anonymity of the internet, don't want to disclose how many bottles they have.

I am one those nuts that if one bottle is good, two better, then five or six might be silly but oh well. My current count of unopened exceeds 125+ bottles. Opened stock numbers maybe 15 or so. But for the past year, I have been focusing on finishing bottles before opening a new bottle of something else.
While a weak defense, when I buy multiple bottles of a whiskey, it is because the overwhelming opinion of Connosr members, along with my experience with that particular whiskey has been very positive. I see nothing wrong with putting away bottles of better than average whiskies. I would like to think that in 10 years or more, I will be very grateful for having exercised such foresight. And as FMichael stated, they may for fine gift giving too. Especially in a pinch, or on short notice. Cheers !

@cherylnifer

I think we are at the cusp of a period where it will be good to have a few good bottles stashed away. The NAS is providing us with cheap very bad whisky, overpriced ok whisky, and astronomically priced good stuff.

Even 2 or 3 years ago prices were better, and there were more 10-15 year old well made and reasonably priced whiskies, and a few NAS that were good and affordable (A'Bunadh, Mac CS)

I'm lucky that I can probably go a decade without finding a decent bottle of Scotch to buy and not even notice.

I have some multiples of proven expressions (Amrut CS, seated CS, A'Bunadh, Bladnoch, Springbank Claret wood. Problem is that when I bought single bottles of some whiskies to try, I still haven't gotten around to opening them and if I do like them I'll never find them again.

@Nozinan; well stated. I will be honest, and it is probably irrational, but when I sampled my first single malt 15-20 or so years ago, the bottle of Dalmore 12yo was $18 here in Michigan. Now the price is over $57. And I remember telling a friend 10 years ago that given the price appreciation experienced at that time, I wish I had put a case a year away prior to that. That wish has now been put into practice, although the case(s) tend to be piecemeal. Irrational, possibly. Impractical; maybe.

The Macallan Cask Strength for $77.00 I then bought a lottery ticket and insurance against getting struck by lightning.

@newreverie

I think your post is probably more appropriate for the thread "a steal of a deal" thread. While $77 US is not quite $73 Canadian but it IS a year later. Given that I have no contacts to buy for me in Texas, I can be envious but also hope that you picked up every bottle they had. if not, and if they ship, send me their URL...

@Nozinan Apparently he had 4 originally and someone bought 3 the day before. I haven't seen MCS on a shelf in at least a year if not longer. I've known people to sell them for $300. This bottle will serve me as a spare, or maybe a trade for a rare bourbon. I have one open bottle but it is almost gone.

I've just managed to get the last 2 bottles of Amrut Peated Cask Strength I can find in the UK. Can anybody tell me if this expression is still being made or not, as some online sources seem to indicate that the bottling has been discontinued. If its still being produced I'll open a bottle shortly but if its not I'll put them both away for a later date.

@newreverie, wine-searcher.com puts the current world average price of Macallan Cask Strength at $ 160. Your price was excellent, indeed.

That is a difficult dilemma to have to decide between drinking it and swapping it. A good dilemma, though.

Just brought the Glendronach 18 Marsala - can't wait to try it.

Love the 15 Revival and very interested in there other more unique cask bottlings

@maltmate302

The Peated Cask Strength is listed on Amrut's website as part of the core range. Batch 12 is for sale in Ontario, and there is at least one different batch available in Alberta (in a box, not a canister), though that may be left over from some time ago.

My suspicion is that it is still being produced, but I worry the availability will become more challenging. Already I notice prices going up.

As for your two, only you will know when to open them. If you've tried it, you know what is waiting. If you haven't yet, it might be worth opening one for a mind-blowing experience. Make sure you cover and warm the glass with your hand and then take a sniff and a sip...

@Victor

I wouldn't buy the Mac CS at $160. I don't think it's a good value. But I do like it, and I certainly wouldn't sell it for that price either...

@Nozinan thanks for the prompt information on the Amrut. In fact I bought the bottle's largely on the glowing review you gave to it. I'll probably open one shortly and hopefully pick one up in the future. In the UK I've noticed that the Amrut prices have gone up by about 20% in the last 12 months . Its now getting seriously expensive and I'm glad I have a few bottles put away.

@maltmate302

Based on my review? No pressure, I'm sure..... If you don't like it and regret my review I'm sure I can find a way to get the other bottle off your hands...

Lol @Nozinan I did say largely. I was already an Amrut fanboy I have 6 other expressions . It was never going to take much to get me to buy the peated cask strength!

I just recently bought a bottle of GlenDronach 12 Original.

I bought it because I am really not a huge fan of big sherry aging. At times, when I am really in the mood for a sweet, spicy, syrupy, sherried dram, those whiskies really hit the spot, but all in all I tend to just not be a big fan. With that said, I sometimes go back to that sherry profile to see how it sits with me now. After some time away. I have had the GlenDronach 15 Revival, and liked it quite a bit, and thought I would try the 12. It's around €30 here in Austria, so, why not?

It is quite tasty. Surprisingly so. While sherry bombs will probably never be my go to whiskies, these GlenDronach bottles may be helping me appreciate what big sherry has to offer.

@Frost

There's a shop that sells this in Melbourne but it's hellishly expensive as compared to Japanese retail.

Chivas Royal Salute Hundred Cask Selection Batch 5. For AUD$145 (~USD$115) hard pressed to find a reason why not.

Also a dusty old bottle of the Dunhill Gentleman's Blend Speyside for about ~USD$90. It was in really good condition and looks interesting.

Amrut Portonova batch 5! Why? Because I ran out of portwood finishes and really liked Penderyn Portwood, Balvenie 21 Portwood and Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban. Amrut Portonova is gonna be a new experiance I'm looking forward to. Slainte!

@DutchGaelisch

If you liked the Quinta Ruban, you'll REALLY LIKE the Portonova

@DutchGaelisch

Get ready to be blown away.

Nikka Yoichi 10 and Hakushu 12, both for quite a normal price (€55,-) but I had to search long and hard for them. The prices of Japanese whiskies are skyrocketing so I decided to stock up quickly before the age-statements are gone.

@Nozinan @sengjc thanks for the thumbs up!

@sengjc I have a bottle of 100 cask. It is far superior to most blends and at that price you got a heck of a deal. I'd love to have another 2-3 of those bottles around.

Aberlour A'bunadh Batch #49 @ 60.1% Alc./Vol.This was the second last bottle of #49 so I caved-in but at Au.$112.99, it will really have to perform or I will bid adieu to Messrs. Aberlour. the last few bottles #'s 42, 44 and 45 have been excellent but are they more enjoyable than Makers 46 which is Au.$50.00 cheaper; the last '46' we had was brilliant. How loyal do you stay when they keep jacking the price of the better Malt Whiskies.

Sláinte chuig na fir, agus go mairfidh na mná go deo!

@A'bunadhman > din your opinion, is A'bunadh batch 46 was comparable to either batch 44 or 45?

@cherylnifer

If I could put in my 2 cents ( 0.5 cents US), I liked the 44 best of the three. It was being sold around the time I turned 44 so I was lucky enough to pick up a second bottle. The 45 got great reviews and I liked it but I wasn't blown away. And the 46 is a little young (but with a little air and water it opens nicely) and got mixed reviews and I was pleasantly surprised.

@A'bunadhman, I am told the 49 is excellent, but will wait for 3 years until I try it.

Westland American Single Malt. Made in Seattle by serious distillers. Interesting story: The family behind it is fifth generation lumber barons based in Hoquiam, WA. (bit.ly/1L7ed4q) I've toured the distillery and it's on par with the Islay crowd. Anyway - I bought this bottle because I found it for under $50. Apparently the Washington state liquor fees and extra taxes have ended or they only apply in Seattle city limits, because I found this price outside of Seattle in Alderwood.

Point: I'm a sucker for finding better whiskies at below normal cost. I'll always grab them.

@Wodha My family is from Seattle. I have been dying to try the Westland products. How are they? I'd love to hear!