Which bottle did you just buy and why?

My most recent acquisitions through purchase and exchange. Why? I just didn't want the bottle flippers to get all the Talisker 8.

@fiddich1980

I have a bottle of the Talisker thanks to @cricklewood. I’m not planning to flip it. H2H with 57 North may cause me to flip, but that’s about it.

@Nozinan one Talisker 8 is predestined for a future "Young and Fiesty". TBD

@markjedi1 mentioned it "selling like cupcakes", on his review and they did!

@fiddich1980 that Lagavulin 8 is good stuff I tried it for the first time this week.

Batch B519 has hit the shelves in Nashville. I can't help myself when I see this stuff for under $60usd!

@casualtorture if that were available in Canada at that price it would disappear faster than you can sing Oh Canada!

@casualtorture I really should get into it but, the 12's keep grabbing my attention - as some here, are quite aware of.

@fiddich1980 these also have a 12 year age statement on the side of the bottle. the design changed a few years back I think.

@Nozinan this seems less scarce this year than previous years. 2 years ago it was gone the day it hit shelves. Now you actually see them somewhat often although this is the first of the 2019 batches I've seen. Generally each store is allocated 4 bottles of each batch, but I know one local store that got more than that this year.

@casualtorture yes, I know in reference to Lagavulin. Elijah Craig Barrel Proof age(12) is on the side of the bottle. $142.00 Canadian when available from our Nanny State store and only online.

@fiddich1980 ohh gotcha. my fault. I haven't had the 12yo Lagavulin yet. And geez that price for ECBP is criminal. Don't get me started on gov't monopolized alcohol sales haha

@casualtorture

Phew! I checked my bottles. Different design but the only 12 year reference is in the description on the back. I know they did away with the 12 YO small batch. I would hate to see them get rid of this one.

@fiddich1980 last time I saw it at the KGBO, ECBP, it was $150

@Nozinan yeah they're sneaky like that. I never got to try those older bottles. Let me know how that 140 proof one is when you crack it! The highest proof we've had recently is 133.4.

@Nozinan KGBO listing has been up for the last month but, no availability. Probably, still in lab, testing.

@casualtorture They are both 140 proof. One is 69.9% and the other one is 70.1%.

The "Hazmat" version (70.1%) is delicious. I reviewed it from a sample (now I also have an open bottle of the same batch - thanks @Victor) but this bottle remains consistent. I scored it a 91.

One caution. It is strong stuff. A little goes a long way. I'm usually happy with a 10 cc pour. And you have to pay attention when you drink it. I learned that the hard way.

@fiddich1980 I see. Price drop. Maybe because the ABV is lower? Or did we drop the tariffs on bourbon?

@Nozinan I tend to drink anything 115+ a lot slower. I say 115 specifically because OGD 114 can go pretty quick sometimes haha

@Nozinan Maybe tariff drop but, Caveat Emptor. KGBO is notorious for changing price++ when product is released.

@Victor

‘Elegance’ and ‘refinement’ are not two words I associate with myself. Now sushi and whisk(e)y are two words I do associate with myself though.

I hope I can still hang around with the Connosr crowd.

@ajjarrett Always welcome. Which whisky would you pair with Uni?

@fiddich1980 nice haul there. Have you cracked open or previously tried the MRC? I had it at a tasting a while ago and was pretty impressed.

@fiddich1980

Well, I never gave it a thought to pair whisk(e)y with sushi. My favorite drinks to go with sushi are: draft beer (preferrably Asahi or Kirin, but any light beer or lager will do), sake and shochu (barley or rice are good) will do. And since it is still warm, I would prefer cold over hot sake and/or shochu.

By the way, being from Colorado sushi is overpriced and will never meet the quality of that found in Tokyo, so I ended up eating sushi for dinner seven nights in a row. I made sure I had different things for lunch. And yes, I did go to the same sushi restaurant.

@casualtorture I think you could run a Vespa on that! Not to say you would want to though. I would rather be stuck on the curbside drinking instead.

@Hewie The impetus for purchasing was the Port Charlotte Heavily Peated 10 (2018) which I greatly enjoyed. This included MRC:01 (2018 and 2019 batch) and MC:01. This year's my purchases have been on specific distilleries/brands, and whiskies which I never got around to trying, Port Charlotte.Yes, specifically, these Port Charlotte's because they are notorious for batch variations. A couple of Arran purchases the 14 and 18 because I suspect, the new core range may disappoint. Arran as a business has done very well and they are opening up a new distillery for me, that flashes a warning sign that their stocks and quality may not hold up in the short term. The only Ardbeg I've tried was the 10, earlier on in this decade. I found it to me MEH. It is also a prohibitive purchase given pricing where I live -$200.25. A Corryveckan was in order at almost half the cost.

I'm still assessing current open bottles, Deanston Bordeaux 2009, the heel of a Lagavulin 12 (2017), a Baker 7, Legent, Nikka Pure Malt Black and a single cask Glenturret.

@ajjarrett When it comes to sushi the quality of the chef is the deciding factor. I suspect a Toki would pair well with sushi.

@fiddich1980

I would agree with that.

@fiddich1980 - How's the Nikka Black?

@ajjarrett & @fiddich1980 - I haven't tried it with Toki but I adore sushi with green tea and a heavily peated whisky. The Benromach peated I have open isn't my favourite bottle but it works well with food, especially sea food.

@RianC Nikka Black: My first impression was not positive. I mentioned similarity to HP 12's flavour profile. Now, 1/3 into bottle the smoke and peat aspects are revealing depth(lower bass tones - if that makes sense) coupled with some elegant nuances. It's starting to reveal more sandal wood notes and touches of star anise. A friend who tried it rated it highly.

@RianC

Well, I have a bottle of the Benromach 10/100, so I might just have to give that a try. But for now, I will be happy dreaming of other bottles I will like to buy (reference to another thread).

Now that I am back home, I will get the five bottles in photo to upload a little later today, as evidence of my chatter.