Which bottle did you just buy and why?

Well said @Nozinan! Agreed.

I would also like to suggest that the consistency of Kavalan is not to be overlooked.

Haha! Perhaps we need a new discussion about ‘most consistent distilleries’!?

@CanadianNinja, @Victor, each of us has our own set of expectations. I enjoy Glenfarclas in general and absolutely adore the 25 YO; however, I have difficulty getting past the sulfur notes in almost every bottle of Glenfarclas I have opened. I had a few 17 YO bottles that were nearly perfect and also tasted from @fiddich1980 's bottle of 25 YO .....I nearly walked away with it ...for me, Glenfarclas is not one of my top distilleries.....and yes, this topic should have its own discussion.

@CanadianNinja Ironically, my very first Glenfarclas was my worst (and only bad one, really). I wouldn’t even say it was sulphured. There was just something off about it. Lucky for me, they handled it incredibly well and made the whole thing right. The review of the bad bottle (and the discussion about customer service) is here

@paddockjudge But how can you tell if the sulphur is coming from the whisky or from the Stacks in Copper Cliff?

@CanadianNinja The review for my replacement bottle of Glenfarclas 12 is here. It’s funny how my palate has changed in only 2 years. Back then, I would have rated the “sherried 12s”

1. Aberlour 12 Double Cask
2. Glenfarclas 12
3. Glendronach 12

And today it's exactly the opposite. Of course, I’ve had much more exposure to the Glendronach 12 and I now feel it’s a much better whisky. Although perhaps the more recent batches I’ve tasted have simply been better and/or my last tastings of Aberlour 12 have left me lukewarm.

@OdysseusUnbound, that's easy!...if you are drinking straight from the bottle, while behind the Nash, and the plume of smoke from the Super Stack is coming directly towards you, then it isn't sulfur in the whisky bottle.

@OdysseusUnbound, Glendronach 12 is a sensational whisky!

Absolutely love it.

@CanadianNinja I second that. Farclas is very good and seem to take a lot of pride in their products and process.

@Victor will not be surprised to see me second everything good he has to say about Laphroaig 10 CS!

Well, I have had a busy holiday season. As soon as my classes finished up my wife and I spent a few weeks in Europe. We started off in the trip in Prague, but we spent most of the time in Vienna. I really tried to limit myself on what I brought back. Here is what I settled on.

Benromach 10yo 100° Proof 57% 20/12/16 6210400022 – Why? This is a bottle I love and I know it has been discontinued. I was surprised to see this in a small wine shop. I didn’t get a great deal or anything, but I already have batches 31/08/15 and 18/04/2017 so I am curious to see how this one stacks up.

Talisker 57° North 57% 17265CM001; 00002879 – Why? I have never owned a bottle before. @Victor opened one of his for me and gave me a sample several years back. It is a bottle that has long eluded me as you can’t acquire it here in the US. So it was a good opportunity.

Springbank 12yo CS 54.8% Batch 18 (50% sherry; 50% ex-bourbon?) 11.12.18 18/515 – Why? I have loved the last two 12yo CS batches I have got my hands on (15 and 17). So this was another no brainer. And the price was better than Springbank is here in the US.

Highland Park Single Cask Series 12yo 62.6% 2005-2018 Refill Puncheon cask 3793 for Austria 642 btls. – Why? Come on . . . you had me at 62.6% . . . and it is 12 years old? And from a refill cask? And the color looks amazing. And it is exclusive for Austria. An easy buy even at €150. This is the one I am the most excited to open. I just might do it tonight!

After we got back from Europe we immediately got in the car and raced to Nashville to spend the holidays with my wife’s family. It was horrible. So much family drama. Thankfully, I was able to pick up some whiskies to cope with the situation. Here is what I came back with:

2 bottles of Laphroaig 10yo CS 58.6% batch 011 Mar.19 – Why? So far I have acquired a bottle from each release and I can’t stop now. It is also my favorite Laphroaig expression. It really is the cask strength peat monster that set me on my peaty path over 15 years ago. I immediately opened one bottle.

Laphroaig Cairdeas 2019 59.5% Matured in ex-bourbon, quarter, and oloroso sherry casks. – Why? Not sure. I guess because I have a collection going. From everything I have read I don’t think I will like this one. I am not a big fan of the Trippel Wood. I don’t think Laphroaig benefitted from a partial sherry maturation. It seemed to flatten everything out. But that bottle was many years back. Basically, this bottle will likely stay closed for many years. It is there to keep the others in the collection company (2013-2019).

Springbank Local Barley 10yo 57.3% Jun 2007-Nov 2017 06/11/17 17/521 (Barley source: West Backs Farm; Barley type: Belgravia; btls 9000). – Why? I saw it on a shelf in Tennessee. I bought it thinking it was the 2019 release. It was only once I got home that I realized that it was the 2017 release (the 9yo was the 2018 release). Many people have made a big to-do over these Local Barley releases. Thankfully, it was the last bottle on the shelf so I won’t need to beat myself up about not buying more. I literally bought the last bottle and I am just happy to have one. Very excited to try this for myself. There is nothing like forming your own opinion from your own bottle.

Amrut Intermediate Sherry 57.1% No.40 Jan. 2018 - Why? This is another wonderful whisky that has sadly been discontinued. Also, the last bottle on the shelf in this store. I have been meaning to pick up another bottle if I ever saw it again. I am so glad I saw it. I have an unopened bottle of batch No. 2 from 2010. So one of the first batches released (No. 2) and now one of the last (No. 40). It will be interesting to compare and see what differences exist.

Garrison Brothers 59.35% 3yo Single Barrel for McScrooge’s (Barrel 9602; btl 50 of 50). So this is a Texas Bourbon. A lot of talk on the internet about Texas bourbon recently. Apparently, they are able to make great stuff in only a few years. McScrooge’s had three different barrels. I was able to taste all three. Very curious stuff. Not cheap at $150 for a 3yo. But they had a sale and it was down to $120 for a bottle. And since I was able to try all three barrels I was able to pick the bottle I liked best. So I did. It also happened to have the highest proof (yes, I am a proof whore). This particular barrel produced only 50 bottles. My guess it that it was a super small barrel (I have seen pictures), because if it was a typical sized barrel that is a horrible angel’s share. I have cracked this bottle. My sample tasted better, but I am hoping that is just a neck pour and will improve with some air time.

@Nock what a harvest! I must admit to being a little bit envious.

I am a big fan of Amrut IS. I picked up a bottle on sale in fall 2018 and again in 2019. Interestingly, the last bottle I bought cost the least of all my IS bottles. We cleaned out a store for 7 bottles at about $97 all in. The spoils had to be divided of course, given that this is a discontinued gem. So I got one.

I don't think I'll be seeing too many of those in stores anymore. If I do, the next person won't...

@Nozinan what different batches of Amrut IS do you have in your collection? Just curious

@Nock, the Amrut Intermediate Sherry is a great whisky indeed.

@Nock I apologize, I just saw your question. I have 2 bottles of Batch 5 and 2 of Batch 20 (hopefully one of the 20s will be opened this year)

@Nock You actually walked into a store and the Springbank LB was on the shelf? That would be the equivalent of walking into a store and seeing a BTAC on the shelf at MRSP in Canada. That has to be the bi-product of massive choice selection. Those LAP 10 CS's are but a rumor in Canada as well.

@CanadianNinja, I agree that the Amrut Intermediate Sherry is fantastic. However, I have only tasted from batch 2 and batch 5. Both are wonderful (but slightly different). I have read a number of reviews that were less than impressed with the Intermediate Sherry. Rarely do these reviews give out the batch number. I have a deep suspicion that those early batches were amazing . . . but that quality might have dipped some over the years. I am looking forward to opening my bottle of batch 40 to find out.

I opened my first bottle of the Intermediate Sherry (batch 2) on Valentine’s Day of 2014. I opened batch 5 on Valentine’s Day of 2016 . . . so in keeping with the theme I will crack batch 40 on Valentine’s Day this year.

@Nozinan, thanks for letting me know. When you get around to opening batch 20 let me know. I am curious to hear your report. Do you have an open bottle of batch 5?

@Astroke, yes, I actually walked into a store with the Springbank 10yo LB on the shelf. At this same store (over the years). I have seen bottles of the LB 16y, 11yo and the 9yo. At the time the prices seemed a bit high. There was only ever one bottle on the shelf at a time. Below is a picture of the 11yo in December of 2017 for $159.99. I ended up buying the 12yo CS right beside it for $94.99. There was only one bottle of each.

This year I decided to take the gamble if I saw an LB on the shelf. It was the 10yo this time still at $159.99. Luckily, if you buy over 6 bottles they give you a 10% discount. So $143.99 plus 9.1% sales tax is $157.09 or about £120. Is that MSRP? I doubt it. My memory is that the 11yo LB was original around £80-£90 when it came out in the UK.

By the way, this same store also has several bottles of single cask Springbanks (18, 19 and 20 yo) all cask strength and all priced between $300-$400. (Black label with light blue or light purple lettering). I think they were released in 2016. They have sat in their “vault” for several years now. I am tempted . . . but there is no way I laying down that kind of cash for a bottle I have not personally tasted (or on the recommendation of someone I eminently trust).

And yes, we are very lucky here in the US with regards to the Laphroaig 10yo CS. There seems to be enough demand that all the batches make it here. But not enough demand to see the bottles fly off the shelves. Where I bought both bottles of the 011 there were a few bottles of the 010 still sitting on the shelf. I already have two back home so I had to leave those alone.

'I have a deep suspicion that those early batches were amazing . . . but that quality might have dipped some over the years.'

Unfortunately @Nock, this is often the case in my experience. Maintaining quality throughout batches is something I really wish the industry would improve upon.

@Nock I haven't had a bottle of IS open in years. I have too many Amruts open right now (5 I believe). But I may succumb to temptation.

I believe I have tried the batch 20. @paddockjudge and I bought a bottle for @nosebleed 2-3 years ago as a thank you for all of his hunting (ironically, bought without a sale, I think it is the most expensive IS I ever bought, although since then he has found us the cheapest ones I ever bought). I think it is batch 20. It is as good as I remember the batch 5. And it was good 2 years in a row. His bottles don't move quickly and his bottle has held up well. Gassed, I believe.

I was often told to act fast and say yes more often. These two bottles arrived as a consequence of that.

On January 30th a last minute text from a friend accompanied by a photo, you interested in these? Me half feverish from the flu, oh wow yeah sure. Oh wait! What, when where, how much? Silence...

Guess I just bought my first two bottles of the new year.

@cricklewood Nice pair of teenagers you’ve got yourself there. I don’t think you’ll regret that snap decision.

@cricklewood -Nice! I'd be very interested to hear how you find the SB Rum cask ... I can imagine something wild and wacky but totally unique!

@Nock - Are you shopping here? I reckon bar a few boutique shops in the bigger cities you would not find that level of choice here in any shop in England. There's nothing remotely like that here in Bristol, for example. Different on line I suppose but still ...

Not my favourite Youtubers but I do like the look of this shop and the lady owner. She'd make a fine wife/mother/sister/friend

@RianC - Thanks for sharing the video! That is what all liquor stores should aspire to be. The ultimate definition of customer service!

@bwmccoy - In one! I would drive across the country to shop there... I'd drive over the sea for that matter, if I could

@RianC, yes the store I often stop at is similar. It is McScrooge's Wine & Spirits in Knoxville, TN, and people definitely drive a long way just to shop there. They have a tasting bar, but it is mostly for American whisky. It seems like American whisky has taken over all the liquor stores I visit any more.

The ratio 10 years ago was 60% Scotch Whisky to 30% American Whiskey and 10% Irish.

Today?

It seems like it has reversed: 60% American Whiskey, 25% Scotch and 15% Irish.

Wild Turkey Rare Breed. Why? I like it, I haven't had any in my house for 5 years, and it cost me $ 43.59 total on sale.

Maker's Mark RC6. Why? When it was explained to me to be basically barrel strength Maker's 46, which I very much like, I was sold w/o even having sampled it.

A gift of Poit Dhubh 21 for my upcoming 40th next month. I've had the 'tea bag' and 12 PD from PNL and really liked them. I've had my eye on this for years and thought why not? Good price, good age on it, with a profile of old school sherry and coastal peat. Reviews are always good to very good and it's a style I tend to like.

@RianC When a dive bar had no single malt or well known blends "tea bag", was always available.

Recent purchase: another Laphroaig Cairdeas Triple Wood, Port Charlotte 10, two bottles of Caol Ila at 55% from Berry/Rudd. also Smokey Joe. I've been traveling for CS Caol Ila! Many blended malts (from both the new and old Peat Monster to Smokey Joe) are largely CI. The OB CI is fine but not as good as the CS expressions The blended/vatted mats that contain CI are almost always good, especially because (like the new Peat Monster) they contain Laphroaig, which supplies some bass notes. I haven't been excited about whisky for a while, except for Springbank and Kilkerran, which are providing fresh blood to the local market.