Which bottle did you just buy and why?

@paddockjudge Oh, yeah, yeah, right, it's no big deal. I forgot the secret handshake.

Must have been the chat from Rianc about the Glenfarclas 105 that triggered me! Ha. Saw one today and couldn't resist it. Not had a bottle for a year or so and the three I have had before have been very worth while. Realised I had no Glenfarclas in the stash either and that tipped it. Cheers.

Now some people might think I was inspired by @Timp. However, I was planning to buy these bottles some time ago. Nevertheless, I am happy to say that @Timp gave me some inspiration for my recent purchas.

Some friends of mine, located in Taiwan, have been encouraging me to try Armagnac, so I decided to splash out at get a bottle. As for the Arran 18yo, it just sounds good. HA! Now, some of you might be asking, "What about the Italian brandy you mentioned in an earlier post?" Well, the supplier said they are having difficulty moving some of the purchases around (supply chain/logistics issues). So, that motivated me to buy what you see below.

@ajjarrett I’ve never had Armagnac, but I’ve had plenty of Cognac. What is the main difference between Armagnac and Cognac?

@BlueNote I think Cognac is pot distilled whereas Armagnac is column distilled.

@BlueNote @casualtorture

Besides spelling, I am not sure. I haven't done much research on the similarities and differences. I am not sure if I had mentioned this in an earlier post, but in addition to the Stravecchio Branca I had ordered (and waiting for) I decided to buy a few other things (Before my most recent purchase).

I purchased a bottle of 7 Star Metaxa, Ouzo and Lustau Oloroso Sherry (I will get a photo uploaded soon). I opened the Metaxa and fell in love with the aroma. I used to have Ouzo and 5 Star Metaxa at my favorite Greek restaurant in Beijing, and just never bought them once I moved back to the US. I have decided to change that.

I know this doesn't answer your question @BlueNote, but I will also add to @casualtorture that I suspect the difference is grape type or percentage of the grape type is the same. Anyway, I am not sure when I will open it, but once I do I will report on that. Of course that is what I have said about most of my whisk(e)y purchases, as well. HA!

@BlueNote, good Armagnac is expensive, Good Cognac is expensiver.

Cognac comes from the Cognac region in France

Armagnac comes from the Armagnac region of France. I believe in general it is only single distilled.

You can get good brandy from elsewhere (and not so good as @paddockjudge and I discovered a little while back exploring an Ontario brand), and one of the most interesting I had was distilled by a Frenchman (Fred) in Xinjiang, China.

Thanks guys, all good info. I have a friend who I know has Armagnac in his cabinet. I’ll touch him up for a sample.

This 23 year old Signatory Dailuaine arrived the other day after a long shipping delay due to the flood damage to roads and bridges in BC. I’ve only had a small taste but I’m already wishing I’d got two.

@BlueNote I know how that goes. What is the chance or likelyhood for you to get another bottle?

@casualtorture and @BlueNote - winemag.com/2019/10/…

@ajjarrett I have a friend who ordered a bottle at the same time. I know he is a big Tomatin fan and I happen to have a single cask Tomatin that is almost the same price. I might be able to work a trade.

@YakLord Thanks for the link. Very informative. I also enjoyed the information on Calvados, another beverage I have never tried.

@BlueNote

Best of luck in making the trade.

@ajjarrett nice score. As you mentioned the aroma and I read your post I could recall the nose of the last bottle of armagnac I had. I need one again!! Haha.. I prefer Armagnac to Cognac as the flavour is deeper, richer and earthier to me. And that nose!! Bas Armagnac seems to be the higher quality option. Whiskyfun has a load of interesting reviews as you would imagine.

Our French brothers do seem to distill some lovely spirits. Calvados is another favourite of mine, of which a bottle is currently absent from my cabinet. mmmm

@Timp If you do get a bottle of armagnac, I hope you will share a photo with us.

@ajjarrett certainly will.

@BlueNote - what's the profile like? I've been eyeing up a North Star Dailuane and have the F&F bottle in the stash but haven't actually tasted any yet. From what I hear, it's quite an old fashioned style of malt?

@Timp - I'll send a sample of the armagnacs I have when I open them - 20 and 25 years old - if you like? Like you, I am beginning to enjoy the nutter, spicier and earthier profile compared to other brandy/cognac. Would love to try some calvados too.

Have you seen there's a Somerset farm that do their own cider brandy? All from their own orchards too and they are about to bottle one exclusively from oak casks grown in Somerset. Talk about terroir ...

www.somersetciderbrandy.com

Angus on whiskyfun gave them a great write up as well. I may take the plunge at my bday next year.

I did technically buy these but they are really gifts from my folks - so I'll be a good boy and not open until xmas, promise Got a free sample of Singleton of Dufftown 12 with it too. Not one I'd have bought but always nice to try a freebie.

Enjoyed the 'cadam 10 and this distillery seems to be in high demand so snapped up a 15 while I could. Reviews are all excellent too and a great price at £55.

Would love to try the 21 Redbreast but £200 is beyond what I can justify (or am willing) to pay so the 15 is the logical choice after the 12's. Gets good reviews as well and I'm keen to see what more time in oak does to the pot still base.

Cheers!

@RianC i’d be interested to hear what you think of the Redbreast 15 when you pop the cork. It’s the only one of the core range I’ve not tried, and I wonder if it’s worth the premium over the 12.

Bought this Ardbeg for my (now) former boss to give to him at his retirement party. One I would love to have myself!

I enjoyed a dram of Kilkerran 12 yo tonight. It tastes like lemon,salt and char as I remember. There is a difference I didn't taste before. It is pine apple. It is a nice surprise.

@RianC I've only had a very small taste so far. I'll get back to you when I've had a good sample. I can say that what little I had went down a treat. I've heard good things about North Star's cask selection. You probably can't go wrong.

@RianC Thanks mate that’s a generous offer. Cheers.

Had a bottle of the 5yr old Somerset Brandy before and enjoyed it but the local oak casks maturation spirit sounds interesting. Thanks for the link as not seen all their other products before. The bottle I got came from a big farm shop concern down here called Darts Farm and they only had two.

Might also have to go visiting as zumersets just up the road!

I imagine the excitements ramping up in your household with your little ones. Christmas is such a fun time with little children. Magic times. Have fun mate.

@Timp - cheers mate - Yeah my eldest is bouncing! Hopefully covid doesn't put a dampener on things but so long as I can have a few whisky I'm a ballgame either way. All the best to you and yours

I'll definitely have to get a bottle of that brandy. I'm considering getting one from in the local oak too.

@RianC

I would be happy to be on the receiving end for these as gifts. ^_^

I’m officially on holidays. I bought a bottle of Writers’ Tears for casual “background” sipping and a bottle of Forty Creek Cream. I always drink my coffee black except for the winter holiday break. During this festive season I enjoy one Irish Cream-infused coffee most mornings. Bailey’s is my usual choice but I thought I’d try something closer to home this year.

Picked up another Bunnahabhain 12. Why? Well it's Christmas ha! And on sale for £33, which is a great price for a well sherried Islay that's been in good casks.