Which bottle did you just buy and why?

I bought the following:

• Glenfarclas 12 year: this is a lovely “session” whisky and one that I like to keep around for background sipping.
• Bunnahabhain 12: I’ve sampled this a few times but I’ve never owned a bottle. It’s been hit and miss with samples so I’m hoping this bottle is good.

@OdysseusUnbound I think you'll like the Bunna 12.

@OdysseusUnbound - Nice buys! In my experience, Bunna 12 usually needs a bit of air time to bring the best out (as do many sherried whiskies). And I honestly thought they discontinued 'farclas 12!? First bottle I had was amazing, second, not so much - as is often the case with that distillery ...

@RianC ‘farclas does seem to have more batch variability than most distilleries, but I’m willing to cut them some slack. I had an issue with them awhile back and they handled it better than any other company I’ve ever dealt with. (I swear I’m not one of those Karens who always demands to “speak to the manager”).

Wasn’t planning on getting these but they just seem to have happened!

Cotswolds single malt odyssey barley 2016. It’s so impressive for something 5 years old and this must be the fifth bottle I have had. Every one of them has been good. Found it’s way into my basket at the supermarket this week!

Bruichladdich Classic Laddie nas. Got a soft spot for this distillery and although I really liked the laddie 10 when they produced it, this bottling I found to be disappointing in comparison. However, they are different bottlings, every bottle of this grows on me, and the last one I had the wine casks in it seem to really sing.

Lastly, finally got round to getting a bottle of Glenlivet Illicit still. Was intrigued by this and @RianC s review sold it to me. I ordered one a while ago but Amazon messed up the order and I never got round to getting one as it was approaching Christmas and thought I had spent enough on whisky over the year. If this bottle has even a touch of what's in the 16 nadurras then I will be a happy man. Cheers.

@OdysseusUnbound Nice bottles. Hope you enjoy them. I too really liked the Glenfarclas 12, just don’t seem to see it about much any more. Probably not looking hard enough!

The Bunnahabhain 12 should be a staple in every collection I reckon. Certainly is in mine.

@Timp I agree on the Bunna 12. Possibly the best overall bang for the buck out there. It often comes on sale at around Can $65. I usually grab 2.

@Timp the Illicit still is one that I would very much like to try. I would probably even spring for a full bottle. But I would be happy to split or just taste a dram.

Picked up a Laphroaig 16 at auction last night. Really enjoyed the last pours from my father in laws bottle at Christmas so thought it was worth a punt.

@paddockjudge

Well, inspired by your photo and a short chat with my friend in Taiwan I decided to splash out. The bottle of armagnac in a previous photo, I posted, was fairly delicious. Being new to armagnac I knew I had to have something to compare it with. I decided to search for something with a bit of age and from a different distiller. So, from the photo you will see what I got. Having something different to get into has been something I have been reluctant to do. Why? I am not sure. I did buy two bottles of rum, but I still have not elevated my 'appreciation' to justify buying more. However, my first reaction to the two bottles of armagnac I purchased with a month of each other, caught my attention even more. As the little boy Washington, is thought to have said, "I cannot tell a lie". After the first glass of what I just opened (noted in the photo below) I went back online and bought two more bottles. As for the first bottle of armagnac, Marie Duffau Hors d' Age 12yo, I will take a bit more to time to think before I buy another bottle.

My reluctancy about the first bottle and my spirited purchase of two more bottles of the other has nothing to do with the age differences or anything else that can be seen on the bottle and packaging. Nor is my taste for armagnac isn't that 'sophisticated' to really distinguish specific characteristics of qualty. I just went on first impression and a bit of healthy impulse. I am quite relieved that they (who ever they are) don't shelve these at the supermarket cash register among the gum and mints. I wouldn't have enough money to buy my lottery tickets anymore.

Well, here is the photo:.......

@BlueNote @Timp

I agree with you both, the Bunna 12yo (for many) ought to be a staple bottle in a whisk(e)y library. I have bottles of the 'older' bottle just as the new bottle/packaging was being introduced. I haven't tried any Bunna 12yo with the new bottle/packaging. So I am not sure if there is much of a difference. Maybe some on the forum have already mentioned if they noticed a significant, or even slight, difference.

@Timp

Being a bit of a 16yo Nadurra enthusiast, I can tell you that the 12yo Illicit Still is 'uniquely' different. And by using inverted commas, I don't imply any negative sense of the word uniquely. When I opened a bottle of the 12yo Illicit Still the first thing that came to my mind was banana. Then, ripe banana. Followed by, damn I could go for a banana split now. I feel tempted in buying another bottle in case that it goes away, but FOMO and FORO (running out) doesn't seem to apply (for me) when it comes to the Illicit Still. Of course, if you see my previous post regarding my recent purchase(s) of Darroze Armagnac, I think you can guess where my money went.

AnCnoc 18. Why? Reduced to £72 and it's one that's been on my wish list for a while. I've enjoyed everything I've had from that distillery too; the 12 is seriously underrated.

I was about to buy two but held back. My bday is in Feb so will hang on and see if anything else takes my fancy, if not, I might get another.

Not a great start to my 'year of restraint' but it fit my criteria so

@RianC An Cnoc 12 underrated? It doesn't get talked about much, but everything I've seen written about it has been good. BTW I've never once had a taste of An Cnoc 12 yo, but I've owned an unopened bottle of it for about 8 years now. I'm very much looking forward to getting to know it, one day. One can't rush these things.

@Victor - yes, rated highly by connoisseurs etc but gets very little mainstream attention. Like many malts, I guess, but given its availability and low price (UK) I'm surprised it doesn't have more fans. I include myself here as I've only ever had one bottle of it but really enjoyed it. It's a bit like Old Pulteney 12 in that it works well even at 40%.

I would encourage you to open your bottle soon. I doubt you'll be disappointed in the flavours, but the abv? Perhaps ...

@RianC That one (the 18) is on my list. I have not yet been disappointed in any AnCnoc.

@Victor I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. It belies its low ABV.

Glenfarclas 15 came up on sale for Can$63.00. Two friends and I ordered 2 each. It's a staple in all of our cabinets. Thanks to @Astroke for bringing it to my attention. Different retailer, but similarly good price.

@BlueNote I have always expected to like the An Cnoc 12 yo. I will be surprised only if I do not like it.

@RianC little mainstream attention is good. It keeps prices low and availability high.

While my top faves are the high ABV numbers-- I especially like them starting at 68% ABV and up-- I have a broad range of appreciation and have no difficulty liking the milder mannered offerings. I expect to like An Cnoc 12 just as I already very much like Aberlour 10, Compass Box Asyla blended Scotch, and Suntory Toki blended whisky.

@RianC Did you ever get a few bottles (or bottle) of Amontillado Sherry?

@ajjarrett, I find the older Armagnac (25 YO+) to be dreamy. Younger expressions vary from one house/bottler to another.

Marie Duffau Hors d' Age 12yo (red wax) is what I refer to as a 'coffee brandy'; it will do in a pinch, but does much better in black coffee with a dollop of honey. It comes from Delord Frères, they also have some dreamy stuff, don't let this one turn you away from their finer products.

I have yet to meet a Darroze I didn't like, regardless of age. I prefer the natural strength versions; however, good-is-good at any degree of alcohol or any age......à votre santé.

@paddockjudge

At this time my first impression on the Darroze I have, is you are right. However, that would be a bit silly to totally agree with you since I have only tried one bottle. Nevertheless, my first impressions (as I mentioned in a couple of posts) led me to purchase two more bottles. I am planning to buy more other Darroze in the near future.

Thank you very much for your input on the Darroze as well as Marie Duffau. The nose was lovely but not as inviting as the Darroze. The taste was alright, but it didn't compel to buy another bottle, or even motivate me to consider it. Maybe it will be good for making a shandy with a bit of ginger beer/ale.

@ajjarrett, Please keep us posted on your Armagnac journey as it unfolds. When the time comes, let's continue our musings at

connosr.com/brandy-banter-whisky-discussio…

@paddockjudge

Will do.

@paddockjudge

Will do. I didn't even know about this thread.

Sorry about the size of the emoji. Oh well, it gets my point across.

@ajjarrett, that's awesome! We need more like it. Oh yeah, the Brandy Banter board is highly classified.

@ajjarrett - not yet! I will do one day soon though - perhaps next Xmas would be a good time, if I can hang on. Do you have any recommendations?

I did buy a more budget friendly armagnac though as I wanted to compare a base product against the older ones. I opted for a Tesco (UK supermarket) one. Cost me £20 but has won some awards (whatever they're worth) so seemed a decent bet.

@paddockjudge @ajjarrett - I either didn't know or had forgotten about the brandy board too! Right, I shall take my musings elsewhere then

@paddockjudge maybe those of you with higher level access can contact the LCBO through your networks to bring us Ontarians access to some better Cognacs and Armagnacs. That might make the brandy thread a bit more popular.

@OdysseusUnbound, there are some good people working for the LCBO, I know both of them My only "high level" contact at the LCBO has retired, congratulations sir, well deserved.

@OdysseusUnbound They occasionally get in some good stuff. Occasionally.