Which bottle did you just buy and why?

@ajjarrett With the end of the 12 year age statement on the ECBP, there may be a run on the current releases similar to the old 12 year Pirate bottles. I believe the B523 is 11.5 years stated on bottle.

@ajjarrett I have one left. I don't know whether to drink it or save it. I'm leaning heavily towards drinking, after all, I can always get a couple more from you.

@BlueNote

Of course.

@Astroke

This is quite fascinating. It is things like this that add to the excitement and energizes consumer intrigue as well as demand. I suppose.

@Astroke I didn't realize the ECBP is going NAS. Sad. I'm sure it will still be highly coveted but I can't help thinking the lower age might decrease the complexity a little. Glad I have a couple stashed away, with an average AVB of 70.0%.

@Nozinan Not NAS but will have a "unique" age statement, just not the standard 12 year. There are store picks in the US that are usually 8-10 years and noted on the bottles. Will be same with all the ECBP moving forward. At least that is what I got from the video and online story.

On a training course in the Midlands and as usual checked out the local bottle shops. Nothing whisky specific so didn't hold out much hope but found a shop ostensibly touted as a wine shop.

On inspection it had more spirits than wine so I was pleased I bothered to look it up. They must have had stuff sat there for a while as I grabbed a Ardbeg Uigeadal which turned out to be a 2015 bottling and a Glenmorangie Milsean from the same year. Neither overpriced and thoroughly enjoyed the one bottle of Milsean I had in 2016 so quite pleased to get another. Also seems to be pretty scare now.

Good to find a decent well priced little bottle shop.

@ajjarrett will watch for the NAS Nadurra. Kind of out of the loop on that one as the ones I had prev. were of the 16YO variety. I was too dumb to buy more when they were in stock and at a reasonable price. @Nozinan if the 2.5 bottles you have outlast you maybe you would pencil me into your will. I would be very grateful.

Not full bottles, as I'm traveling and don't have room in my luggage, but three 5cl minis of things I've wanted to try...

Just happened to be passing by the same shop I went to last week and saw an Aberlour ten for about £30. Picked it up as haven't had one in a few years.

Used to be a staple of the supermarket discounts but discontinued in 2020 I think.

Anyway, had numerous bottles and pretty much always a good dram. Good to have another.

Cheers.

Well, I just went “beyond-hog-wild” and more or less destroyed any semblance of a budget that I have on alcohol for the year.

My wife and I have recently relocated to the Northeastern corner of Maryland (Harford County). And she is making friends fast with the influential and well-to-do. So, one of these people happens to own our little local liquor store. The owner told my wife to just stop by and tell the store manager that we know her and she (the manager) is to “hook-us-up” with stuff from the back. Well. My wife did and managed to get me hooked up with a bottle of the new Jack Daniel’s 12 year at 53.5%. Today, we stopped in to pick it up.

So, while we are in the shop today meeting the store manager we asked her about how they deal with the special allocated bottles. The break down is that they track how much you spend each year and it puts you into a bracket (Platinum / Gold / Silver). Currently we have already spent enough this year to put us into the Silver category. But for the highly allocated bottles they are all go in the Platinum and Gold category. I asked about the new Ardbeg Heavy Vapors coming out. She said that it had actually just arrived, but that it would have to go through the Platinum and Gold category before I could get a crack at it. I said, “if I spend a thousand dollars right now will that push me up into the Gold category and make me eligible to buy it?” She said, if you spend over a thousand right now, I will give it to you. My wife said, “Do it.” I said, “Done.”

Here is the damage that we walked away with.

First off some Rums and liquors for cocktails:

Plantation 5yo 40% - a fantastic rum for cocktails.

Plantation 69% Old Fashioned Traditional Dark. This is my favorite Rum – that I have ever tried. I gave 6oz to @Victor at our last tasting. Sir, I am waiting to hear your thoughts (positive or negative).

Carpano Antica Formula Vermouth 16.5% - best vermouth out there in my opinion.

Capano Bianco Vermouth 14.9% - not a dry vermouth, but I have really come to like it.

Nux Alpina Walnut Liqueur 32% - never tried it, but it has been on my list try to with cocktails.

On to the good stuff:

1. Jack Daniel’s 12yo 53.5% 107 Proof first release – Why? – this was the bottle that took us into the store today. I had a pour at a restaurant the other weekend at my step-son’s graduation weekend. It is really a great whisky. I have been out hunting it ever since with no luck. My wife got it for me for the upcoming Father’s Day.

2. Ardbeg TEN 46% 15/02/2022 L2439926; 020031 b. 5/27/2023 – Why? – I always must have an open bottle on the shelf. My last bottles has two fingers left and is from 2021. So here we go.

3. Caol Ila 10yo 61.9% The Single Malts of Scotland by Elixir 10.01.2021 - 13.01.2021 Sherry Butt Cask 300162 612 bottles.– Why? – a 10 year old Caol Ila at 61.9% from an ex-sherry but for less than $90? Worth the gamble for me.

4. Glen Scotia Double Cask 46% L2 163.19; 12.06.2019. b.– Why? – I just bought a miniature in England back in January and fell in love with this bottle. I need another backup. This stuff is shockingly good . . . shockingly.

5. Glen Scotia 18yo 46% L2 123.18; 03.05.2018. – Why? – I have heard really good stuff about it. It sounds comparable to Springbank 18yo but at a far cheaper price. So, I am willing to take a gamble.

6. James E. Pepper 1776 Rye 50% 100 Proof – Why? – it is my go to Rye whisky for under $30. It is really fantastic stuff from MGP (or whatever their name is now)

7. Kilchoman 5yo 61% Single Cask 510/2009 ex-sherry cask (Nov. 26 2009 – July 15 2015).– Why? – I have had my eye on this bottle. It came out in 2015 and has just sat on this shelf for ages. I find that Kilchoman in Sherry casks are my favorite.

8. Kilchoman 9yo 55.8% 557/2012 ex-sherry cask (Aug. 23 2012 – Sep. 23 2021) 100% Islay Oloroso Sherry Cask bottled for Mid Atlantic.– Why? – Again, Kilchoman in Sherry casks are my favorite. This was the most expensive bottle in my haul at $140. But, I am willing to gamble on this one. And it gets me that much closer to my $1000 mark.

9. Knob Creek 12yo 50% 100 Proof – Why? – I am a big fan of the 9yo at 120 Proof. I have heard good stuff about this. I tried the 18yo at a bar . . . it was a bit too oaky in my opinion. I have high hopes for this one.

10. Port Askaig 55% 110 Proof by Elixir– Why? – it was in a box with two Glen Cairns and it cost $60. For a 55% whisky most certainly from Caol Ila? Why not.

11. Port Charlotte 10yo 50% L165490 22/113; 2022/04/26 09:48– Why? – This is my new “must-have-an-open-bottle-on-the-shelf.” It really is my new favorite standard entry distillery expression beating out Ardbeg 10yo. Why? It is at 50% and is actually more complex. I think it is all the wine casks they throw in. I really like it.

12. Wilderness Trail Rye 53.5% Barrel No. 17E24-8: DSP-KY-20005– Why? – I have heard really good thing about the Rye coming out of this distillery. So, I am game to try it.

13. Ardbeg Heavy Vapours 46% (L2470059 06/12/2022; 011022) – Why? – This was the bottle that caused me to spend over $1000 today. I am extremely excited to try it. It is Ardbeg without the use of the purifier in the distillation process. In an interview Dr. Bill said he took off the purifier just to see what it would do to the spirit (to see what the purifier actually does in the distillation process). It sounds like this was all distilled 12 years ago. He said that the process of taking it off was so laborious that they will almost certainly never do this experiment again. So, I have to try it. And now I will.

Yup, we spent well over the mark before taxes. I feel like a kid at Christmas . . . if that kid is an alcoholic. People in the liquor store kept joking, “Man, I want to come to your party.” Ya, I would feel awful about spending all of this in one go. But my wife kept saying that this puts us in the running for all the special bourbon releases in the fall. And of course, she is correct.

Part 2

@Nock Truly you are an inspiration to us all.

@Nock Great story and the booze looks fine too.

@Nock Where in Harford County? That is where I grew up. Awesome purchases there!!!

Follow that one ...

I'm just wiping up the drool as I type @Nock ...

I recently picked up up a recent batch of a recent favourite, Mortlach 15 G&M. Was on offer but this is a bottle I'll buy whenever I get the chance. A lovely sweet and savoury malt with the perfect amount of sherry influence.

Also saw a JD BiB for £30 and snapped it up. I've really enjoyed the higher proof JD's I've had and this gets good reviews, so why not? Almost as cheap as a standard JD at that price and my bbq whisky is now in for the summer. @Nock - that 12 year old looks amazing, hopefully we might see it over here at some point.

A 'Wormtub' 12 Speyside batch 2 single malt @ 56.8%. Internet chatter has this as Graigellachie, but the guy who bottled this (for Atom - so Master of Malt) has divulged its from a distillery that partially triple distills that they can't name - so, that has to be Mortlach, right? Either way, supposed to be a decent drop and, for £50, well worth a pop. If Mortlach, it's a steal.

Cheers!

Got this bottle delivered today from the SMWS. Big thanks to @bwmccoy for his insight into The Society.

@Nock - I am in awe of your haul! Well done!

@TracerBullet - I truly hope you enjoy your Society membership, especially with your upcoming trip to Scotland. As I said in my my DM, I will be living vicariously through you! Can’t wait to hear what you think of that Ardmore when you crack it open! I hope it doesn’t disappoint!

Was able to locate the new Ardbeg Committee bottling. Also picked up the standard release as well.

Funny how things go ...

I've been after a bottle of the old Glendronach Revival ever since @Timp graciously offered me a sample. Pure class! So I've been eyeing them at auction but was always outbid, apart from one time when I forgot to check the bids one evening and let two,yes two, of them pass for under £70 each! I was gutted!

Yesterday I happened to catch a notification email for the auction deadline in my junk box, had a quick peek, and saw one. Slapped in a bid and got it for £120 - my max! So not cheap (£150 all in) but I know this will be excellent and a rare example of a properly done, modern(ish) sherried whisky. A 2015 bottling - @Timp, do you happen to know what year the sample you gave me was from? And I think that's my auction itch scratched for a time.

Oh and every damn time I type @Timp my auto correct changes the T to a G ... Not missed one ... yet

@RianC haha yeah my user name is a bit close to that. Only thought about that years ago when I first created it but too late to change now! Back to my cellar!! Ps nice score. Think mine is a 2015 even though I think I thought it was a 2014. Pretty much the last of the old batches. Will check later when I get home and post you bottle number.

Recent acquisitions.

Missing is the Worm Tub batch 2, but I'm simply too hot and sweaty to be bothered to take another picture! Man, it's humid as balls down here currently! The observant amongst you might notice the empty box of Moose Head lager ... There's a reason it's empty

Benrinnes is supposed to be chock full of those meaty notes I'm enjoying currently so I'm keen to try one of them. I've also got to give a 'shout out' to Signatory: their UCF range are fairly cheap (£45 - £60 ish) and they do a wide range. I know not everyone can get them but, If you do ever see one, I'd give it strong consideration. They know what they're doing.

Returned a bottle of Alberta Premium cask strength (2022) in exchange for a Bladnoch Vinaya. Alhough the Bladnoch is expensive at LCBO ($96) I'm not disappointed with paying the extra $11. The relatively recent wave of (above 40%) Canadian whisky is good, but I still prefer an average single malt to an above avg Cdn "rye".

@65glenfarclas I still need to do a H2H2H2H, but I've been very impressed with the 2022 APCS. It may be one of my favourites of the series. I haven't tried this particular Bladnoch, but my experience from the stuff put out after the Raymond Armstrong years has not been so favourable. I really can get behind the old sheep label expressions though, Some of them are fantastic.

Not whisky, but a couple of recent additions. One was a gift that I purchased for my wife. The other was a gift from my wife to me.

My wife and I went to the Isle of Harris in 2010 before the Isle of Harris Distillery was opened. My wife likes gin and ever since the Isle of Harris distillery released their gin, I've been trying to get a bottle for her. A few weeks ago, they finally started selling their gin in Washington state just in time for me to get a bottle for my wife's birthday.

Back in 2018, when I visited @Victor for the first time, after tasting through bourbons and ryes, we transitioned to tequila and mezcal (among a few other things). I was blown away by the Jose Cuervo Reserva de la Familia. I've never seen it for less than $200 USD before taxes. However, our local Costco has it for $159 including all taxes. My lovely wife got it for me for Father's Day.

A few new ones.

Laphroaig Cairdeas white Port and Madeira casks 52.3%. I saw a review of this on whisky Wednesday vlog as it is a new release and thought it would be right up my street. I am very fond of sweet peat and smoke!

Port Charlotte PC7 61%. Oddly enough not had any of the original PC range and this got good reviews at the time. I always check reviews before I buy ( including on this fine site, obviously! ) I have liked all the PCs I have had so it’s a guarantee that I will like it, it’s just about how much.

Port Charlotte Islay Barley 50%. Had a few bottles of this in the past and it’s cheap at auction. Gotta be done.

Talisker 10 45.8%. Had pretty much disregarded this distillery after its price hikes however saw this one at discount for £32 in a supermarket. I wonder if the sales are down considering it’s around the £50 mark now generally?

Cheers..

@Timp - I have fond memories of the PC range, especially PC7. I don’t think you will be disappointed. Enjoy!

@Timp I picked up that Càirdeas today myself!

Islay SMWS 3.346 (18 year - Feb. 2004) "Nothing Quite Like It" In celebration of Independence Day 2023 - Second-fill hogshead - 57.3% ABV. Why? I won the lottery to buy a bottle (only 252) and it is from Bowmore where I had one of the best tours while on Islay with my dad and brothers. I hope to get them all together again and share this with them.