Which bottle did you just buy and why?

@YakLord I am planning to make some Limecello in the future. I have a bottle of everclear and I might as well use it.

Just bought a new bottle for the first time in a couple of years. Back in 2018 I decided that enough was enough, and made a resolution to stop buying so much whisky and just drink what I had instead. At the time that was over 50 bottles, most of them unopened.

Yesterday, that number was 5, two of which are opened. Today the number is 6, as none of those 4 was a bourbon and I felt like I wanted to have at least one bourbon to keep my ryes company.

I cruised the shelves at my local LCBO and settled on a Jim Beam release that's new to me: Old Tub. It's a straight bourbon, unfiltered, and bottle in bond. I haven't yet tried it, but Jim Beam tends to make a decent product, and 100 proof is just about right for me.

@Nelom Welcome back after a far too long absence!

I wish I had your self-control. I've tried to limit my increase in new bottles but have still picked up 4 1/3 this year, with the fall CS ryes yet to come. But I've opened or gifted 5 1/3 from my collection. So by 2163 I expect my collection to be depleted...

@Nozinan

Thanks!

As for having self-control, that's very much connected to my absence. Being active on here keeps me informed on new and limited releases, but one can't fear missing out on something one is not aware exists. So being in the dark about most goings on in the whisky world has certainly helped to not be tempted into buying another bottle

Not that that was part of the plan. It just sort of happened, back in 2018 when I made the resolution (in a thread started by you, I think) I wasn't planning on coming here less, but I think it just sort of happened organically. When I wasn't buying whisky, talking about it also sort of took a backseat.

Anyway, not necessarily saying I'm back. Buying that bottle just reminded me of this thread and I thought I'd check out the site, update my cabinet, and maybe make a post or two. Once I taste my new bottle in a day or two I'll for sure make a post in the "what are you drinking" thread.

@Nelom I have found that bottle splits are a great way to taste new things without buying a whole bottle.

I know you live a ways away but maybe we could work something out.

Win win

I was very nearly tempted to buy the new Ardbeg BizarreBQ but had a last minute change of heart and opted for the 'safer' option of a Corryvrekan. Not had an Ardbeg for some time and this bottling has probably been my favourite. The sweeter notes of the BBQ were tempting but, after hearing it had some px casks in the mix, I thought it one prudent to try first.

I have also been hearing lots of chatter that recent Ardbegs have gone off the boil a bit but then saw some good reviews of recent batches of Corry. Similarly, Roy from AV mentioned that the 10 was better, as of late. Seemed like the right time to buy one.

Not had much peat of late but I feel the craving returning, just in time for the cooler weather after summer . So right about now then .

@RianC but if you want to get your peat on while it's still summer (and BBQ season!), then that BizarreBQ is a fun, solid, choice. I still don't know what "BBQ casks" are, but it's tasty.

@MadSingleMalt - thanks for the heads up. I'm already well over budget for the month but might see if there's any left when the next cheque comes in.

What's the profile like? Is it noticeably Ardbegian? I guess, truth be told, I'm always a little wary of Ardbegs one offs (aka gimmicky bottlings) ...

@RianC, blame the power of suggestion perhaps, but to me the BizarreBQ is like the Oogie with a dash of Balcones Brimstone.

Did a quick trip to Kentucky with the aim to complete the Bourbon Trail and the Craft Trail. Had only 5 more distilleries to go but the majority were in the westernmost side of the state - lots of driving. Both trails are now complete - took us 3 trips total. I tried to be good and not get too many bottles but my wife had other ideas. Anyway, here is the first picture of the bottles we brought back.

Here are the rest…

This is what you get when you complete the Craft Trail. A challenge coin for each region and a stave to display them in once you complete the trail.

@TracerBullet Very cool. Did they allow you to keep both completed "passports" for the two trails or did you have to forfeit them to gain the stave and challenge coins ?

@cherylnifer You get to keep the completed Field Guide. The book includes the Bourbon Trail stops and the Craft Trail stops as well. When you complete the Craft Trail, you get the last coin and the stave as well as a QR code stamp in the Field Guide. You get another QR code stamp for completing the Bourbon Trail.

Scanning those codes registers that you have completed the trails and I believe I am suppose to get a pin that shows I completed the Bourbon Trail.

Scanning both codes is also supposed to trigger another item that gets mailed to me, but that one is a bit of a mystery as I can't really find any information about what you get.

I've scanned both of mine so I guess I should find out in about 6 weeks or so.

I have a bit of a guilty confession ...

Due to an Amazon delivery going awry - parcel was left outside and in a bin, despite being told it was handed to me! - I ended up getting a bottle for free! Long story short, I'd claimed a refund before it was discovered (wet through, stinky and the packaging ruined!) Still, nothing wrong with the juice. Who would leave a parcel in a bin?!

Anyways, I then spotted Ardbeg 8 'For Discussion' for less than the Oogy 'cost'. Why not? I'm also now a member of the Ardbeg committee ... I feel honoured . 51% and all ex-sherry, sounds nice.

@RianC I've wanted one of those. They won't ship it to the U.S. though. Can't wait to hear what you think!

@TracerBullet - I will certainly report back

Saw Eagle Rare 10 on offer whilst doing the 'big shop' and couldn't resist. Whether I should or not is a different matter!

Had this before and really liked it. Hopefully the quality is still there but £30 for a 10 year old bourbon is too good to pass up.

When “Igor of Scotch” came to our last epic tasting he mentioned that a Milk & Honey IB would be coming in to Alberta through his distribution network.

I’ve never tasted any of his picks that I haven’t enjoyed, so while I’ve had some mediocre and some good expressions from this still fledgling distiller, I was eager to see what kind of a cask he would choose.

A bit on the pricy side compared to what I usually buy, but I’ve really decreased the quantity of my purchases and gave myself the green light for this one.

Looking forward to opening this one with my whisky buddies.

@Nozinan Yikes! That's some hefty ABV. Might need a Ralfy size addition of H2O.

Call me a lemming….

@Nozinan When you open this, I’d be interested in what you think. Is tgere any indication of the age or type of port?

@MRick I ordered it yesterday and picked it up today. After work I cracked it. With some air the finish settles a bit. The rye is clearly there through the finish. Water seems to go well with is as well.

This is just a neck pour. I think I'll be getting a few people with better palates to have a look at it this weekend.

@MRick The label states, "Port seasoned French oak casks". My take is that it's similar to "sherry seasoned" oak casks. In other words, not the type of Port made for drinking (lower case port, rather than Port appellation). I recall asking Dr Livermore (on twitter) a while back if the casks he was using were actually Port pipes from Portugal (used for actual Port), but he said he could not confirm. He mentioned the casks were purchased from wholesalers. (For this old Portuguese curmudgeon, the most egregious use of fake port was Forty Creek "Port" Wood Reserve which used casks seasoned with port-style Canadian wine)

@65glenfarclas It may not have been Portuguese Port, but the Portwood Reserve was a GOOD whisky.

Picked up a Campbeltown Loch blended malt and a Maclean's Nose blend.

The former is the latest batch (I think) and has a very dark colour, so likely sherry forward. It's a blend of all working distilleries in Campbeltown - inc. the three from SB. Reviews I've read pin it as a poor man's Springbank 15 or 12 CS. That'll do me

The Maclean's Nose is from Adelphi (where Charlie MacLean is head taster, or similar) and is a nod to him and a local cliff formation. Their standard 'dancy man' blend is very good, for what it is, so I have high hopes for this one. It's 70% malt with a good chunk of sherry casks in the mix and craft presented. Gets good reviews too. Under £30 as well! Might get another ...

I just cannae pass a good blend up

I’ve been trying hard to limit my purchases. Really!

When Igor of Scotch told me he was bringing an IB from Milk & Honey Distillery to Canada I was sure that it would be too expensive for me to get.

When I was able to get a bottle, with the assistance of @paddockjudge, I was eager to try it and we opened it at our last tasting. It was delicious. I tried it again and made the decision that THIS ONE was worth getting a spare. During the tasting there were 2 bottles left at the store in Alberta. By the time I made the decision there was only one. This whisky was matured at a lower altitude than almost any other (there is a more expensive OB expression as well), near the Dead Sea, a 1/2 km below sea level.

I also noticed that the same independent bottler had a CS Caol Ila. These are becoming very hard to get. I have a couple in the bunker but I have not had one open since Sept. 2021. Given the trust I have in Igor, I made a game time decision to help dilute per bottle shipping costs… and I look forward to opening it at my next tasting.

@Nozinan 66.8% on the Milk & Honey!! A person might have to proceed with caution on that one...unless, of course, you are @Victor. That's right in his wheelhouse.

@RianC That'll do me too. I'm on the hunt.

@BlueNote It does not feel so strong. I guess it is so dry near the Dead sea that the casks lose water preferentially.