Which bottle did you just buy and why?

Yesterday I picked-up four of the Signatory sherried 15-year Laphroaigs. As mentioned in my other post, couldn't let a sherried Laphroaig get away from me.

Order before that was: 1 AnCnoc Flaughter 1 AnCnoc Rutter 2 Compas Box Lost Blend 1 Wild Turkey Forgiven 1 Woodford Reserve Sonoma-Cutrer Finish

With the exception of the Wild Turkey, These were all bottles I want to try, but was afraid that if I wait until I'm back home, they'd be gone in the US.

@OlJas Picked up my bottle of Christmas Peat today, I can confirm that it is indeed the 2014 edition. Looking forward to trying it in the next couple of days!

Glendronach 12 because I have never tried anything from Glendronach and the reviews seem positive.

Just picked up the Amrut Peated Cask Strength. Heard from a few other members that it was fantastic, and wanted to grab a bottle before it dries up here in Ontario.

@mscottydunc

Last I checked there were over 30 bottles at one store in London. Must be a lot of peat heads there...

I just picked up a bottle of Canadian Club 100% Rye, Lot 40, Wiser's Red Letter, and some El Dorado 12 rum. Nice to be in Canada again, although the Scotch prices are still ridiculous. Double what I pay in Taiwan. Ouch.

@hunggar, good thing you are here under the radar, otherwise you would have received a Connosr welcome.

Do try to get a sip of: CC 20 YO, CR Monarch, Highwood Ninety 20 YO. I would very much have liked to get a bottle of Alberta Premium 30 YO into your hands.

Happy Holidays!

@paddockjudge, A very kind offer. If time permitted, I would have advertised my trip much more on this site, and would have insisted on meeting as many fellow members as possible. Unfortunately family health issues, the holiday season, and a very busy schedule have kept me from having too much boozie fun.

I've seen the Monarch and the Highwood 90 on the shelves in Toronto and Oshawa so far, but for the moment I'm in Montreal (my hometown). Good selection of Armagnac and brandy compared to the LCBO, but in terms of whisky there's a distinct shortage of anything beyond the standard Canadian fare. I'll be in TO again next week, so I'll see what I can pick up. Unfortunately I’m only allowed to fly back with two bottles in my bag, so I’m already at capacity.

@hunggar

Sorry to hear there are family health issues. I hope you have a peaceful time in Montreal, the city that invented real bagels in Canada.

If you're passing through Toronto and would like to try something you haven't had before, drop me a line and I'll see what I have that you haven't tried.

@Nozinan One less after my trip there yesterday ;)

@hunggar, I hope the best for you and your family on this trip to Canada; another time we will collaborate on some whisky happenings.

@mscottydunc

I know....I hope my friend picks up my "order"

@hunggar...best wishes to you and your family. If you do find yourself in the GTA or London area, drop me a line. Travel safe, and enjoy the Lot 40! How strict is Taiwan on the alcohol allocation? ;)

@Victor...for a variety of reasons, I suspect my days of lucking into a Parker's Heritage Collection bottle are likely at an end, what with the hysteria (for lack of a better term) that has now taken hold of the American whisky world with respect to limited edition bottles like the BTAC, the PHC, and Four Roses. I am happy to still have the Cognac barrel edition (5th? iirc). That 8th edition sounds like it would be riiiight up my alley! :)

Yesterday I managed to get into our local MLCC to pick up some odds and ends for the Christmas Holidays. In the back of my mind I wanted to get a bottle of Glendronach 15 yr. I was able to sample a taste of the 12 yr (not bad) while I was there as well as the Glenlivet Nadurra, (Best Glenlivet I have had).

At the end of the shopping trip a bottle of the Glendronach 15 revival cask made it into the cart after much deliberation. A Christmas gift to myself. Opened it this morning to let it breathe a bit for the big Christmas day. Having a houseful of guests to celebrate Christmas with with 3 -4 scotch drinkers in the mix. It will be a wonderful day.

Hope everyone has a Great Christmas Holiday!

Thanks for the kind words guys. Next time I'm back I'll have to schedule more time in TO to meet you all.

@Pudge72, Taiwan isn't too strict, but I'd rather avoid any troible with customs. If it were up to me I'd be going home with at least a suitcase full of whisky!

@mscottydunc

Happened to be driving near an LCBO just north of Toronto that was listed as having 6 Amrut Peated CS a couple days ago. I just saw that there are 2 listed now. Obviously, that is incorrect ;)

This way I don't have to wait months to get it if I wait for my London friend to pick some up....if he does.

Why? It was my favourite of the ones I tried at Spirit of Toronto. It was really good. I want to repeat the methods Ashok used to warm it in my hand and then try it.

If it's as good as I remember....I may have to ask my friend to pick up more.

That's the thing with NAS stuff. If you find a batch you like, NAS is not a problem. But it doesn't guarantee quality of any other batches.

Accompanied a friend to Summerhill LCBO as I had a rum opening in the bar to fill (cheers again to the Plantation 20) and lo and behold there was a Balvenie Tun 1509. So even though, it was just last week that I committed to buying less, out came the wallet and yet another addition was made.

For those in Ontario the El Dorado Demerera rum is marked down from $100 to $70. Folks, this is a magnificent rum and a steal at the pricepoint. Apparently it is finished so they are clearing it out - get some if you can.

FInally, on a whim did a tasting of the Remy Martin King Louis XIII - superb - the fusion of sweet w a declarative yet mild burn is extraordinary. Relative to what restaurants charge for a good whiskey, $30 for a little more than half ounce is worth this blissful taste.

@hunggar...just to be clear, I was more curious about the likelihood of officials allowing extra bottles to be waived through. I re-read my post and worried that is sounded like I was advocating sneaking bottles through! Definitely not my intention. :) Generally, but certainly not always or expected, it seems like one extra bottle is ok when driving into Canada, but that you are pushing your luck beyond that.

Glen Orrin 30 Year Old from Aldi.

Very Christmassy. :D :D

I saw some MacCS today. Was kicking myself for not picking up one I saw 3 months ago, so I wasn't going to let it go again. Cracked it open tonight. Initial impression, I like this much more than A'bunadh.

@Onibubba, This is my holy grail of malts. I've had better balanced - bolder - more complex, but this is my favourite. Absolutely a tragedy this is no longer readily available. I suppose Macallan will release a CS version at some stratospheric price...my guess is it will have another pole dancer's name...

Godiva

@Onibubba was it at a reasonable price? Those are hard to find under $100 nowadays.

Just picked up a bottle of Coal Ila 12 year and a bottle of G&M Glenburgie 10 year. The Coal Ila was a replacement bottle and the Glenburgie was cheap. The Coal Ila was only 58 dollars out the door so price was also a big factor which is a must nowadays.

Had a co-worker comment that the Corryvreckan was a better experience than the Uigeadail. Decided to return the Uigea and spend an extra $20 on the Corry.

@JayRain

Doesn't it hurt though that you could get a Corry for $100 less in some place in the US?

@Nozinan

For sure we are gouged on scotch prices but I would still not want to live in any other city in the world. So it boils down to pay extra or don't experience at all - each disposable income transaction is a choice of economics vs experience - I learn from my choices but don't second guess them (too much).

For the US, as I am only there 3-4 times a year, I put a premium on product that we cannot get here.more than savings.

so nope, I am at peace...

@JayRain

Then peace be with you. I have my Corry waiting to be opened....but I got it online in the US and a friend brought it over. So I will count my blessings.

Lagavulin Distiller's Edition (2012 bottling) Laphroiag 18 Bruichladdich Port Charlotte PC7 Springbank 10

For the simple reason that I have been wanting to try them for a while now. I'm gonna have to wait though since I have too many bottles opened right now. Time to get busy...

Laphroaig Cairdeas 2012 Origin.

Tried some of the Laphroaig Cairdeas 2014 recently and thought it was just a tad too sweet from too much amontillado finishing, the Laphroaig 10 Year Old Cask Strength Batch 006 in the same seating suited me better. Curious how the Cairdeas Origin without fortified wine finishing would fare.