Which bottle did you just buy and why?

Found a great deal on Lagavulin 16.... so I picked one up and a Four Roses Single Barrel just because I'm running out.

@chrisbator Where did you find a store open today?

Boxing Day presents to myself, 3 bottles of the Bladnoch Adela 15 Year Old for the collection.

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Much anticipated and long awaited bottling of this revived distillery.

A bottle of the NAS bottling of the Bladnoch Samsara, a bottle of the Longmorn 16 Year Old (rumoured to be discontinued) and another bottle of the Laphroaig Select Cask.

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@mscottydunc I really liked the 6.1 Octomore, which I tasted at SOT 2015 I believe.

@Nosebleed and I popped into a local small store and we saw this for sale. Not only is this the only place in Calgary we saw the age-stated Nàdurra, but it was priced lower than any other Nàdurra we saw in the city.

Adding the fact that this batch of a discontinued malt was very highly rated by @antihero on ATW, at this price, it was a no-brainer to pick it up. There were two in the store...now there are none. One is for me and one will be found a very good home in Northern Ontario.

Also managed to find a store close to where I'm staying that carried the OGD Bonded 100 proof - had to replace the open bottle which I will leave with @nosebleed.

Great find @Nozinan. I saw one of these pop up in the LCBO inventory last week, a return I imagine. It was also cheaper than the NAS version ($69 I believe). A good number of returns lately, Danfield's 21 ($45), Masterson's 12 year ($49), and a Tobermory 15. Always lots of returns around this time of they year, unfortunately most of them are returned within Toronto and not easy for someone like me to get my hands on.

@Nozinan - Also a few bottles of Compass Box Hedonism for $69 in Vaughan and Etobicoke.

@Mancub I missed out on the Danfield's return, desperately looking for a backup for my last bottle. I usually check every day for returns, figures the day I don't this shows up.

Danfield's has not shown up in any store, big or small, that I have visited in Calgary. Not sure what I would do if I found one though....so many people want it.

@Astroke If I see one I'll send you a message, I've seen a few show up this past year. My first reaction is to call the store right away when I see a single bottle I want pop up, but even if I was able to reserve one picking it up is a whole other scenario in and of itself.

@Mancub @Astroke

This highlights the importance of a diverse and extensive network. Perhaps it would even be useful to have a "want it /need it" thread, not for buying and selling purposes but more so that if we see something rare and know one of the Connosr family wants it (and if there is a chance a transfer could occur) we wouldn't let it slip away...

@Nozinan Yes, excellent idea. There is such a site on the Maple Leaf Lounge which has an LCBO discounted/return/sale thread.

@Mancub Thanks, I have done this many times on Maple Leaf Lounge, under bargins/discounts LCBO section. I did get a Danfield's 21 in May on return. In the past I have picked up 2 CR Cask 16's, Elmer T Lee. Missed out on an Amrut Bourbon Cask for $42 and a Macallan Cask Strength for $99.(5 min late on that call) Not only returns but clearance items and managers clearance items information. Picked up 2 Gibsons 18 at $52 each last summer and a Red Letter for $70 in Toronto

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@Astroke Sounds like you've had great success snagging returned bottles, good for you. I tried it once with a Stagg Jr. and they wouldn't ship it and I had no one on the other end to grab it for me. I don't see a lot of Manager's deals here, once in a blue moon. Though there is one LCBO here in London that every time I walk into it there is always a couple bottles of whisky on "clearance" - I usually see about $20-$25 off. Last time I was there they had Masterson's 10 year for $84, Highland Park Dark Origins $79, two different bottles of Tullibardine, one for $20 off and the other $16 off. Nothing ground breaking, but for the LCBO it's better than a kick in the pants.

I keep an eye on reddit as well as the WWW forum, just a lurker over there though.

@Nozinan It's a good idea, I know there are a few bottles I had to miss out on the opportunity because I wasn't in the area.

Stopped in to a store I hadn't been to yet this year to pick up a box that I had intended to use to ship some of my harvest out east. While there I saw some bottles of Longrow 14 YO Burgundy for a very reasonable price. Quick check on wine-searcher confirmed that this is already much more pricy on the secondary market (not that I will sell it) so I picked up a couple, which of course increase the number of bottles to ship home.

In the end we managed to get everything into our suitcases (let's see how many bottles are left on the other side) we didn't need the box. And if I hadn't got the box, It would have been even easier to pack the bottles because there would have been 2 fewer...

All the whiskies were acquired while on vacation in Tennessee. All but one were purchased by me.

Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 9yo 60% 120 Proof; Bottled for McScrooge’s – Why? It was a decent price ($39.99) and a private barrel. It is a bit more mild than the standard KCSBR 120Proof. They had it to sample, and it tasted good. I opened it at our New Year’s celebration . . . and half the bottle disappeared. An easy sipping bourbon at 120 Proof.

Old Scout Straight Bourbon 9yo Single Barrel Cask Strength 58.8% Smooth Ambler; Barrel No. 2022 Bottled for McScrooge’s - Why? Because I bought the 60.8% bottle last year and loved it. Further, they had a sample for me to taste, and at $55 it was an easy purchase.

Bas-Armagnac Delord Napoleon 40% - Why? You can’t get Armagnac in Virginia and I love to have it around. It is one of my favorite spirits after Scotch, Rye, and Bourbon. I only wish I lived in a place where I could taste more Armagnac.

Ardbeg Dark Cove Committee Release 2016 55% - Why? It is a great bottle. I was shocked to still see it on the shelf for $119 (plus tax). As I only was able to acquire one bottle thanks to @Victor it seemed like I needed a backup. I almost bought two . . . some day I might regret that decision.

Benromach 10yo Imperial Proof 57% (batch 31/08/15) - Why? This was a bottle a friend picked up for me in Baltimore. He has held on to it since August. I loved this bottle of this exact batch number, and am very grateful to have a back up. It is one of my favorite bottles this year.

Laphroaig 10yo 43% - Why? When we were at the liquor store buying alcohol for the New Year’s festivities my while told me to pick up a scotch to have on hand. This is my go to “standard-issue” scotch. I opened it on New Year’s and half the bottle disappeared. Good dependable stuff.

Longrow 11yo Rundlets & Kilderkins 51.7% (9000 bottles released 2013) – Why? This is a bottle a friend bought for me a year and a half ago. I was finally able to pick it up. My first bottle is gone. Now I have two unopened bottles for the future. @Victor gave it a 94 – that is all I need to say. This is a fantastic whisky.

BenRiach Curiositas 10yo 46% (Batch 2013/03/27) – Why? This is one of my favorite non-Islay peated scotches. After much tasting I have settled on BenRiach as my “go-to” substitute for Brora. Bold words I know. However, it has the 25-40ppm peat, the fruit, and the hay, that Brora can have. But most importantly it has the “farm notes.” Yes, Benromach and Ballechin could be considered in the running, but a good bottle of this (and the bottles are quite variable) is fantastic. It really is the only thing that seems to be in the neighborhood of the Brora profile in my opinion. And at $50 it seems like an easy buy.

Kilchoman Single Cask 494/2008 sherry finish 59.6% (Oct. 2 2008 – Jan. 29 2014) Bottled exclusively for IMPEX. Why? I have tried several single casks of Kilchoman. All have been fantastic. My last bottle was a sherry matured version. At first I was disappointed. However, after about six months it really became impressive. Again, confirmation to my taste that anything with sherry maturation needs a good 6 months to come into its own. I am really looking forward to this one. I bought it instead of either a bottle of Lagavulin 12yo CS 2015, or another bottle of the Ardbeg Dark Cove Committee. This 5 year old whisky was the most expensive bottle I bought on this trip at $129.99 plus tax. And there was no hesitation.

As mentioned in a prior post, 2016 rationale was about finding well-regarded bottles outside of Ontario. A recap of the last six months (all spirit types).

1. Tequila - Casa Dragones Sipping Tequila (simply wonderful - from Schneider's on Capitol Hill)
2. Mezcal - Marcanegra (a bit harsher on the throat then I would like but the agave and smokiness are both pronounced)
3. Port - 40 Year Old Taylor that was bottled in 1980 (gifted from a friend - not sure if it is still drinkable)
4. Rye - Whistlepig 15 Year Old Rye (thanks to Paddock Judge for introducing me to WP)
5. Japanese - Nikka 17 and Nikka from the Barrel (Rekjavik airport)
6. Rum - Ron Centenario 25 & 30 (both exquisite Costa Rican rums and far better value than the El Dorado 25)
7. Gin - Sipsmith VJOP (much more potent than the regular), Dictador (aged in Rum Barrels), Rekjavik (meh) and Bluecoat Barrel Aged (have a fondness for gins aged in oak barrels)
8. Bourbon - EC Barrel Proof (thanks to Victor et al for the recommendation), Blood Oath Pact #2 (in Philadelphia and blackberry went down so a dartboard purchase), Blanton's Gold (thoroughly enjoyed) and Old Forester Birthday Bourbon (loving it)

First purchase of 2017:

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A couple of bottles of the 2007 Port Charlotte CC:01 and a bottle of the 2007 Hazelburn Barolo Cask.

A couple of limited edition releases that piqued my interest.

Just bought 2 cheap Asda Supermarket own blend Tasgall 25 and 30 year old, hard to find reviews but generally internet says worth the £50 and £60 respectively but never bothered at that price. Was sorely tempted when they knocked a tenner off each for Xmas but had too much ordered from Amazon, went to do the grocery shop today and reduced to £20 and £25 so got one of each at that price it is only a couple of quid dearer than Bells.

They had a load on the shelf so looks like they have an overstock to clear if anyone in the U.K. Has a store near them will be worth a visit will review in next couple of days.

Just returned from Chicago, was able to pick up an Ardbeg Uigeadail for my father, and for myself I purchased Talisker Storm because it was 34.99, and Barrel Bourbon Batch 7.

I bought a bottle of Kilkerran 12 Years Old at the Druiventuin in Leiden. It is the first regular expression of Kilkerran after many Works in Progress, which all have been appreciated by Springbank lovers. Kilkerran is the third distiller from Campbelltown as one may know. It has been said that Kilkerran 12 YO reminds of old Springbank. I am very curious. Anyway, it is bang for your buck! I paid 50 euro for this gem.

@NamBeist , is that your first Kilkerran?

Open 'er up and let us know what you think!

@Ol_Jas Yes, it is my first bottles of Kilkerran. When I have opened it, I will let you know.

Bottles? I meant bottle.

Picked up a Knob Creek Single barrel, last 1 in the store in Stoney Creek, but had this hanging from it so I had to get it as both had the 9 year AS.

@Astroke Thanks - I had not come across this site before and it was enjoyable to peruse through.

Bought a 1.75L of Weller Antique to put at the lake house. Cost was around $40 and these have become tough to find.

Also I will be buying a bottle of Thomas Handy Sazerac today at cost!

Picked up an EH Taylor Single Barrel a couple of days ago.... now I'm being tempted by a High West Double Rye store pick and the PC 10 Islay second edition...

I just received a call from "my guy" at a local ABC liquor store. He said, "Were you the guy asking about a bottle of Thomas H. Handy?" To which I have learned to always reply, "Yes" even when it was not me! So he says, "Well I got a bottle for you." And I say, "I'll be right there!"

Yup, Friday the 13th, January of 2017 I became the proud owner of a bottle of 2016 Thomas H. Handy 63.1% ABV. Why? Do I have to spell it out? It is the high proof rye of the Antique Collection. For years it was always my second love of the BTAC after the George T. Stagg (until @Victor opened my eyes to the majesty of William Larue Weller . . . which has caused the Handy to drop to third in my yearly quest).

I have heard mixed reviews on the 2016 Handy. Some people were disappointment while others thought it was one of the greatest bottles of Handy they had tried. I am looking forward to finding out for myself! I have decanted 200mL bottles of the 2009, 2010, and 2014. I can't wait to do a Head-to-Head.