Your Top Five Whisk(e)ys of 2018

@fiddich1980 well said. Very well said. The very best to you and yours for the festive season and the new year.

@odysseusunbound i got it in the US. It’s a big step up from bourbon/blender’s mash. I got it in new hampshire...

I love when threads get fired up like this, so much good stuff to read about and I would want to comment on each person's additions!

This is going to be long winded as I always, as long as I'm not a windbag or full of hot air.

It seems many have a full throttle all high proof list I see @odysseusUnbound and @casualtorture are leading the charge in that direction.

@Robert99 lucky doesn't even begin to describe it, I am grateful for all these occasions and try and pass along my good fortune when I can. You will get the occasion to try the Benrinnes as @fiddich1980 allowed me to sneak away a sample and you and I have catching up to do.

@RikS you’ll find much company in drinking JW on Connosr, unless you’re pouring some red label . It’s still a solid blend and can be a good value in some markets.

@fiddich1980 your eloquence cannot be matched, I can only add my voice to the chorus, this humble board has been, community, school and soapbox and still my favorite place to talk shop despite all the wealth of sites on the net.

@MadSingleMalt I've been eyeing up the Kilkerran 8yo cask strength. Slightly put off by the young age. You've just persuaded me to pull the trigger!

@Wierdo - I read @MadSingleMalt 's comment and immediately checked MoM to see if it was back in . . . it is. And a good price too! I'm all spent up now though (damn cars and their brakes) so will have to see if I can get one in the new year. Unless . . .

edit - just rechecked MoM and it's still in stock with free delivery. I'm such a sucker

My top 5 whiskies I tried for the first time this year (in no specific order)

Springbank 15 - pips the 18 for me in terms of bang for buck. Typical Springbank complexity, with the sherry casks adding a richness to the mix.

Balblair 2000 2nd edition - From the first sip I knew that it was the start of long and meaningful relationship between Balblair and myself. A wonderfully complex highlander.

Ben Nevis 10 - Another highlander. Less subtle than the Balblair but still great. It tastes like it's cask strength when it's actually at 46%. If you asked the people at Springbank to make a Highland whisky. Ben Nevis 10 is what you'd get.

Ardbeg Corryvrecken - (I can't remember if I opened it this year or last) Not subtle in any way but just a wonderful bruising Islay peat monster. I immediately brought another bottle for my stash.

Berry Bros & Rudd 2002 Orkney Single Malt 15 years old 56.6% - I only opened this last night, so including it here is a risk as with air in the bottle it might change and I'll like it less. But in all honesty, that's not going to happen. A single cask highland park that's had a traditional maturation and cask strength craft presentation. Lovely stuff, reminds you how good Highland Park actually is an also what an awful job Edrington Group are doing with the spirit at the moment (I'm sure they'll look at the profit sheet and tell me to bollocks).

@Wierdo Agree with you wholeheartedly on the Ben Nevis 10. A totally stunning surprise when I first tasted it. Their 8 year old cask strength Glencoe is another excellent offering and a well kept secret it seems.

Best of the season to you and yours mate.

My top five are all IBs this year.

Cadenhead Linkwood 11. (Ridiculously good).

Old Malt Cask Mortlach 11. (Particularly good).

Cadenhead Dailuaine 12. (Outstandingly good).

G&M Caol Ila 15 year old. (Awesomely good).

Glen Scotia special edition ruby port finish. (Surprisingly good).

Honourable mention to Coopers Choice Skara Brae (18 yr old HP?) and Balblair 1990.

Best wishes for the holidays and new year to all my connosr friends. I really enjoy our virtual friendship and all that it has given me over the years.

Slainte.

@BlueNote well, if the Linkwood is one of your top 5, I am very glad you inspired me to pick one up.

@BlueNote good to seen that Glen Scotia in there. I've been reading a few reviews and I'm still vacillating about grabbing one. Sounds like it's light on the peat? What's your take on it please? Thanks.

@Hewie Not a lot of peat, but a very tasty dram. The port is not overly dominant, more of a subtle influence. I think you would like it.

@Nozinan. It’s a good one alright, and so is the Cadenhead Dailuaine. Let us no what you think when you have a taste of the Linkwood.

BTW, a belated happy Hanukkah, I didn’t realize it was a bit earlier this year, it’s usually fairly close to Christmas, isn’t it?

The best 5 I tasted this year from bottles I have/opened this year:

1. Balblair 1993/2017 G&M Cask Strength 49.6%

2. Balblair 1990/2015 2nd release

3. Longrow 18, 2018 release

4. Little Book chapter 2

5. Michter's Toasted Barrel BP Rye

Hmmm, lots of food for thought on this thread . . .

Note to self for 2019 - get some Balblair, Linkwood, CS rye and JD SB BP.

@Astroke I picked up a little book. I hope it will arrive in Toronto intact. If it is as good as you and @paddockjudge imply, more may be needed.

@Nozinan I do like this bottle and the concept. I hope the LCBO can get some in, lets face it they must be the largest purchaser of Beam Suntory products in North America.