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Whisky II

I've enjoyed that Booker's too. Personally I'd snap up any barrel-proof bourbons available in the UK. Worth trying Baker's, also Jim Beam, 7yo, slightly less proof, but more subtle, almost cognac-like to my palate. I would, however, avoid Jim Beam's Basil Hayden - silly packaging, overpriced, one-dimensional.
Not tried the EH Taylor, meant to be good bourbon, Bottled in Bond, but for some reason it's priced here well over what the Yanks are paying. Which is why I think WT Rare Breed is such a bargain, it easily sits alongside Booker's for me. But don't tell anyone, supply already seems to be getting scarce...


First shot last night, very lovely indeed, being a mere 50% less of a shock than the Bookers and much less Rye. Really drinkable and can be savoured as a £94 bottle should be. Value is OK, prefer a £100 Port Charlotte but nice to have it in the cupboard.
 
Aberlour A'Bunadh at a pretty keen price on Amazon right now (£64.99).

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004CY91AA/?tag=pinkfishmedia-21

Still overpriced for what it is IMO

Haha :D

I just don't rate it any more at the over-inflated prices...

Some batches are poor; others are only OK IMO... It still has that bitter aftertaste and it's trying too hard
I’ve had a couple of generous drams from the bottle now. It’s cask strength and then some, so I added a good splash of water. I like it, but not enough to pay £60-odd a bottle, still less £90. So when this bottle is done, I reckon that itch has been scratched, unless prices drop significantly. It’s got rich flavours that I like, but I agree, the finish lacks the finesse I wanted. I reckon I’m a peaty malt drinker at heart, and I enjoyed the Ardbeg Corryvreckan more.
 
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Had a long overdue visitor yesterday evening so we celebrated with back to back drams of Classic Laddie then Port Charlotte in proper Bruichladdich glasses (followed by an all-day-baked cassoulet and a bottle of Gaillac red). A very enjoyable repast.
 
I’ve had a couple of generous drams from the bottle now. It’s cask strength and then some, so I added a good splash of water. I like it, but not enough to pay £60-odd a bottle, still less £90. So when this bottle is done, I reckon that itch has been scratched, unless prices drop significantly. It’s got rich flavours that I like, but I agree, the finish lacks the finesse I wanted. I reckon I’m a peaty malt drinker at heart, and I enjoyed the Ardbeg Corryvreckan more.

Ardbeg Corry and Uggy are very, VERY hard to beat at their price range IMO, unless you don't like peated whiskies...

The Aberlour is not for me and I won't buy it; I'll drink it if offered, but that's it

Still stand by the Glenfarclas and Laga 16 are better bottles; not cask I know, but still streets ahead IMO
 
I did the tour at Glenlivet again yesterday, this time with my kids and their partners as part of the celebrations for my daughter's 30th birthday.

172091934.8dZHReQ4.gl106.jpg


Glenlivet are approaching their 200th anniversary in 2024 and are starting to do bottlings to celebrate that. The first out was "The Illicit Still" which I bought a bottle of last time I was there (12 year old, 48% ABV, non-chill filtered) and this time it was the "Licensed Dram" which I think is just out - also a 48% ABV 12 year old, so I picked up a bottle of that as well. Not sure if they are going to be drinkers or keepers yet though.
 
My shelves are stacked out but really tempted with this one. Know nothing about the distillery but saw it on the OSWAs...one to snap up??
Ditto...never tried it but it's always punted as one of the best NAS's...if I'd been thinking straight I should have bought one and an Ardbeg Ugi to get free postage...but I bought two Victoriana's instead. :rolleyes::D
Did you catch last week's Roy Duff?:
Victoriana from 1hr 28mins in.
"Typically" it is:
70% 10yo first fill bourbon
10% 12yo first fill bourbon
20% 16-18yo refill American and European
These are vatted and filled into 30% first fill PX hogsheads/butts and 70% heavily charred American for another 12 months.
Then vatted again (!) and put into "inert" 3rd or 4th refill barrels to let it "marry for a bit longer"
Quite a complex NAS then!
 
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Having re-awakened my dormany WAS (whisky acquisition syndrome) with the duo from Highland Park, I’m keen to get all smokey with some Islays. Enjoying intense flavours and a bit of a kick, can anyone recommend something in the £40-ish bracket as a starting point? Or a duo coming in at £100-ish delivered (pref. cask strength). For drinking. Ta.
 
Having re-awakened my dormany WAS (whisky acquisition syndrome) with the duo from Highland Park, I’m keen to get all smokey with some Islays. Enjoying intense flavours and a bit of a kick, can anyone recommend something in the £40-ish bracket as a starting point? Or a duo coming in at £100-ish delivered (pref. cask strength). For drinking. Ta.
From personal experience and preference:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07BXM2CSW/?tag=pinkfishmedia-21 (46%, so not cask strength, £40-45 typically)
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B008U7SUF2/?tag=pinkfishmedia-21 (cask strength, around £60)
These are my 'go to' peaty, smoky whiskies.

and one on my shortlist that I haven't tried yet
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B072J8H5SP/?tag=pinkfishmedia-21 (46%, around £45)
 
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Having re-awakened my dormany WAS (whisky acquisition syndrome) with the duo from Highland Park, I’m keen to get all smokey with some Islays. Enjoying intense flavours and a bit of a kick, can anyone recommend something in the £40-ish bracket as a starting point? Or a duo coming in at £100-ish delivered (pref. cask strength). For drinking. Ta.

The usual suspects...Ardbeg Uigeadail or Laphroaig 10 Cask Strength:

https://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskies/ardbeg/ardbeg-uigeadail-whisky/
https://www.masterofmalt.com/whiski...g-10-year-old-cask-strength-batch-013-whisky/ (some odd negative reviews there - there's no sherry influence that I'm aware of)

MoM's own brand cask strength Islay; rumoured to be Laphroaig:
https://www.masterofmalt.com/whiski...ng-and-fire-cask-strength-10-year-old-whisky/
https://www.masterofmalt.com/whiski...y-casks-and-cask-strength-10-year-old-whisky/

A much sherried Laphroaig:
https://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskies/laphroaig/laphroaig-10-year-old-sherry-oak-whisky/

Have you tried Kilchoman?:
https://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskies/kilchoman/kilchoman-machir-bay-whisky/

Port Charlotte 10:
https://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskies/bruichladdich/port-charlotte-10-year-old-whisky/
The Amazon Subsrcibe & Save price from mjw is good.

Ardbeg Corryvreckan on offer at Tyndrum:
https://www.tyndrumwhisky.com/ardbeg-corryvreckan.html
 


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