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Sherry
Jan 4, 2023 3:33:28 GMT
Post by Kye on Jan 4, 2023 3:33:28 GMT
Good choice! I've tried Storm but I don't like it as much as the original What would you say is the difference? When I tried Storm, I thought it dialed the peatiness back a bit from their original, but it had been years since I'd sampled the original. Is that your impression, or something else? I think you're right --Storm is not as peaty, and it's a bit sweeter as I recall. But I haven't had either in awhile, so it's a bit foggy. I do remember being disappointed in the Storm though
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Sherry
Jan 5, 2023 1:17:13 GMT
Post by Moose on Jan 5, 2023 1:17:13 GMT
Ah, the wonderful Mad Dog. Twenty seven flavours, all of which taste much the same - ie vile. One of my happiest, if vaguest, childhood memories.
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Sherry
Jan 14, 2023 17:50:26 GMT
Post by whollygoats on Jan 14, 2023 17:50:26 GMT
So...I have been cogitating over the possibility of expending some of my savings from the holidays on some new bottles of spirits. Scotch is what I'm thinking. I'd like to revisit the Auchentoshen Threewood experience. And, the Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban. Both finished in three separate casks...Bourbon, sherry, and port. I suspect I might gain with some those who turn the Scotch down by stocking some cognac and some Bailey's. Small bottles. Just to be prepared. Beyond that, I was surfing the YouTube bloggers on what they were suggesting. One such, First Phil, a Kiwi, brought my attention to a book, which I immediately purchased online, but also this diagram: Now, of all the sampled varieties, my go-to, Highland Park 12 is nearly dead center. Of the whiskies I've sampled beyond the Highland Park and decided I prefer, they tend to head toward the upper right corner...towards the 'sherry bomb' corner of the diagram. Auchentoshen Threewood, Glenmoragie Quinta Ruban, Glendronach, Bunnahabhain 12 have all graced my liquor cabinet and I would be willing to purchase again (I would not rate the Bunnahabhain 12 as that peaty, either). Since I have a bottle of Laphroig 10 lurking in the back of the Scotches (because I avoid it), I would say that any next step of mine in the peated Scotches needs to be a more aged Lagavulin, like the 16, rather than the 12. The Tubers indicate that of all the traits of various Scotches, the 'smoke' is the first to fade, and if you like peaty, smoky whiskys, get 'em young. But, I can see that there are some nearby whiskeys on the chart, like Glenfarclas 12 and the Lagavulin 16, that pique an interest. [ETA: I checked the online listing with the state liquor store and the Lagavulin 16 sells for a nickel short of $100. That will distinctly wait until I feel more flush. The good news is that Quinta Ruban has come down in price some $15 since I last purchased.] For anybody interested, all of those flavor tones used to describe whiskys is also available in a wheel diagram. I'm expecting to have one on hand when the new book arrives.
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Sherry
May 2, 2023 5:02:55 GMT
Post by whollygoats on May 2, 2023 5:02:55 GMT
Well, now...That was a trip down the rabbit hole....
At some point between then and now, I took the plunge into Lagavulin 16. I found it to be intriguing, and tasty, but not the taste, particularly smokiness, I sought. It was too lapsang tsuchong for my tastes. I then stumbled across a Glen Scotia 15, which was my first introduction to Campbeltown single malts, it didn't have any peat, but it did have what reviewers were calling 'funk'. I'd say it's an umami like note. Along the way, I was tempted with the widely unavailable Springbank single malts, for which there were 'alternatives', a few of which I tried. Then, someone nameless suggested I try Benromach 10, as it was a Speyside single malt with 'gentle peating'. It wasn't available. But their 15 year old expression was. I took that plunge and found my new favorite single malt Scotch whisky, Benromach 15.
Finally, I got so frustrated with our state-controlled spirits market which prevents a lot of interesting spirits from being sold in the state liquor stores (yes, we have a statewide liquor nanny) that I finally resorted to more expensive online ordering to have labels shipped directly to my door. My spirits selection has grown from six to ten bottles in my cabinet to one which now hosts near sixty bottles of Scotches (single malts, blended malts, and blends), American whiskies (single malts, bourbons, and ryes), Irish whiskies, a couple of English single malts, and a smattering of others like tequila, gin, rum, and liqueurs. The vast bulk of that selection is single malt Scotch whiskies. My liquor cabinet is now a respectable collection to sample the way through better known whiskies of the world. I even have bottles of Springbank 10 and Longrow. I have become more intrigued and involved in peated single malts....I now will drink Port Charlotte 10, a 'heavily peated' Islay single malt, as I will Kilchoman Sanaig, also an Islay peated single malt. I can wax prolix on 'funk', particularly Campbeltown funk. Broadening my tastes.
In the journey, I obtained some labels which had intrigued me, but weren't offered here. Cotswold is a newish English distiller whose single malt I have, unopened, in my cabinet. Also, I remember when I was in Cumbria, there was much talk about the newly opened The Lakes distillery. I now have an unopened bottle of their 'Whiskymaker's Reserve No.6' lurking in my cabinet. I've also engaged with local distillers here in the Pacific Northwest and the western US on their products and found a really decent peated single malt whiskey from Seattle, Washington, Westland Distillers. They presently buy their peated dried malted barley from Scottish processors, but they are on a quest to locally source everything they can in their process, from Washington barley, to Washington-sourced garryanna oak barrels, and even identifying and harvesting Washington peat for the local malting process. Admirable, but with a costly result. At least initially.
Anyway, I came back here and find that my recent journey started in mid-January with the graph and musing about Lagavulin 16. It seems ages ago.
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Sherry
May 2, 2023 9:21:08 GMT
Post by tangent on May 2, 2023 9:21:08 GMT
My spirits selection has grown from six to ten bottles in my cabinet to one which now hosts near sixty bottles of Scotches... That is a truly magnificent collection.
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Sherry
May 2, 2023 13:44:13 GMT
Post by whollygoats on May 2, 2023 13:44:13 GMT
My spirits selection has grown from six to ten bottles in my cabinet to one which now hosts near sixty bottles of Scotches... That is a truly magnificent collection. Well...I'd accept 'impressive'. My eldest expression is the Lagavulin 16. I don't even have an 18 year old in the selection, never mind older expressions. I'm considering adding one, but I cannot decide and suspect that I may be better off buying two or three other, younger, expressions, than one older by a couple years. I do have my sights set upon purchasing a bottle of luxury Scotch, in my case, the Glenmorangie Signet, a non-age statement whisky that sells for $275 US for a 750 mL bottle, for my upcoming 70th birthday. It will mark a momentary lapse of judgment on my part and, hopefully, end my accumulation. (My liquor cabinet as of May Day, 2023 - International Whiskies of the World, Unite!)May I pour you out a dram? Have you a preference?
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Sherry
May 2, 2023 15:01:45 GMT
Post by Kye on May 2, 2023 15:01:45 GMT
Whoa! Your guests must be happy...
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Sherry
May 2, 2023 17:06:02 GMT
Post by whollygoats on May 2, 2023 17:06:02 GMT
Whoa! Your guests must be happy... Heh...Yes, most are. I have one friend who is over the moon at my stash. Another is a devoted beer drinker who scoffs at my spending money on 'crap that tastes bad'. If one is even passingly interested in Scotches, I can provide a broad introduction to the basic flavor patterns. It runs the gamut from bourbon matured, to various sherried expressions, and through various peat profiles, as well. I tell drinking friends to drop by and sample, if they are at all curious or confused about whiskies. I recently finished my bottle of Talisker Storm and, instead of replacing it with another Talisker, I picked up the bottle of Port Charlotte 10. That bottle broke my ban on Islay peated. I find myself returning to it repeatedly, malingering over my glencairn. That did not happen with the Talisker, so Port Charlotte 10 has taken that position within my pantheon. Talisker filled that bill admirably for decades, but it has now been upstaged and replaced by Port Charlotte 10. I also find the Kilchoman Sanaig to be more agreeable than I ever expected. I suspect that somebody who appreciates Talisker 10 would enjoy a gambol through my selections.
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Sherry
May 2, 2023 17:34:44 GMT
Post by Kye on May 2, 2023 17:34:44 GMT
I certainly appreciate Talisker! (But I didn't like Storm as much.) I should give the Port Charlotte a try next time I'm in a scotch buying mood
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Sherry
May 2, 2023 22:02:26 GMT
Post by tangent on May 2, 2023 22:02:26 GMT
Single malts have been steadily gaining popularity in England over the past 20 years and particularly over the past two.
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Sherry
May 2, 2023 22:54:29 GMT
Post by whollygoats on May 2, 2023 22:54:29 GMT
I certainly appreciate Talisker! (But I didn't like Storm as much.) I should give the Port Charlotte a try next time I'm in a scotch buying mood I suspect that even now, many outlets which sell whisky by the tot have PC10 available. It seems to have taken the peat-loving tipplers by storm that it has risen to popularity. Trying a tot before committing to a full bottle is the restrained way of buying. But then, I don't always follow my own advice. That said, as most of the whisky reviewers will tell you, they are only giving you one person's advice. One opinion is rarely definitive.
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Sherry
May 2, 2023 23:01:33 GMT
Post by whollygoats on May 2, 2023 23:01:33 GMT
Single malts have been steadily gaining popularity in England over the past 20 years and particularly over the past two. Not just England. Worldwide. So much so that the number of distilleries is growing, both in Scotland and everywhere else. India, Taiwan, and Japan already have established distillers doing single malts, while new distillers are appearing in the US, Canada, England, Wales, Australia, Israel, and New Zealand. I've even seen a recent maiden release of a German single malt whisky. Even with all that, producers are having problems delivering age statement whiskies to the market, because so much is being calved off to feed the growing demand by providing 'non age statement' (NAS, usually comprised of younger malts than the usual releases...under ten years) whiskies to keep the newly arrived customers on board while ramping up new production, and still trying to set aside enough for the aged components.
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Sherry
May 3, 2023 2:00:27 GMT
Post by Moose on May 3, 2023 2:00:27 GMT
I wish I could appreciate this stuff but - I can't. It all tastes the same to me - I have tried single malt before and can't tell the difference between it and supermarket cheapo stuff
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Sherry
May 3, 2023 12:01:48 GMT
Post by tangent on May 3, 2023 12:01:48 GMT
Illnesses, medical conditions, medicines and radiotherapy have all dulled my sense of taste so I don't normally drink whisky in case I'm disappointed. But my sense of smell is still intact and so I usually drink brandy, preferably Hennessy, if I want a short.
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Sherry
May 3, 2023 12:04:53 GMT
Post by whollygoats on May 3, 2023 12:04:53 GMT
I wish I could appreciate this stuff but - I can't. It all tastes the same to me - I have tried single malt before and can't tell the difference between it and supermarket cheapo stuff Then you've never tasted Laphroaig 10. It definitely tastes 'different'. And, tastes way different the most 'cheapo stuff'. That said, you should count your lucky stars. You will never be dragged into the expensive world of really good whisky. You have saved your accumulated wealth for cheapo stuff.
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Sherry
May 3, 2023 12:09:02 GMT
Post by whollygoats on May 3, 2023 12:09:02 GMT
Illnesses, medical conditions, medicines and radiotherapy have all dulled my sense of taste so I don't normally drink whisky in case I'm disappointed. But my sense of smell is still intact and so I usually drink brandy, preferably Hennessy, if I want a short. Understood. I have a dear friend who likes whisky, but she generally avoids it because some set off her migraines. She, too, goes to her cognac when she wishes a tot. As an aside, scotch and cognac have inextricably intertwined histories. Scotch became an international alcoholic beverage when the grapes of Europe experienced a blight which reduced the production of cognac and increased the search for alternatives. One of those was Scotch. And, I tracked back through this thread, and note that you stated you used to like the complex peated flavors. Well, I would suggest that, when and if you get the opportunity, sample the same two I recommended to Kye, Port Charlotte 10 and Kilchoman Sanaig. Both are heavily peated with lively fruity flavors underlying the peating. I don't like heavy Islay peat (I prefer the 'highland peat', instead), and both of these tread carefully around the flavors which alienate me. I suspect that even dulled tastes might be awakened.
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Sherry
May 4, 2023 0:59:14 GMT
Post by Moose on May 4, 2023 0:59:14 GMT
Heh I don't buy whiskey often even if it's cheapo stuff. Though I do keep a bottle as an emergency
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Sherry
May 4, 2023 2:50:12 GMT
Post by whollygoats on May 4, 2023 2:50:12 GMT
Okay, I'll ask. What kind of a bottle of whisky do you keep for emergencies (what brand)? And, what kind of emergencies do you envision a bottle of whisky addressing?
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Sherry
May 4, 2023 11:20:03 GMT
Post by tangent on May 4, 2023 11:20:03 GMT
And, I tracked back through this thread, and note that you stated you used to like the complex peated flavors. Well, I would suggest that, when and if you get the opportunity, sample the same two I recommended to Kye, Port Charlotte 10 and Kilchoman Sanaig. Both are heavily peated with lively fruity flavors underlying the peating. I don't like heavy Islay peat (I prefer the 'highland peat', instead), and both of these tread carefully around the flavors which alienate me. I suspect that even dulled tastes might be awakened. My doctor has recommended a complete break for alcohol for two years because of my medical condition, although I do allow myself 25ml of brandy twice a month (equivalent to one UK unit or 0.7 standard American drinks). If I were to buy a bottle of Port Charlotte 10 or Kilchoman Sanaig, it would take me 14 months to drink it, or longer if I have the occasional brandy in between. I'd prefer to stick to brandy for the moment.
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Sherry
May 4, 2023 11:30:14 GMT
Post by whollygoats on May 4, 2023 11:30:14 GMT
And, I tracked back through this thread, and note that you stated you used to like the complex peated flavors. Well, I would suggest that, when and if you get the opportunity, sample the same two I recommended to Kye, Port Charlotte 10 and Kilchoman Sanaig. Both are heavily peated with lively fruity flavors underlying the peating. I don't like heavy Islay peat (I prefer the 'highland peat', instead), and both of these tread carefully around the flavors which alienate me. I suspect that even dulled tastes might be awakened. My doctor has recommended a complete break for alcohol for two years because of my medical condition, although I do allow myself 25ml of brandy twice a month (equivalent to one UK unit or 0.7 standard American drinks). If I were to buy a bottle of Port Charlotte 10 or Kilchoman Sanaig, it would take me 14 months to drink it, or longer if I have the occasional brandy in between. I'd prefer to stick to brandy for the moment. Sure. That's rather what "when and if you get the opportunity" was all about. In many cases, one needn't buy an entire bottle to taste it. But then, you knew that already...
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Sherry
May 5, 2023 0:45:23 GMT
Post by Moose on May 5, 2023 0:45:23 GMT
I think it's Famous Grouse, but only cos it was on offer on Amazon. And just .. any emergency really . Thing with whiskey is, it will keep for ages
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Sherry
May 5, 2023 3:26:50 GMT
Post by whollygoats on May 5, 2023 3:26:50 GMT
Indeed it does. It is basically well concentrated beer.
Famous Grouse is a blended Scotch whisky, of which I believe Naked Grouse is the blended malt sibling. They are both products of the same distillers that make Macallan, Glenturret, and Highland Park single malts.
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Sherry
May 5, 2023 7:18:25 GMT
Post by JoeP on May 5, 2023 7:18:25 GMT
I've met the Famous Grouse.
Well ...
I've met a grouse, at the Highlands Wildlife Park near Aviemore, that appeared in a Famous Grouse TV commercial.
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Sherry
May 7, 2023 0:31:25 GMT
Post by Moose on May 7, 2023 0:31:25 GMT
I hope it was well paid for its services.
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Sherry
May 7, 2023 0:52:46 GMT
Post by whollygoats on May 7, 2023 0:52:46 GMT
I hope it was well paid for its services. Yeah. Had it retired to Aviemore?
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Sherry
May 8, 2023 0:48:31 GMT
Post by Moose on May 8, 2023 0:48:31 GMT
And did the Queen try to shoot it?
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May 8, 2023 7:43:11 GMT
Post by JoeP on May 8, 2023 7:43:11 GMT
Yes, yes, and probably.
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Sherry
May 8, 2023 16:16:25 GMT
Post by kingedmund on May 8, 2023 16:16:25 GMT
I would just dump coke in all of them That’s what I used to do with bourbon to make it better. Now with that being Said….. erm……. Jack Daniels! 🤮. Coke or Pepsi didn’t improve that at all. I still gagged. 😂
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Sherry
May 8, 2023 16:18:41 GMT
Post by kingedmund on May 8, 2023 16:18:41 GMT
Does whiskey get stronger the longer you keep it? Does it go bad?
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Sherry
May 8, 2023 20:01:12 GMT
Post by whollygoats on May 8, 2023 20:01:12 GMT
Does whiskey get stronger the longer you keep it? Does it go bad? No, it does not get stronger. Going bad is difficult, but poor storage can degrade a whisky. Usually storing in direct light is bad, but as long as the cork is good and the bottles are stored upright in a dark place, you're good to go.
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