What SCOTCH are you drinking?

[David K o l i n]

Robert Burns night

[M.Kaplan]

In honor of Rabbie Burns, I opened this Glenfarclas 21 that my father purchased at the distillery 25+ years ago. Less sherried than current Farclas and a little smokier. Alas, no haggis this year.

dWqUds4.jpg

[M.Kaplan]

My friend Craig Daniels organized this bottling of Macallan 25 for his tasting group, the Earls of Zetland in Adelaide. There were 36 bottles, each with a personalized neck label. Dark, dark, clean as a whistle sweet sherry (not a hint of sulfur) bottled at 54% cask strength. Rarer than hens teeth and delicious. My bottle was hand carried from Australia by a friend almost 20 years ago and remains a highlight of my collection.

77eTnN4.jpg

[ChrisW]

I normally reach for the Islay's like, Lagavulin, Bowmore, Ardbeg and Laphroaig but I also enjoy on occasion Macallan, Balvenie and Abelour. Prices are really skyrocketing, I swear the last time I bought Lagavulin 16 it was around $65 and now it's $105. I'm jealous of those that can find the GOT for $25, I have never seen it.

Costco always has the Lagavulin 16 for $65.99.

= heaven

[SJeffery]

I normally reach for the Islay's like, Lagavulin, Bowmore, Ardbeg and Laphroaig but I also enjoy on occasion Macallan, Balvenie and Abelour. Prices are really skyrocketing, I swear the last time I bought Lagavulin 16 it was around $65 and now it's $105. I'm jealous of those that can find the GOT for $25, I have never seen it.

Costco always has the Lagavulin 16 for $65.99.

= heaven

Lagavulin 16 at Costco pricing is the only way to do it IMO. Price increases + tariff really stings on that whisky.

Currently drinking some Kilkerran 8 fully matured in ex-Bourbon barrels. Kilkerran 8 fully matured in re-charred ex-Oloroso casks is likely to be my next spirit purchase.

[David H.]

For those here in the States, who have you had good luck with purchasing scotch from that ship? How have your experiences been with The Whisky Exchange and/or Master of Malt? Any good places stateside?

I have one or two really good places in the tri-county area here in Florida but they don't always have what I'm looking for.

Thanks.

[Jay $$ Winton]

High malt prices have driven me to blends for now; a 1.75 of Pinch 15 was $65.

[Mike Cohen]

What style is Famous Grouse? I saw a recipe for a cocktail that called for it and before I buy a bottle, I'd love to know if I had a bottle on hand that I could sub instead.

[Mike Grammer]

Any thoughts on Linkwood 15 year old bottled by Gordon & MacPhail?

Sorry, Michael, just checking back in on the thread. It's nice--very Linkwood for me in that it's smooth and elegant and lifted. Not a world-beater, but glad to have it in my cabinet. 8/10?

Reporting in on 2 new treasures that entered the cabinet. A 24 yr. Clynelish that was a special bottling for Kensington Wine Market in Calgary is friggin' sensational. Smoke but definitely not from peat, real elegance, carries it's 52% + with no need for drop-of-water addition, lovely feel and hint of salinity. 10/10 everything I like about Clynelish is in here plus the smoky aspect that is fascinating (and I've never before had in one of these). Other friends got marked berry tastes on the palate.

A 22 yr Cadenhead small batch Glenrothes is good. Excellent balance (checks in at 49%), a trifle sweeter than I'm used to with Glenrothes, but good carry, finish and persistence. 7.5/10

[CGlescher]

My single malt infinity bottle.

[BryanG]

A 24 yr. Clynelish that was a special bottling for Kensington Wine Market in Calgary is friggin' sensational. Smoke but definitely not from peat, real elegance, carries it's 52% + with no need for drop-of-water addition, lovely feel and hint of salinity.

Supremely jealous! Smoke-not-from-peat is delicious. How waxy?

I'm drinking the Caol Ila 2018 Year Feis Isle that offers the same type of smoke and salinity, plus a nice nice bit of oily/waxy elements.

[Edward H. Earles]

I'm drinking the Caol Ila 2018 Year Feis Isle that offers the same type of smoke and salinity, plus a nice nice bit of oily/waxy elements.

That sounds nice. Where do you get it?

I haven't seen it around where I live.

[Sarah Kirschbaum]

A 24 yr. Clynelish that was a special bottling for Kensington Wine Market in Calgary is friggin' sensational. Smoke but definitely not from peat, real elegance, carries it's 52% + with no need for drop-of-water addition, lovely feel and hint of salinity.

Supremely jealous! Smoke-not-from-peat is delicious. How waxy?

I'm drinking the Caol Ila 2018 Year Feis Isle that offers the same type of smoke and salinity, plus a nice nice bit of oily/waxy elements.

The 2018 Caol Isla Feis was good for sure, though I liked the 2019 even better. I can't say I thought smoke was non-peaty, though.

I'm drinking the Caol Ila 2018 Year Feis Isle that offers the same type of smoke and salinity, plus a nice nice bit of oily/waxy elements.

That sounds nice. Where do you get it?

I haven't seen it around where I live.

Don't know where you live, but if you're in the US, I'm not surprised. We don't see a lot of the festival bottles here. With people lining up at the distillery for them, I'm guessing no one sees a lot of them anywhere!

[Mike Grammer]

Only a little bit of waxy, more a sense of ultimate smoothness.

As mentioned, this was a special bottling for this store, which is the whisky shrine of Canada, basically. There are only 185 bottles of it in circulation. Sarah---I'll try to save some to bring to you guys when it's finally safe to do an east coast trip

[Justine DiPrete]

The Balvenie 12 is my go to, I don't like overly peaty scotch and this is the probably the smoothest one I've tried.

[Eugene Bayani]

BenRiach The Original 10, warm & tasty. Great price!

[David H.]

Had an opportunity to enjoy "This Is Not A Luxury Whisky" from Compass Box this past weekend. What an amazing dram! Moved to the top of my list of bottles to buy in the near term, if I can locate one.

Also had Phenomenology, unfortunately, this was brought out after TINALW. While it was overpowered, the softness and femininity of the whisky was present. Looking forward to trying both again, in reverse order.

[Corey N.]

US suspends tariffs on single malt Scotch whisky

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-56279525

[Sarah Kirschbaum]

US suspends tariffs on single malt Scotch whisky

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-56279525

This is SUCH good news.

[Al Osterheld]

US suspends tariffs on single malt Scotch whisky

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-56279525

Also Stilton and kilts.

-Al

[Corey N.]

US suspends tariffs on single malt Scotch whisky

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-56279525

This is SUCH good news.

I am nothing, if not a bringer of merriment to all.

(agreed, good news)

[Brian G r a f s t r o m]

Very good news. Hopefully European wine is next!

[CGlescher]

US suspends tariffs on single malt Scotch whisky

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-56279525

Awesome, and thanks for sharing the link.

[K John Joseph]

Glendronach 18 Allardice - Fairly heavily sherried scotch with big fruitcake and spice notes. Issue here is the wood. It's drying to the point of tannic, and while the sherry and spice notes are nice, I can't help but think that the wood is just a bit too dominant. Still, an enjoyable dram.

[BryanG]

I'm drinking the Caol Ila 2018 Year Feis Isle that offers the same type of smoke and salinity, plus a nice nice bit of oily/waxy elements.

That sounds nice. Where do you get it?

I haven't seen it around where I live.

It's delightful! I'm in Los Angeles, but bought it at the distillery.

I've been drinking it slowly as I know I won't get it again!

[K John Joseph]

Compass Box - The Spice Tree - Deep amber color, aged in french and american oak. Ginger snap, toasted oak, vanilla, and toffee, hint of red fruit. Reasonably smooth and enjoyable. Appropriately named.

[RTP Latham Richard DBA]

Johnny Walker Black Label, with VERY occasionally a glass of Johnny Walker Blue Label. In vile weather a single malt (several are OK). RTPL

[M.Kaplan]

My all-time favorite Bunnahabhain. Whyte and Whyte was a small Signatory importer who chose some fantastic casks of 1950s-1970’s distillate. This 25 year old Bunny was aged in a perfect fresh sherry cask (not a hint of sulphur) and bottled at 53.3 abv. My drinking pal, Brian McHenry, nicknamed it “The Poorman’s Black Bowmore” due to its similar profile to the legend. I paid $124.95 for this bottle in the late 1990’s, during the golden age of Scotch whisky for the consumer. If you find any Whyte and Whyte dusties, buy them.

1EF966FC-569B-45C2-897B-867D66FC7B5C.jpeg

[D@vid R0sewater]

Anyone have a strong opinion/experience with Gordon & Macphail bottlings?

EDIT: should have searched first - I see some opinions earlier in this thread...oh well

[Brian G r a f s t r o m]

not exactly "drinking" ... yet ... but today I bought the last bottle on the shelf of a cask strength single cask bottling for Trader Joe's from Mannochmore. 14 yo. 54.3% abv. They actually denote the exact cask (#4279), and the total number of bottles (168). Ex-bourbon fill. Bottled by Alexander Murray & Co.. Consider this 750 mL was $60, it's pretty much going to have to completely suck for this to not have been worth it. Fingers crossed that it's a diamond in the rough!

[Sarah Kirschbaum]

not exactly "drinking" ... yet ... but today I bought the last bottle on the shelf of a cask strength single cask bottling for Trader Joe's from Mannochmore. 14 yo. 54.3% abv. They actually denote the exact cask (#4279), and the total number of bottles (168). Ex-bourbon fill. Bottled by Alexander Murray & Co.. Consider this 750 mL was $60, it's pretty much going to have to completely suck for this to not have been worth it. Fingers crossed that it's a diamond in the rough!

Certainly sounds promising - let us know!

[Michael S. Monie]

Any thoughts on Glenfarclas 25 yr old?

[Edward H. Earles]

US suspends tariffs on single malt Scotch whisky

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-56279525

This is SUCH good news.

Does anyone have an estimate of when we'll see the impacts in stores? Caol Ila 12 is $100/bottle here now.

[Edward H. Earles]

In honor of Rabbie Burns, I opened this Glenfarclas 21 that my father purchased at the distillery 25+ years ago. Less sherried than current Farclas and a little smokier. Alas, no haggis this year.

My neighbor has 4 sheep. I'm going to see if I can talk her out of one (or, at least, out of the pluck if she slaughters one for her own use). I like haggis but can't get a decent one here in KY. I'll just make my own if I can get the ingredients.

I asked a grocer one time why no one sells real haggis here (or just about anywhere else in the U.S., as far as I can tell). He told me that it's against USDA rules to sell sheep lungs...apparently an issue related to fear of some disease. I think I could make do with the liver, heart and stomach. Heck, I have frozen hearts and livers...just need the stomach.

Edit: you can get takeaway haggis and chips in Scotland. Must be great after a pub crawl. The sample in the image looks like it's been deep-fried....not sure how that would be.

[Sarah Kirschbaum]

US suspends tariffs on single malt Scotch whisky

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-56279525

This is SUCH good news.

Does anyone have an estimate of when we'll see the impacts in stores? Caol Ila 12 is $100/bottle here now.

It's unclear when prices might come down, or if they will at all. Right now, with the suspension only temporary, many importers are not changing their prices.

[Mike Grammer]

US suspends tariffs on single malt Scotch whisky

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-56279525

This is SUCH good news.

Does anyone have an estimate of when we'll see the impacts in stores? Caol Ila 12 is $100/bottle here now.

Yeah, goodness---I paid just a little less than that in Canadian pesos.

[Brian G r a f s t r o m]

Any thoughts on Glenfarclas 25 yr old?

Excellent.

[Brian G r a f s t r o m]

In honor of Rabbie Burns, I opened this Glenfarclas 21 that my father purchased at the distillery 25+ years ago. Less sherried than current Farclas and a little smokier. Alas, no haggis this year.

My neighbor has 4 sheep. I'm going to see if I can talk her out of one (or, at least, out of the pluck if she slaughters one for her own use). I like haggis but can't get a decent one here in KY. I'll just make my own if I can get the ingredients.

I asked a grocer one time why no one sells real haggis here (or just about anywhere else in the U.S., as far as I can tell). He told me that it's against USDA rules to sell sheep lungs...apparently an issue related to fear of some disease. I think I could make do with the liver, heart and stomach. Heck, I have frozen hearts and livers...just need the stomach.

Edit: you can get takeaway haggis and chips in Scotland. Must be great after a pub crawl. The sample in the image looks like it's been deep-fried....not sure how that would be.

You're killin' me! I miss haggis something fierce. (same with real black pudding)

[SJeffery]

US suspends tariffs on single malt Scotch whisky

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-56279525

This is SUCH good news.

Does anyone have an estimate of when we'll see the impacts in stores? Caol Ila 12 is $100/bottle here now.

A distributor told me that the tariff suspension is not what you all think it will mean. As it is a suspension it's not truly lifted. Distributors will potentially be applying for rebates of sorts on the tariffs they're still paying during this time period. Retailers may not be getting this kick back. I am hopeful that this is untrue, but so far I have seen absolutely nothing go down in price at the distributor.

That being said...

I'm drinking some Kilkerran 8 Cask Strength (whichever batch is 55.7% abv). The Springbank affiliated whiskies can be so damn odd. They seem to show well at first, then go downhill substantially, then eventually come back around. This one was originally more tropical fruit, coconutty, and had a bit of peat. Now it is giving off more vanilla and a bit of a cheesecake aroma (think slightly tart + slightly creamy +vanilla to achieve that unique note). This is showing better with less water added, but typically I enjoy whisky closer to 45%. With the tariffs and with raising prices I can't recommend these to everyone, but this certainly turned out to be a rewarding whisky.

Edit: Didn't realize the last time I chimed in on this thread was when I was drinking the exact same whisky. Oh well. I did buy and try the re-charred Oloroso matured Kilkerran 8 and while it is drastically different, it is certainly an amazing Whisky just as its Bourbon matured counterpart is.

[John Osburn]

In honor of Rabbie Burns, I opened this Glenfarclas 21 that my father purchased at the distillery 25+ years ago. Less sherried than current Farclas and a little smokier. Alas, no haggis this year.

My neighbor has 4 sheep. I'm going to see if I can talk her out of one (or, at least, out of the pluck if she slaughters one for her own use). I like haggis but can't get a decent one here in KY. I'll just make my own if I can get the ingredients.

I asked a grocer one time why no one sells real haggis here (or just about anywhere else in the U.S., as far as I can tell). He told me that it's against USDA rules to sell sheep lungs...apparently an issue related to fear of some disease. I think I could make do with the liver, heart and stomach. Heck, I have frozen hearts and livers...just need the stomach.

Edit: you can get takeaway haggis and chips in Scotland. Must be great after a pub crawl. The sample in the image looks like it's been deep-fried....not sure how that would be.

You're killin' me! I miss haggis something fierce. (same with real black pudding)

We can obtain decent haggis around these parts, fortunately...although it’s never as good as at my favorite chippie in Scotland....

[Edward H. Earles]

Brian, I found a store in Greensboro and another in Michigan that sell black puddings and white puddings. PM me if you want the web sites, although you can find them easily enough with a google search. I plan to visit Greensboro next month and will return with black and white puddings, kippers and finnan haddie.

[JulianD]

Edit: Didn't realize the last time I chimed in on this thread was when I was drinking the exact same whisky. Oh well. I did buy and try the re-charred Oloroso matured Kilkerran 8 and while it is drastically different, it is certainly an amazing Whisky just as its Bourbon matured counterpart is.

I've been looking for the first fill sherry 8 year and can't find it anywhere (I only see the 12, which is mainly bourbon I believe)

[K John Joseph]

Compass Box - Rogue's Banquet. A fun blend here. Silky smooth and long with an interesting balance of big dried tropical fruit and apricot notes, warm baking spices, smoke, and english toffee. Good stuff.