@ Thanks Brian - The code on my bottle is also 12/266. Maybe I will pass on that 18 Longrow. FWIW the store have the Lagavulin 12 (2011 or 2010) for about half the price. I may go for one of those. Seems the majority here prefers the 2011???
Ha! Coincidentally, the 2011 Lagavulin 12 yo was one of my drams last night! This thread got me in the mood, so I poured a three-dram lineup:
1982 Mannochmore 21 yo (Cadenhead’s bottling)
1994 Mortlach 15 yo (House of MacDuff “The Golden Cask” bottling)
2011 Lagavulin 12 yo
I haven’t had the 2010 Lagavulin 12 yo, but I can heartily recommend the 2011. That Mortlach is especially interesting b/c it’s not sherried, which is unusual for that distillery.
and, btw, I agree with your description of the Springbank 12 yo CS. I find that it requires very little water to show its best, but it does require at least a few drops.
A whisky-loving friend had a bunch of folks over today to celebrate his daughter’s first birthday. A few drams from voluminous collection helped liven-up the event quite nicely. 
Glendronach - 15 yo Tawny Port finish
Laphroaig - 18 yo
Glenfarclas - 25 yo
@ Brian - Thanks for the words on that Lagavulin 12. Do you (or somebody else) know anything about the Talisker Storm? Like the age of the whisky, barrels etc? I am going to try tonight, just have to finish the remains of a pretty old Laphroig 10 that is very good…
Well, that Talisker Storm is a bit underwhelming. Somehow too friendly and a bit thin, lacking in character. Although nice oily texture. Could be served for almost anybody, also those normally prefering cheap brandy??? I hope this will gain some momentum with airing.
Now, in the glass Lagavulin 16 - as I needed something safe - and, beside that, a flask of Inversion IPA - NICE!
Caol Ila tasting at a friend’s house earlier this week. (we didn’t get around to the Distiller’s Edition; the Feis Ile was astounding)
The 2 SMWS bottlings were interesting b/c they were part of the same distillation, were bottled at the same time, but were put into separate casks; they tasted virtually identical, but there was a very slight difference between the two on the Nose.
Just got some Edradour 18 finished in Sauterne barrels… Really looking forward to it. Intersection of my love of scotch and wine
It’ll be a good start, Ramon, but the PX finished 24 year stuff is magical. An off-topic tanjink, but I’m planning to bring some Sauternes to the Friday night dinner for FallTacular 
Only relatively new thing to report is something called “RLoc”. A bottler here in Canada had come up with a series where they blend 1% of a to-me-awful single malt from Cape Breton Island off Nova Scotia (Glen Breton) with 99% of wonderful singles. I have enjoyed the “Brin” which is 99% aged Benrinnes (about 12-15 years minimum). This one, which I had been looking for for about 4 years was 99% Royal Lochnagar. However, I don’t fancy it too much on tasting—it’s very aggressive with a lot of heather and herbs and not too much finesse at any point in the experience. 5, I’d say, and I maybe am being generous there. Can’t win 'em all…
Mike
Mike- looking forward to seeing you again buddy!
This thread is making me poorer every minute. I keep wanting to try all these good stuff you guys are drinking.
Had a dram of the Edradour and it was so good I had another . It had wonderful apricot notes that just wouldn’t go away. Loving it.
Ramon
Bunnahabhain 12 year. Very smooooooth and enjoyable. Only a slight whiff of smoke. Not characteristic of other, more widely-known Islay offerings.
Bunnahabhain is a very atypical Islay distillery in that they only ever-so-slightly peat their malts (with the exception of their “Toitech” offering). It’s the perfect Islay malt for those who typically don’t prefer peated whiskys. 
I am dreaming of this whisky right now. I love it. I don’t know if my friend is a member of the society. But has has a couple of casks at his home in England and sends for a few bottles from time to time. I love this Whisky. I am trying to find some in Florida.
Tonight; time to relax after a lot of work this week:
Ballantines 17
Tallisker 10
LP4 - Elements of Islay (54,8%)
Then a bang; the Lagavulin 12 (2011) - WOW!
Looking for anyone that has had the now Discontinued Laphroaig 30 Years Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky. Please let me know if you have had this and have any notes or thoughts on it. Also anyone every have the 1968 Glenfarclas vintage Scotch? This is not one of the family casks just the straight 1968 in a canister with lines on it just like the 1974 and the 1972, 1954. Any info you have would be helpful thank you!
I have really been enjoying Scotch this winter. I tend to like like the peatier stuff. My current bottle is Laphroig 10 Cast Strength. I love the iodine and smoke on the nose.
My local store is running a sale this month. Can anyone comment or recommend any of these:
Aberlour 12 CS at $45
Aberlour 16 at $59
Aberlour A’Bunade 121.4 CS @ $63
Glenn Grant 16 @ $54
Glenmorangie 18 @ $70
Highland Park 18 CS @ $97
HP or the Aberlour 12 CS.
The Aberlour 16 tastes watery. The A’bundh is like drinking fire. The Glenmorangie 18 is a snooze-fest. Haven’t had the Glen Grant 16, but the distillery doesn’t have the best of reputations (although I have had an absolutely phenomenal 30+ yo independent bottling of theirs).
Really, though, if you’re willing to entertain the idea, I’d say your best bet is to use the money towards another bottle of the Laphroaig 10 yo CS, as that is a knock-down, drag-out superlative whisky. Happy sippin’! ![[cheers.gif]](/uploads/db3686/original/2X/0/0ff9bfcdb0964982cd3240b6159868fbdf215b1a.gif "cheers"){kind=small}
An inquiry from a friend prompted me to have a taste from my last remaining bottle of Bowmore Maltmen’s Selection 13 year old, distilled in 1995, matured entirely in sherry, and bottled at 54.6% in 2008. 3,000 bottles from 5 casks married together and available only at the distillery. A broad-shouldered, peaty, old-school Bowmore. Not for the weak of heart. A good warm up dram in anticipation of the 15th annual Gathering of the Clan, Ardbeggeddon XV, scheduled to take place in Dick Cheney’s former secret bunker in two weeks. My other bottle was opened and consumed at Ardbeggeddon XI. It’s nice that the boyos remember.
Thanks Brian. I do enjoy the Laphroaig 10 CS a lot so I’ll stick to it. Can you recommend anything else at a higher quality level?
Surprised at the A’bunadh comment, as I love, love, love it.
A wee bit of water makes it quite smooth.