Whisky and Scotch Recommendations

Greetings Whisky fans. Here is what remains of the of the single malts that were drunk at our Burn's Night Supper (an excuse to eat Haggis and sample scotch)
IMAGE(https://i.imgur.com/xx0mu58.jpg)
From left to right
Isle of Jura 10yr, limited edition - Jura is typically a very medicinal Islands scotch, for this special edition they've taken much of the bite off and given it a sweet, rounded profile somewhat like a bourbon.
Dalmore 15yr - Didn't try
The Arran Malt 10yr - Didn't try
Glen Moray Elgin Classic - A very drinkable, if unremarkable speyside single malt. Decent for the price but nothing to write home about
Glen Grant 10yr - An excellent speyside single malt. Certainly among my favourite speyside whiskies in the under 12yr bracket.
Talisker Syke - One of the named but not aged single malts doing the rounds. Moderately peaty. Not really my thing but I'm told it is good
Aberlour 10yr - Another very drinkable scotch. A bit more bite than the Glen Grant
Glen Mornach Limited edition - didn't try
Auchentoshan American Oak - A really nice highlands single malt. A little peppery with a very smooth finish from the oak cask.
Not pictured - the 6 finished bottles and the blended whiskies.

Figured I ought share some news. I just returned from a breakfast and whiskey purchasing trip to Park City, and not only was the High West store sold out of Midwinter Night's Dram (luckily, I knew a liquor store that still had some), they're switching over to their Bourye seasonal. Just so allz y'all know.
IMAGE(https://scontent.fslc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/27750870_10213498182782649_393915793532525138_n.jpg?oh=6e28853048f58532196c6803a0d146ae&oe=5B0E47CD)

A Virginia Distillery Just Released a Beer-Finished Whisky

To accomplish this beer-finished expression, the Lovingston, Virginia-based distillery worked with Three Notch’d Brewing Company (located about 35 miles away in Charlottesville) on a beer brewed specifically for the collaboration: a Wee Heavy style beer named Stage Road.

On the actual production side, Three Notch’d took Virginia Distillery Company whisky casks to age the beer. After a few months, the distillery took the casks back and put their whisky back in to finish it off.

I'm quite curious, but even if I lived in or near Virigina, I'm not curious enough to pay $65+ for it.

For those who are looking for something with a bit of "character", I've become a big fan of Bib & Tucker bourbon lately. It has a lot of rye in the mashbill and is very smoky and spicy for a bourbon; not as sweet. It makes the BEST Manhattans. A bit on the pricier side but worth a look if you like the more interesting stuff.

Minarchist wrote:

For those who are looking for something with a bit of "character", I've become a big fan of Bib & Tucker bourbon lately. It has a lot of rye in the mashbill and is very smoky and spicy for a bourbon; not as sweet. It makes the BEST Manhattans. A bit on the pricier side but worth a look if you like the more interesting stuff.

that sounds great

Compare Bib and Tucker to a good High West Rye in a Manhattan and see what you think, Minarchist.

I bought myself a bottle of one of my favorite Scotch's last week. The Balvenie Carribean Cask. IMAGE(https://us.thebalvenie.com/assets/Uploads/Caribbean-Cask-14-Year-Lifestyle-Image.jpg)

It's so good! A very smooth and subdued Scotch without a lot of the smokey or peat flavors but a definitive taste that is awesome. But, definitely out of my price range for a daily drink; only for special occasions.

Yeah, the carribbean cask is a nice one. The rum cask gives it an interesting flavor.

I just picked this up recently:

IMAGE(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DYmwPXvWsAMiOxL.jpg:large)

It is *really* interesting. Super thick and oily on the palette, with a strong corn sweetness and a caramely/vanilla flavor, but it doesn't really taste like most "moonshine," it's almost got a tequila aftertaste to it, but not in an unpleasant way.

I really dig it, but the reviews on Master of Malt are freakin' hilarious, you apparently either love it or hate it. They're almost all either 1-star or 5-star with very little inbetween.

Some of my favorites:

IMAGE(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DYmyhRHWkAAdJa0.jpg:large)IMAGE(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DYmyhhaW0AAHDEs.jpg:large)IMAGE(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DYmyhwdWAAE0mgF.jpg:large)

Have you tried making tea with socks full of popcorn? You might like it.

BadKen wrote:

Have you tried making tea with socks full of popcorn?

I have. Tea tasted the same, but my slippers got lots of crumbs in them.

ThatGuy42 wrote:

I bought myself a bottle of one of my favorite Scotch's last week. The Balvenie Carribean Cask. IMAGE(https://us.thebalvenie.com/assets/Uploads/Caribbean-Cask-14-Year-Lifestyle-Image.jpg)

It's so good! A very smooth and subdued Scotch without a lot of the smokey or peat flavors but a definitive taste that is awesome. But, definitely out of my price range for a daily drink; only for special occasions.

I just finished off a bottle of Balvenie double barrel, which was the first bottle of Scotch I had ever bought. I quite liked it.

I was at the store tonight to get a replacement, and almost bought the Caribbean but decided to get something a little different. I picked up a bottle of Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban and a bottle of Four Roses bourbon instead.

ThatGuy42 wrote:

I bought myself a bottle of one of my favorite Scotch's last week. The Balvenie Carribean Cask. IMAGE(https://us.thebalvenie.com/assets/Uploads/Caribbean-Cask-14-Year-Lifestyle-Image.jpg)

It's so good! A very smooth and subdued Scotch without a lot of the smokey or peat flavors but a definitive taste that is awesome. But, definitely out of my price range for a daily drink; only for special occasions.

My very, very, favorite scotch. It's so incredibly tasty. I need to refill my cabinet.

Hrdina wrote:

I was at the store tonight to get a replacement, and almost bought the Caribbean but decided to get something a little different. I picked up a bottle of Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban and a bottle of Four Roses bourbon instead.

Big fan of the Quinta Ruban. Glenmorangie was my starter scotch, and the QR is the one I still go back to.

ThatGuy42 wrote:

I bought myself a bottle of one of my favorite Scotch's last week. The Balvenie Carribean Cask.

That was one of my favorite samples that I tried earlier tonight at the Whiskey Warmer festival in Memphis.

Other highlights include Templeton Rye 6 year, RUA American single malt whiskey (the actual distiller was the guy pouring samples!), and Corsair Distillery. I sampled their Ryemageddon, Oatrage, Hydra, and Triple Smoke, my favorite of their offerings, which tastes similar to a scotch.

I just picked up a bottle of Corsair Citra. It is remarkable.

Quick, what's a good intro bourbon that's reasonably priced, that I can get in NH? I think I might need a drink tonight, I'm out of scotch, and don't feel like spending fifty bucks on another bottle.

Chad: Uhhh... maybe Rod and Rifle? Their Rye is fine.

Buffalo Trace. You won't be disappointed. Unless they're sold out, as was the case for all my local (MA) liquor stores for the last two months.

Recommended pairing:

IMAGE(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/7120E%2B04tNL._SX355_.jpg)

+1 for Buffalo Trace. It's the best bourbon for the (low) price.

Bulleit is also good if you prefer a bit sweeter.

Makers 46 or High West Prairie Bourbon.

No love for the Old Grandad Bonded?

I forgot to post this last weekend. I had my first Kentucky Mule. Bourbon, ginger beer, and lime juice in a copper mug. It was delish!

Also, hooray I can drink bourbon all summer!

MeatMan wrote:

+1 for Buffalo Trace. It's the best bourbon for the (low) price.

Yeah, I like that one too. That's what I got as a substitute from my local store when I asked for Blanton's (on a friend's recommendation), only to learn that they didn't carry it.

I think Old Grandad Bonded is the best under $20 bottle you can buy.

I got a bottle of Blanton's single barrel last week. It's pretty great.

I'll also second the recommendation for anything from High West. I love their stuff at all price points.

So Bulleit is a bit sweeter than Buffalo Trace? How is the latter priced relative to the former, typically?

muraii wrote:

So Bulleit is a bit sweeter than Buffalo Trace? How is the latter priced relative to the former, typically?

Assuming Buffalo Trace tastes as I remember it, yes. Bulleit is on the slightly sweeter profile compared to lots of things (Baker's comes to mind as like this).

Around my parts -- pretty much same price (~$23/liter). I haven't had Trace in a while. Bulleit is my wife's go to, and I've also picked up a lot of Redemption Rye, Bulleit Rye, High West Rendezvous, etc. lately. Love the High West stuff, but definitely a higher price point.

muraii wrote:

So Bulleit is a bit sweeter than Buffalo Trace? How is the latter priced relative to the former, typically?

Probably depends on the state you live in, but around here, Buffalo Trace is a few dollars cheaper.

I stopped and grabbed a bottle of Buffalo Trace yesterday, along with a Jameson's Caskmates IPA cuz why not. I think they were both around $28. Tried the Buffalo last night, it's definitely a different taste than the scotches I'm used to. I dig it though. Might try Bulleit next time.

It's definitely nice to spend less than $40 on a bottle.