cool, this is basically the process I was going to go through though I wasn't necessarily going to tell everyone what 8 bourbons we had. I will report back after we do it.

CDL,

Yeah there's a case for not saying what the bourbons are in advance to keep the ratings completely unbiased. But I think it makes it more fun, especially when people are like "oh I know what this one is for sure it's x that I love/hate" and then it's of course not that at all.

Mmmmm gonna have to do something like that soon. Going to full PVW tasting tomorrow but I doubt they will have us do blind tastings.

Too hungover to go into today but it was awesome

Druid,

Oh my.

wtf is that in the las pic?? cholate bacon?

that looks amazing, so jealous

Talisker 10: +++

Need trip report

I just discovered this thread, but I've been a connoisseur of whiskey for a number of years. Some prefer bourbon, while others like their scotch. I appreciate both quite a bit, and perhaps my favorite is neither bourbon nor scotch, but rather, a pure still, or single pot still Irish whiskey. I've sampled 40 to 50 high end bourbons, and even more scotches, but in my opinion, I've yet to discover anything that compares to the finest Irish whiskey. If you're in the States, I highly recommend picking up a bottle of Redbreast 12 yr, cask strength. The cask strength version can be had for around $70, and I've yet to find a better value out there. It's around 117 proof, but you'd never guess it, and once you experience whiskey straight from the barrel, you won't want to settle for anything less. it's intensely flavorful and complex...far more so than the watered-down 80 proof stuff. Perhaps one needs to build up to an appreciation of cask strength? I don't really know....I just know that nothing stimulates my palate quite like an unfiltered, barrel proof whiskey. If bourbon is more your thing, then I highly recommend George T. Stagg, as well as Booker's. Both are uncut, unfiltered, straight from the barrel. Yes, you pay more, but dammit, it's well worth it.

Welcome to the thread, Midnight Cowboy! I maybe should order some Irish whiskey miniatures next!


May as well present my recent Scotch single malt miniture tastings:

• Balwenie 12 Doublewood: ++. Yes, didn't get top rating from me
• Lephroaig 10: +++. Looks I like smoky whiskies with much taste
• Talisker 10: +++
• Dalwhinnie 15: ++
• Singleton of Dufftown 12: +
• Glenkinchie: ++. For some reason I had difficulties to rate this. It has very good and not so good mixed
• Bunnahabhain 12: ++
• Glenlivet 15 Old French Oak Reserve: ++
• Edradour 10: ++
• Tomintoul 10: +

Thanks, and you'll have to post your thoughts on the Irish whiskeys afterwards. In addition to Redbreast, I highly recommend Bushmills Single Malt, the 10 and the 16 yr. They also have a 21 yr that I've yet to try. Also, Kilbeggan 15 yr is truly outstanding, but it's a limited edition, so it's not easy to find. Tyrconnell 10 yr Single Malt Sherry Cask is different and interesting, although I generally do not prefer sherry cask whiskeys.

And since you said you like smoky, I'm certain you will enjoy Connemara Single Malt (go with the cask strength if you can find it, but both versions are excellent). Most of the ones I mentioned have won Double Gold at the San Francisco Wine & Spirits Competition, meaning that the judges were unanimous in giving it their highest rating. Strangely, I've never really cared much for blended scotches, such as Crown Royal or Johnny Walker, but the Irish blends I've had, such as the Kilbeggan 15, Midleton Very Rare, and Jameson 18 yr, are all very good. Hope you enjoy.

Midnight Cowboy,

Because I'm primarily into miniatures now, the cask strengths unfortunately aren't gonna happen at this point. Will place my order though for a semi dozen Irish single malts and blends miniatures today or tomorrow! At least one is exactly one of your recommended, many are from the same distilleries.

Let the TLDR begin

So this was in a smallish bar with an incredible liquor selection in Chapel Hill. I'm not sure how he got them to come out for it but he said he had contacted Julian Van Winkle several times in attempts to get as much PVW as he could so I guess they had become somewhat friendly. They set up this event with the Southern Food Alliance, which is an organization that works to document southern culture from music, to food, to folklore and whisky. Tickets weren't cheap ($180).

As soon as we opened the door to the place we were smacked in the face
by the smell of bourbon. I almost thought they had scented the hallway or something but when we saw the room it made sense as they had already poured all of the glasses like the setup in the pic x 70 or 80 I'd guess. They gave us a copy of "Always a Fine Bourbon" by Julian Van Winkle about the history of the distillery and his Grandfather ("Pappy") when we came in.

The intro and tasting didn't start till everyone got there so there was all you can drink Old fashions with muddled orange peel and house brandied cherries (why the drink looks so red). They were pretty tasty and we had several before they started the actual tasting. The food was brought while we were waiting as well. It was good but not great and was not a whole lot so I was glad I pre-ate. Yes, that was indeed chocolate covered bacon . There should be a fat glutinous smiley. Along with that was ham, assorted crackers, pickled okra and pimento cheese w/ bacon.

The bartender talked about whisky, focusing on bourbon for a bit and then Julian Van Winkle talked some about the history of the company and then introduced and discussed each of the bourbons as we went through them tasting at first neat and then with a tiny bit of water.

We were given pens and a paper for note taking on each and by the end of it mine looked pure madness. I think I lost it in the course of the evening but am hoping I come across it again. I was mostly trying to word vomit any sort of descriptors that came to mind in any way. I really enjoyed all of the samples we had with my favorite probably being the 15 and my least favorite being the 23.

Would def recommend if something like this comes to your area.

druid: Awesome writeup - would love to see your word vomit if you care to try and transcribe some of it!

All: Thoughts on value of this for $150? It's a "meet the distillers" event where they'll be pouring and talking about all of this stuff, much of which goes for over $300/bottle:

Featured whiskey:
Charbay #2 (Charbay Distillery)
Michter's 20yr Bourbon (KBD)
Michter's 25yr Rye (KBD)
Michter's 10yr Rye (KBD)
Michter's 25yr Bourbon (KBD)
Michter's 10yr Bourbon (KBD)
Willett 19yr Bourbon (KBD)
Willett 20yr Bourbon (KBD)
Willett 21yr Bourbon (KBD)
St. George 30yr Anniversary whiskey (St. George Distillery)
Old Potrero Hotalings (Anchor Distilling Company)
Nikka line of whiskies (Anchor Distilling Company)
A sneak peak at the Ichiro line which is yet to be released in the US; samples of the impossible to find
Ichiro Chichibu will be poured

druid, what bar was that?

Thanks Druid! For $180 I would've snap bought the tickets if something like that was in my area.

Thanks. I wish I could locate said word vomit. Possible it could still show up but not looking good. I left it in the bar and didn't realize it till at next bar after the tasting and I ran back for it only to lose it again apparently!

As for that meet the distillers event that looks ridiculous. Seems like way better value than the one that I went to as far as price of whisky consumed. Charbay is supposed to have some crazy hoppy whiskies made from beer. I've only had Old Potrero from Anchor but as I posted about before I think its great. Along with all of the others I would def pick up some tickets man!

The Crunkleton

+1

What was the event called?

Just "Pappy Van Winkle at the Crunkleton" afaik.

I forgot to mention that they auctioned off a bottle off pvw 20 year and I'm pretty sure it went for over 1k. Obv this happened towards the end of the tasting!

You live in the area?

Any of you own any of the good Whisky bibles that rate them all? I've got 2, really awesome stuff. Literally every whisky ever, rated out of 100. History on the distillery, comments on the process, etc...

Well worth the money, but I've seen them for less than this if you shop around:

http://www.amazon.ca/Michael-Jackson.../dp/0756658985

trying to find a link to the more complete one. May not be for sale online here.

Latest thing I've tried is Bruichladdich 10.

It's fascinatingly complex as an unpeated Islay, and it's changed a fair bit (and for the better) since it was opened a few weeks ago. I couldn't believe that it's only 10 years, as it's smooth and not at all medicinal. I'm very excited to see what this stuff is like at 12 and 16 years (if that's what they decide to release).

In my stocking today: Ardbeg Uigeadail and some Michters rye. Roll on whisky o'clock!

Merry christmas!

i was out the other night and after lurking this thread for some time decided i should try some whisky and see what its all about, i ordered a jack daniels with ice and couldnt even finish the glass.

im guessing that either im not a whisky man or i just need to become a more experienced drinker. any advice on other drinks to try like a starting point would be appreciated?