Thanks for the suggestions. I'm going to run out and grab a bottle to prepare for the upcoming holiday weekend.

Devil,

Haven't had Templeton in a while and was previously a big fan.

That said, picked up a bottle while I was in Manhattan a couple of weeks ago. Just opened it and was somewhat disappointed by the first pour. Easy to sip (only 80 proof), but just seems kind of bland. Not much oak, not much spice, not much of anything. It just is. Get a little cinnamon and maybe some pine on the nose, but the flavor doesn't develop much while drinking. I suppose this is because it's pretty young (4-6 years I think), but I was surprised by how different it seems from my memories of the last time I had it.

Wife is hooking me up with one of the small, home aging barrels for father's day, I think I might try to give this some more time in oak. Will report back in a few months

Also, fwiw, just read today that Templeton is LDI (makers of Bulleit and High West, among others) juice, and likely the same mashbill used in Redemption and Bulleit ryes. I have a Redemption in the bar so might try them head to head to see how they compare.

CB,

Just saw your gin request. I'm a big fan of Plymouth.

Ended up going with Bulleit since that was the best stuff they had at BevMo. I gave it a try neat and it was surprisingly good. I'd never had rye before so I didn't know what to expect. Peppery with a bite, hints of tobacco, easy finish for 90 proof. Last night I whipped up a Ward Eight which calls for 2oz rye, 1/2oz lime juice, 1/2oz orange juice, 1/2oz grenadine shaken with ice and strained into a stemmed glass. The lemons I got from Trader Joe's are pretty damn good, so I garnished mine with a lemon twist. Pretty nice.

Right now I'm sipping on a Teddy Roosevelt style Mint Julep, made with a heap of mint leaves muddled with a sugar cube and a splash of water, 4oz rye, 1/4oz brandy, served in a mason jar packed to the rim with crushed ice and garnished with a mint sprig and an orange slice. When you put the drink to your lips you get cool mint, followed by the sweetness of the sugar and mildly tart orange, followed by the zip of the rye. This one is better enjoyed slowly.

Cranberry juice. Slice of lime. Some ice.

Tried Pappy Van Winkle 20 year the other day. I usually hate all whisky, but this was pretty good and my friend assured me that this would be different.

then just went to a bar around the neighborhood in chicago and actually found a bottle of 15 or 18 year and a 20 year bottle on the shelf. My buddy said thats really rare to see, is that right?

Had some of this a couple weeks ago the morning of my best friend's wedding. Our other friend owns a couple bars/restaurants in Austin and he brought it. It was incredible.

http://www.connosr.com/reviews/vinta...n-with-a-soul/

so after a good birthday weekend which involved lots of people gifting me scotch, i'd say i'm starting to have a pretty solid liquor cabinet going.

next step is probably to venture into bourbon territory, but honestly i'd be happy just to keep drinking fine islay single malts

hor: V solid. I'm not a fan of Glenfiddich and don't know what Islay Mist is, but enjoy everything else there.

bdaddy: I think I've posted a review of that earlier. I love it, one of my favorite bourbons.

CB: Sounds like you are putting that rye to great use!

Bought the Bushmills 1608 400th anniversary special yesterday, very impressed with it. Very smooth and the taste grows on you.

diablo - glenfiddich was a gift from my boss. i agree, don't love it.

islay mist is a cheap blended scotch that i grabbed on a whim. it's not very good either.

Lou,

They control supply of the Van Winkle pretty tightly, so it's unusual, but not altogether rare, to see a bar with most/all the Van Winkles (Lot B, 15, 20, 23, Rye) in stock. IME it's definitely rare to see a liquor store with all of them in stock though...they're usually all spoken for before they ever make it to the shelf.

Sipping the last of my Swedish whisky Mackmyra right now. It's called The First Edition. A single malt. Do like. Apparently there are more countries coming up on the whisky horizon, exciting.

I only recently got into bourbon on the advice of an acquaintance. I was skeptical at first as, like others, I had bad experiences dating to college with drinking liquor straight. He assured me that sipping and shooting are completely different and I should give it a try.

Am I glad I listened to him? You bet! Some of my favorites are Woodford Reserve, Knob Creek, and my current favorite: Elijah Craig 12 yr. I feel it is even better than the Woodford at about 2/3 of the price.

Unfortunately, the only scotch I've tried is Johnnie Walker Red and blech --- it was disgusting. Way too smoky. For now, I'll stick to my small batch and single-barrel bourbon. Cheers!

Thinking about heading to Scotland some time in the next year and visiting a bunch of my favorite distilleries as well as trying some new stuff. Anyone out there ever done anything like this? thoughts? recommendations?