DTM,

"Has anyone here had any experience with Aberlour A’bunadh?"

Yes, I love it.

"The reviews I've read make it sound like it is to most single malt Scotches what many Californian Cabernets are to Bordeaux: huge favour profile, but perhaps lacking subtlety and structure."

Well, it's cask strength, so just like Cali Cabs, it's a little more in your face. But it's definitely not lacking in structure or complexity.

"Also it is a single cask bottling, so will vary from batch to batch. Does anybody know whether the quality remains consistently high between batches?"

I've had a couple of bottles, plus had it at friends/bars and it has always been good.

"This is my BIL's favorite single malt, but he has nearly run out. Will I be doing him a favour by getting him a refill?"

Yes, but you'd be doing him a bigger favor if you got him a bottle of this: http://www.klwines.com/detail.asp?sku=1060003

Whiskey lovers,

This is currently available at SF BevMo for those interested. I'm not sure if I want to spend this much for bourbon and rye, but is very tempting...

Tried all of these to find out what the fuss is about. I tried the 15 first just offhandedly at a champagne tasting and almost didn't buy any Pappy's because of it, but daCaptain's thread in OOT convinced me. I polished off both bottles about three months ago, so I can't give detailed tasting reports, but I think Pappy's 20 is the best value and well worth a spot in any collection.

It's a lot smoother than the 15y, and I'm a little surprised the younger one carries the Family Reserve label. It's sweet and fairly mellow, with little or none of the harshness. Very sippable.

The 23y is similar and a little bit woodier in flavour. It's bottled at a higher proof and although I do not normally take my whiskies with water, I recommend a splash of it with this. It opens it up a little and stops it from being just a mild glass of liquid wood. Slight differences in flavour from the 20y and I enjoy it a little more, but not enough that I'm willing to pay double. I'd rather add another similarly priced bottle of rye or something.

I haven't tried a huge breadth of boutique bourbons because Canadian availability isn't as good, but I've tried almost everything locally available and Pappy's 20y is my preferred bourbon.

Thanks El D!

I know where I can get the A’bunadh. I'll keep my eyes open for the other.

I actually just finished the 15yr this wknd. I must say, it grew on me a lil. I am def trying the 20 next.

Nice thread - had to go and pour myself a wee dram after reading, even though I'm still digesting breakfast

I'm a bit of an Ardbeg fanboy myself. The Supernova (2010 Whisky Bible Scotch of the Year) was the best £120 I ever spent. The other week at a whisky festival I tried some of the Amrut Fusion (below), an Indian whisky which took 3rd place overall in 2010. I have no recollection of what it tasted like (standard lol) but I wrote 9/10 on my programme. The Glenfarclas 21 also got a 9/10, although I'm guessing I got more generous as the day went on



A non-Islay malt I like which I haven't seen mentioned ITT is Old Pulteney. It's a coastal, highland distillery and you really can taste the salty, sea air in this whisky, which appeals to me for whatever reason. There's also a little sherry sweetness and a hint of vanilla. The 17yo is a little smoother than the 12yo and worth the extra money imo (although it's more than double the price in the US).



On the topic of 17yo whisky, I see the 2011 Whisky Bible World Whisky of the Year is a 17yo blended Scotch



£40 for a bottle if you trust Mr. Murray's judgement...

Really tempted to get one of these. Have you ever tried any of the higher end Hirsch bottlings?

AA,

I've had the Hirsch 16 and 20. Very good, very smooth. But I way prefer the flavor of Willett.

The only one I know of is Auchentoshan. The first bottle of whisky I ever purchased for myself the very day I turned 20 (lol swedish alcohol monopoly) was the 12 yo. Had tried a few malts at a whisky bar before that and this one stuck out as the kindest one to my then undeveloped palate. Would love to try one of their other bottlings. I've got a feeling that it ages well to my tastes.

Most of my friends have found it to be way too inoffensive, and have written it of as bland. Most of them pretty much only drink Islay malts though fwiw.

Ive perused the thread and it seems there are quite a few nice bourbons that Ive never tried and in most cases never even heard of. My entire experience of bourbon is Jack Daniels (both the normal kind and single barrel), Four Roses, and Wild Turkey. Id like some recommendations that'll open my eyes to bourbon, or rye for that matter. I'm looking for two or three choice bottles, preferably under $200 each and something not too limited in supply since Ill be looking for them in Europe.

I haven't been much of a whiskey connoisseur myself , but I do love Gentleman Jack and Single Barrel Jack, which is what I generally stick to. Any suggestions that are along the same lines as these two for a new try?

I'm jealous. How much did it run you?

I'll do you one better and give you a few for $100 or less ($200 is waaay too much to be spending off the bat). Get a bottle of Noah's Mill, Sazerac 18 yr Rye (if you can find it), and the Pappy Van Winkle 20 yr.

+1 on the Blantons and Pappys. Also, Knob Creek and Makers Mark are both pretty cheap and very tasty imo.

re: makers and knob creek.....I agree that they are solid bourbons, but at the price point I'd recommend Noah's Mill, Rowan's Creek, Eagle Rare, or the Elijah Craig 12 yr over either of them. Ever had any of those Rich? If you haven't, I'd definitely check them out. The Elijah Craig can be found for $25/bottle.

Never had any of em. I'll have to give em a whirl. Thx. I'll pick some up with the Pappy 20yr I'm going to get next trip to the store.

sweet...let me know what ya think

Rich,

I agree w/ all of AA's recs except the Elijah Craig, which I just don't like that much. Many of my friends really like it, though. I just prefer all the other ones he's mentioned a lot more.

$240. btw had a GREAT TIME at the single malt extravaganza. I would tell you more if I remembered that night at all!

Ardbeg Supernova dillema. Advice appreciated.

I've no idea how much individual years matter but just about (following posts here) to order the Ardbeg and noticed the 2010 is available.

The 2009 is the one that's won the awards and being recommended. Its £125

The 2010 is out at a mere £79

That difference pays for a lot of Highland Park 18 year (which is great btw)

Have to buy in next few days, what to do?

chez,

I haven't had the 2009, but recently tasted the 2010 and it was awesome. The 2009 will carry a premium because it has been sold out for a while.

Today I picked up a bottle of the Van Winkle 12, which I have been told is generally better liked than the 15. This makes my whole collection: VW 12, Buffalo Trace, Weller's, and Rittenhouse 100. In general I'm a cocktail guy, not a straight whiskey guy, hence my selections... The VW is the first I'm buying not to mix.

A friend recently went to Kentucky for the release of the Antique editions, and brought back a bottle of each, basically, and we tasted our way through them (diluted in general, since they ranged from something like 120-145 pf). All were interesting and impressive in their own ways, but I preferred the 2010 Weller.

One day maybe I'll be able to tolerate scotch?

All,

A quick note re: ryes, which haven't been discussed much here.

Sazerac 18
Whistlepig

Both are awesome ryes for ~$70 (which is pretty high-end for rye)

Iirc the sazerac 18 is the one that made me think "banana bread pudding" on both smell and taste? Definitely came off as sweeter and smoother than many ryes, to me.

Picked this up last night. Haven't tried it yet, will report back.