Scotch Q&A

[JohnnyFlake]

Kayaker & SMW both have some awesome stuff on hand! I use to have about 25 bottles in reserve, but over the last few years, it's dwindled down considerably. I gave a few bottles away to relatives, and what you see is what I have left, that I enjoy with my cigars and pipes, when I smoke them. I plan on adding 4 to 6 bottles in the next few months. I am trying to put together a selection that will give me a nice variety of flavor profiles! These are what I am working on at present!!!

Originally Posted by JohnnyFlake

Kayaker & SMW both have some awesome stuff on hand! I use to have about 25 bottles in reserve, but over the last few years, it's dwindled down considerably. I gave a few bottles away to relatives, and what you see is what I have left, that I enjoy with my cigars and pipes, when I smoke them. I plan on adding 4 to 6 bottles in the next few months. I am trying to put together a selection that will give me a nice variety of flavor profiles! These are what I am working on at present!!!

Great picture...the visuals add quite a bit. But (unfortunately) I can't take the credit for the post above. That was RBOrrell's collection. Thanks for the props though.

[RBOrrell]

Originally Posted by SMW

Impressive to say the least. Question though, how is the Superstition 15? I've heard some mixed things. I have never had it, but I hear is tastes pretty sweet (literally) throughout.

I read your post last night and I could not answer it.... so I went and poured myself a glass of it.

It does have a slight sweetness to it, especially on the finish. I could only describe it as slightly caramel.

I bought this bottle and a couple of others at the Whiskey Live show in Toronto a year or so ago. With the admission fee, you got some tickets for samples. I had one taste of Supersitition and I had to buy a bottle. I got a free sample of the Whyte & MacKay at the same show. For a blend (some called it vatted) I was blown away and the cost is reasonable.

Last Friday night I was at the CN Tower in Toronto for dinner. I had a Glenmorangie Sherry cask. It was amazing. It's next on my list to buy.

Kayaker, I see you have the Compass Box Peat Monster on your list. How do you like it? I have considered it too.

Originally Posted by RBOrrell

Kayaker, I see you have the Compass Box Peat Monster on your list. How do you like it? I have considered it too.

It's not bad, but I think I would buy a nice peaty single malt instead next time. It's peaty but doesn't have a lot of character, missing some of the nuance of a single distillery.

Worth trying out though to see for yourself.

[yourchoice]

Great thread guys, and a lot of good information.

I enjoy Scotch. I enjoy Scotch very much. But when I peruse the isle at the liquor store, I become overwhelmed. I guess that's a good thing -- I have a nice variety from which to choose. The gentleman at the store that specializes in their Scotches seems knowledgeable, but I haven't been "wowed" by any of his recommendations.

I find that I most enjoy the peat associated with Islays. What would be your recommendations (more than one is fine) for a reasonably priced (say less than $50 or $60) SMSW with these characteristics?

If I may, another recommendationesqe (not a word, I know ) question. I believe in the mantra that variety is the spice of life, and I don't want to focus on one profile/region. I'd like to start (over the course of the next few months) a Scotch collection. What Scotches from the different regions would you recommend that best touch on the attributes associated with each region? This would be more of my learning curve exercise so I wouldn't want things to get too pricy.

Again, thanks for this thread, it is a great resource.

Originally Posted by RBOrrell

I read your post last night and I could not answer it.... so I went and poured myself a glass of it.

It does have a slight sweetness to it, especially on the finish. I could only describe it as slightly caramel.

I bought this bottle and a couple of others at the Whiskey Live show in Toronto a year or so ago. With the admission fee, you got some tickets for samples. I had one taste of Supersitition and I had to buy a bottle. I got a free sample of the Whyte & MacKay at the same show. For a blend (some called it vatted) I was blown away and the cost is reasonable.

Last Friday night I was at the CN Tower in Toronto for dinner. I had a Glenmorangie Sherry cask. It was amazing. It's next on my list to buy.

Kayaker, I see you have the Compass Box Peat Monster on your list. How do you like it? I have considered it too.

Thanks for the answer...I hope you weren't saving it for a special occasion. But as they say, just opening a bottle of fine scotch makes it a special occasion. But that sounds like a pretty good drink, "slightly caramel" sounds very interesting indeed. I'm glad to hear you enjoyed the Whyte & MacKay. Its always nice to stumble upon a blend that surprises. At any rate, thanks for the response.

[Sauer Grapes]

Anyone here tried Edradour? Apparently it is available here in the states but who knows where?

Buddy of mine loves the stuff, but I forgot what the name was when I was in the UK. It is apparently the UK's smallest distillery.

[TripleF]

Recently I had the hankering for whisky....don't know why, I just did.

I bought my first ever bottle and it was Makers Mark. I was impressed. Started with the famous "oh this is gonna burn going down" and then it turned sweet and creamy. Had it with 3 cubes of ice.


I'll be back for another later this week.

[JohnnyFlake]

I have heard of it many times, and always good things, from what I recall. I know that it's not normally available in the USA. So, I was never able to try it. Anyway, I just won a Sealed Collectible Bottle on eBay, and I should have it within a week or so. Any information about it will be appreciated.

[Sauer Grapes]

Originally Posted by JohnnyFlake

I have heard of it many times, and always good things, from what I recall. I know that it's not normally available in the USA. So, I was never able to try it. Anyway, I just won a Sealed Collectible Bottle on eBay, and I should have it within a week or so. Any information about it will be appreciated.

Are you talking about Edradour? I know it's from Scotland's smallest distillery, supposedly VERY good.

[JohnnyFlake]

Originally Posted by Sauer Grapes

Are you talking about Edradour? I know it's from Scotland's smallest distillery, supposedly VERY good.

I don't thing so! Here is a link to a picture of a bottle:

http://www.picable.com/Objects/Bottl...-Whisky.305621

[JohnnyFlake]

Originally Posted by JohnnyFlake

I don't thing so! Here is a link to a picture of a bottle:

http://www.picable.com/Objects/Bottl...-Whisky.305621

I did a number of searches on the Grand Old Parr 12yo I mentioned above. I found two reviews by Michael Jackson, one on the 12yo and one on an 18yo. It is a blended scotch from Scotland. This is what he said about it:

Nose: Malty, Very scented, Cake-Like, Linseed.

Palate: Big, Notably firm-bodied. Malty, Cereal grains, Toasted sesame seeds, Demerara sugar and raisins, Honey, There even seems to be a hint of chili in there somewhere.

Finish: Soothing, Long, Developing slight lemon grass and a peatiness.

He scored it an 8.5 out of 10.0 and likes it better than the 18yo. BTW, this comes in one liter bottles!

I am very anxious about winning this. I hope all goes smoothly!

[AD720]

Well I finished a dram of the McCelland's Highland earlier. (I like mine on the rocks).

Overall it was OK. It was a little sweet and almost syrupy for me. There was some interesting almost cirtusy sweetness to it that was pleasing but I think it was a little too sweet overall. I don't know if that is something that is indicative of Highland scotches. (Kayaker, maybe you can chime in there)

I just got home from dinner and now I am having a bit of the Islay (same way, rocks). I am enjoying this one a little bit more. It opens up with a big mouthful of salt and finishes very smooth with the medical taste on the finish. It is not as complex as the Bowmore Islay though.

I'll try a bit of the Lowland tomorrow.

[Sauer Grapes]

Oh, I see the title on your post now. I'm a numbnuts.

[AD720]

So I swung by the wine and spirits store after work to grab a bottle. I've been blowing through my bottle of Bowmore Islay Reserve and ended up drinking mostly Chivas for the last week. I was all ready to grab another bottle of of the Reserve or splurge on a bottle of Glenfiddich and I saw some McCelland's. I know it is cheap-o but for $20 a bottle I figured it's gotta be better than Cutty Shark or Dewars. The only delemma was which one - Highland, Lowland or Islay.


Tough decision...




...so I got them all. For $20 a bottle I am not expecting the world. Hopefully at the least I will get a better idea of the difference between each style. So far the Highland is pretty good. Anyone have experence with this distellery?

[Jerry]

I been reading this a bit an decided to give it a try.. NOt much of a drinker.. anymore.. Went out an got a bottle of Glenlivet 18.. not bad at all.. 75 bucks wasnt all that bad.. But where the hell do I go from here... Is there one with alittle more sweetness to it..

[JohnnyFlake]

Originally Posted by Jerry

I been reading this a bit an decided to give it a try.. NOt much of a drinker.. anymore.. Went out an got a bottle of Glenlivet 18.. not bad at all.. 75 bucks wasnt all that bad.. But where the hell do I go from here... Is there one with a little more sweetness to it..

For something with a very nicely balanced sweetness, on the palate and an intense long finish, try a bottle of Glenfarclas 15yo. It's a Speyside Single Malt, and it will cost you about $45. A wonderful scotch!

[JohnnyFlake]

I have decided to clean out some of my Scotch stash, as I will never be able to dink them all in my life time, and I am always looking to try new to me Scotches as well!

I have the following for sale. PM me if you have any interest.

I’ll be happy to post additional pictures if requested.

Springbank CV – 750ml Campletown Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 46% alc/vol

This is a limited bottling, and is referred to as the Gold Cap Bottling. There was a previous bottling, known as the White Cap Bottling. I purchased a six bottle case of this in 1999. The following is the only review I could find.
When you can find it (very hard to find), it sells for $65 retail.

My price is also $65. However, my price includes insured S&H via USPS, within the Con. USA. I prefer payment via Money Order. I can also accept an online payment. Please add 3.5%, if paying online.

Springbank C.V. (46%, OB, golden cap, CV on the sides, circa 2000) Color: white wine (much paler than the ‘white cap’). Nose: this one starts a little more spirit and less mature than the white cap, with much more grainy and fruity notes (apples, pears) and much less minerals or smoke. There are also notes of wet cardboard, soaked grains, very light coffee, apple juice... But the notes of raw wool are here again. Not exactly the same class as the older version I think, even if both start to converge after a good fifteen minutes. Mouth: this is very different again. Big notes of pear spirit, figs, crystallized lemon zests, smoked fish... And then more and more pear spirit. Pears and kippers? Yes, it’s very unusual whisky I think, I can’t think of any other whisky that tasted like this CV. Finish: longer than the white cap’s, very bold in fact, with these interesting notes of ‘apple juice-soaked kippers’ (sorry about this weird mental image) and a slight dustiness, plus something oddly metallic.

Bowmore Claret Bordeaux Wine Casked – 750ml Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 56% alc/vol

This is a very Limited Edition. This bottle is numbered No. 2706. I purchased several bottles of this in 1998. I was able to locate two online reviews, shown below:

This is extremely rare and very, very hard to find. It is basically impossible to find in the USA, however, some vendors in Europe advertise it at 150uro to 180uro. However, if you check it out, it is almost always out of stock. Today 150uro was equal to $194 US and 180uro was equal to $240 US.

My price is $180. My price includes insured S&H via USPS within the Con USA.I prefer payment via Money Order. I can also accept an online payment. Please add 3.5%, if paying online.

Tasting Notes:
Michael Jackson - Rated it a 9 out of a possible 10

Nose
Very big in both departments. Lots of recognizably claret-like fruit-and-cedar notes-and a powerful response from Bowmore smokiness.

Palate
Bowmore beats Bordeaux.

Finish
Toffeeish (more port-like) fruit fights back convincingly. Oak keeps the contestants apart. Finally a salty battle is won by the distillery character. Comment: The fighter beat the boxer, but it was a wonderfully enjoyable contest.

Doug McIvor - Rated it a 9 out of a possible 10

Nose
Intensely perfumed, ripe summer fruits, bubble gum and honey melon? Evolving to show base notes of peat and more concentrated fruits.

Palate
Delicate to medium bodied. A gentle oiliness carries initial bursts of fruit to drier complexities.

Finish
Teasing, lingering, quite feminine until that Islay smoke kicks in. Comment: A very elaborate malt which enhances Bowmore's association with perfume. Good enough to wear!

Those look great. A couple of nice picks for someone.

Not really a question, but what a tasting I just had.

First was a special (at least different) bottling of Glen Ord, that was given to Andrew (the host) by his mother, for his 30th B-Day. She used to work at the distillery and he pretty much grew up there.

Then we had some Glenturret from an independent bottler. 13 yo I belive.

Then came the Glenfiddich 18 and 21, and the Glen Garioch 15 and 21.

Next we had Bruichladdich 14 (regular) and Bruichy 14 (aged in French Oak that contained Italian wine).

Finally we finished up with two IBs of Bunnahabain, 15 yrs and 31 yrs.

The store had to close before we got to the 2 Highland Parks (15 yr and an 16 yr IB).

In any case, a good time was had by all and it's taken me an hour to write this post because I am a little drunk.

Did I mention the Innis & Gunn and the pint I chugged after the tasting?

Glad I don't have to work in the AM.