What are you having yourself?

[Good Whiskey Hunting]

I have been nursing a Redbreast 12 CS hangover all day may reconsider my 'a f*** it,it's Christmas attitude'. Moderation next time

[JohnM]

I can only sip on the odd whisky now and again, so I go for something flavoursome. A bit early in the day, but I'm having a little sip of Lagavulin 21. It's very good.

[IainB]

Alternating between an Old Pulteney 12 and a green spot (one I've had open since before the branding.) I can't usually mix pot still and malt but these 2 for some reason work really well together for a tasting.

[JohnM]

Sounds good. Have you tried the Old Pulteney 21?

[Good Whiskey Hunting]

Thank you Barry Crockett for what i'm about to receive, i am truly grateful..............

[IainB]

Sounds good. Have you tried the Old Pulteney 21?

No this was my 1st ever OP. Had the bottle quite a while but only opened it the other night. On the basis of this though I may investigate further. Quite delicate but in very good way and not lacking in subtle flavour at all.

[IainB]

I can only sip on the odd whisky now and again, so I go for something flavoursome. A bit early in the day, but I'm having a little sip of Lagavulin 21. It's very good.

That's my favourite Laga and easily one of my all time favourites. Just wish I'd bought more at £100 a bottle on my 1st Islay trip.

[PgD]

A dear old friend was in town and is a great fan of Bourbon. I decided to break out some rare acquisitions.
1st up was an Anderson county Kentucky sour mash Bourbon by W. B. Saffell from 1890.
2nd was a Old Fitzgerald 7 year Kentucky straight Bourbon distilled 1939 bottled 1946.
3rd was a Jefferson County 8 year Old W.L. Weller Special Reserve Kentucky straight Bourbon from 1940.

[JohnM]

A dear old friend was in town and is a great fan of Bourbon. I decided to break out some rare acquisitions.
1st up was an Anderson county Kentucky sour mash Bourbon by W. B. Saffell from 1890.
2nd was a Old Fitzgerald 7 year Kentucky straight Bourbon distilled 1939 bottled 1946.
3rd was a Jefferson County 8 year Old W.L. Weller Special Reserve Kentucky straight Bourbon from 1940.

That does sound special. How did they taste? How do they compare to today's american whiskeys?

[PgD]

Good question! All were incredible. I really preferred the 1890 but want to do the next tasting blind to put any prejudices aside. In keeping with the Stitzel-Weller line of the 2 bottles I just picked up the
Jeffersons Presidential Select 18yr Bourbon which was aged in old Stitzel-Weller barrels.
This should be a great way to compare the new with the old.

[IainB]

Started as a japanese night with Nikka from the barrel (John M was right.....this is very good whisky) Yamazaki 18 and Hakushu 18 but evolved into an 18 night by adding Macallan FO 18, caol ila 18, conmemara 18 & bunnahabhainn 18. At the end of all that all I can tell you is that my favavorites tonight were the nikka and the bunna, that they all tasted nosed and finished like whisk(e)y and that the ham sandwich I'm eating right now is delicious!

[JohnM]

Started as a japanese night with Nikka from the barrel (John M was right.....this is very good whisky) Yamazaki 18 and Hakushu 18 but evolved into an 18 night by adding Macallan FO 18, caol ila 18, conmemara 18 & bunnahabhainn 18. At the end of all that all I can tell you is that my favavorites tonight were the nikka and the bunna, that they all tasted nosed and finished like whisk(e)y and that the ham sandwich I'm eating right now is delicious!

There is something about Japanese whisky... maybe I'm imagining it, but I think it's different and has a certain quality. the Nikka is great value. And there's something special about Bunnahabhain that I didn't notice a few years ago. A great distillery.

[JohnM]

Tonight, after a long absence, I had a few pints and a few Powers Gold Label. Sure that's all you'd need, really.

[DavidH]

Tonight, after a long absence, I had a few pints and a few Powers Gold Label. Sure that's all you'd need, really.

Spooky. I had a Powers Gold Label too. And tea, lots of tea.

[IainB]

Just had a Mackinlay Malt (the endurance replica one).

Now onto a pair of Ardbegs, Uigeadail and Corryvreckan. Never been a huge fan of Ardbeg but I'm actually really warming to these.

[IrishWhiskeyChaser]

Tonight, after a long absence, I had a few pints and a few Powers Gold Label. Sure that's all you'd need, really.

... a match made in heaven

Spooky. I had a Powers Gold Label too. And tea, lots of tea.

A match made in .... erm ... the Kitchen ...

....

Now onto a pair of Ardbegs, Uigeadail and Corryvreckan. Never been a huge fan of Ardbeg but I'm actually really warming to these.

Yea I'm kinda am the same ... however the old 17yo if you can ever get you hands on a bottle was excellent

[Good Whiskey Hunting]

I've sadly emptied another bottle of John's Lane. I only had enough to wet my taste buds. I'll have to replenish my stocks again soon

[IrishWhiskeyChaser]

Been mostly into my beer of late ... 'er in doors got me an excellent range of beers in a hamper for Christmas. All the ales gone at this stage ... had a lovely Scottish stout last night made from malted barley which was obviously peated and was a nice touch. Had a couple Connemara's with it which complemented nicely.

The original sherry finished offering from Cooley which is nice but no world beater .... for me that is as I think so of the Connemara's are great.

I also had some of a sample of the Bog Oak (Thanks David H ).

This was really really nice as I tried this before at a formal tasting and found it just okay.

Will get back to the rest later and look forward to exploring it.


Tonight had a couple Duvel's so nuff said there ... also had a Hoegaarden and now on a Sierra Nevada "Kellerwais"

And Iain got me going so I'v also poured an indy 1978 Ardbeg. Could have done with a higher ABV as this is only 40% but it suits the beer fine.

So good flavours going on in there but there are also so of these traits that I dislike in an Ardbeg there also but very pleasant all the same.

[DavidH]

I also had some of a sample of the Bog Oak (Thanks David H ).

This was really really nice as I tried this before at a formal tasting and found it just okay.

You are very welcome! I'm glad you liked it.

I think I'll finish the week with some port myself. Last of the Christmas booze.

[Good Whiskey Hunting]

Jameson 12 Years Old Distiller's Selection i picked up on the last whiskyauction for €35. I shall enjoy it even more now.

[IainB]

So far a Tyrconnell Madeira (I'd forgotten how much I like this) and a Glenfarclas 15. I'd opened this some time ago, had one measure, thought it so so and forgotten all about it. Don't know what made me open it again but i'm really enjoying it tonight.

Next up an old Auchentoshan 18 Oloroso Matured I think.

[IainB]

Having some half measures (it is only Tuesday) of a few sherry monsters - Blair Athol 12, Mortlach 16, Glenfarclas 15 and Tyrconnell 11 (Whisky Live).

It's funny how they're all double distilled sherry matured malts and yet while the 3 Scottish ones have a lot of similarities in character the Tyrconnell is completely different. Yes I know it's from a different country but the basic ingredients are the same and even the water etc on the Cooley peninsula isn't that different from Scotland so why is it so far removed?

(I'm preferring the Glenfarclas to the others by the way - even if that does sound contradictary).

[IainB]

Tonight I'm following up my thoughts on another topic with:

Midleton Single Cask Blend (From the CWS from 2008 I think)
Green spot 10yo
Powers JL

Had a Knockando 21 earlier which did nothing for me but i think it was just the mood I'm in.

[DavidH]

Up late again, feeding the blog monster. I had quite a bit of Longueville House Apple Brandy for inspiration while writing about Longueville House Apple Brandy.

It's damn nice stuff. I'm thinking about starting the Irish Brandy Society. Who's with me?

[damienmcguigan]

Would love to get my hands on a bottle of that, any ideas how to go about it?