What are you having yourself?

[IainB]

18 yr old malts - Glenmorangie 18 (Old Label and bottle shape), Tyrconnell 18 (Cask 5289), Bunnahabhainn 18 and Famous Grouse Malt 18 (Vatted Malt).

I am afraid to say the Tyrconnell would only be No. 3 in my preferences tonight (Bunna 1, Glenmo 2). Now these can vary depending on my mood.

That said, is it just me or does Bourbon cask Tyrconnell peak at around 14/15? Personally, out of the various Single Cask varients I've tried over the years 14 and 15 works best. (The wine finishes are another thing entirely.)

[varizoltan]

Connemara Bog Oak

[DavidH]

That said, is it just me or does Bourbon cask Tyrconnell peak at around 14/15?

I haven't tried any side-by-side but I've had 14yo up to Zoltan's 17.5yo and thought them all great. Didn't detect any fall-off and thought, at least, that they were getting even better. But I'd really need to line them up all at once to say that with any credibility.

I had to pour something just to comment on this thread. Bushmills 12yo Distillery Reserve.

[IainB]

That said, is it just me or does Bourbon cask Tyrconnell peak at around 14/15?

I haven't tried any side-by-side but I've had 14yo up to Zoltan's 17.5yo and thought them all great. Didn't detect any fall-off and thought, at least, that they were getting even better. But I'd really need to line them up all at once to say that with any credibility.

I had to pour something just to comment on this thread. Bushmills 12yo Distillery Reserve.

It could just have been the mood I was in. I'm not saying that there was any major fall off either - I just find the 14-15 ones a little spicier (?) maybe. I didn't have a sample of the 17.5 to compare too at the time.

[varizoltan]

it is been a black day at the Kilbeggan distillery's history

many people been laid off

here is a bit of Kilbeggan malt from the first rotation, i raise my glass for all who have been let go today, and wish them great success in the future

[PureDrop]

i raise my glass for all who have been let go today, and wish them great success in the future

Amen to that, I guess I'll have to have a drop of Locke's Grand Crew to bemoan the passing of an era.
/M

[varizoltan]

i raise my glass for all who have been let go today, and wish them great success in the future

Amen to that, I guess I'll have to have a drop of Locke's Grand Crew to bemoan the passing of an era.
/M

Michael,
you just made me have a bit of 696

Slainte

[varizoltan]

just got a feeling, this has to be a cooley night

had a drop of each;
kilbeggan
lockes blend
dun leire 8
greenore 8 and 18,
tyrconnell 15,
Tyrconnell 17, this made me to buy 17.5 which is a good finish for the night

[Good Whiskey Hunting]

Sadly i've no Cooley whiskey at the moment. I wish all past and remaining staff well.

[Good Whiskey Hunting]

I having a sip of Highland Park 12 year old, should soon be breaking the seal on my Woodford Reserve. Since I've no Irish Whiskey open tonight so I'll be washing it down with a nice Macardles ale.

[John]

it is been a black day at the Kilbeggan distillery's history
many people been laid off

I'm very disappointed to hear that. I hope those from the old regime who are still working with Beam remember who helped them get to where they are now.

I too wish all those who have been forced to leave the company every success in the future. One thing is clear, the room for those distilleries that want to churn out the 'same old-same old' is getting smaller and smaller. Innovation is key now and it's an attribute that those leaving Cooley have in abundance. They will continue to 'distill' success; it's to Beam's misfortune that it won't be for that company.

[IainB]

Started tonight with a Bruichladdich 17yo Rum Cask - this is the first Laddie I've really liked and I really really do like this one - the Celtic whiskey shop has it at the mo - you really get the rum of the nose - to taste it's a lovely spicy and slightly fruity drink.

Now onto a 20yo Authroisk - also very nice. Question now is what to finish on.

[Good Whiskey Hunting]

I started with the Barry Crockett Legacy and went on to a Bushmills 10 year old malt.
Should have went the other way around I think. Not quiet the wedding of Cana experience, but all good.

Sitting in front of the fire with the dog at my feet reading Death in the afternoon and sipping on a whiskey. Living the dream.

Looking at the bills mounting on the kitchen counter, the credit card statement and realising the bottle is on it last legs, living the nightmare.

[IrishWhiskeyChaser]

Paid a trip to Tesco today as they are doing a 5 craft beers for a tenner and many of the branches have an excellent choice.

Have a dark beer at the minute.

Called Moonraker by a UK compamy called JW Lees.

Basically tastes like at sweet-ish extra stout and is very tasty indeed.
But I felt it needed a whiskey by it's side to enhance it
Popped into my office and could not decide what to have so decided to maybe "use up" some less favoured whiskey.

I picked a Springbank single cask cask strength IB which I was very disappointed with and had found only so so. Decided to put a bit of water through it and I found that it was really improved on what I had previously thought of it. And guess what I have matched a beer and a whiskey perfectly that totally compliment each other. I'd like to think it was total skill on my behalf but a total fluke.

Happy days

[IainB]

I'm back to unusual Glenmorangies tonight. I think Glenmo gets overlooked by us whisky snobs sometimes (well by me anyway - no one else need take offence) because it's so popular but, you know, they make some really interesting whisky.

Tonight it's;

1981 Sauternes Finish (Bott 2002)
25yo Malaga Wood
1977 - Bott 2003 (Bourbon only I think)

I really really love the 1977 - this is my 3rd or 4th bottle of this - it's a lovely subtle but complex highlander. One of my top 5 scotch whiskeys. And that list includes the legendary Laga 21 and Grants Hazelwood 110 so it's in good company.

Sooo tempted to open the Glenmo 30 on the shelf but I've had 3 and it's a school night!

[JohnM]

What is the Malaga wood like? What does this wood do to the Whisky?

[IainB]

What is the Malaga wood like? What does this wood do to the Whisky?

Never had the drink itself but the cask finish I think is somewhere between a red wine and a port finish in terms of effect on the whisky, if that makes any sense. This particular one is my least favourite of the 3 but still ok. Tasting again now it's fruity but not overly sweet.

[Good Whiskey Hunting]

Finishing off a bottle of Bushmills 10 year old Malt.

What is the Malaga wood like? What does this wood do to the Whisky?

Never had the drink itself but the cask finish I think is somewhere between a red wine and a port finish in terms of effect on the whisky, if that makes any sense. This particular one is my least favourite of the 3 but still ok. Tasting again now it's fruity but not overly sweet.

Any Irish whiskeys using Malaga wood ?

[IrishWhiskeyChaser]

Any Irish whiskeys using Malaga wood ?

Firstly Malaga wood could be just a marketing name for a general wine cask from Malaga.

So the question is, is there a specific type of cask that comes uniquely from Malaga. And if so, is it a fortified wine (port/sherry type) of just a regular wine type.

But it would not surprise me if IDL had something along those lines ... but whether we'd ever see it is another thing

[IainB]

What's referred to as Malaga in terms of whiskey maturation is indeed a fortified wine from spain. I read up on it before and from what I recall it,s something akin to a port or a dark sherry like PX.

[Good Whiskey Hunting]

I decided to open another bottle of Jameson Distiller's Selection 12 year old. lovely

I hope James fox's still have a few bottles or I back trawling auction site to replenish stocks.

[DavidH]

Nikka Straight from the Barrel. Really liked it at our Japanese tasting. Could be the best blended whiskey I've ever tasted.

[IainB]

Nikka Straight from the Barrel. Really liked it at our Japanese tasting. Could be the best blended whiskey I've ever tasted.

It's one of my favourites alright.

I had a Midleton 25yo and a Power Johns Lane last night - anyone care to guess which I thought was better?

[DavidH]

I had a Midleton 25yo and a Power Johns Lane last night - anyone care to guess which I thought was better?

PJL. I'm not sure if I've tried the Midleton 25yo but I'd back the PJL against anything else from IDL.

[Good Whiskey Hunting]

Any Irish whiskeys using Malaga wood ?

Firstly Malaga wood could be just a marketing name for a general wine cask from Malaga.

So the question is, is there a specific type of cask that comes uniquely from Malaga. And if so, is it a fortified wine (port/sherry type) of just a regular wine type.

But it would not surprise me if IDL had something along those lines ... but whether we'd ever see it is another thing

Speak of the.......... and they release Yellow Spot, with Bourbon, Sherry and Malaga casks in the mix.