What are you having yourself?

[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

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

Mad or what

Who's reading who's mind I wonder.

Myself, I'm currently having a lovely espresso in the back garden. Who would of tunk it ... 20+ degrees in te shade and the Joys of Wi-Fi to enable me to work out side

[Good Whiskey Hunting]

Just got a bottle of the Jameson Select Reserve.
I was tiding up my bottles and found another bottle of Redbreast 15 and it the first run 2005.
A great day all round.

[Good Whiskey Hunting]

Am I the only one drinking whiskey?

I've since finished off that bottle of Jameson select reserve. I think it's my new favourite blended Irish Whiskey
Popped open a Yellow Spot, a Hibiki 17 and another Green Spot. All good.

[Pudge72]

Aberlour Abunadh Batch 32, a bottle bought by my friend after I had been hiding it on a store shelf for several months til one of us could purchase it. I think it was the last bottle of this batch. I had a sample of this from another friend's cabinet in December, and I loved the 'fruit and nut chocolate bar' profile that just jumped right out at me. Anybody that is a fan of sherry aged whiskey has to get this batch if they can find it!

[IainB]

Nikka Night:

Single Cask Coffey Grain 1997
Single Cask Coffey Malt 1998
Miyagikyo 15yo
Single Cask Yoichi Malt 1986

All excellent in their own ways but the Yoichi is the real stand out for me - is this the Japanese Lagavulin?

Was going to add in the Taketsuru 17 and the From the Barrel but it is a Sunday night so they'll have to wait!

[Good Whiskey Hunting]

I was having a few Bourbons
Foresters 96 and Bookers

I seen Iain's post and since I've no Nikka I'll try a Habiki 17 as a night cap.

[IainB]

Yeah a couple of Yoichi's later and I'm still up. (I'm so glad now i bought the 25ml English measure!) Reminds me of the Laga distillers edition.Which I must have alongside it. But not now. Definitely not now.

[Good Whiskey Hunting]

I'm a free pourer myself, after 20 year or so dispensing the stuff I'm still wetting my fingers when it comes to measures.
Habiki was a great choice to end the night.

[IrishWhiskeyChaser]

I'm a free pourer myself ....

Yaa maannn, hip to the jive, far out (etc, etc, etc)

[Pudge72]

My dad and his wife visited on the weekend and, among other things, I enjoyed a glass of Redbreast 12, since they were the providers of said bottle, at Christmas this past year. I added water to it for the first time to experiment...I noticed that a real creaminess came out when this was done. Really nice!

To celebrate Canada Day, I enjoyed a bottle of Innis & Gunn Canada Day 2012 Limited Edition ale, and Collingwood whiskey. This is a new Canadian whiskey that has been put out by Brown Forman's Canadian Mist distillery in (strangely enough) Collingwood, Ontario, about 3 1/2 hours north of London. It is overall a sweeter rye whiskey that is best had as an after dinner drink. I've enjoyed it as the sweetness cancels out a more medicinal rye note that I find in most other Canadian whiskies in a similar price range.

Being the 4th of July (and myself having ties to the US), I may adopt a 'premium' bourbon/whiskey approach later today. I'm eyeing two or three of Booker's "Small Batch" bourbon, George T Stagg (2011 ed.), Old Potrero 18th Century Style Rye, Jefferson's Presidential Select 18 yo and/or Parker's Heritage Collection (4th ed.) 10 yo Wheated. We shall see what ends up in the glass (though with four of the five being over 60% abv, they may be smaller servings!)

[JohnM]

Yates Brothers Irish Whiskey. It's quite nice. Lots of sherry and an old style Irish whiskey.

[IainB]

Yates Brothers Irish Whiskey. It's quite nice. Lots of sherry and an old style Irish whiskey.

Never heard of it - is it an old bottling? And where is it from?

[Pudge72]

Being the 4th of July (and myself having ties to the US), I may adopt a 'premium' bourbon/whiskey approach later today. I'm eyeing two or three of Booker's "Small Batch" bourbon, George T Stagg (2011 ed.), Old Potrero 18th Century Style Rye, Jefferson's Presidential Select 18 yo and/or Parker's Heritage Collection (4th ed.) 10 yo Wheated. We shall see what ends up in the glass (though with four of the five being over 60% abv, they may be smaller servings!)

I ended up having the JPS 18, the PHC 4th, and ending last evening with a nice hit of Stagg. While the Stagg definitely needs water to take off the alcohol edge, it retains a great, rich profile that includes leather, polished wood, and pipe tobacco. A very enjoyable evening all in all.

[JohnM]

Yates Brothers Irish Whiskey. It's quite nice. Lots of sherry and an old style Irish whiskey.

Never heard of it - is it an old bottling? And where is it from?

I would say it is a 70s or 80s bottling for a place in Manchester.

[IainB]

I'm guessing then it's a pot still or pot still blend? Is it most likely from midleton?

[JohnM]

I'm guessing then it's a pot still or pot still blend? Is it most likely from midleton?

Yeah, definitely that old style pot still. Whether it's a blend or not I don't know. It's one of the nicers ones I've tasted, if a tiny bit cloying.

[IrishWhiskeyChaser]

Being emptying a few bottles of late. A lot of these were bottles that were in the last dregs and I did not really care for.

A cask strength Springbank single Cask from Kruger of WhiskyAuction. A pretty overpowering sherry cask that slightly improved with water, can't say I was a fan though. An interesting experience but not a what I was expecting from a Springer ... where's all the ginger gone?
A Merry's Single Malt (Cooley) Bog standard easy drinking cooley bourbon matured whiskey. Get that plasticine smell I get from a lot of cooleys ... not overly upset it is gone.
Ben Bracken 12yo Highland/Speyside single malt. A boring easy drinking whisky from Lidl, can't even really remember it.
Ardbeg 1978/1999 IB(Speymalt). Not an Ardbeg to make me change my mind on this particular distillery. I'll just park that there as I'm tired of bashing over hyped Ardbeg.
Dalmore 12yo, a bit too much wood or something in this for me. I enjoyed it when I opened it first but there seems to be a bit too much of something in there that I can't put a finger on, chocolate & wood sap, dry sherry, vinegar wine ?!?!?!? not sure what really
12yo Highland Single Malt from Tesco, this funnily enough was the most enjoyable of the lot and I think it was the cheapest. A strange orangey colour but there was a lovely sweetness to it with a nice bit of spice. Again an easy drinker but with some substance to it.

I'm finally under the 80 bottles open ... whoooraayyy

[Good Whiskey Hunting]

Being emptying a few bottles of late. A lot of these were bottles that were in the last dregs and I did not really care for.

A cask strength Springbank single Cask from Kruger of WhiskyAuction. A pretty overpowering sherry cask that slightly improved with water, can't say I was a fan though. An interesting experience but not a what I was expecting from a Springer ... where's all the ginger gone?
A Merry's Single Malt (Cooley) Bog standard easy drinking cooley bourbon matured whiskey. Get that plasticine smell I get from a lot of cooleys ... not overly upset it is gone.
Ben Bracken 12yo Highland/Speyside single malt. A boring easy drinking whisky from Lidl, can't even really remember it.
Ardbeg 1978/1999 IB(Speymalt). Not an Ardbeg to make me change my mind on this particular distillery. I'll just park that there as I'm tired of bashing over hyped Ardbeg.
Dalmore 12yo, a bit too much wood or something in this for me. I enjoyed it when I opened it first but there seems to be a bit too much of something in there that I can't put a finger on, chocolate & wood sap, dry sherry, vinegar wine ?!?!?!? not sure what really
12yo Highland Single Malt from Tesco, this funnily enough was the most enjoyable of the lot and I think it was the cheapest. A strange orangey colour but there was a lovely sweetness to it with a nice bit of spice. Again an easy drinker but with some substance to it.

I'm finally under the 80 bottles open ... whoooraayyy

A nice bit of summer cleaning there, but 80 bottles open. I think a trip west for a society tasting should be on the books. There is a few slots to fill I believe.

I having the last of the Jameson 12 Distillers Selection, I really hope I'll be able to replenish my stocks of it.

[IrishWhiskeyChaser]

A nice bit of summer cleaning there, but 80 bottles open. I think a trip west for a society tasting should be on the books. There is a few slots to fill I believe.

I having the last of the Jameson 12 Distillers Selection, I really hope I'll be able to replenish my stocks of it.

For a while there I could not help myself and was opening anything new I had. Had over 120 open at one stage .

It was then I realised that things were getting out of control. I even tried a blow out night last year but being in Galway could not get people to coordinate on a week-end. So I had to drink it all myself .... poor me .

Now after a week-end home alone with the kids (yes they do drive you to drink ) I have managed to clear another few with low levels. Now down to 75 (I think). Will probably stay in the 70's now for a while as the lowest levels are now around the 1/3rd full. But with a bit of dedication I hope to go below 50 by end of summer ... or maybe that is a bit optimistic. We'll see.

Of course if your in the area please feel free to drop by.

Irish Whiskey

Avoca 8yo (Cooley blend Aldi)
Ballydoyle (Cooley blend private)
Blackbush
Blackbush (1980’s)
Bushmills Single Cask (1989, 15yo Sherry Cask 7437 53.7% )
Jameson Select Reserve
Jameson 12yo
Jameson 12yo Distillery Reserve (Bow St)
Jameson 12yo Distillery Reserve (Midleton)
Jameson 12yo 1780
Jameson Gold
Jameson 15yo (1970’s)
Jameson 15yo PPS
Jameson 18yo
Jameson Rarest Vintage Reserve
Kilbeggan Distillery Reserve Malt Batch 001
Knappogue Castle 12yo (Bushmills Bourbon)
Knappogue Castle 1951 36yo
Locke’s 9yo Grand Crew (2000, Cask 696 59.4%)
Magilligan 8yo Peated Malt (Cooley) 43%
Michael Collins Single Malt
Powers
Powers (1980’s)
Redbreast 12yo SPS
Redbreast 15yo SPS 46%
Tullamore Dew Black 43%
Tullamore Dew 12yo Heritage
Tyrconnell Single Cask (1992, 17yo Cask 5293 56.9%)
Tyrconnell 10yo Madeira Finish
Tyrconnell 10yo Anima Negra Cask
Yellow Spot SPS 46%

Japanese

Karuizawa 1971 36yo 64.1%
Yamazaki 10yo
Yamazaki 18yo

Scotch

Balmenach 1983 26yo IB(Bladnoch) 52.8%
Bladnoch 8yo lightly peated 58.2%
Bowmore 12yo Enigma
Bowmore 25yo
Bruichladdich Rocks
Bunahabhainn 18yo
Dimple (Blend)
Famous Grouse (Blend)
Glendronach 12yo
Glengrant 1980 28yo IB(Bladnoch) 51.7%
Glen Elgin 1984 25yo IB(Bladnoch) 42.3%
Glenlivet 15yo
Grant’s Family Reserve (Blend)
Hazelburn CV 46% (20cl)
Highland Park 1997 12yo IB(Bladnoch) 50%
Highland Park 15yo Earl Magnus 52.6%
Johnny Walker Blue (20cl)
Johnny Walker Gold (20cl)
Johnny Walker Green (20cl)
Laphroaig Quarter Cask 48%
Laphroaig 10yo CS
Laphroaig 10yo CS Batch 1 57.8%
Laphroaig 10yo CS Batch 2 58.3%
Laphroaig 10yo CS Batch 4 58.3%
Laphroaig Cairdeas 12yo 2009 57.5%
Laphroaig Cairdeas 2010 57.3%
Laphroaig 15yo 43%
Laphroaig 18yo 48%
Laphroaig 30yo 43%
Longrow CV 46% (20cl)
Longrow Gaja finish 55.8%
Mortlach 16yo Flora and Fauna 43%
Spice Tree
Springbank CV 46% (20cl)
Strathisla 12yo
Teaninich 1982 27yo IB(Bladnoch) 49.2%
Tomintoul 27yo

North American

Basil Haydens 8yo
Makers Mark Red seal 45%
Old Fitzgearld 12yo 45%
William L Weller 60.95%


Seagrams VO

[Good Whiskey Hunting]

I've a hangover just reading that list.

Just sipping some Redbreast 12, great to wash the taste of Pringles sour cream and onion out I find.
Do you think that would quality as a tasting note?

[Pudge72]

Last night, I "celebrated" the discovery of a family of skunks (appears to be both parents and 4 babies) that seem to be living under our back deck at the moment, with a large drink of Bushmills Black Bush (bushy fur on mainly black skunks...sorry, I had to find a tie-in to my whisky collection somehow ). Fortunately, my wife and I were unharmed, though startled when (to start the event) two babies walked across the top of our driveway at the front of the house. We got the heck inside and noticed the family gathering in the back yard.

At Can$37 a bottle, Black Bush may be all I can afford for the next while as it will likely run over $600 to have someone live-trap and transport the skunks away...and then to add patio stones to the base of the deck to reduce the chance of new visitors taking over the burrow under the deck.

[PureDrop]

Ditto to whiskey chaser ... trying to get the numbers of open bottles down ...
Sent a bottle of Yamazaki and Jim Murray's favourite, Dufftown to the green bin tonight, although the Yamazaki was killed a few weeks ago.
I'm down to 56 open bottles (from a peak in the 90s). (Too) Many have been open for a number of years (oldest open since 1987!, many open since 1999/2000).
Tough work, but someone's got to do it ...

[varizoltan]

as I arrived home, and got over my jet-leg, i am having some of my new buys from stateside

Charbay Barrel aged IPA

Jack Daniels Silver select, single barrel 50%
best american whisky available at O'Hare airport $61 waisted money...

George Dickel barrel select 43%
twice each year 10 barrels selected aged between 10–12 years, i cant remember what i paid for it , but i wish i bought more cause it is only available at the distillery, but since that is a dry county you can not taste there, but they are working on it, they got licence to sell collectible whiskey, so this was to commemorate the 2003 reopening, but they just do this twice a year, and sell out fast too...

Elijah Craig 12, Small batch, barrel strength 64.5%, $80 only available @ Heaven Hill distillery, this is not for beginners

[Distiller]

as I arrived home, and got over my jet-leg, i am having some of my new buys from stateside

Welcome back...

After seeing what you did to your nose on that bike I am not going to believe any of the reviews you write!

[PureDrop]

A bottle of Talisker 25 finally bit the dust ... stunning stuff and followed by a Poer Ellen 26yo ... now down to 55 open!