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DoctaFun posted:If you like cask strength stuff I’d recommend Deanston 9 year Bordeaux finish or Aberlour A’bunadh. My batch of A’bunadh has the most wonderful mouthfeel I’ve ever had in a whisky. Seconding these. The "regular" Redbreast 12 and Redbreast 12 Cask Strength are also partially sherry-driven and extremely good.
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Dec 5, 2019 19:25
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BaronVonVaderham posted:Anyone else happen to get this advent calendar this year? My wife got it for me either last year or the year before, but now neither Masters of Malt of the Whiskey Exchange will ship to me in FL, so there's no real way to get them. I saw that Flaviar was offering one for 200, but they didn't list which whiskies would be included.
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Dec 5, 2019 20:36
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Apache posted:My wife got it for me either last year or the year before, but now neither Masters of Malt of the Whiskey Exchange will ship to me in FL, so there's no real way to get them. I saw that Flaviar was offering one for 200, but they didn't list which whiskies would be included. I wish I remembered who sent this to me. Master of Malt linked to it back in September so I preordered and they shipped to me in FL no problem. Must have gotten really lucky by ordering way too early. I just popped open the window for today and I'm excited for later tonight: Glen Scotia "Victoriana Cask Strength"
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Dec 5, 2019 20:53
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I have the SMWS advent calendar, and so far it's outrageously good. Today's dram was a lovely 15yo Glenfarclas: https://www.smws.com/formidable-chocolate Very satisfying.
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Dec 5, 2019 21:48
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KozmoNaut posted:I have the SMWS advent calendar, and so far it's outrageously good. How much do these advent calendars cost anyway?
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Dec 6, 2019 01:15
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I think with shipping mine came in just under 200.
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Dec 6, 2019 01:23
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DoctaFun posted:Glendronach 18 is fantastic, and the stuff you can buy right now is actually more like 24 years old even though it’s labeled as an 18 year. The Lustau was one of my favorite bottles. If it wasn't so expensive I would buy it far more often.
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Dec 6, 2019 06:51
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Speaking of expensive Redbreast, if you live in CA K&L just got in store pick bottles of the stuff. 14 years old, cask strength, and if their advertising puffery is to be believed, strong but not overwhelming sherry influence. https://klwines.com/p/i?i=1451324 also if you live outside CA or don't want to blow $100 on a bottle you can live vicariously thru me, since I snagged one myself and will post notes ITT at some point
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Dec 6, 2019 07:56
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Vox Nihili posted:How much do these advent calendars cost anyway? This one cost around $220, so not inexpensive, but so far it's worth it.
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Dec 6, 2019 08:11
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gently caress now I have to go buy a bottle of Lustau. Got me thinking about it again.
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Dec 6, 2019 14:47
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Whiskey Advocate had their best whiskey thing. A $36 bottle in bond version of George Dickel won. http://whiskyadvocate.com/top20/ I regret not picking up the Erza Barrel Strength while I had the chance.
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Dec 7, 2019 05:35
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Vox Nihili posted:Speaking of expensive Redbreast, if you live in CA K&L just got in store pick bottles of the stuff. 14 years old, cask strength, and if their advertising puffery is to be believed, strong but not overwhelming sherry influence. Please try this and say it's awful so I don't buy it.
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Dec 7, 2019 20:52
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Made some shelves for my collection  
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Dec 8, 2019 22:50
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My wife was lamenting our lack of scotch the other day and I was thinking about surprising her with a bottle for Christmas. Any recommendations for something ~$50? I'm not really a booze person so I wouldn't really know where to start.
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Dec 9, 2019 17:40
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Highland Park 12 is pretty middle of the road in the $50 range, assuming this is scotch drank neat or rocks. Personally Laphroaig is my jam at the price point, but peat is a hit/miss thing with some.
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Dec 9, 2019 18:16
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Radio Nowhere posted:Highland Park 12 is pretty middle of the road in the $50 range, assuming this is scotch drank neat or rocks. Personally Laphroaig is my jam at the price point, but peat is a hit/miss thing with some. Yeah, Highland Park was the first thing that came to my mind as well, though it’s hard to say without knowing individual taste. In the past I’ve also had Balvenie Doublewood recommended to me in that price range, though I haven’t tried it. My personal favorite is Oban 14, but that’s probably closer to $60.
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Dec 9, 2019 18:55
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Glenmorangie is also pretty nice and easy drinking at that price
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Dec 9, 2019 19:14
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Radio Nowhere posted:Highland Park 12 is pretty middle of the road in the $50 range, assuming this is scotch drank neat or rocks. Personally Laphroaig is my jam at the price point, but peat is a hit/miss thing with some. Neat/rocks is the idea, yeah. I'll try to ascertain how she feels about peat.
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Dec 9, 2019 19:21
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Straight White Shark posted:Neat/rocks is the idea, yeah. I'll try to ascertain how she feels about peat. If she likes peat, Laphroaig 10 or Ardbeg 10 are both great and should be ~$50. Choosing between them is kind of a coke vs. pepsi thing, in that just about anyone who likes one also likes the other but may still have a preference between them. Otherwise, nthing HP 12.
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Dec 9, 2019 19:25
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Radio Nowhere posted:Personally Laphroaig is my jam at the price point, but peat is a hit/miss thing with some.  Oddly, yesterday's dram from the calendar was Laphroaig 10. Was bound to get one I already had a big bottle of eventually.Not sure if anyone else has tried the Game of Thrones collection, but they're pretty decent so far and I think most of them are in the price range Straight White Shark is looking for.
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Dec 9, 2019 19:40
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BaronVonVaderham posted:Not sure if anyone else has tried the Game of Thrones collection, but they're pretty decent so far and I think most of them are in the price range Straight White Shark is looking for. mentalcontempt posted:My personal favorite is Oban 14, but that’s probably closer to $60. They're all pretty good and something different/"feel special" over the basic expressions from the same distilleries The Night's Watch Oban is a good alternative to the 14 or Little Bay, and it's got the coolest bottle of the set - probably about $55-60 if you can find it.
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Dec 9, 2019 19:48
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I'm really loving the Targaryen one this week (Cardhu Gold Reserve), but my favorite is probably Greyjoy (Talisker Select Reserve).
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Dec 9, 2019 19:55
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Looks like Trader Joe's is buying Alexander Murray & Co lots for their own label. Local one had a 2000 Dalmore 18 for $58osh and a Glen Moray 13 cask strength 2002 for $35ish I think, along with an actual AM labeled Benrinnes which they have had before.
biggfoo fucked around with this message at 23:22 on Dec 9, 2019 |
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Dec 9, 2019 21:15
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Looking for a recommendation. I've decided that Talisker Distillers Edition is the Nectar of the gods. I'd like to find other bottles in that wheelhouse. That Talisker is literally the best spirit I've ever enjoyed and want more like it. I have NOT had anything else from Talisker and will likely grab the 10 and 18 but what else? The combination of sweet, brine is smoke is truly amazing
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Dec 9, 2019 22:50
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Anyone had the Alexander Murray Laphroaig 12 year, cask strength? It's onsale at my local costco for like 60 bucks and was curious about it.
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Dec 9, 2019 23:34
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Carillon posted:Anyone had the Alexander Murray Laphroaig 12 year, cask strength? It's onsale at my local costco for like 60 bucks and was curious about it. Got it for $50 here. Worth it.
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Dec 10, 2019 03:04
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Trying to see if I like bourbon straight, but need some recommendations. Sorry if I break any major rules by how I currently drink the stuff. I started drinking Jameson & ginger ale years ago and then started to like Jameson straight, mostly for shots. That evolved into buying some red breast 12 and drinking that straight-I like that and don’t bother with Jameson and ginger ale anymore. I like old fashioneds and the bar I used to go to used Amador bourbon, which is made in California I believe. So I usually buy that bourbon for making old fashioneds. It’s ok on its own, but I need to put some ice or a little water in it to make it drinkable for me. One time they made me an old fashioned and used some kind of rye and I didn’t like it at all. So my goal is to find something I can drink on its own. Not sure if it’s possible but the smoother the better, and by smooth I mean “not burning all the way down”. Any recommendations on things to try?
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Dec 10, 2019 12:49
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Buffalo Trace Elijah Craig Small Batch Four Roses Small Batch
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Dec 10, 2019 13:28
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Try something lower proof like Basil Hayden's. It won't burn as much. There's nothing wrong with adding an ice cube or water to something to make it drinkable. Just over time, add less until your pallet gets used to it. I definitely add something to higher proof bourbons. Sometimes it opens up new flavors and it's definitely one of the neat things about whiskey.
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Dec 10, 2019 13:33
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Blanton's is one of the smoothest tastiest bourbons I've had. It is one of the few I enjoy. Four Rose's Single Barrel, or even a store pick if your lucky to have that available to you Buffalo Trace Eagle Rare
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Dec 10, 2019 13:44
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Also - In general a single barrel bourbon is going to be less "smooth" than a standard or small batch offering. The two main reasons are the blending usually evens out some of the harshness that the whiskey may have, and single barrel offerings are usually bottled at a higher proof 90-100+, while the basic and small batches are often in the 80-92 range The major downside of lower proof whiskey is the more water they add at the bottling, more flavor and nuance is lost Basil Hayden's is actually a great starting point because even it's low proof doesn't sacrifice a lot of flavor, but isn't harsh like some other low proof/higher rye options (cough cough WT80)
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Dec 10, 2019 14:08
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Basil Hayden's on the rocks is great on a hot summer day.
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Dec 10, 2019 15:21
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Four Roses Single Barrel is way more potent than I'd recommend to someone new to whiskey. I'd suggest not going above approx. 90 proof. Four Roses Small Batch is great and what I started with. I agree with the other suggestions of Buffalo Trace, Eagle Rare, and Elijah Craig Small Batch. Blanton's too, but it's unobtanium in many areas of the U.S. I've never seen it on a retail shelf. Bulleit is another option, but I haven't tried it since they switched from sourcing from Four Roses and started selling their own. Maker's Mark is an easy drinker, if a bit bland. Maker's Mark 46 is great though. Basil Hayden's is fine but overpriced for what it is, imo. At least around here it became super popular with hipsters and has been priced largely on marketing.
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Dec 10, 2019 15:45
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TobinHatesYou posted:Basil Hayden's on the rocks is great on a hot summer day. Splash in some Cocchi and you've basically got a sweet tea cocktail.
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Dec 10, 2019 15:59
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I recently got a coworker drinking neat bourbon with Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond. He also liked Maker's 46, Elijah Craig Small Batch, Michter's US1 and a few others, but EW BiB was his favorite and he was elated when I let him take the bottle home. It may have helped that I told him it was a lot more rare and expensive than it actually is.
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Dec 10, 2019 16:55
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Elijah Craig and basil Hayden seem easy enough to find, but is Buffalo Trace really rare or something? Total Wine and the ABC (Virginia liquor store) don’t seem to have it in stock.
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Dec 10, 2019 17:38
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nwin posted:Elijah Craig and basil Hayden seem easy enough to find, but is Buffalo Trace really rare or something? Total Wine and the ABC (Virginia liquor store) don’t seem to have it in stock. I've never seen it missing from the shelf here in Georgia but apparently they've been having regional shortages?
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Dec 10, 2019 17:42
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nwin posted:Elijah Craig and basil Hayden seem easy enough to find, but is Buffalo Trace really rare or something? Total Wine and the ABC (Virginia liquor store) don’t seem to have it in stock. it is and should be readily available, but yeah, I think there's been some distribution issues lately. My local store just got their barrel picks in that they were supposed to get in July
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Dec 10, 2019 17:47
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nwin posted:Elijah Craig and basil Hayden seem easy enough to find, but is Buffalo Trace really rare or something? Total Wine and the ABC (Virginia liquor store) don’t seem to have it in stock. It’s neither rare nor expensive but it is popular
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Dec 10, 2019 17:49
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nwin posted:Elijah Craig and basil Hayden seem easy enough to find, but is Buffalo Trace really rare or something? Total Wine and the ABC (Virginia liquor store) don’t seem to have it in stock. BT's distribution is weird. I've seen shelves full of it outside of Florida. Meanwhile, here I very rarely see regular Buffalo Trace, and I've only ever seen seen Eagle Rare twice. The Total Wine here hides the BT behind the counter and you have to ask for it, and I have never seen ER or Blanton's at Total Wine.
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Dec 10, 2019 18:08
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