What's in your collection?

[CMcG]

<snip>
TR with ginger ale on the rocks is a thing of beauty

Two things: first, like TR and like ginger ale, so must try them together, and second, must hear the story behind it.

j

In Western Canada, rye whiskey and ginger ale on the rocks is sometimes known as "Prairie Champagne." All the more so with a fine rye!

[CMcG]

Empty cupboard now since 10/03/09........and brother, it ain't easy!!!!

I'm sure this thread isn't helping at all... good for you though.

To date I don't think I have found a single malt I did not like, albeit some required (heaven forbid) a touch of water to "open" the flavor a bit (read "reduce the bite").

I once received a bottle as a gift that came with a bottle of the same water that the whisky was distilled with. Glenfiddich if I recall correctly? It was really a wholly other experience... I wouldn't normally put water in a 40% whisky but a few drops of that stuff really elevated it in terms of, as ForresterModern wrote, opening the flavour.

Is it true that distilled H20 is preferable for a splash of water in a cask strength whisky?

------------------------

I just buy them and drink them.

I follow a similar pattern except that any bottle worth mentioning has been bought FOR me as a gift...

For helping an artist friend of mine sell some of his paintings, he brought me a bottle of Tullibardine 1993 Vintage Edition Scotch whisky. The label says "eminently quaffable" and that is 100% true! I usually favour smokey and/or peaty but the mellowness, smoothness, and sweetness of this one goes down waaaaaaayyy too easy.



As a birthday present this year, I received a bottle of Kilbeggan Irish whiskey. They claim to be the oldest distillery in the world and were established in 1757. The colour is a little bit darker than most other Irish whiskey I've tried and the flavour somewhat more complex, with a roundess and depth that compensate for the sweetness. Also very smooth and drinkable.



This last one is not in my collection but it was for many years. My father kept a bottle of this out in the garage but it only ever had just a wee dram left in it. Somehow, it would magically replenish itself, so that one always had whisky "in a pinch." Kind of like the Easter Bunny, it wasn't until years later that I was willing to admit that my dad topped the bottle up and that it wasn't actually magic... that explains why it always tasted different!

[Jack Daw]

Here's mine:
Macallan 12 (2 bottles)
Macallan 15 (2)
Macallan Cask Strength (2)
Macallan 18 (6)
Macallan 21 (1)
Macallan Gran Reserva (1)
Dalmore Gran Reserva (1)
Oban 14 (1)
Bowmore Mariner Islay (1)
Isle of Jura 16 (1)
Talisker 10 (2)
Talisker 18 (2)
Glenfiddich 12 (2)
Glenfiddich 15 (1)
Glenfiddich 18 (1)
McClelland's (1)
The Glenlivet 18 (1)
Highland Park 12 (2)
Highland Park 18 (1)
Springbank 12 (1)
Springbank 15 (1)
Laphroaig 15 (2)
Laphroaig 18 (1)
Lagavulin 16 (1)
The Arran 10 (1)
Aberlour 10 (1)
Tomintoul 16 (1)
Battlehill 16 (1)

[lethearen]

Does anybody have in their collection, or care to comment on the Cardhu 12 yr single malt? I've never heard of this one.

I've tried Cardhu 12 a while back. If I recall, the people sampling it said it is most commonly used in blending... in particular, it was the chief constituent of Johnnie Black.

I remember liking it, but couldn't really describe it now. It's been a while

Unless I'm remembering something wrong

[lethearen]

lethearen: Douglas Laing is a blender and bottler, not a distiller per se. I think they buy and bottle single malts from distilleries. Please correct me, if I am wrong. See

http://www.scotchwhisky.net/independ...glas_laing.htm

I have not seen their whisky for sale, but even their web page states, "Getting your hands on a bottle from our coveted Old Malt Cask range, for example, can prove a pleasant adventure, nothing too intrepid ...". If I ever see a bottle, I'll be sure to sample it. And then, if I don't like it, I'll put the cork in and put it back on the shelf. ;-)

Ah ok... thanks for the heads up I'll keep an eye out, still

[ForresterModern]

lethearen: Douglas Laing is a blender and bottler, not a distiller per se. I think they buy and bottle single malts from distilleries. Please correct me, if I am wrong. See

http://www.scotchwhisky.net/independ...glas_laing.htm

I have not seen their whisky for sale, but even their web page states, "Getting your hands on a bottle from our coveted Old Malt Cask range, for example, can prove a pleasant adventure, nothing too intrepid ...". If I ever see a bottle, I'll be sure to sample it. And then, if I don't like it, I'll put the cork in and put it back on the shelf. ;-)

For a site with some Douglas Laing offerings try the Whisky Castle in Tomintoul, Scotland:

http://www.whiskycastle.co.uk/sectio...4df1944bb63ff0

http://www.whiskycastle.co.uk/sectio...Sec=14&xPage=1

Some nice choices there, and they ship in "al-qaeda-proof" shipping containers which are nice to re-use if you ever travel and wish to bring back a bottle or two in your checked baggage.

jeff

[Jack Daw]

I will tell you that of my collection above the most disappointing is the Arran 10. I visited this distillery in Lochranza, Arran, back in 2003 when the place had been in business only a few short years (1997?). We sampled a couple of the single-malts and were impressed. So, I was happy to see a bottle of the stuff on the shelf of my package store and bought it without further ado. Without sampling, I took it on a Highland games venture and cracked it open for the first time for a few of my friends to try. Everyone's expression darkened at the first sip; then, I took mine and couldn't believe the kerosene I was drinking. What in the world happened?

[Duncanofcolorado]

That is disappointing to hear, Jack. I bought a bottle just last week. Haven't tried it yet. I'll follow up when I do crack it open.

[Jack Daw]

That is disappointing to hear, Jack. I bought a bottle just last week. Haven't tried it yet. I'll follow up when I do crack it open.

Let me know.

[beloitpiper]

I will tell you that of my collection above the most disappointing is the Arran 10. I visited this distillery in Lochranza, Arran, back in 2003 when the place had been in business only a few short years (1997?). We sampled a couple of the single-malts and were impressed. So, I was happy to see a bottle of the stuff on the shelf of my package store and bought it without further ado. Without sampling, I took it on a Highland games venture and cracked it open for the first time for a few of my friends to try. Everyone's expression darkened at the first sip; then, I took mine and couldn't believe the kerosene I was drinking. What in the world happened?

Not sure. I bottle a 14 year old Arran that is wonderful. Nonchillfltered and 43%. I'll send you a sample if you'd like to compare the two.