Any Scotch drinkers in the house?

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Originally Posted by pacde

Not technically scotch .... but as good as it gets anyway
Suntory Yamazaki 12 yr

probably the best Ive had...

I simply cannot think about Suntory without this popping into my head.

[peter12]

Kirkland Signature is now a purveyor of good-quality vodka?

Huh... The world has changed or was I just asleep?

[CaptainYooh]

Originally Posted by pacde

Not technically scotch .... but as good as it gets anyway
Suntory Yamazaki 12 yr

probably the best Ive had...

It's decent. if you liked it, try Bowmore 15 Darkest, same notes but deeper and more pronounced (best value in Islay Scotch single malt these days, imo, for $75). Suntory bought Bowmore long time ago and keeps away from meddling into its operations other than controlling distribution and learning the production techniques.

But it is Suntory Yamazaki 18, which those who appreciate single malts should get. It stole all of of the awards at pretty much all of the world single malt competitions when it came out 2-3 years ago. Initially, the price was just over $100 US. It was quickly bought out and disappeared from everywhere. Even in Japan, I couldn't find it in liquor stores there last fall. I've had two ounces of it for free at Narita Duty Free but balked at paying $500 for a "gift set" of one bottle plus decorative box and glass.

[Hack&Lube]

Alberta Premium is exported to be used in a lot of high priced American Rye blends. It's all a marketing thing. It's actually a decent Whisky. The problem is the regular product is really young at 5 years old. The Alberta Premium 10, 15, 20 year olds when they were available were reported very excellent.

There's a cool video out there somewhere of a pub in Scotland with ton of experienced Whisky tasters trying plain old Alberta Premium at a blind tasting and rating it as an expensive Scotch.

My go to whiskies for this year have been reliable/affordable Laphroaig Quarter Cask and actually Crown Royal Harvest Rye. They are so flavorful and smooth and bottled at 48% and 45% respectively. They don't have any harshness at all. It's just peaty, smoky goodness from Laphroig and a fresh and clean sweetness from the Harvest Rye.

[Fuzz]

Is it possible to find Harvest Rye easily now? I haven't looked in a long time.

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Is it possible to find Harvest Rye easily now? I haven't looked in a long time.

Pretty easy. But I've generally seen it at $40 instead of the original $26 price.

[pacde]

Originally Posted by CaptainYooh

It's decent. if you liked it, try Bowmore 15 Darkest, same notes but deeper and more pronounced (best value in Islay Scotch single malt these days, imo, for $75). Suntory bought Bowmore long time ago and keeps away from meddling into its operations other than controlling distribution and learning the production techniques.

But it is Suntory Yamazaki 18, which those who appreciate single malts should get. It stole all of of the awards at pretty much all of the world single malt competitions when it came out 2-3 years ago. Initially, the price was just over $100 US. It was quickly bought out and disappeared from everywhere. Even in Japan, I couldn't find it in liquor stores there last fall. I've had two ounces of it for free at Narita Duty Free but balked at paying $500 for a "gift set" of one bottle plus decorative box and glass.

$500 is a lot for something you just drink anyway... regardless of how good it is

Ill keep my eye open for the Bowmore, thanks for the tip

[rain_e]

Had a bottle of Nikka from the barrel last week with a friend. First Japanese experience and was very pleased with it. The hangover not so much.

[MRCboicgy]

Super Nikka Revival at KWM. Great value for 79 bucks, and apparently the only place in Canada you can get it.

[DoubleF]

Have you guys experimented with your Nikka with ice/neat?

The bottle my buddy grabbed at Costco (Whisky from the barrel @51.4%) I drink neat no problem. Added ice and it got boring.

But I also nabbed a Nikka coffey grain (@45%) and it tastes... "standard and boring" when neat. Added water and it got all floral and unique?

[MRCboicgy]

So I won't lie, I stocked up on the From the Barrel because of the low price at Costco, and have five of those in my cabinet at the moment. Cutest little bottle ever too!

No ice, no water, as neat as it can be. Coffey malt and grain, I put a big spoon of water in because I find them oily (but in a good way)

[MoneyGuy]

I don't like any good Scotch with ice or water. It diminishes the wonderful flavour and the experience. I use the whiskey rocks occasionally.

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by MoneyGuy

I don't like any good Scotch with ice or water. It diminishes the wonderful flavour and the experience. I use the whiskey rocks occasionally.

Agreed. But there are indeed a handful of Whiskey, Scotch, Rum etc. that are enhanced by water. That being said, such beverages are not common.

[MRCboicgy]

Originally Posted by DoubleF

Agreed. But there are indeed a handful of Whiskey, Scotch, Rum etc. that are enhanced by water. That being said, such beverages are not common.

I splash water in anything barrel/cask strength, or where the burn overruns the flavour.

There's a Texas whiskey called Balcones, which is pure fire, but also tasty as hell. Without water, it's just like having a hot pepper for the sake of having spice, and the water lets the taste come through.

[CofR]

What's the price for From The Barrel at Costco?

[rain_e]

Originally Posted by CofR

What's the price for From The Barrel at Costco?

About $48.00 if they still have any left.

[Homeslice]

Hey all - looking for some collective CP help; I'm super new to scotches but I've heard that Willow Park holds a pretty awesome scotch tasting (both here and in the newspaper) but I can't seem to find the event to purchase tickets.

Is this the same thing as the "Whiskey in the Warehouse" event? https://www.willowpark.net/Events/In-Store

[kermitology]

Originally Posted by MoneyGuy

I don't like any good Scotch with ice or water. It diminishes the wonderful flavour and the experience. I use the whiskey rocks occasionally.

Originally Posted by DoubleF

Agreed. But there are indeed a handful of Whiskey, Scotch, Rum etc. that are enhanced by water. That being said, such beverages are not common.

Originally Posted by MRCboicgy

I splash water in anything barrel/cask strength, or where the burn overruns the flavour.

There's a Texas whiskey called Balcones, which is pure fire, but also tasty as hell. Without water, it's just like having a hot pepper for the sake of having spice, and the water lets the taste come through.

I was just going to mention this. Cask strength is SUPPOSED to be diluted by water.

[mrkajz44]

Originally Posted by Homeslice

Hey all - looking for some collective CP help; I'm super new to scotches but I've heard that Willow Park holds a pretty awesome scotch tasting (both here and in the newspaper) but I can't seem to find the event to purchase tickets.

Is this the same thing as the "Whiskey in the Warehouse" event? https://www.willowpark.net/Events/In-Store

While I've never actual gone to this, I do believe that is the one. I have also heard great things about it from a few people who have actually gone. Don't plan to drive afterwards is advice I've heard from most.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Originally Posted by Homeslice

Hey all - looking for some collective CP help; I'm super new to scotches but I've heard that Willow Park holds a pretty awesome scotch tasting (both here and in the newspaper) but I can't seem to find the event to purchase tickets.

Is this the same thing as the "Whiskey in the Warehouse" event? https://www.willowpark.net/Events/In-Store

That one sounds like the same event I mentioned in the OP of this old thread from years ago.

I was just talking to my cousin about that the other day. We were reminiscing about how insanely trashed we got and how great it was to taste a whole ton of scotch that I wouldn't normally drop $100/btl on just in case I hated it. I can't recall how we got the tickets on the cheap. I think he might have been part of their preferred customer program or something like that.

My only regret is that I didn't take better notes. That and I was so wasted I dropped the free glass they gave us when I got off the Ctrain at the end of the night.