Hey folks, I know we must have some fans of the malt here…I have a nice little collection of Scotland’s most famous product, around 70 bottles or so, I kinda lost count after a while. The prizes of the collection are a bottle of Ardbeg Lord of the Isles 2002 vintage, and a Springbank 1966 Local Barley. One of these days I’ll get around to cataloging my collection… So, what are you tippling today?

absinthe is my current choice in the hard stuff. Not only do I love the herby flavor, the buzz from it is amazing (it’s not like people say it’s just a really really clear headed drunk, i.e. the drunken poetry on an absinthe night does not require exceptional editing skills when soberity hits.) Though when I go whiskey I prefer bourbon over scotch (though I’ll never complain about a good single malt, but if I’am buying I have my prefrence.)

Wow!! I’m jealous of that Springbank. I’ve quit, but that was my favorite brand. They had a rep out here and I got to try the whole line that was routinely distributed a few years back. Earlier I found 2 bottles of Springbank 21 year that were collecting dust on a shelf at a small liquor store in Maryland. Now this was during the time when the distillery was just coming back after a hiatus when the only variety they were distibuting in the USA was a 10 year and it was hard to find. So those had been there at least 5 years, not sure how long that drought lasted. I have a Malt Advocate around here with the whole story somewhere. I managed to make those 2 21 year Springbanks last for 2 years. I was better at drinking than collecting so that was unusual.

Right now i’am having some Cutty Shark, nothing special, but very smooth and affortable.

My favorite bender drink has to be Mezcal, specifically Monte Alban; that is one interesting drunk. In my younger years, my friend and would split a bottle while partying our faces off, and i never got too drunk(ie sick). I also like my rye whiskey, Jim Bean being my usual.

As of late, i don’t mix, about two fingers in a small glass and sip.

i have an old bottle of dunhill whiskey i looked it up its worth 350 dollars

I love smokey single malts but the wife says it gives me dragon breath. LOL I give a neighbor veggies from my garden all summer and he gifted me a Balvinie double wood last month. Mostly I drink JB as a jug of it is only $25 and in this economy that is about what I can afford.

I do drink a bunch of Jinro shochu in the summer. Basically its sake on steroids! Or good old Gin and tonics with extra lime and a few shakes of bitters! 

Two single malts of note from me. Auchentoshan three wood, The Spanish Sherry cask really adds some lovely character in the finish.
Then the Yamazaki single malt from Japan, yes I know, but they really are a threat!

http://www.drinkhacker.com/2008/06/16/review-suntory-the-yamazaki-12-year-single-malt-whisky/

I’m a total whiskey newbie, I’m happy with some Maker’s Mark, not sure if that’s up to everyone’s standards here. I’ve had some more expensive sips here and there but rarely. So I wonder, other than a lack of harshness, what is a sign of quality? To me it’s just very subjective so far…

Good question Mr. O! Makers is sort of a standard to me, one to compare many of of it’s type to. I have very meager means to explore these waters, but over the years many opportunities exist. I think one just explores and once in a while the angels sing. Smoothness and balance count a lot, but some bold scotches are very pleasant too. I love a good Lagavulin, many do not.

@whalen best answer to that question ever.

@bob, thank’s! Have you had the Yamazaki? It has a unique position as a single malt, It is a bit bold though I really enjoy a wee dram now and then.

I have a bottle of Cask strength Macallan that was just unbearable neat, but one nice cube of ice brought this one to exquisite heights, just night and day the effects. A memorable discovery, that taught me a lot about the addition of good spring water to a spirit, then the effect of the chill.

I owe most all of my discoveries to a gentleman from Scotland that has been my guide, I am lucky to count him amongst friends. Sharing some 21 year Highland Park takes a rare generosity.

Lagavulin if I have money, Talisker if I have slightly less money.

no never even knew it was real untill you mentioned it. After reading reviews it sounds really good and if not great at least interesting and unique. It sounds like being japanesse it doesn’t have to follow the tradions of any specfic other place, it can be inspired by scotch, irish and bourbon in equal parts (or that is how it sounds to me). Which may not be for everyone but sounds good to me. Heck at one time the idea of Americans makeing whiskey seemed odd.

I knew I couldn’t be the only one:) Currently sipping a dram from a Signatory bottling of a 1980 Port Ellen @ cask strength of 59.9% Very smooth even at full strength, with some peat and honey notes to it. Lovely stuff!

Thank’s for the advice Whalen!  Has anyone had Dalmore (sp?)? I had a glass and thought it was nice but maybe a little warm for me, maybe I needed a splash of water with it.

What a wonderful Task! I took that bottle of Japanese scotch to my Scot’s tasting, was full of trepidation, He quite enjoyed both the Malt and the shock of it. The nice thing about scotch is the range of flavor, and the care that goes into a good bottle. Thank god for all those empty spirit barrels, and for what they do!

cheap alcohol is a cheap drug, fine alcohol is art and alchemy.

I don’t like whisky (sorry) but my wife recently won a cask (100 bottles) of Jura. She’ll be getting 20 bottles a year from them. It’s some kind of special and is worth about £100 a bottle. Guess I’ll have to learn to like it!

you won’t have trouble making friends.

Peter, that single malt sounds amazing. I just checked out the website. It is very nicely done. Don’t worry about not liking it, you can always make mixed drinks with it if you must. I have a feeling though, that you will acquire a taste for it. You could start by bathing with it.  If you start making your own snuff I’d expect it would be scented with Jura. I’ve been on the wagon for over six months or so and I’m really starting to feel I’m missing something. Not getting off though because those AA meetings are just so depressing. 

you certainly aren’t missing waking up feeling like death and promising you’re self you’ll never do that again and hoping that you only hung out with the ugly waitress. Or is it just mean who doesn’t enjoy that?

@Juxtaposer – “I’ve been on the wagon for over six months or so and I’m really starting to feel I’m missing something.” Careful there, buddy.

if it helps I’am on the wagon myself cause I’am sick of the parts of drinking I don’t like. If it doesn’t I still am.

Oh…my…I remember my first taste of Springbank in 1997. Best I ever had…hands down. Although I love all the other of the Islays, that Springbank will always stay with me.

My brother is getting married in a couple of months and I would like to bring a special bottle to help celebrate. Perhaps Springbank would fit the bill?? Thoughts, gentlemen…