Phx Members - any interest in starting ABC?

[orangedogofglory]

Seems that there are a good number of Phoenix members on the forum - at least 4 or so. Here's my thought:

I don't like dropping $100-$300 on a full bottle when really I just want a taste. I also don't want to spend $40 for 2oz just for a taste when a full bottle would only cost the equivalent of a handful of shots. I find it to be the whisky-budget conundrum.

So, I had a thought - Arizona Bottle Club.

If we got 4 or 6 people to pool $50 each every so often (say quarterly), we could go in on a $200-$300 bottle (something rare, expensive, hard to find, unique, etc.), split it amongst the members (ie if there are 5 members and we buy a 750ml bottle, each person would get 150ml). This way, we all avoid paying "bar" prices and avoid being out of pocket for the full cost of a bottle.

It is a bit of a spin on the "everyone bring a bottle and we'll share" idea - this way we all spend the same and still enjoy the same whisky - to exchange notes, etc. Plus it removes the temptation to "collect" and not open a harder to find or more expensive bottle.

Any takers?

[pkt77242]

I am in, not that anyone is shocked by that. Any other takers? Jeff or Aaron or any other AZ members?
We definitely need some kind of whisky club out here.

Sean

[jhershauer]

Owe! Easy there...

Ok, you twisted my arm enough. I'm in.

Jeff

[orangedogofglory]

Alright - sounds good. I have a friend who will be interested as well - so we've got at least four, and maybe a fifth assuming no one objects.

In the next week or so I'll work on setting up a page or website dedicated to this and we can start on selecting timing, amounts, bottle selection, etc. I suspect this has the potential to gather a few more people - I think 5 or 6 is probably the right number unless we start getting two or more bottles at a time.

I'll post up as I make progress. I'll also update/share my open bottle list - maybe I can jump in on the sample sharing and bring something new for you guys to try.

[nxthree]

This is a great idea. I've been thinking about trying to setup something similar in my neck of the woods (Iowa).

If you wouldn't mind keeping us posted on how this progresses, and maybe share your website when ready, I'd be very interested.

Brian

[jhershauer]

Great, we've got some people on board. Now if we could just get somebody to take the bull by the horns and move this thing forward.

Thanks Orange Dog!

Jeff

[orangedogofglory]

By the way:

Magnum's has the following tasting Tuesday night. Not trying to promote any business in particular, but that Laphroaig "Bourbon Cask" looks interesting enough that I thought I'd post up. I'm currently planning on making it.

86 Proof Series
Caperdonich "Oak Cask" 11yr 1996 (Highland)
Linkwood "Sherry Cask" 13yr 1995 (Highland)
Mortloch "Oak Cask" 16yr 1992 (Highland)

Un-Chill Filtered
Bunnahabahan "Refill Butt" 9yr 1997 (Islay)
McCallan "Oak Cask" 11yr 1997 (Highland)

Cask Strength
Bunnnahabahan "Sherry Cask" 28yr 1978 (Islay)
Highland Park "Oak Cask" 22yr 1986 (Orkney)
Laphroaig "Bourbon Cask" 17yr 1991 (Islay)

As Well As:
Hogs Head
Isle Of Sky

Will make some progress on a website this weekend - then the tough stuff starts... which bottle? ha ha

[orangedogofglory]

This is a great idea. I've been thinking about trying to setup something similar in my neck of the woods (Iowa).

If you wouldn't mind keeping us posted on how this progresses, and maybe share your website when ready, I'd be very interested.

Brian

Yeah - we'll definitely keep you posted!

[jhershauer]

By the way:

Magnum's has the following tasting Tuesday night. Not trying to promote any business in particular, but that Laphroaig "Bourbon Cask" looks interesting enough that I thought I'd post up. I'm currently planning on making it.

Yep...Sean and I will be there: viewtopic.php?f=10&t=12390

[pkt77242]

Magnum's has the following tasting Tuesday night. Not trying to promote any business in particular, but that Laphroaig "Bourbon Cask" looks interesting enough that I thought I'd post up. I'm currently planning on making it.

Will see you there, also I have a Sig CS Laph 1991 15yo that is pretty good. Would you like me to bring you a sample?

[orangedogofglory]

By the way:

Magnum's has the following tasting Tuesday night. Not trying to promote any business in particular, but that Laphroaig "Bourbon Cask" looks interesting enough that I thought I'd post up. I'm currently planning on making it.

Yep...Sean and I will be there: viewtopic.php?f=10&t=12390

oops... missed the other thread. assuming work doesn't rear its head I plan on being there.

[orangedogofglory]

Magnum's has the following tasting Tuesday night. Not trying to promote any business in particular, but that Laphroaig "Bourbon Cask" looks interesting enough that I thought I'd post up. I'm currently planning on making it.

Will see you there, also I have a Sig CS Laph 1991 15yo that is pretty good. Would you like me to bring you a sample?

Yeah! Would really like to try that!

Anyone else attending interested in a sample of any of the following:

Talisker 18
Signatory Mortlach 1991 15 Year (Vintage)
BenRiach 12
Balvenie 17 Madeira
Balvenie 17 Rum
Balvenie 17 New Oak
Caol Ila 18
Tullibardine 1993
Signatory Highland Park 1993 13 Year (UCF)
Bunnahabhain 18
Highland Park 18

[orangedogofglory]

Alright... work has been absolutely crazy but today I registered a new site dedicated to this... I will hopefully have the site template/graphics up sometime in the next day or two, and will be using google forms for note recording/selection process, etc.

I think we have a solid 4 members, and possibly a 5th. I think that is good as a per bottle amount... although we can discuss size of the group as time goes on.

In any event, I'll start a new thread on this topic once I get a draft of the site up and running!

[pkt77242]

Time to start talking about our first bottle? Any ideas? hmm. US or UK bottlings?

[orangedogofglory]

Sorry... behind in setting up something dedicated. Work has been REALLY busy lately.

I was thinking it would be fun to rotate regions. Start with islay, for example, and then move onto speyside, then lowland, then highland, etc.

I wouldn't mind starting with an islay whisky. Something like this:

http://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/P-10264.aspx

but I'm open to ideas.

[jhershauer]

Laphroaig 3W is nice. I got a sample of it, expecting to like it more than the QC, but surprisingly, did not. It was very close, though.

What about something that might not be around for long. One of the Malt Maniacs Gold Medal winners, for example:
http://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/P-10926.aspx

As for Islay malts, my first choice would probably be Port Askaig 30 year (Caol Ila), but I'm game for something like that Laph. as well, as I'd really like to explore it beyond the 1 oz sample I tried. The Laph is also much less expensive than the other two I mentioned.

Thanks,
Jeff

[pkt77242]

I was at Total Wine today and they had 5 G+M's

Linkwood 15yo 43%
Mortlach 15yo 43%
Speymalt Macallan 1988
Glenturret 11yo 46%
Glenrothes 8yo

They also had Benromach.

Hopefully some more G+M will make it out here. I have 3 bottles (OP 1993 Sherry cask, Cragganmore 1966 40yo, and Talisker 1986 21yo) and they are all very good.

What about buying the Scott's Seletion Glen Mhor and sharing it. I would like to try it since it is closed but am not sure about a full bottle?

[jhershauer]

Sean - That was the new Benromach 10 year at Total Wine?!

I'm cool with the Glen Mohr. I just remembered another one I really, really want to try, also. Port Charlotte PC8. $115 shipped from LFW.

Jeff

[orangedogofglory]

Both the Glen Mhor and PC8 sound good to me.

Is the Glen Mhor the $100 bottle from Sportsmans?

[orangedogofglory]

So have we decided on the Glen Mhor? Does someone want to go pick it up? If it hasn't been already, I can run and grab it this week.

[pkt77242]

I might be able to get some Ardbeg Rollercoaster. Do we want to do this as one of our bottles? Just let me know. I should know if I can get it by Tuesday or Wednesday.

[jhershauer]

I might be able to get some Ardbeg Rollercoaster. Do we want to do this as one of our bottles? Just let me know. I should know if I can get it by Tuesday or Wednesday.

Yes please.

[orangedogofglory]

I might be able to get some Ardbeg Rollercoaster. Do we want to do this as one of our bottles? Just let me know. I should know if I can get it by Tuesday or Wednesday.

Yes please.

I think I said yes in an email, but can't remember. I'd be up for splitting this.

[pkt77242]

Ok the Ardbeg Rollercoaster is here. We now have three bottles I believe, probably time for us to meet up. Anyone else agree? Anyone heard from Aaron recently?

[jhershauer]

Rollercoaster in the house. That's awesome! Thanks Sean.

Yes, three bottles now: Rollercoaster, Scott's Selection Glen Mhor, and Parker's Golden Anniversary. That's a pretty nice start!

I guess we just need to get our hands on some 8 oz sample bottles now.

Will I be seeing any of you at Sportsman's Scottsdale tomorrow for the Compass Box tasting (5-7pm)?

Thanks,
Jeff

[AZmalt]

Ok the Ardbeg Rollercoaster is here. We now have three bottles I believe, probably time for us to meet up. Anyone else agree? Anyone heard from Aaron recently?

Hey I'm interested if there are portions available still. Not on forums as much lately, sorry.

Sounds like a nice dram.

[orangedogofglory]

Hey guys - works been killing me lately.

Looking forward to splitting these. We should get together soon, and definitely get some 8oz bottles...

[pkt77242]

Ok the Ardbeg Rollercoaster is here. We now have three bottles I believe, probably time for us to meet up. Anyone else agree? Anyone heard from Aaron recently?

Hey I'm interested if there are portions available still. Not on forums as much lately, sorry.

Sounds like a nice dram.

I haven't split it up yet, so I will count you in. What days work for everyone?

[AZmalt]

Which week? Daytime or evening? Maybe we could take it to PM's from here...