Live Tastings discussion thread

[Ganga]

What do ya'll think of doing "Entry Level Drams" in May?

Glenlivet 12, Glenfiddich 12, Balvenie 12 DW, HP 12, Laphroaig 10, Caol Ila 12, etc. Those that most would start off from a particular distillery.

[pkt77242]

What do ya'll think of doing "Entry Level Drams" in May?

Glenlivet 12, Glenfiddich 12, Balvenie 12 DW, HP 12, Laphroaig 10, Caol Ila 12, etc. Those that most would start off from a particular distillery.

That is what I was thinking. Do we do just scotch or irish and bourbons, etc?

[dramtastic]

Personally I reckon it should be any entry level whisky from any country, widen the net so to speak.
Would it be single malts or blends as well?

[Ganga]

I would say entry level whiskies in general. I think this will give opportunities to those experienced in one "discipline" to start into another as well as provide some opportunities for those that are just starting the journey in all whiskies.

[johan brugge]

This sounds like a good idea but of all the 'basic standard whiskies' I only have a Glenfiddich 12yo at home so I can't be of much use to this thread I'm afraid.

[Willie JJ]

Johan these are the knd of drams that non whisky mad folk keep in their cupboards. Ask around and you can maybe assemble a few samples. I think breadth is good. Let's see if we can persuade folk to join in.

[pkt77242]

This sounds like a good idea but of all the 'basic standard whiskies' I only have a Glenfiddich 12yo at home so I can't be of much use to this thread I'm afraid.

Do you have any Ardbeg 10? or Caol Ila CS NAS?

[pkt77242]

I also meant to add that I have Fiddich 12, HP 12, Macallan 12, OP 12, Auchentoshan Classic, Speyside 12, Bunna 12, Jameson NAS, and Bushmills NAS. Maybe 1 or 2 more lurking around as well.

[dramtastic]

I also meant to add that I have Fiddich 12, HP 12, Macallan 12, OP 12, Auchentoshan Classic, Speyside 12, Bunna 12, Jameson NAS, and Bushmills NAS. Maybe 1 or 2 more lurking around as well.

Can't wait to read your review on the excellent Speyside 12.

[pkt77242]

I also meant to add that I have Fiddich 12, HP 12, Macallan 12, OP 12, Auchentoshan Classic, Speyside 12, Bunna 12, Jameson NAS, and Bushmills NAS. Maybe 1 or 2 more lurking around as well.

Can't wait to read your review on the excellent Speyside 12.

My review will be a warning for beginners. Don't be sucked in by the cheap price.

[johan brugge]

Do you have any Ardbeg 10? or Caol Ila CS NAS?

Yes, in fact I do. I have the Ten, Caol Ila CS, Caol Ila Moch and a Laga 16yo but that's it.

[Ganga]

This sounds like a good idea but of all the 'basic standard whiskies' I only have a Glenfiddich 12yo at home so I can't be of much use to this thread I'm afraid.

Johan, you can be of geat use. You can recall your experiences of the basic whiskies and also ask questions.

[johan brugge]

Is there already a particular date for the May tasting or have I missed something in the previous posts?
What's on for June? What about different ages like 3yo - 5yo, 6yo - 10yo, 11yo -15yo etc.?

[dramtastic]

Here's a list of standard/entry level Japanese whiskys. I know I'm not the only one who has some of these, but maybe other's hadn't considered them for the May tasting. I know that they are not available in every country, but all should be easy to order online.

Nikka
Pure Malt: Red, White, Black
Nikka From The Barrel
Taketsuru 12
Yoichi: NAS, 10, 12
Miyagikyo: NAS, 10, 12

Suntory
Hibiki 12
Hakushu: 10, 12
Yamazaki: 10, 12

[Ganga]

Great Dram. Yes, we are aware that entry levels vary from country to country. So it is whatever the entry level is for each place.

[dramtastic]

Thought I'd put a list of potential candidates for the Back to Basics tasting this month.
Scottish Single malts(From the TWE website all under GBP35)
We have discussed 12YO as being the age limit for this tasting but Clynelish 14 and Dalwhinnie 15 are the basic malts from those distilleries and are easy to find and tasty.
Arran 10
Aberlour 10
Ardbeg 10
Ardmore TC
Auchentoshan Classic/12
Balblair 1997/2000
Bowmore Legend/12
Bruichladdich Waves/Rocks
Bunnahabhain 12
Caol Ila 12
Cragganmore 12
Clynelish 14
Dalmore 12
Dalwhinnie 15
Glenfarclas 10/12
Glenkinchie 12
Glenfiddich 12
Glenlivet 12
Glenmorangie Original 10
Glen Moray NAS/12
HP 12
Laphroaig 10
Longrow CV
Macallan 10/Fine Oak
Old Pulteney 12
Springbank CV/10
Talisker 10
Tamdhu NAS

Scottish Blends (all under 20 quid)
Teachers
Grants
Bells
Whyte and Mackay
Famous Grouse
Black Bottle
BNJ
J & B
Cutty Sark
JW Red/Black
Ballantines Finest
Chivas 12

Irish Whisky (All under 30 Quid)
Jamesons NAS/12
Bushmills Original/Black Bush/10
Tullamore Dew
Kilbeggan
Redbreast 12
Tyroconnell
Connemara Peated

You may be surprised what's lurking it the back of the cupboard.
I'm sure the US crew can put together something similar for bourbons.

[Ganga]

Well done Dram. And the thought is to open it open for two weekends.

[Ganga]

We really should set a date for the next tasting, that of the pre 1980 distillates.

Also, July....thoughts?

[Willie JJ]

At the moment the 11th, 18th and 25th of June all look ok for me.

What about Summer whiskies in July?

[Ganga]

Summer or Independents would work. IBs for the 1st, 4th, 15th of July.

[Willie JJ]

IBs is good for me

[Ganga]

Lads and Lasses:

Pre-80s for June. Let's say the weekend of Jun17-19.

July will be independent bottlings and we'll make this for July1-15 (or the whole month if you insist).

What about August? September?

[Ganga]

Taking suggestions for October, November and December. I have two suggestions.

1. October Trick or Treat - Chocolate and whisky
2. December Sherry Xmas - Sherry matured or finished whisky

[pkt77242]

Taking suggestions for October, November and December. I have two suggestions.

1. October Trick or Treat - Chocolate and whisky
2. December Sherry Xmas - Sherry matured or finished whisky

Sounds good. Maybe a peat tasting for January?

[Ganga]

Taking suggestions for October, November and December. I have two suggestions.

1. October Trick or Treat - Chocolate and whisky
2. December Sherry Xmas - Sherry matured or finished whisky

Sounds good. Maybe a peat tasting for January?

What about November? Fowl whiskies?

[Willie JJ]

Fowl whiskies?

[Ganga]

Nice Willie, very nice. I'm sure MacDeffe could add the Arran Peacock as well.

[AdamMY]

Submitting a suggestion for August. A play off of the 2012 London Olympics.

International Whisky competition (sort of a free for all in terms of what can be consumed). Each person could post their gold silver and bronze. If they have enough different whiskies they could group then into different events.

[Ganga]

Yes but what of January and February? I'm sure someone has some ideas for peat's sake.

[AdamMY]

I thought January was going to be keep the peat logs burning. February could be a Month in Short Supply. For bottles that are small batches or single casks, or just in general limited runs.

[Ganga]

Short Supply....hmm. That would seem like a good one for April. Short Supply, AKA Spring Cleaning.

[Ganga]

So it has been suggested that following April's Spring Cleaning that we should have new bottles (May flowers) for May. Thoughts?

[AdamMY]

Sounds good to me!

[Ganga]

Hey, it's time to start thinking about JUNE. Thoughts?

[Willie JJ]

Long hot summer days in the sun with cool drinks and barbecues.


Unfortunately I live in Scotland and won't get any of that. What about obscure malts?