Live Forum Tasting

[Willie JJ]

Right well I'll just have to do it without all the database techy stuff.

Talisker 18yo OB Talisker strength:
Colour:
Hard to tell under these lights, but deep gold it seems.

Strong legs.

Nose:
An amazing, delivery of soft fruits over-ripening in a bowl with a slightly smoky fire in the room. A hint of malt extract in an open can near the bowl.

Palate:
This dram is amazing! The initial coating of malty honey on the tongue rushes back across your palate with an inhalation of the smoke from the fire. It dances on the tongue telling different stories in different parts of your mouth. Its full bodied, but not hugely oily in texture.

Finish:
The finish is fantastic. The whisky just seems to keep bursting into life again unpredictably, first here, then there. Takes ages to fade. Pretty sure it will still be teasing me tomorrow.

Balance:
I've never really understood this term, but if there is such a thing I have to believe this dram has it in spades. Its truly magnificent.

I don't know if I'm concentrating harder on it now than I have previously, but this bottle has been open for a few months and its nearly finished now and if anything the whisky is still improving. Fantastic!

[Muskrat Portage]

Am I missing something? Where's the tasting note tab?

Down at the bottom of the "Post a Reply" screen. Scroll down...
that's right...

Okay, there are three "file tabs"
"Options ", "Upload attachment" and "Tasting Note"

Click on Tasting Note and start typing. When you're done click on "Add Tasting Note" at the bottom of the screen and you're pretty much done. I recommend you hit "Preview" before you hit "Submit" just to make sure the note is going to post properly. Sometimes it doesn't quite take and you end up with a bunch of extraneous programming commands that clutter up the note. In that case, I just clean it up first in the "post a reply" window before hitting the submit button.

Muskrat

[Willie JJ]

Thanks Musky. Funny how you remember when somebody tells you .

How's the DE? I have found it myself and am trying it now.

[Muskrat Portage]

It's settled in very nicely. The tingle is all over the roof of my mouth and the smoke just enhances the enjoyment. The higher proof doesn't hurt either. This is an excellant warming dram for a cold winter night.

How's yours? A good midnight dram?

Musky

[Willie JJ]

Its great!

I've had this bottle for a long time having picked it up in a duty free some years ago and I have used tonight as an excuse to open it. I don't normally like litre bottles, but I don't mind this one; it is truly fab. it ever so slightly reminds me of the 20yo OB at 62%, which I regard as one of my favourite drams of all time. Must be the sherry.

I have a friend who hasn't tried this bottling either and whom I predict is going to love it. Best get myself a thorough taste of it before he comes.

[Muskrat Portage]

I agree with mine as well, the sherry seems to start off and then the senses kick in with the smoke sensation. It's lovely. I can't imagine what a litre of this nectar would be like to own.

Musky
Edit: Logging off supper is ready. mrs Musky doesn't brook delays.
MP

[Willie JJ]

What year is your bottling Musky?

I really mean distillation, it doesn't offer the bottling year. Oh ok! Enjoy your supper.

[Ganga]

Willie, up for one more before bed?

[Willie JJ]

I must just have logged off at that point Ganga. Some other time though.

I'll need to try and be more organised with the next forum tasting and make sure that I turn up at the appointed time.

[Muskrat Portage]

Distilled in 1986, bottled? .....(sound of running downstairs)....dunno. I bought it in June 1998 and really couldn't tell you how old it is as I don't know what the code on the bottle means.

Muskrat Portage

[Willie JJ]

Ok. Mine is a 1990 distillation. After I got my specs on I could actually see that it says right under the distillation year that it was bottled in 2003.

[Muskrat Portage]

Ok. Mine is a 1990 distillation. After I got my specs on I could actually see that it says right under the distillation year that it was bottled in 2003.

Mine doesn't carry the date like that. There are two codes: TD-S:5 AM on the front of the bottle
: on the back of the label LLJL03463011

There was a discussion by Yellowjacket in Feb, 2007 about this on the thread:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=5406

Nothing further seems to have developed since then. Maybe I should go check the Diageo website... (edit)appears to be a 12 yo according to the general Diageo information.

Muskrat Portage

[Willie JJ]

appears to be a 12 yo according to the general Diageo information.

That would tie in with the info on my 1990 bottle. I guess the 1986 would have been the same.

[woodhill]

The 86 has peat and toffee on the nose.
This is followed through on the palate which is quite complex wiuth different notes of iodine, peat, honey and oak coming through at different times.

Finish long and "hot"

I'd forgotten how good this is.

Question: should I open my 10yo "Map" bottle or is it becoming collectable?

I picked up a dusty "Map" Bottle recently at my local PO/corner shop. for about £20 just in case it was to go up in value.

i'd hold it for a few more years still though.

[Ganga]

So have we made a decision on February's distillery?

[Muskrat Portage]

Tell you what Ganga, my friend. You post two distilleries of your choice and we'll do a straw poll to see what everyone has the most of. Then we go with the most readily available one.

Secondly, there's going to be another online tasting where we do it "blind" but I'm waiting to hear from Johnathan and Christian on their availability for that one, hopefully on a Saturday.

Muskrat Portage

[The Fachan]

Musky,

I like the sound of that, I will keep an eye out for suggested dates and will be there if I can.

[Muskrat Portage]

Musky,
I like the sound of that, I will keep an eye out for suggested dates and will be there if I can.

I can email/PM you a note when we get the dates firmed up.
Musky

[Ganga]

Ok, I'll give you three: Glenfarclas, Dalmore, Highland Park.

[Ganga]

Here's the poll: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=7686

[Mr Fjeld]

Secondly, there's going to be another online tasting where we do it "blind" but I'm waiting to hear from Johnathan and Christian on their availability for that one, hopefully on a Saturday.

Muskrat Portage

I'm working this Saturday but I'd love to check the thread once in a while!

[Ganga]

Ok, the poll seems to indicate that February will feature Highland Park as the chosen whisky. The date for the tasting will be February 15/16. Come join the group on-line for some entertainment and insight.

Also, the question has arisen as to whether we should just follow the whisky calendar or do monthly polls.

[Ganga]

March 2008 Live Forum Tasting

Balvenie

March 29

What's everyone have?

[TheTross]

I've got the following (all opened):

10yo Founder's Reserve
12yo Double Wood
14yo Rum Wood
15yo Single Barrel (1988/2003, Cask #3970)
17yo Islay Cask
17yo Sherryoak
21yo Port Wood
1991 Port Wood

[Spirit of Islay]

Not One Drop.......

[Ganga]

I picked up the three pack: 12 doublewood, 15 single cask, 21 port. Maybe I can beg borrow or steal a sample of the 10.

[Ganga]

Well gents...and ladies of course , what will everyone be bringing to our March tasting (scheduled for Saturday March 29)? I found a three pack of minis: 12, 15 and 21. Someone has to have the FR around. Anything else interesting?

[Ryguy]

March 2008 Live Forum Tasting

Balvenie

March 29

What's everyone have?

I'd like to take part in this month's tasting too, but I have no bottles of Balvenie at home. It's just not something I typically have hanging around. I did get a chance to try the "New Wood" 17yr a while back, now that's good stuff. I'll have to see what I can do before March 29th I guess.

[Deactivated Member]

Nothing...yet.

A triple pack of miniatures and a bottle of something else might fix that, though.

[Ras Mazunga]

Just realised how selfish I am: I thought I was having troubles keeping less than 15 bottles open, now I realise there are people with (much) bigger problems.
Lately I try to solve this problem by inviting people over for a tasting. Problem is that the wrong bottles empty first, A'bunadh is empty(since last night), Tamnavullin never seems to go empty...
A hundred open bottles is like a library, very nice.
I have a DW12, a PW21 and probably buy a FR10 for the Live tasting.

[woodhill]

I'm not allowed to open any more until I get the open ones down to below 100

Nick. Please see my recent post in the "what did you drink Last Night" thread

Anarchy Rules!