Favourite Christmas Whisky (21st December)

[blawder]

I need to go back and try the new Bunny 12. I haven't had it in years. I recently had the opportunity to sample the 18 and 25 and these were both very, very good. If you like the 12 do yourself a favor and find a place where you can try these two...or at least by a bottle of the 18.

I'll be in a real city over Christmas and will have opportunity to find more malts...I will look for the elder Bunnies. (wait, that sounds more like Easter)

[Ganga]

Christmas Spirit #2B
Brand : Highland Park Expression : Hi-Time Wine Cellars Single Cask
Nose : Again, the soft caramel chews but there it shows a spiciness (cinnamon among others), cooked apples, mild citrus. A touch of water mellows most of the nose except the citrus comes out more. Palate : Orange/cinnamon and spices, maple (wood not syrup) and caramel, some malt flavors. Finish : A little more rubbery/sulphury on the the finish. Still plenty of caramel though. Comment : Without water give me the noser but with water the brandy holds up much better. Colour : Copper penny tone Score : 78
Age : 15 Years Old Vintage : 1990 ABV : 52.7% Bottler : Original Bottling	Type : Single Malt Region : Highland Water : No and Yes Ice : None Glass : Tulip Nosing Glass Notes : 1990-06, Cask10140
More tasting notes by None Please do not reproduce or copy this tasting note without permission.

[Ganga]

I need to go back and try the new Bunny 12. I haven't had it in years. I recently had the opportunity to sample the 18 and 25 and these were both very, very good. If you like the 12 do yourself a favor and find a place where you can try these two...or at least by a bottle of the 18.

I'll be in a real city over Christmas and will have opportunity to find more malts...I will look for the elder Bunnies. (wait, that sounds more like Easter)

[Ganga]

Danny,

Which Glenrothes 1979 are you having the wonderful opportunity to dram? My introduction to Glenrothes was a 1979 bottled in 1996.

[Ganga]

And one more double dram for the evening. The DT Springbank 36yo, 1967.

[blawder]

OK...have switched from the gentle drams. Aberlour a'bunadh 57%...but with some of the roundness like the previous young Bunny.

[blawder]

And the entire inside of my mouth starts to pucker... tongue included. Please tell me I'm not alone in this.

Alligator scales inside my mouth.

[Ganga]

Not at all as my body just quivers for this Springbank.

[blawder]

The Aberlour a'bunadh is some tasty stuff... but I think it needs a wee bit more water.

[Ganga]

Christmas Spirit #3A
Brand : Springbank Expression : 05.67-07.03
Nose : Very herbal with the fennel coming through and a little mintiness, some green grass/straw, small vanilla notes. Palate : GREEN - minty with fennel, very herby, very light citrus and some grains, and a little bit of the fresh oak. There is some oiliness too. Finish : Long finish with that winter green feel with the fennel fading in and out. Comment : This is just a wonderful experience. Colour : golden to dark straw Score : 92
Age : 36 Years Old Vintage : 1967 ABV : 41.6% Bottler : Duncan Taylor	Type : Single Malt Region : Campbeltown Water : Not on your life Ice : Not on your life Glass : Tulip Nosing Glass Notes : Cask 1940, bottle 01/90
More tasting notes by None Please do not reproduce or copy this tasting note without permission.

[Ganga]

The Aberlour a'bunadh is some tasty stuff... but I think it needs a wee bit more water.

Which a'bunadh are you having? I don't recall one at 57%. The ones I have are all 59.5% and above (Batchs 6-18).

[Ganga]

Christmas Spirit #3B
Brand : Springbank Expression : 05.67-07.03
Nose : Herbalness is milder in this glass but the vanilla notes are stronger. Palate : Really strong herbal-fennel and mint and maybe some cinnamon too, vanillas are preseent. Palate is a bit oily. A bit of woodiness-in a good way. Finish : Not quite as long but very fennel and minty. Comment : Two thumbs up from the peanut gallery Colour : golden to dark straw Score : 92
Age : 36 Years Old Vintage : 1967 ABV : 41.6% Bottler : Duncan Taylor	Type : Single Malt Region : Campbeltown Water : Not on your life Ice : Not on your life Glass : Sm Brandy Glass Notes : Cask 1940, bottle 01/90
More tasting notes by None Please do not reproduce or copy this tasting note without permission.

[blawder]

The Aberlour a'bunadh is some tasty stuff... but I think it needs a wee bit more water.

Which a'bunadh are you having? I don't recall one at 57%. The ones I have are all 59.5% and above (Batchs 6-18).

I misquoted: 59.7%, Batch 18.

Two percent, man...this is a very demanding forum!

[Ganga]

Well folks, I've gone through 6 beverages in the last hour and a half. I probably will sign off shortly unless some people start showing up.

[Danny]

Danny,

Which Glenrothes 1979 are you having the wonderful opportunity to dram? My introduction to Glenrothes was a 1979 bottled in 1996.

This one was bottled in 1994 and a good vintage it is.

[Ganga]

Hey, I thought you might have something I didn't.

[Ganga]

Danny,

Which Glenrothes 1979 are you having the wonderful opportunity to dram? My introduction to Glenrothes was a 1979 bottled in 1996.

This one was bottled in 1994 and a good vintage it is.

Bummer, I must have missed this one. Oh well.

[Danny]

Danny,

Which Glenrothes 1979 are you having the wonderful opportunity to dram? My introduction to Glenrothes was a 1979 bottled in 1996.

This one was bottled in 1994 and a good vintage it is.

Bummer, I must have missed this one. Oh well.

Ganga, I am out by ten years it was bottled in 2004

[Ganga]

This one was bottled in 1994 and a good vintage it is.

Bummer, I must have missed this one. Oh well.

Ganga, I am out by ten years it was bottled in 2004

Is this the collectible release? I know there's a 1979 floating around at about $800.

[Muskrat Portage]

Just finished an Aberlour A'Bunadh Batch 13, and in the process finally emptied the bottle. Now I have an open Batch 18 to start working on.
Danny, did I ever send you a Glen Rothes 89 or 92 sample? If so the 89 is far superior to the 92 IMHO. If not, we should talk. I've yet to open the 1973 (still too many opens) although I think I'm below 60 open again.

Muskrat Portage

[Danny]

[quote
Danny, did I ever send you a Glen Rothes 89 or 92 sample? If so the 89 is far superior to the 92 IMHO. If not, we should talk. I've yet to open the 1973 (still too many opens) although I think I'm below 60 open again.

Muskrat Portage[/quote]

Peter, no we discussed the qualities of both, but we kind of lost touch there for a bit while we both moved.

[Danny]

-
Brand : Longmorn Expression : 15 Year
Nose : Carmelized nuts and fruits, vanilla oak Palate : Canned peach heavy syrup, white pepper, vanilla and almond Finish : Sweet fruits, a bit of pepper and long lingering semi-sweet chocolate Comment : Still one of my favorites Colour : Light Amber, almost a tinge of pink Score : 88
Age : 0 Years Old Vintage : 0 ABV : 0% Bottler : -	Type : Single Malt Region : Speyside Water : No Ice : None Glass : Glencairn Notes : To continue on from last night
More tasting notes by None Please do not reproduce or copy this tasting note without permission.

[Muskrat Portage]

Danny, did I ever send you a Glen Rothes 89 or 92 sample? If so the 89 is far superior to the 92 IMHO. If not, we should talk. I've yet to open the 1973 (still too many opens) although I think I'm below 60 open again.

Muskrat Portage

Peter, no we discussed the qualities of both, but we kind of lost touch there for a bit while we both moved.

Then we will have to have a confab when I return from the desolate part of the north.
Muskrat Portage

[Ganga]

Another evening of Christmas dramming.

Tonight, two samples of the a'bunadh Batch #9.

[mikeymad]

Sharing with ganga on the phone:

Having:
Bruichladdich 6yo ( 46%, Original Bottling, "First Born" K&L Wine cask 522 finished in Ridge Zinfandel cask, bottle 43/340 )

Cheers,

[Ganga]

Well, after trying to nose the two glasses I've managed to fry my nostrils. This is not a good night to try to post notes. So I will enjoy what I can and come back to this beverage at a later date.

[Lawrence]

I have a 38yo Glenfarclas OB single cask that I've had for a few years that really should be opened on Christmas day.....

[Danny]

Lawrence, you may already know, but in case you don't. There is a new Wine and Spirits shop in Calgary, Centre Street North Wine and Spirits.

They are having their 1st Annual Whisky Festival February 27th. David Michiels is hosting it and he is also procuring the shops Whisky stock.

I can get more info for you if interested.

[plainly jane]

Happy Christmas!

What a great way to start the day! It is almost noon in Calgary (start the day you say...). I knew what my picks for the day would be before opening my eyes.

Yesterday was a priming day for today. I shared several drams with young Andrew Ferguson at the Kensington Wine Market. Most notable were the Tullibardine 1964 and the Bowmore 1968 37 year old. We had these two as part of the tasting last spring which included the Macallan 50 Lalique (none of that left). The Tullibardine stood the test of time opened for 9 months. The Bowmore, however, changed dramatically. It became very grassy with floral accents. Do not get me wrong, it is still wonderful.

Today, I am going to have some of the following:
Auchentoshan 21year-this is an 8am breakfast dram (I over slept but...)
Tullibardine Moscatel finish-this is an elevenses dram and I know it is now 1210 but...whatever
Dalmore Cigar Malt-usually for after 8pm
Highland Park 12 year-after 4pm
Bruichladdich Blacker Still-after dinner, whether or not dinner is served at 5 or at 8
All of these are leading up to...
Strathisla 1960, 46 years, Gordon & MacPhail, bottled for the KWM, 58.2%abv (imagine that, after 46 years)-anytime of day, ambient temperature or location

I opened the Strathisla on my birthday (Dec 7) and shared it with my friends at KWM. It was great fun. The tasting notes provided on their website I find to be in-tune with my palate. It will be my later evening before bed dram. I know I will sleep well (also being whisky number 6 of the day!)

I hope your day is to be as brilliant as mine will be, or even better.

pj

[plainly jane]

Happy Christmas Danny,

I have marked down Feb 27 for the CSN festival. Perhaps we will meet there.

Jane

[Di Blasi]

Sounds like a really nice Christmas over there plainly jane!! Enjoy the rest of it, all the best.

[clicker7]

Tonight we will begin the evening with Highland Park 15 to warm us a bit, then move on to Aberlour 16 D. C., and finish the night with a dram or two of Talisker 18.

Have a wonderful holiday everyone!

Joseph

[Danny]

Happy Christmas Danny,

I have marked down Feb 27 for the CSN festival. Perhaps we will meet there.

Jane

Hi Jane, Merry Christmas. Unfortunately I will be out of town for the the CSN festival. There is a Bruichladdich tasting at CSN on January 21 that I will attend.

Have a great New Years.

[Danny]

Tonight we will begin the evening with Highland Park 15 to warm us a bit, then move on to Aberlour 16 D. C., and finish the night with a dram or two of Talisker 18.

Have a wonderful holiday everyone!

Joseph

Joseph, sounds like you had a good sampling on Christmas Day. I received a Aberlour 16 D.C. for Xmas. Have not opened it yet. How is it?

[Ganga]

Happy Christmas!

What a great way to start the day! It is almost noon in Calgary (start the day you say...). I knew what my picks for the day would be before opening my eyes.

Yesterday was a priming day for today. I shared several drams with young Andrew Ferguson at the Kensington Wine Market. Most notable were the Tullibardine 1964 and the Bowmore 1968 37 year old. We had these two as part of the tasting last spring which included the Macallan 50 Lalique (none of that left). The Tullibardine stood the test of time opened for 9 months. The Bowmore, however, changed dramatically. It became very grassy with floral accents. Do not get me wrong, it is still wonderful.

Today, I am going to have some of the following:
Auchentoshan 21year-this is an 8am breakfast dram (I over slept but...)
Tullibardine Moscatel finish-this is an elevenses dram and I know it is now 1210 but...whatever
Dalmore Cigar Malt-usually for after 8pm
Highland Park 12 year-after 4pm
Bruichladdich Blacker Still-after dinner, whether or not dinner is served at 5 or at 8
All of these are leading up to...
Strathisla 1960, 46 years, Gordon & MacPhail, bottled for the KWM, 58.2%abv (imagine that, after 46 years)-anytime of day, ambient temperature or location

I opened the Strathisla on my birthday (Dec 7) and shared it with my friends at KWM. It was great fun. The tasting notes provided on their website I find to be in-tune with my palate. It will be my later evening before bed dram. I know I will sleep well (also being whisky number 6 of the day!)

I hope your day is to be as brilliant as mine will be, or even better.

pj

Looks like a lovely set of malts to wile away the day. Merry Christmas.