Whisky / Whiskey / Bourbon

Ha! Bet that fiver wasn't easy to get rid of back down South.

Good luck with the pitch in any case; maybe you'll be back in Dufftown again. If you ever need stills I could help ya out.

Under 40 quid is tricky but there are a few I can think of. Old Pultney 12 year old is readily available and often discounted in the supermarkets I really love this distillery and I think the 12 year old is incredible for the price, a bit salty, a bit sweet and a hint of smoke.

If you want to go radically different from Islay try something from the Isle of Arran, the 14 year old is sweet and fruity, really unique character and normally around 45 quid. You can pick up the 10 year old for about £35 which is not quite as sweet and whilst young, the quality of the the spirit is very good

anCnoc 12 year old is under 40, the 22 year old is one of my favourites but that I'm a big fan of Sherry Cask whisky. The 12 is bourbon cask matured and great, anything from anCnoc is great imo.

I finally got around to writing up the Speyside distillery cycling tour that I organised in 2014. Includes routes and some planning notes.

Always up for doing it again.

Great stuff, thanks.

I'm not against going a bit over £40 so anything £40-£55 would probably be okay. The Old Pultney I've tried and I likes but I'd completely forgotten about the Isle Of Arran so that can definitely go on the shopping list. I'll have a look at the anCoc too. Thank you!

No worries, if you go a little higher definitely check out the glengoyne 15 (normally in the 45-50 range) and anything by Springbank who are probably the best indy distillery in Scotland.

Also Diageo brought out a range called Flora and Fauna which is single malts from the distilleries that go into their blends. My favourite is the Glenlossie 10, it's young and pretty spirit driven but there's so much complexity going on, I wish they'd let it age to 16 or 18 years because it would be incredible.

https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/d/594/flora-and-fauna-whiskies

Really enjoying the nikka Coffey grain whisky my friends wife brought back from Japan. Mighty tasty

A curious one from the vaults. A wedding present to my parents in 1968 is a 'Crawford's 3 Star Special Reserve Blended Old Scotch Whisky'. As it had already been opened, I've had a few drams. The nose is incredibly rich - definitely some first-fill sherry in there somewhere. As for tasting, the youth of the grain, even after at least 50 years, is immediately apparent. Sherry still present, however, and a long, smooth finish, with plenty of vanilla. Among this barn find is an un-opened bottle of Bell's from the same era.

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Love that! what a couple of corking finds

After a week on the west coast of Scotland where I drank, er, no whisky, a bottle of Dalmore 15 and Hudson Manhattan Rye are now on my desk.

What do you think of the Dalmore?

Haven't opened it yet, it's only quarter to 10! I had it the previous time I went to Scotland, nice big flavours + malty finish from what I can remember.

Dalmore can do no wrong.

took a friend to black rock last night, and think its currently my favourite place to drink in london, despite the whiskies I want to sample falling into the £11 or POA price range..

Sat in front of 4 bottles of this stuff, like fuck am I paying the price they're​ charging though.

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I can't get along with the 15. I bought a bottle a couple of years ago and every so often, as tonight, I'll have a dram.

It's just so woody and tart. The nose is cake and cherry and raisen, but the mouth feel and taste is just pure wood and resin. Like licking a freshly sliced bit of pine. The after taste is long enough for some of the fruit to come through, but I feel too sick to have another sip.

Does anyone want to swap me for something else?

£17 Bulleit and £20 Rye on Amazon right now.

I tried the Rye the other day, not a fan tbh. Not as smooth imo

Isn't that kinda the point, it's a bit spicier? I like it, especially for £20.

I guess that's the point Yeah...just not to my taste. But I know I could get used to it after a while

Light whiskey for a summer evening.
Lovely bottle...

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http://barefoot-head.blogspot.co.uk/2017/05/speyside-distillery-cycling-tour.html

Some of us are organising a repeat of this on the (English, not Scottish) August bank holiday weekend. Some transport and accomodation already organised. PM me if you're interested.

Got this a about 2 weeks ago with out tasting it from my local shop. Had some Saturday evening. Quite a punch so definitely needs splash of water, after that it doesn't seem to numb the mouth and actually has some nice flavours Imo
Also tasted some Miyagkiyo signal malt ay the shop and it was delicious. Probably get some come payday.
Not sure if I want to get Japanese again and go for something different?
Recommendations....

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Cheap Makers, Woodford and Bulleit in 'Prime Day'

Brought some cider from a liquor store up on sunset blvd and spoke to the guy behind the counter about bourbons as I'm thinking I'll buy some when I'm in Nashville in a couple of days time. He says they'll probably be cheaper than in LA so fingers crossed will come back with a couple of these.
Photos for reminder purposes only..

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Heads up. Nashville liquor laws are crazy. I wouldn't bank on getting anything there. You may have to go to Kentucky.