Whisky / Whiskey / Bourbon

Sort of :p
When I was there had a bash on which ever their single cask at the time was, and have to say, it was the tastiest most unforgettable drink I've ever come across . Normally they are only available in the shop at about £65/bottle or 2 for £100 or thereabouts.

I got two and was told about how people manage to drink high end whiskies for free. I.E. buy more than you need at the time, drink what you want, then sit on the rest until it becomes sought after, then sell the remaining bottles to collectors with too much cash and break even or better :p
With that in mind I though, ah, £100, 2 bottles, drink 1 and sell the other. But it was harder than that, HOW could I possibly allow someone else to drink my bottle? I saved it for months before eventually giving in and cracking it open, and likely if I came across another for sale, even at a greatly marked up price, I would probably buy it, it was THAT good.
Can't remember its name exactly, but it had been finished in a Madeira cask.

..that's why you have to buy by the case!

very much enjoy the Port Charlotte releases, although previous editions now command unreasonably high prices :(

ref. the casks; £1,600 IB seems ridiculously good value for >200 bottles of finished malt. could one wait 10 years though?

wrongcog has posted an interest in a 'cuvee LFGSS', would you be a possible too brickman?

I think you can bring in more than the 750ml limit or whatever it is, but you are supposed to pay the duty on everything above the limit. Also, you would probably have to convince customs that it was for personal use.

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/customs/arriving/arrivingnoneu.htm#1

If you don't meet these conditions or you go over your allowance you'll have to pay any Customs Duty, Excise Duty and/or Import VAT due

Current rates here

So my understanding is that if I want to bring 10 750ml bottles of 40% rum back with me.. that's £1.25 each in Mauritius = £12.50
Excise duty would be based on there being 0.4*10*0.75 = 3l of pure alcohol, 3x£25.52 = £76.56
Customs duty would be (based on a commodity code of 2208 40 39 00, I think) €0.60/(0.4/0.075)+€3.20 = €3.1125

All plus 20% VAT = ~£110

So, about £1.25 in Mauritius, £11 a bottle in total after paying import duty :( I didn't include the duty-free allowance here, but it won't make much difference.

having some of this right now.

^ jealous!
how is it?

^ jealous!
how is it?

wonderful!

^^^ lucky bugger :)

Yes, very luck y with the import bollocks. Always remember some poor foreign chap who fell fowl of transfer flights and duty free shops, he lost some of it as had way too much and what he was allowed got raped for duty or fined, lots of shouting and angry'ness.

My new favourite is a bottle of The Macallan that I treated myself too. I've been trying quite a few this year having grown a bit dis-satisfied with what I was drinking, and this is just really easy, quite smooth, and just so very drinkable.

sherry or fine oak cask?

It's just a 10yr Sherry Oak, bought because I was tired of spending bigger bucks investigating... turns out that it was a good choice. It's a delight to drink.

I prefer the sherry but as the barrels are getting more expensive so it the whisky, that's why they started up the fine oak, which is really nice just not quite as nice

want.

Raises a good point - If I wanted to look into some of the Japanese whiskeys, where is a good place to start for someone who has more of a Speyside/Lowland single malt inclination?

Start at the Japanese restaurant on the junction of Gray's Inn and Theobalds. They have a great collection.

If you're in london, head to the whiskey exchange http://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/C-35.aspx

Start at the Japanese restaurant on the junction of Gray's Inn and Theobalds. They have a great collection.

Ta. Given your palate, what was your preference?

If you're in london, head to the whiskey exchange http://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/C-35.aspx

Poking through that now...

Ta. Given your palate, what was your preference?

I'm afraid I didn't partake. It was a work lunch and I code for shit after a couple of drinks. The selection is pretty good though.

Anyone know any good B&Bs, hostels, hotels or guest-houses in Islay?

Coming down with something - rocking a fantastic Whisky Mac hot toddy I just made - 2 parts Jura, 2 parts Greens Ginger Wine, teaspoon clear honey, fresh lemon juice, topped up with hot water, 3 cloves. Lush

Asda have a pretty good offer right now £20 for some nice single malts.

Why have I only just discovered this thread?

Coming down with something - rocking a fantastic Whisky Mac hot toddy I just made - 2 parts Bells, 2 parts Windolene, teaspoon strawberry jam, Fairy liquid, topped up with water from the hot tap, some twigs. Lush

I'll give it a whirl, get back to you with the outcome.

I bet you're not even ill, ya gert lush.

I'll give it a whirl, get back to you with the outcome.

Interested to see what dimension the twigs add....

Not strictly on-topic but I've recently heard of a Sazerac..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sazerac

Comments?