The Scotch Thread

[Brent.ff]

Wife got me this.. not a bit peaty guy, but gonna give it a shot..

[OTown]

That Shinobu looks pretty cool. Thoughts on it yet?

[roopi]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Wife got me this.. not a bit peaty guy, but gonna give it a shot..

It's a good bottle for the price. In order I would go 12yr, 16yr, 8yr.

[tirebob]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Wife got me this.. not a bit peaty guy, but gonna give it a shot..

This is a fantastic bottle considering it is an 8yo. If you are not into the Islays you may find it overwhelming but definitely a great bottle! You might try opening it up with a bit of water if you find it aggressive.

[RX_EVOLV]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

It's a good bottle for the price. In order I would go 12yr, 16yr, 8yr.

The 8 is fantastic. I would go 8yo > 12yo > 16yo myself. I like the sweetness of the 8yr.

They just released a 10yo version at Duty Free and it's even better.

[Inzane]

Does anyone know if Johnnie Walker Swing is being sold in Canada currently? I haven’t seen it on shelves in ages and it’s not even coming up on the Liquor connect website.

[ExtraSlow]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Does anyone know if Johnnie Walker Swing is being sold in Canada currently? I haven’t seen it on shelves in ages and it’s not even coming up on the Liquor connect website.

Can't help, but I bought a bottle for my brother a few years ago, and me, not being into peaty island shit, loves it. Plus the bottle is badass

[davidI]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

I know this is a Scotch thread but let's talk Canadian whisky for a minute. I've been asked to put on a tasting of Canadian whisky for my group in the UK.

Unfortunately, there's not a lot of selection/availability in the UK (we typically by through https://thewhiskyexchange.com as we have a club discount there).

I'm leaning towards Signal Hill, Lot 40 Rye, and JP Wiser's Dissertation as I believe it gives a good overview of various grains, barrels, styles available in Canada. The sad part is, I haven't been able to locate the bottles to try for myself here first!!

Any other recommendations that I should try to track down? Budget is 200-220GBP for 3 bottles but I'm thinking it may not be worth spending the full budget so we can carry 100GBP over to the next tasting for some high-quality scotch.

Market research time...

It's been difficult to find things that I can order for my mates in the UK as well as order in Spain but the Lot 40 and Pike's Creek 10y Rum Finish are available in both countries. Still need to get my hands on the Signal Hill and decide between it and the Pike's Creek so that one of the samples is less Rye-forward.

[tirebob]

Stopped in at the Real Canadian Super Store so the wife could run in and grab a gift bag for a baby shower so I snuck into the liquor store and found some Tomatin 18 for $88.00/bottle. Pretty good deal on that so I grabbed 2! One I gave to the new father to be and kept one for myself...

[bjstare]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Stopped in at the Real Canadian Super Store so the wife could run in and grab a gift bag for a baby shower so I snuck into the liquor store and found some Tomatin 18 for $88.00/bottle. Pretty good deal on that so I grabbed 2! One I gave to the new father to be and kept one for myself...

That’s a great bottle. I might have to go grab one at that price.

[Disoblige]

Thanks @tirebob . Snagged one today.

[tirebob]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

That’s a great bottle. I might have to go grab one at that price.

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Thanks @tirebob . Snagged one today.

You won't regret it! Fabulous desert scotch, and at that price I don't think you will find a better 18yo out there at the moment.

[ercchry]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

You won't regret it! Fabulous desert scotch, and at that price I don't think you will find a better 18yo out there at the moment.

Yup, I’d say it even beats out that Lismore 18 sale

[Nufy]

As I venture down this Scotch Highway, I am discovering that I am liking the Speyside versions of Scotch a bit more than the others...

Highlands are next...


Any one recommend a list of speysides to start buying / sampling ?

Thanks.

[bjstare]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

You won't regret it! Fabulous desert scotch, and at that price I don't think you will find a better 18yo out there at the moment.

Yeah it was the one that got me really started on scotch drinking haha. It goes down very easy.

[ExtraSlow]

Only one I can say is aberlour because I toured that distillery in 2008.

[tenth]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

For a "basic but good" Canadian Whiskey, a good starting point is the Crown Royal Northern Harvest. Not going to blow off anyones socks, but it's a solid starting point, and a good example of what a rye whiskey is trying to be.
Move upwards in price/complexity from there obviously.

I really enjoyed Northern Harvest, but was only disappointed by the finish. Super short and simple for a whisky that (very controversially) won a major international award. At around that price range (and punching above its weight into price ranges much higher), Lot 40 is my go to and always in my bar.

Certain states get Crown Royal hand selected barrels at a higher proof that are supposed to be quite good. I would be very interested in trying those, if they ever come out locally.

[tenth]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Any one recommend a list of speysides to start buying / sampling ?

Personal favourites have been Aberlour (A'bunadh), Benromach (100 proof / cask strength), Glenfarclas (15 year is proofed up compared to the 17), Craigellachie (13 is regularly on sale @ highlander for $50), Tamdhu (batch strength), Mortlach (out there flavour profile) and Benrinnes. Sub out the high proof ones for others in the range if getting punched in the face by a drink isn't your thing.

And Macallan at the right price, but I haven't bought it in Canada in forever. Their hype of 7+ years ago destroyed all value in Canada. The old sherry 12 I think can still be found at an OK price in the US.

[OTown]

A few new additions to the collection. Thanks for the suggestion gents.

Had the Toki yesterday and it was really nice and smooth. For $50 at superstore its a pretty good price!

The Dal for around $80 at costco seems like a good deal too

[davidI]

More controversy from Jim Murray:

https://www.whiskymonster.com/jim-mu...ers-announced/