The Scotch Thread

[Eride]

Grabbed the Benromach 21 there yesterday, wish it was a little higher abv but it was one of my favorite whiskies last year, tasty stuff!

[msommers]

Hello there! Very excited to try this, have read great things about this particular year's release.

[RX_EVOLV]

Nice score!

[msommers]

Yeah very lucky! I love the subtle peat of Springbanks. Benromach is similar in that regard but I definitely feel SB has more depth. I enjoy both a lot.

Recently had a sampler from KWM with Glengoyne and Tamhdu. Having been able to try some great stuff lately I have to say, I understand what @Eride was talking about with how underrated Tamhdu is. I really liked the 15, more than the 18 (more spicy, a bit less oily) , my wife was the opposite, and neither of us were impressed with the 12. Can't say I really enjoyed any of the Glengoynes unfortunately.

[davidI]

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Hello there! Very excited to try this, have read great things about this particular year's release.

Wow - what a find!! I've been searching for even a basic Hazelburn for a long time and there's nothing​ on the market here!

[tirebob]

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Hello there! Very excited to try this, have read great things about this particular year's release.

I have killed a bottle of this and it was okay enough but I wasn't personally blown away. No regrets but I wouldn't buy another. At the same time though if someone gave me one as a gift I certainly would not poo poo it.

[msommers]

Is it worth the cost? Ehh probably not but I'm enjoying it! Lots going on there, and still has the chewiness I would expect, the 49.9% goes down dangerously smoothly. I'll have to compare against the SB15 soon.

Not quite the sherry bomb of the Bladnoch 19, which has its own character (seems like it'll be a fruit explosion on the nose and then doesn't quite deliver, and quite drying, still enjoyable though). Though at full maturation in PX, the dryness makes sense.

When it comes to sherried scotches with a bit of peat, the Kilk Loch Gorm is my upper threshold, even after it's been open for a bit. I'm just not a swallowing campfire kinda guy. The Kilkerrans and SB find that delicate balance for me. Given Benromach is readily available, at prices that aren't horrendous given the market, it's a sigh of relief as they too find the oily/chewy/mild peat balance I enjoy. One day I'll have to get a bottle of the 21!

We have a sampling event from KWM to go through from Edradour (8 or 9 small sampling bottles). The 21 Bordeaux is normally a $400+ bottle so I'm thankful I can try it first! These events and sampling kits are pretty fairly priced and a great way not to need to commit to a whole bottle. I'd say most kits are $50-60. The flagship ones are crazy expensive, and I don't think I ever will get those. At 25-30 year old scotch, it's all going to be good and at different shades of 'goodness', which is nice but also it's fun to find stuff you like and don't.

[Eride]

Anyone going to Ardbeg Day tomorrow at Hayden Block?
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ardbeg-...s-621087317887

[CompletelyNumb]

Going to Tokyo tomorrow, any beyond favourites I should try? (Hibiki Harmony on of my favourites so far)

[davidI]

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Going to Tokyo tomorrow, any beyond favourites I should try? (Hibiki Harmony on of my favourites so far)

Any of the aged stuff - Hibiki 17, 21, etc. Might get a bottle from duty free for a good price as well.

[RX_EVOLV]

i would imagine it would either be next to impossible, or ridiculously expensive to taste or buy any of those aged Suntory / Nikka stuff nowadays, even in Tokyo/. Maybe except Yama 12 and Hakushu 12, which seems to be more available.

I think if you come across any special Nikka/Suntory stuff, like Nikka Miyagiko Sherry & Sweet, might be worth a taste.

[msommers]

I believe you can still go to the Yamazaki distilleries and have flights from the bar and view the museum, but is closed for tours.

That's my understanding and hope since we're going very soon, ha!

[CompletelyNumb]

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i would imagine it would either be next to impossible, or ridiculously expensive to taste or buy any of those aged Suntory / Nikka stuff nowadays, even in Tokyo/. Maybe except Yama 12 and Hakushu 12, which seems to be more available.

I think if you come across any special Nikka/Suntory stuff, like Nikka Miyagiko Sherry & Sweet, might be worth a taste.

You were right, it's exceedingly difficult to find good Japanese whisky in Tokyo. I've struck out everywhere I've gone so far.

[msommers]

Hibiki 21 at $1,000 lol

[2Legit2Quit]

sweet baby jesus @ all of those prices

[CompletelyNumb]

Big yikes all around. Still sad I struck out there.

[2Legit2Quit]

For anyone here interested in going, discounted price for Willows whisky event in October. Bought a couple VIP tickets for the event because scotch.

[tirebob]

This flyer from BSW liquor near my shop came this week with a helluva good deal for Dalmore fans!

[msommers]

Thought you guys would appreciate some scotch porn from our trip so far. Even for these impressive bars, getting bottles is a real challenge. I have a couple more bars planned when we return to Tokyo.









The age of these particular bottles are estimated to be pre-1990!

[RX_EVOLV]

Dang cool stuff. For reference , how much did the hibiki 21 set you back