What Whisky/Whiskey are we drinking this month?

odyssey06 · 12-03-2021 03:48PM

Technophobe wrote: »

Generally drink my whiskey neat, occasionally adding a drop of water but mostly just neat..
Glenfiddich was one of my first Speyside whisky experiences all those years ago and is a whisky I like alot and probably have a certain affinity to now...Now, this may be just an ingrained habit/belief at this stage but I just feel it tastes better with one ice cube...
It can't be 2 or 3; always has to be 1:D
So probably not as interesting as you hoped but there you go

Snap... I don't think ice agrees with Irish Pot Still but with a Speyside Scotch like a Glenlivet or Glenfiddich I would go for one small ice cube also

Some Irish single malts also.

odyssey06 · 12-03-2021 08:16PM

Something a bit different tonight. Templeton Rye Signature Reserve 6 year old, a sample via Dick Macks.

Lovely stuff.
I think it would appeal to single grain fans because of the long spicy finish although here the front flavour is sweet (maple?), hint of bbq smokiness rather than grassy. Would make an excellent base for a Manhattan or Old Fashioned.

Drawback is that it's priced about €55 which is similar price for Sazerac Rye which I think is a notch above in quality.

Good review here:
https://whiskeyconsensus.com/templeton-rye-6-year-rye-whiskey-review/

Black Sheep · 12-03-2021 08:20PM

I completely defend the right of people to take their drinks how they like them... Even the lunatic who blends his top shelf whiskys at home. I can't remember which of you that is, but I kind of admire it. "**** it, I'll add some Talisker 10 year old to this and see what happens".

When it comes to adding ice cubes, however many of them, I personally leave it to my mixed drinks. If we were warmer climates maybe I'd feel differently. I have had neat Scotch in North Africa and it becomes a different experience when it is literally warm in the glass. I wasn't sure what I felt about it.

But for me the issue is that cold generally equates to a less rounded taste profile to detect, right? The secondary issue is the effect of dilution on the ABV and knock-on effect to taste and mouthfeel.

If it's a matter of having the whisky at a lower temperature then it strikes me that if a large ice cube or ice ball from a silicon mould was used then you get the low temperature you're after but you don't get that relatively fast occurring dilution of the whisky that occurs if you use just one ice cube.

At that rate is there something to be said for actually chilling the bottle the way Johnny Walker suggest you do with their White Walker, or the way Dalwhinnie suggest with the Winter Gold? I think the general consensus is 'no', but for someone that does want their whisky cold then arguably wouldn't it be as good a way as throwing ice in?

If you actually want dilution to occur, as you do when you mix an Old Fashioned or a Negroni sometimes, depending on how you like it, then that's a different matter and I can see how a single ice cube works well, perhaps even stirred a bit. I personally wouldn't like to be drinking something where the ABV is kind of sliding down from one mouthful to the next, depending on the heat of the room, how much ice is in there exactly and how much the glass is in my hand, I think I would prefer consistency.

L1011 · 12-03-2021 08:23PM

I've chilled the bottle on a few 40% products that have benefited from a bit of a chill (to my tastes) but got diluted too much in the process. Jura comes to mind.

odyssey06 · 12-03-2021 08:33PM

Black Sheep wrote: »

I completely defend the right of people to take their drinks how they like them... Even the lunatic who blends his top shelf whiskys at home. I can't remember which of you that is, but I kind of admire it. "**** it, I'll add some Talisker 10 year old to this and see what happens".

I haven't blended top shelfers. But I have blended Bushmills original with Roe and Co or Havana Club Anejo Especial (1:3) and enjoyed it

If it's a matter of having the whisky at a lower temperature then it strikes me that if a large ice cube or ice ball from a silicon mould was used then you get the low temperature you're after but you don't get that relatively fast occurring dilution of the whisky that occurs if you use just one ice cube. At that rate is there something to be said for actually chilling the bottle the way Johnny Walker suggest you do with their White Walker, or the way Dalwhinnie suggest with the Winter Gold? I think the general consensus is 'no', but for someone that does want their whisky cold then arguably wouldn't it be as good a way as throwing ice in? If you actually want dilution to occur, as you do when you mix an Old Fashioned or a Negroni sometimes, depending on how you like it, then that's a different matter and I can see how a single ice cube works well, perhaps even stirred a bit. I personally wouldn't like to be drinking something where the ABV is kind of sliding down from one mouthful to the next, depending on the heat of the room, how much ice is in there exactly and how much the glass is in my hand, I think I would prefer consistency.

I wait until the ice cube has half melted into the whiskey, there's something special about the first few sips but there is a consistency issue as you have flagged. The last drop doesn't taste as good as the first.

I tried the Johnny Walker white walker from the freezer but it wasn't quite the same. Also tried a splash of chilled Ballygowan and not quite the same either.
It's a mysterious process.

I am reminded of Leo's speech from the West Wing - though also cognisant that the character is a recovering alcoholic...
"I like the little things. The way a glass feels in your hand - a good glass, thick, with a heavy base. I love the sound an ice cube makes when you drop it from just the right height. Too high and it'll chip when you drop it. Chip the ice and it'll melt too fast in the scotch."

BonnieSituation · 12-03-2021 08:45PM

I'm all for combining two of my big loves in the West Wing and whiskey.

Cazale · 12-03-2021 09:00PM

the beer revolu wrote:

I really wish this desire for whiskey in boxes would just go away. It is pointless extra packaging and cost that provides no purpose whatsoever.

adrian522 wrote:

for me it just goes straight to the Bin as soon as the bottle is opened. I can understand wanting the box if you plan on keeping or gifting the bottle though.

For a bog standard bottle I agree and I usually dump them straight away. For me though nothing beats a wooden box with something like a single cask Powers or a Midleton. I'd gladly pay an extra €20 for the pomp of opening the hinge and pulling the bottle out.

1901Rory · 12-03-2021 10:21PM

odyssey06 wrote: »

Something a bit different tonight. Templeton Rye Signature Reserve 6 year old, a sample via Dick Macks.

Lovely stuff. .

Good review here:
https://whiskeyconsensus.com/templeton-rye-6-year-rye-whiskey-review/

I think they are under new ownership but the previous owners of the Templeton brand were one of the most dishonest purveyors of sourced Whiskey.
The class action lawsuit is mentioned in the review link you included. If anyone’s interested a google of “Templeton Rye controversy” will get you the full story.

odyssey06 · 12-03-2021 10:35PM

1901Rory wrote: »

I think they are under new ownership but the previous owners of the Templeton brand were one of the most dishonest purveyors of sourced Whiskey.
The class action lawsuit is mentioned in the review link you included. If anyone’s interested a google of “Templeton Rye controversy” will get you the full story.

I will get on to my attorney L Hutz to get in on this class action fund!

Indestructable · 12-03-2021 11:52PM

Some Nikka tonight, courtesy of my brother at Christmas. Legend.

FileNotFound · 13-03-2021 12:20AM

Indestructable wrote: »

Some Nikka tonight, courtesy of my brother at Christmas. Legend.

Do tell, must get some jap whiskey. New rules there will make it clear what's actually distilled there.

Insect Overlord · 13-03-2021 12:49AM

LollipopJimmy wrote: »

Yes, it's delicious

Hogzy wrote: »

The Double Oak is a lovely whiskey. Id get it over anything from Waterford.

Ivefoundgod wrote: »

I'd echo these sentiments. Its the nicest of their range outside of the Mizunara Cask Strength IMO. I haven't had the Waterford yet but in terms of value if nothing else the Double Oak is a winner. I almost always have a bottle of it on the go, worth the extra few quid compared to the copper pot IMO.

Cheers, folks, ye didn't steer me wrong. I accidentally poured a double and I'm enjoying every drop!

dobman88 · 13-03-2021 01:28AM

Has anyone got an opinion on the Roe and Co 13 year old?

https://www.celticwhiskeyshop.com/Roe-Co-Cask-Strength-Batch-2020-13-Year-Old

odyssey06 · 13-03-2021 10:51AM

dobman88 wrote: »

Has anyone got an opinion on the Roe and Co 13 year old?

https://www.celticwhiskeyshop.com/Roe-Co-Cask-Strength-Batch-2020-13-Year-Old

I had a free sample. I preferred the curators series or the previous cs bottling. I think there are better ways to spend the 75e imo.

dobman88 · 13-03-2021 12:19PM

odyssey06 wrote: »

I had a free sample. I preferred the curators series or the previous cs bottling. I think there are better ways to spend the 75e imo.

Grand. It was a gift so I guess that counts as a free sample right? Not one I had looked at getting myself cos as you say, there are better in the price range imo. It wont go to waste anwyay.

murphyebass · 13-03-2021 10:31PM

Two superb whiskeys had tonight.

dobman88 · 13-03-2021 11:16PM

dobman88 wrote: »

Has anyone got an opinion on the Roe and Co 13 year old?

https://www.celticwhiskeyshop.com/Roe-Co-Cask-Strength-Batch-2020-13-Year-Old

Tried this tonight and I dont like it at all tbh. Tried it neat, over ice and with water and nothing makes it any good for me. Real pity as I really wanted to like it since it was a gift. Oh well.

Knightofcydonia · 13-03-2021 11:20PM

dobman88 wrote: »

Tried this tonight and I dont like it at all tbh. Tried it neat, over ice and with water and nothing makes it any good for me. Real pity as I really wanted to like it since it was a gift. Oh well.

Yeah, same here. Disappointed... I was drawn to this based on the full maturation in port barrels. It was this or Bushmills 16 and I made the wrong choice!

ElektroToad · 13-03-2021 11:28PM

Hi all - finally took the plunge on a bottle of Red Spot tonight.

Just trying it out now and I do like it, it certainly has a lot going on, but overall I cannot help but think I'd prefer the Yellow Spot.

Thoughts? Am i mad with no appreciation for the 'good stuff'?

I admit I'm still a newbie and haven't tried many whiskeys beyond the mainstream stuff, but at a 50 euro price difference I would've assumed the Red Spot would be somewhat objectively better than Yellow?

L-M · 13-03-2021 11:56PM

I got a bottle of Redbreast Caskmates during the week which is absolutely delicious.

I got a present of Jameson Crested 10 which I was going to return and get a contribution to a Redbreast 12 but I opened it, and I’m seriously glad I did. Such a smooth whiskey, it’s probably my new favourite.

FileNotFound · 14-03-2021 12:37AM

ElektroToad wrote: »

Hi all - finally took the plunge on a bottle of Red Spot tonight.

Just trying it out now and I do like it, it certainly has a lot going on, but overall I cannot help but think I'd prefer the Yellow Spot.

Thoughts? Am i mad with no appreciation for the 'good stuff'?

I admit I'm still a newbie and haven't tried many whiskeys beyond the mainstream stuff, but at a 50 euro price difference I would've assumed the Red Spot would be somewhat objectively better than Yellow?

I prefer green to yellow. Is what it is.

accensi0n · 14-03-2021 12:40AM

Just opened a bottle of aberlour a'bunadh that I bought at Christmas.

Lovely initial hit of cherries on opening. The rubber seal is a nice touch on the bottle.

dobman88 · 14-03-2021 12:46AM

accensi0n wrote: »

Just opened a bottle of aberlour a'bunadh that I bought at Christmas.

Lovely initial hit of cherries on opening. The rubber seal is a nice touch on the bottle.

Class. Big fan of it since I bought it at Christmas too as a gift to myself. Leave the glass out after you drink it and you'll have a great smell in the room in the morning.

Enjoy.

the beer revolu · 14-03-2021 11:33AM

ElektroToad wrote: »

Hi all - finally took the plunge on a bottle of Red Spot tonight.

Just trying it out now and I do like it, it certainly has a lot going on, but overall I cannot help but think I'd prefer the Yellow Spot.

Thoughts? Am i mad with no appreciation for the 'good stuff'?

I admit I'm still a newbie and haven't tried many whiskeys beyond the mainstream stuff, but at a 50 euro price difference I would've assumed the Red Spot would be somewhat objectively better than Yellow?

I think I prefer yellow too.
Or perhaps I'm biased by the price tags and just think that the red isn't worth the premium.

I do like both, however.

cadaliac · 14-03-2021 04:22PM

My first taste of Ro & Co last night.
Very nice imo, great value @ €30

Well pleased.

limnam · 14-03-2021 04:26PM

ElektroToad wrote: »

Hi all - finally took the plunge on a bottle of Red Spot tonight.

Just trying it out now and I do like it, it certainly has a lot going on, but overall I cannot help but think I'd prefer the Yellow Spot.

Thoughts? Am i mad with no appreciation for the 'good stuff'?

I admit I'm still a newbie and haven't tried many whiskeys beyond the mainstream stuff, but at a 50 euro price difference I would've assumed the Red Spot would be somewhat objectively better than Yellow?

Price has no real direct link to what you're going to enjoy imo

Reminds me when Jim Murray's whiskey of the year was some sainsburys branded bottle at about 18 quid.

From a guy who tastes about 4k whiskeys a year

In fact price is probably more like to hinder your enjoyment if expectations are put in the price point.

BonnieSituation · 14-03-2021 04:42PM

limnam wrote: »

Price has no real direct link to what you're going to enjoy imo

Reminds me when Jim Murray's whiskey of the year was some sainsburys branded bottle at about 18 quid.

From a guy who tastes about 4k whiskeys a year

In fact price is probably more like to hinder your enjoyment if expectations are put in the price point.

What?

Roe and Co can retail up to 45 quid in some places. There's numerous other whiskies I'd rather in and around that price point.

At 30 though, it's a lovely drop.

The price doesn't affect the taste, but it does affect whether you'd bother with it or not and whether it makes it to your shelf.

I've a bottle there I got for 25 in Tesco at Christmas. Not a hope I'd ever own it at 45.

Best whiskey pound for pound I had last year was the Kilbeggan 8yo single grain. Best whiskey I had last year was the Barry Crocket or the Ratheadon 1.1.

Cost merely affects whether you'd own it and thus able to taste it, rather then in the tasting itself.

It was fairly obvious what the poster was inferring with his comment about the price.

limnam · 14-03-2021 04:55PM

BonnieSituation wrote: »

What?

Roe and Co can retail up to 45 quid in some places. There's numerous other whiskies I'd rather in and around that price point.

At 30 though, it's a lovely drop.

The price doesn't affect the taste, but it does affect whether you'd bother with it or not and whether it makes it to your shelf.

I've a bottle there I got for 25 in Tesco at Christmas. Not a hope I'd ever own it at 45.

Best whiskey pound for pound I had last year was the Kilbeggan 8yo single grain. Best whiskey I had last year was the Barry Crocket or the Ratheadon 1.1.

Cost merely affects whether you'd own it and thus able to taste it, rather then in the tasting itself.

It was fairly obvious what the poster was inferring with his comment about the price.

I'm not sure what you disagree with to be honest.

"what?" to what?

I think i see the problem. I wasn't replying to cadilac.

BonnieSituation · 14-03-2021 05:03PM

limnam wrote: »

I'm not sure what you disagree with to be honest.

"what?" to what?

I think i see the problem. I wasn't replying to cadilac.

Sure thing boss.

BonnieSituation · 14-03-2021 08:36PM

Drop of Glen Elgin CS to round out the weekend.

Shame that Brexit got in the way of whisky-me for me. Great wee service

Still have the Glenfarclas 25 being saved for a rainy day.

This stuff though, very sweet on the finish. Bourbon barrels give it a Bushmills vibe. Very nice. Colour definitely belies the taste.

What Whisky/Whiskey are we drinking this month?

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