Topic: WSC Scotch, Whisky, and Whiskey Aficionado's (But no Bourbon)

[THE EDJ]

Here's a question… best budget rye whisky? $35 and less for a 26. Go.

[Hound]

Here's a question… best budget rye whisky? $35 and less for a 26. Go.

Alberta Premium would be my pick.

[BrianMB]

Thanks again guys, I've been in correspondence with Alex from Bin905 and he's made things extremely easy and painless! I've got 7 bottles waiting for me when I get there and it's going to be all kinds of enjoyment after that. I'm especially looking forward to the Octomore and the Uigeadail, but I think I'm going to try the Corryvrecken first.

[cha0tik]

My go-to for Irish Whiskey is Tullamore Dew and has been my 'safe' choice for a while now.

Very smooth and rich taste. I usually enjoy it straight, but chilled.

[THE EDJ]

Alberta Premium would be my pick.

How is it compared to Alberta Springs? I think they are made by the same distillery? Alberta Springs is my "go-to", but I've heard some good things about 40 Creek and was thinking of giving it a try.

[Hound]

How is it compared to Alberta Springs? I think they are made by the same distillery? Alberta Springs is my "go-to", but I've heard some good things about 40 Creek and was thinking of giving it a try.

I enjoy the bite/spice that Alberta Premium has more-so than the smoother/blended/aged longer Alberta Springs.  There is nothing wrong with Forty Creek ryes either.  I am a fan of their Double Barrel but it's outside of your price range.

[BrianMB]

40 Creek - Port wood reserve.... super delicious! Dunno if that is even available currently.

How is it compared to Alberta Springs? I think they are made by the same distillery? Alberta Springs is my "go-to", but I've heard some good things about 40 Creek and was thinking of giving it a try.

[Hound]

Thanks again guys, I've been in correspondence with Alex from Bin905 and he's made things extremely easy and painless! I've got 7 bottles waiting for me when I get there and it's going to be all kinds of enjoyment after that. I'm especially looking forward to the Octomore and the Uigeadail, but I think I'm going to try the Corryvrecken first.

BTW, 7 bottles...  That's an expensive habit you got going on there.   

Did you get a bottle of Blasda as well?

[BrianMB]

BTW, 7 bottles...  That's an expensive habit you got going on there.   
Did you get a bottle of Blasda as well?

No Blasda, but 3 bottles for myself, 3 for one buddy and 1 for another. Then a case of wine for my sister, mother and girlfriend. As to an expensive habit, I wouldn't say habit, but hobby. So for occasional drinkers, I don't mind spending a bit more, and have something more moderate as a go to. Currently the Bruichladdich Port Charlotte Peat Project and Tomatin 12 are the go to bottles.

[BrianMB]

8 bottles ofscotch and 12 bottles of wine acquired. Mission accomplished.

[flipincanadian]

Here's a question… best budget rye whisky? $35 and less for a 26. Go.

40 creek is good, but Gibsons is my go to. 

[Claw]

First foray into Scotch, added Balvenie Doublewood 12 to my previously non-existent collection.

Looking forward to having some this weekend.

[Ead]

Finishing off the last few drams of my Bowmore 17, which has followed me on 3 or 4 re-locations, so about 6 or so years since it was cracked.

In fact, when I moved into my fiancée's house, I had about a dozen bottles of various levels.  I've since killed off two bottles, and this will be the 3rd that I kill off, if I finish it tonight.  I've only had two bottles added since.  A 'morangie 18 ("Extremely Rare"), which was a gift from a good buddy of mine for my birthday, and a bottle of Auchentochshan that was from the same batch as the one that I gave to a buddy for his wedding.  I have a feeling that my collection will face severe contraction (esp. those that were already opened before I moved here) before it gets any further additions. 

EDIT: the Bowmore 17 is now dead.

EDIT2: my god, what am I going to do now that there's an empty spot in the collection?   

[Hound]

I have a feeling that my collection will face severe contraction (esp. those that were already opened before I moved here) before it gets any further additions. 

I used to have a rule that whenever I hit the halfway point of a bottle, I had to buy a new scotch for my collection before I touch anymore of my existing scotch.  As long as you're always adding to it like that, you'll never diminish your collection.

[Ead]

I used to have a rule that whenever I hit the halfway point of a bottle, I had to buy a new scotch for my collection before I touch anymore of my existing scotch.  As long as you're always adding to it like that, you'll never diminish your collection.

I used to do that, but now that I'm living with my fiancée, I have to be more mindful of not making sudden additions to the collection - she notices that kind of thing (and she's not a drinker). 

[Hound]

I used to do that, but now that I'm living with my fiancée, I have to be more mindful of not making sudden additions to the collection - she notices that kind of thing (and she's not a drinker). 

Then the trick is to only replenish your "go to" scotches and ask for a new bottle for your bday/xmas presents.  It's currently what I do. 

[Ead]

I might do that with a twist - say that I got a bottle for Christmas/Birthday/other event when I go to replenish.  I don't have to say who I got it from, right? 

("It was a gift... from... uh... myself."  )

[Hound]

I might do that with a twist - say that I got a bottle for Christmas/Birthday/other event when I go to replenish.  I don't have to say who I got it from, right? 

("It was a gift... from... uh... myself."  )

I typically buy my own scotch for my presents.  My wife has no clue what kind of whiskey I enjoy, so she gives me free reign.

[Ead]

I've been killing off my bottles too quickly recently.  I did get a couple from friends over the last couple of Christmas holidays, but the ones that were precariously close to being empty are now... empty.   

I blame it on the corks.  They dry out too quickly.  Forcing me to finish the bottles due to a lack of proper corkage.  Yeah.  That sounds about right... 

[LilDrunkenSmurf]

Been starting to build a little collection here.
Picked up the following recently:
Glenlivet 15 year
Gibson's 12 year
Crown Royal Reserve
Crown Royal Monarch
And to cap it off,
Highland Park Odin.

Looking at picking up some Crown Royal Harvest Rye later in the week, and possibly some Lagavulin 16 year.

[Tenacious_B]

Smokehead and Laphroiag Quarter Cask... the 2 best value's per dollar for drams.

[YvanF]

Smokehead and Laphroiag Quarter Cask... the 2 best value's per dollar for drams.

I think you and me would make great drinking buddies. 

I'm predominantly an islay guy too. I REALLY like them peaty so I drink a lot of Ardbegs or Laphroaigs!!!

My faves are (in no particular order):
Lagavulin 16 Year
Bunnahabhain 18 year
Laphroaig 18 year
Ardbeg Uigdail

I have a buddy who works in the liquor industry and picks me up limited edition bottle here and there.
Recently had the Ardbeg Perpetuum (200 years anniversary bottle), but for the price I paid, I rather the Uigdail.

He recently picked me up a Bunnahabhain 18 year and I must say, even though I'm more of a peat guy, this bottle was SOOO delicious and I REALLY enjoyed it. So much that I will always have one in my collection from now on. Its a little on the sweet side but whenever I want a desert/something sweet, I grab a dram of it. Its really great. Expensive, but so uckfaying good.

I also have a buddy who picked me up some Irish whiskeys recently on one of his last Ireland/Scotland trips, a Bushmills single malt 12 year!! Pretty neat whiskey.

The staples in my cabinet though (the bottles I buy and drink a lot of) are:
Lagavulin 16 Year
Laphroig Quarter Cask
Ardbeg Uigdail or the 10 year

As soon as I catch up in my bills (mid to late January), I'm grabbing the below 3 bottles:
Lagavulin 16 Year (ran out)
Bunnahabhain 18 year (quarter bottle left)
Laphroaig 18 year (ran out)

I picked up a bottle of Crown Royal Harvest Rye a few months back. Meh.

I REALLY need to step away from the Laphroaig, Lagavulin, Ardbeg  and try something else though. Ill have to try a few Bowmores and Glenmorangies, etc

[THE EDJ]

Edradour is great (not super peaty, but still delicious). I'm rather partial to the Bowmore 15, it's complex, super smoky and incredibly tasty.

[Tenacious_B]

I REALLY need to step away from the Laphroaig, Lagavulin, Ardbeg  and try something else though. Ill have to try a few Bowmores and Glenmorangies, etc

I tried this... not worth it.

Those are really the best 3 "mainstream" scotch's.

[YvanF]

I tried this... not worth it.

Those are really the best 3 "mainstream" scotch's.

Haha. I hear ya.
A guy knows what he likes and therfore drinks what he likes, DAMNIT!!! haha

But still, I feel like there is sooooooooo many different scotches out there that I need to atleast TRY!

I've been to whiskey fest here in EDM a few times but after the 20th drink, it all tastes like blends. hahaha