Tonight I was at a restaurant, and the bar menu offerings were dull and boring, so I told the waiter to just bring me a neat one, the best Glenlivet in the bar... I thought I'd end up with an 18, or worst case scenario - a 15.

He brought me a cup, and upon first taste I was blown away. It tasted strong alcohol, but had some sweet smokiness (think Oban or Talisker), some spiciness (reminiscent of barrel strength American Rye whiskies), fruits (like every Glenlivet and Glenfiddich), and leaving a very good aftertaste despite the strong burn. I thought it might be a Nadurra 16 (which I love), but it tasted better than the Nadurra...

When I got the check, I saw it was a Glenlivet Enigma, which I found out has 60% abv, and it was just $30 for a 2oz pour...

It was great, I was blown away, and I'm now on the hunt to find a bottle...

How does this compare to the original NAS or 10 year?

Just recently got into whiskey, and had the chance to try two scotches: Glenfiddich 12, and JW black. I thought the Glenfiddich was quite good, but the JW had a taste that felt more all over my mouth/cheeks that was quite off putting. Does this say anything about the type of scotch I would like/what should I try next? I don’t have any aversion to high proof.

Anyone tried both? How do they compare?

I have no clue what my preference would even be, I guess something versatile that could be enjoyed neat or on the rocks. No cocktails though. I’m in the US, don’t wanna go over $75-$100

I watched a view and some/most of them are so cringeworthy. The information they tell is interesting but I just can't watch many of them. You guys share my opinion? Any recommendations?

I've tried to do some research on this topic and found very little information.

In the American whiskey world, I know an NDP offering distilled in Indiana is almost certainly MGP and an NDP offering distilled in Tennessee is almost certainly George Dickel. With a few clues, it's often possible to determine which KY distillery created NDP casks as well.

Is there any such way to find any probable source of undisclosed Islay bottlings? I recently picked up a Masters of Malt 29-year Islay single malt offering distilled in 1993, bottled in 2021. It was way cheaper than any "branded" label would have been.

I've also enjoyed some of the Smokehead offerings, though they don't disclose where they source from either.

Just curious. The answer may be that it's a total toss up, but is there a general sense that one or two distilleries put a bunch of casks out for other bottlings? Any insights are appreciated. Thanks!

Open your bottles of Springbank!

Springbank Local Barley 13yo 54.1% bottled Dec 2023 Loads of cream, orchard fruit and tobacco box initially on the nose. Citrus, tiramisu and shaving cream. Rose petals and an old fire place. Smells like proper Springbank.

Fireplace, minerality, a painter’s palette. Toasted malt. It’s a bit thinner than I hoped on the palate but peaches and apples and a bit of baking spice make it interesting.

Cream, river rocks, passion fruit vines and almond butter. Some grape fruit zest, coffee grounds and chalkiness.

4.5/5 ⭐️

Ah Bowmore, you make some delicious whisky. I'll always snag an IB Bowmore if the price is right. Rarely do I get ob bottles of it these days however. This was a lucky exception when I found it a while back.

The place I found it had 2 sitting up on a high shelf in a little spirits room connected to where they mostly sell groceries and fishing gear. Have to love little California mountain towns. I went back the next day after trying this and bought the second. Totally worth it.

Bowmore 16, 6 years in Bourbon barrels and 10 in Bordeaux barrels. 53.5%

Smell: Gym bag which is somehow very pleasant, rich and tarry, raisins, salty, smokey, and something sweet, tart and tropical like passion fruit.

Lots of wine cask here but the spirit still holds it's own. I absolutely love that tropical note.

Taste: Think and rich, some tannin from the barrels upfront, gym funk again, smoke, raisins, red fruits but only very faint tropical fruit notes.

Wow, so tasty. This is just what I like in a whisky. Just the right amount of spirit and cask character.

**Finish:*" Long, passion fruit, tangy, sweet and smokey. Are smoked passion fruits a thing? If so, those and they linger a long time.

One of the longest finishes I can remember. I swear I still taste it after 15 minutes from my last sip, maybe longer.

9/10

All I can say is I'm so glad I have a second bottle. Truly amazing whisky. I wish Bowmore put out more stuff like this these days for reasonable prices. One can dream right?

Hey everyone, I was recently helping my grandma clean out her basement and we came across an old bottle called Kings Ransom Scotch Whiskey. She told me it was my grandpas sponsor back when he owned an NHRA team but the bottle has clearly shown its sign of aging over the years sitting in a box. Does anyone know where I might be able to get a bottle of it as a gift for her? My grandpa recently passed and I think it would be a nice gift. Thank you for any help and if this isn’t allowed mods please take my post down.

Watching "Scotch: The Golden Dream" it's quite funny to hear how the very people that create the whisky is telling us not pay stupid money for it.

Also, older it's not always better, most distilleries achieve their pick anywhere between 10 to 18 yo. 30yo, 50yo experiments... you're just paying scarcity.

They also seem quite pissed off that in Scotland they're charging quiet a bit for their whisky to tourist, claiming that it should be local prices for everyone....

I mean, really good people, can't wait to go back to Islay

Don't see much discussion about Jura, is it because it's cheap trash or some other reason?

21 year single malt scotch in a triangular 3-corner dark bottle, bought in a duty free story in Heathrow Airport. It was his favorite scotch he’s ever had and I wanted to surprise him for his birthday. Thank you so much!!

He got it many years ago, said that the bottle was so dark you could barely see the scotch in it.

It seems the brand receives scorn from true connoisseurs. I have a local shop, under the radar, where I’ve scored more than my fair share of Campbeltown.

But part of me wants to try. I’d probably only buy them once. They’re all in the 40% range of ABV except Classic Cut. Is this the one to try without spending beyond reason?

Shops near me have the 2023 and 2024 editions.

My picks: Ailsa Bay Inchmoan Ballechin

The Glenturret 7 Peat Smoked:

My first try from the Glenturret facility, and looking forward to trying it.

Color: 1.0 Deep Copper

Nose: Interesting nose, fairly musky, iodine, wet oak and no hint of smoke. Stewed red fruit simmering in molasses. Not my favorite nose.

Palate: Rich and oily mouth feel followed by a big burst of bonfire smoke and peat. Saltiness and bacon meet with sweeter notes of toffee and light fruit.

Finish: Nice and long, sweetness totally fading away as big smoke and brine linger on and on.

Full Tasting Video Here 👇🏻

https://youtu.be/lxnyZomuPIc?si=JsKnFvmG5I9KhfPZ

Taste: 85 ABV: 46% Price: CAD~$100 Value: 8.5/10

Only available overseas. Similar to Johnny Walker Green but more intense. This a blend of four popular single malts.

Nose: Wood smoke.Smoked brisket. Roasted oats. Sultana muesli.

Palate: Wood smoke. Caramel fudge. Pink marshmallow.

Long length. Water make more approachable and caramel.

We both love this. Just done tastings of eight or nine whiskies. This is both of out favourites. Bang on. Balanced complexity.

Nose: Marmalade. Cloves. Dusting of icing sugar.

Palate: Orange flesh. Nice biscuits.

Short to medium length. Water doesn't help. Makes it more like a sports drink.

A lovely light orange centric whisky. Would love it with milk chocolate or desert. We like it.

I’ve been enjoying my Springbank, Killkeran, bruichladdich, and bunnahabhain. Which I consider most of those to not be as well known/mainstream as your typical Glenfiddich, Macallan, Balvenie etc. With that said what would you recommend next that’s a little more unique but still fairly accessible in most markets? Right now I’m considering Clynelish, Port Charlotte, Tamdhu, Glen Scotia, and Ledaig. What others would you recommend or have enjoyed recently?

Nose: Sultanas. Earthy pices. Hint of apples. Pepper. White bread doughnuts with white icing.

Palate: Dates. Pepper. Shredded wheat. Cloves. White sugar/syrup.

Medium to long length. Water brings out pepper characteristics.

Love it. Usually I prefer the 12yo but today the 15yo I'd speaking to me. My partner loves it.

Nose: Pears/Nashi. Marzipan. Lychee. Hint of strawberry. Barley husks.

Palate: Pears. Sweet. Prune. Burnt toast with marmalade.

Length medium to long.

Smells better than tastes. I like it. My partner less so. Enjoyed this one for a couple of decades.

Nose: Sherry. Cherries. Boiled orange sweetie. Honey Dew. Granola. Hint of sultanas.

Palate: Nutragrain. Honey on Granola. Burnt Butter.

Medium length. Water doesn't add anything.

All round we like it. Pretty standard. A bit like a big bowl of breakfast cereal with cherries on top.

Nose: Lavender/Heather. White Pepper. Honey. Flapjack. Hint of pine.

Palate: Honey. White and black pepper. Hint of tangerine. Hint of vanilla pod.

Short to medium length. Water brings out honey.

All round we think it's pleasing and for any time of the year.