Thanks Xenu, I really appreciate your perspective, and you are a lucky man indeed to have that connection! Cheers to you all.
Out to dinner the other night and I enjoyed an Eagle Rare over ice. Very nice. Never had it before. Next day stopped by my local shop and picked up a couple bottles. They had PVW 20 for $100. Skipped that as I have half a bottle left at home. Good stuff.
Back in the day when a dime bag cost a dime, I used to buy two bottles of PVW20 for $100. That's insane. I'm talking ten years ago.
That's like asking which kid you love more, lol... I really enjoy this, but go back time and again to Ardbeg (Ueigaedail Its like asking which kid you love more, lol...my all-time favorite peated whisky is Laphroaig 18, sadly not available any more (I still check small shops here and in the UK from time to time to see if anyone has a bottle in the back). I really like Ardbeg Uigeadail, which is a 51/49 favorite to the Corryvrekan. I recommend Lagavulin 16 to anyone interested in buying a peated Islay, since it is probably the smoothest one of the bunch. The Octomore is more a punch in the mouth, in a good way, so I'd think you would work up to it after the Ardbeg seems normal. Octomore's prices have been accelerating pretty quickly though, indicating it has some strong buzz pushing the numbers.
My wife just gave me a few new bottles for my birthday; a Weller 12yo, another Weller limited edition from a private collection, and a Kavalan sherry cask Solist at cask strength. The Kavalan is amazing; deep, rich, great nose and taste, especially on the finish. It is bottled at 57.8, so you'd probably want to add a touch of water, but not so much as to dull the experience (just hold on to your chair when you drink it). I'd post my collection like the one above, but it could demonstrate how far this obsession has gone...including a newer Whistlepig Straight Rye 10 at 100 proof, which is pretty good, but another shock to the system neat.
Eagle Rare after 3+ hours splitting wood. Doesn’t need ice... about 35 in front of the chiminea! Image Unavailable, Please Login
Me neither, but as others said, Taste is Subjective. I had a Bottle of Pappy (15 I think) and I didn't find it that great. My Favorite Scotch is Dalwhine Bourbons are Varied, Makers Mark, Blantons, Eagle Rare, Basil Haydens, Woodford Double Oaked. One thing I found Quite interesting. The Smoothest on the Rocks and the Smoothest Neat are Not Equal. Can be a Fun Adventure to rediscover different Bourbons or Scotches trying it Neat 1st, then throw in some ice. Word of warning! Do not sip in the 1st minute that the ice hits, well you can... but they get kinda "different" during the Change from Neat to Iced.
I really enjoy this stuff. It's great straight or on the rocks and I've even added a bit of water to it when I drink it straight and it's enhanced the flavor. Image Unavailable, Please Login
How did you like the willett? When I had some a couple years ago, it was a hot mess and not in a good way
I see Willet Family Estate rye in the bottom left of that picture. It is my favorite rye. Not terribly expensive but can be hard to find.
I've he I've had a couple bottles of that. I've heard Old Forester Rye in the $25 price range is just as good.