Hey, friends.
So. Upcoming reviews and such. What distilleries/brands/expressions would you like to see more of?
All Things Whisky
Breaking The Internet Since 2009
Hey, friends.
So. Upcoming reviews and such. What distilleries/brands/expressions would you like to see more of?
All Things Whisky 
Hi Curt!
I’d enjoy reviews of: any springbank local barley expression, the new octomore 8.x line, port askaig, elements of islay bottlings…
I second Cam C’s requests.
Kilkerran!
Benromach also seems rather underrepresented here.
The Cadenhead releases!
Curt,
You write interesting reviews on all the whiskies you try.
Last year I hit “peak whisky”. Meaning The number of unopened bottles in my collection on Dec. 31 was the same as Jan. 1. Of course I achieved this by opening a few bottles that I’d been waiting on. This year I’m looking to have achieved “Peak open bottles” in the same way, so that going forward my collection will begin to dwindle. Given I currently have a lifetime supply it’s the only way…
This hobby is ridiculously expensive. More so every year. In an era of precarious employment and rising taxes, I personally feel I need to cut down, or out, my whisky spending.
In that vein, I what I would like to see from you is reviews of things that you already have in your collection. Anything. Even re-reviews of bottles to see how they are 2-3 years or more after you opened them.
I don’t want to make requests, because I don’t want you to feel you have to go out getting stuff to make this site interesting.
Of course, if you wanted to review an Ian Armstrong era Bladnoch, it would be a real pleasure to try to get you a sample of it.
And if you care to comment on Red Shank or Punjabi Club, I think people might find it entertaining. It seems to be a Calgary thing. I even found Punjabi club in the Indian section of a major spirits store!
Cheers!
i’d like to see some more Irish whiskey, and discussion of the style in general, and specifically some Tyrconnell. I picked up a 10 Sherry Cask recently which I’m pretty sure was sulphured to death.
Sláinte!
No Name
Yeah, Compass Box No Name. I’m looking at this as a next purchase.
Buy that whisky. Just buy it. No Name is definitely worth having a bottle or 2 around if you’re a fan of peated whisky.
I like the head-to-head tastings. Comparisons and such.
Springbank Green 13 and Longrow 13 Malbec.
Lots of good suggestions here, and I’ll nominate Kilchoman. They’ve recently bottled some interesting single casks that have been readily available in CGY. I’d like to hear your feedback.
Great suggestions! Will try to hit ’em all.
I’ll second the Cadenhead releases.
Hmmm… At the risk of seeming radical, I’d suggest bourbons. One can get good bourbon for $15-25, very good stuff for $25-40, and excellent for $40-75. Summer is upon us and one could do a HTHTHTH for less than $200.
If he “likes” bourbon…
That’s true! I’d never review Canadian whiskies for that reason. Someone was complaining about the expense of “the hobby” (aren’t they all?), so I stated an obvious alternative.
As just a general question, what’s the product where people have seen the greatest change/development from uncorking to where it ended up with significant bottle space/time? What was the longest/shortest time opened, without gassing, before you considered a product stale/inert and stopped seeing development? Any theories on why you observed what you did?
Sláinte!
Without a doubt, Glenfarclas 105 changed the most over a 6-9 month period, going from a bit too sulfury to sublime. Similar situation with Dalmore 15, but not nearly as sublime a result, just good. This occurred each time I did it, over at least 3 bottles of each. May be time for another 105!
Bladnoch 12YO lightly peated, sherry cask matured, 55%.
Almost undrinkable when opened. It took about 2 years of air time, and I usually gas after each use. Finally got to the mid to high 80s.
The biggest single swing I’ve seen was probably with Uigeadail – many years ago now, and which I wouldn’t deny was a great whisky, but which also served as the narrow end of the NAS wedge and so I wouldn’t replace (put an age statement on it and I’ll buy one tomorrow as I presently sip on a Ledaig 10). Over the course of 10 months, the sherry fell off and the peat stepped up to make one of the most enjoyable combos I’ve had in Fall sipping. Given the rate of development, ungassed, I’m not sure it would have improved much at anything exceeding 12 months, but it didn’t last that long in any case.
The only memorable incidence of a whisky not improving with time and bottle space for me was Dalmore 12 – it started like a sherry tiger off the cork, very impressively for 40% ABV, and then fizzled with time; an 80-class whisky, but not doing anything particularly well once it was fully aired out.
Sláinte!