What dram is in your quaich?

[Father Bill]

Ha! I named my dog Talisker - Tally for short.

[DyerStraits]

DyerStraits.

You might find Talisker 57' North worth a try.

Thanks Jock, I will keep an eye out for it, as I've never tried any version of Talisker but have always heard good things about it...

[ThistleDown]

Four house guests from America (US Thanksgiving, doncha know?), two from Scotland and two from Ontario this past weekend, so that was for looooong, discussions. Between them they contributed Ardbeg's Corryvreckan (known to be my tipple of choice ), "Maker's Mark" Kentucky Bourbon, "Monkey Shoulder" vatted malt, "Templeton's Choice Rye", two "Wolfburn" single malts from Thurso and some lovely wines to the drinks trolley.

Each had its place and turn over the four days, with a Taylor-Fladgate 20 post-meal each evening. It was a superb kilted weekend. Sorry I can't post them here, but all the kilted skeet shooter pics taken of five of us (four 'traditionally' and one Freedom for the extra cartridge pockets) enjoyed a wet Saturday afternoon with a box of White Flyers and the Wolfburn. Good, but I remain a devotee of Corryvreckan.

[Father Bill]

Rex, I've never seen the Ardbeg's Corryvreckan in the LCBO (our local outlet for spirits) Is it widely available? I'd be interested in finding a wee taste!

[ThistleDown]

Bill, my understanding is that Corryvreckan has never been stocked by the Ontario Board, just as many other fine products are excluded, too. British Columbia LB does not currently stock it, either, but when it did it ran at CAD150+. In Oregon the price is USD99.99 in my favourite Portland shop; in the UK it runs around GBP65 (and can be purchased directly from Ardbeg, of course). You might contact Ardbeg to find out if and where you can buy it near you.

I'm reminded that The Shebeem in Vancouver has Corryvreckan drams at CAD20. Phew!

[Terry Searl]

Glenmorangie The Quinta Ruban (12 years old and extra matured in Ruby Port casks)

I took the last dram from my Quinta Ruban last night and what a joy it will be to buy another bottle to have and to share for Christmas

[DyerStraits]

I took the last dram from my Quinta Ruban last night and what a joy it will be to buy another bottle to have and to share for Christmas

I also very much enjoyed the Quinta Ruban, which was part of a generously sized yet surprisingly inexpensive four bottle taster set I recently finished with three 12 year old barrel-finished Glenmorangies, as well as the original Glenmorangie, which frankly still does not impress me much.

I am also very delighted with Talisker Storm--my first encounter ever with any Talisker, and although I surely will follow Jock Scot's advice to try the the more intense Talisker 57 North, the Storm is destined to become one of my regulars--as much brine, vanilla, fruits and even smoke (but less of the pronounced phenols that some find disagreeable) as my favorite Islay Malts but also a healthy dose of warm, peppery spices. Uniquely wonderful stuff. THANKS JOCK!

[Terry Searl]

I also very much enjoyed the Quinta Ruban, which was part of a generously sized yet surprisingly inexpensive four bottle taster set I recently finished with three 12 year old barrel-finished Glenmorangies, as well as the original Glenmorangie, which frankly still does not impress me much.

I am also very delighted with Talisker Storm--my first encounter ever with any Talisker, and although I surely will follow Jock Scot's advice to try the the more intense Talisker 57 North, the Storm is destined to become one of my regulars--as much brine, vanilla, fruits and even smoke as my favorite Islay Malts but also a healthy dose of warm, peppery spices. Uniquely wonderful stuff. THANKS JOCK!

Thanks so much for sharing your opinion. I am always inclined towards Islay malts but the Quinta Ruban was a bit more less inhibiting for quests.....I will try the Talisker's and like you, it will be my first encounter.....it's always great to try something new especially when it concerns the distillation of malted barley.....heh! heh!

[DyerStraits]

Thanks so much for sharing your opinion. I am always inclined towards Islay malts but the Quinta Ruban was a bit more less inhibiting for quests.....I will try the Talisker's and like you, it will be my first encounter.....it's always great to try something new especially when it concerns the distillation of malted barley.....heh! heh!

I completely agree, Terry. The Islay Malts are magnificent stuff but do require an adventurous palate, are not for everyone and ironically epitomize what so many whisky drinkers dislike about Scotch. All of which is what makes the wine barrel finished whiskies such a good thing--I met more than one wine enthusiast who was equally surprised and delighted at finding the same notes in a whisky as from a wine...even a white wine!

[Terry Searl]

I completely agree, Terry. The Islay Malts are magnificent stuff but do require an adventurous palate, are not for everyone and ironically epitomize what so many whisky drinkers dislike about Scotch. All of which is what makes the wine barrel finished whiskies such a good thing--I met more than one wine enthusiast who was equally surprised and delighted at finding the same notes in a whisky as from a wine...even a white wine!

By Golly, Dyer Straits, you are a man after my own heart..I've said so often that whisk(e)y is like wine..... it is how the spirit is aged that gives it it's uniqueness. I agree totally with your comments.........Beside Quinta Ruban, GlenDronach used to offer a port cask finished whisky and now Arran has one and even Laphroaig has one available (but only at certain duty free shops (Heathrow) as a test market). The first thing noticed about a Port cask finished whisky is the colour.... it is absolutely glorious.....and late at night when you are just about a sleep it will hit you that there is just a tiny bit of sweetness that comes from the port casks heh! heh!