2018 Scotches Acquired (almost*)

"Goggles Pizzano" (gogglespizzano)
11/12/2018 at 17:56 • Filed to: annual whisky

I don’t shop scotch very often from May to September, but come October I scour the internet almost daily for things I’ve missed and things to come. I make a list and get ready for November. A little bit off the beaten track this year, these last two weeks have been good.

Port Askaig 100 Proof

What is it? A non-age statement independent bottling of Caol Ila at 57.1% abv. Unfiltered and no color added. I’ve not seen whisky so near water in color before. Affordable.

Why did I want it? A young independent bottling of Caol Ila at 57.1% abv. Affordable. Looking forward to a side-by-side with the 2004 Gordon Macphail Cask Strength at 60.5% abv.

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Te Bheag

What is it? Not Tea Bag (or at least I hope so). Blended whisky with 60% grain content. It’s blended on the Isle of Skye so many believe that some (if not most) of the other 40% is made with Talisker. 40% abv. Cheap.

Why did I want it? A rather large Talisker tasting flight planned for the new year/daily winter dram.

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Tomatin Cu Bocan 2005

What is it? Tomatin’s peated variety. Unfiltered, no color added. There is a regular version, but this Limited Edition has 50% abv. and an age statement. Affordable.

Why did I want it? Mainland peated whiskies are few and far between. Again with the side-by-side comparison (Tomatin Legacy and 12). Affordable.

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Old Perth 13

Last Saturday was our local release. I was there at 5 am to guarantee a bottle of Old Perth 13.

What is it? A blend of 90% Macallan, 10% Highland Park (both of which I haven’t tried). Blended in a single barrel, 43.8% abv., unfiltered, and a natural brown/black color. Limited to 620 bottles. Cost-wise it falls into the 17-21 year single malt price range.

Why did I want it? Curiosity. I’m not crazy about sweet ripe fruits and therefore not generally a sherried scotch drinker. This one’s different though.

Master of Malt says:

Nose: Demerara sugar, rum-raisin ice cream, bonfire smoke.

Palate: Intensely well-sherried, with dried fruit and chocolate notes by the bucket-load. A lingering smokiness sits in the background, with hints of balsamic vinegar.

Finish: Stem ginger, treacle and mince pie.

These are all things I like.

Luckily, my boozer is extremely slow to release and apparently uninterested in the secondary market value at that time.

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Peated Malt Gift Pack

What is it? An overpriced but affordable variety pack holding a variety of Whiskeys made with a variety of peat.

Why did I want it? The Connemara. I’ve almost no experience with Irish Whiskey. Maybe peat will act as a doorway. The first and last Bowmore I had was 6 years ago. Laphr oag 10? I like it, but only had it a couple of times. Ardmore is the wild card.

*Still on my 2018 list are the Talisker 8 and Game of Thrones Clynelish. Both are available now-ish but I may have to wait until April. As mentioned, my local boozer is very slow to release.

Anyone tried any of these? Rye, Bourbon, world, Irish, or Scotch; what’s Oppo gettin’ or got this season?

DISCUSSION (15)

Tapas > Goggles Pizzano
11/12/2018 at 18:03

Wellll.....I don’t like peaty whiskeys.

So there’s that lol

But that looks like a wonderful spread. Enjoy :)

lone_liberal > Goggles Pizzano
11/12/2018 at 18:09

I put a good Scotch on my Christmas list when I’m running low since everybody complains that I’m hard to buy for. My bottle of Macallan 18 is getting toward the bottom so I might ask for that.

Goggles Pizzano > Tapas
11/12/2018 at 18:11

Love me a rich Highland too. Not so much the Speysides. Although I like the way the lighter ones are easy sippin’.

You got something this season?

CB > Goggles Pizzano
11/12/2018 at 18:11

Nothing yet, planning on picking something up for my birthday in two weeks, but I have no clue what yet.

Goggles Pizzano > lone_liberal
11/12/2018 at 18:21

I’ve not tried a Macallan. I think I may have accidentally lumped them in with Glenfiddich and Glenlivet as too main stream, over marketed , and not crafty . Been thinking about it .

Goggles Pizzano > CB
11/12/2018 at 18:22

What’s your wheelhouse?

CB > Goggles Pizzano
11/12/2018 at 18:26

Last few bottles have been Johnny Walker and Bowmore.

lone_liberal > Goggles Pizzano
11/12/2018 at 18:28

It might be too mainstream if you’re really after that strong Islay astringent taste. I’ve never really developed a taste for that. As a review says, “There is little doubt as to the quality of the dram itself, at least in my most humble of opinions. It is simply exquisite. Not the most complex of whiskies, rather the bottle is a greatest hits album of clean Highland scotch with bonus tracks of sherry.”

WilliamsSW > Goggles Pizzano
11/12/2018 at 18:31

Mmm, this is making me thirsty!

Although, I like Bourbon and don’t drink Scotch (yet) - and haven’t even had bourbon lately. But I do tend to drink a bit more of it in the winter...

Goggles Pizzano > CB
11/12/2018 at 18:35

Which Bowmore ? Hope to catch you after I try the 1 2 .

Tapas > Goggles Pizzano
11/12/2018 at 18:36

I don’t. But I’m looking for recommendations.

I’ve heard that the Auchentoshan is good...

CB > Goggles Pizzano
11/12/2018 at 18:43

Can’t remember, their cheapest one, probably. And please do.

Goggles Pizzano > WilliamsSW
11/12/2018 at 18:45

I love winter.

Ditto here for bourbon, long time . I do have a rye once in a while though.

Goggles Pizzano > Tapas
11/12/2018 at 18:58

If you like Auchentoshan you may also like Dalwh innie or Glenkinchie. Also, there are some scotches from Campbeltown that are multiple times distilled like Auchentoshan.

Goggles Pizzano > CB
03/09/2019 at 12:42

Their cheapest is the No. 1 ( I think) . B ut in case you were speaking of the 12 I thought I’d drop you a line. I tried 2 drams of the 12 on 2 separate occasions over the holidays. Unfortunately I came away with the same impression I had a few years ago. It’s not that it’s bad, it’s quality stuff but I just can’t bond with it.

Reviews sometimes describe it as having cereal notes. I perceived this as a slight new leather taste. Not crazy about it.

I like the dark flavors, but to me they sit on top and aren’t very rich. It’s like it’s twisted. This irks me a bit more.

The nail in the coffin is the bottling at 40%. Get with the times, Bowmore!

I was reminded of your reply last night when I stumbled onto a great price for the Bowmore 18. The site below ships Canada wide. Their prices are typical Alberta prices (outstanding) with no sales tax. Last week I ordered an independent bottling of Caol Ila. After the order was placed I received an email stating the shipping cost ($36) and asking me if I wanted to go ahead with the order. After confirming, it was 2 days to package it, and 3 days after that it was in my hands. A good experience.

In BC the Bowmore 18 goes for $140 plus tax and in the UK it sells for £ 83 .

zyn.ca/products/bowmore-18-year-old

That price. Just, wow!

Even if the Bowmore doesn’t interest you, maybe you’ll find something that does.