Oh hey look...

"404 - User No Longer Available" (toni-cipriani)
07/30/2018 at 20:39 • Filed to: None

... it’s yet another whisky I can’t afford and can only drool over the pictures .

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DISCUSSION (34)

pip bip - choose Corrour > 404 - User No Longer Available
07/31/2018 at 05:42

hang the expense and buy it

Goggles Pizzano > 404 - User No Longer Available
10/02/2018 at 12:01

I’ve read this is the first of a series. Presumably they will get younger and more affordable with each release.

The Game of Thrones Talisker due next month isn’t really tickling my fancy. It doesn’t look to be anything special.

The real reason I write is to let you know (if you don’t know already) that there’s a Talisker coming with the Diageo 2018 Special Releases. Reviews are spectacular and it’s selling like hot cakes . Our annual spirit release is November 3rd and I’m anxiously awaiting the announcement of what’s going to be included. Any day now. Should fall around $200 CDN.

thewhiskyexchange.com/talisker-8-year-old

Kinja'd!!!

404 - User No Longer Available > Goggles Pizzano
10/02/2018 at 12:42

Classic salt, pepper and smoke Talisker with a rich background.

YES

Goggles Pizzano > 404 - User No Longer Available
10/02/2018 at 12:55

I watched a couple of German reviews last night and from what I could gather from the translated subtitles it doesn’t take water particularly well. Something about loosing some smoke. This was surprising given it’s cask strength . Other than that, their faces lighting up told the whole story. Also surprising was a description I read of the finish. Despite being 8 years old, it’s l ong! I’m hunting this sucker .

404 - User No Longer Available > Goggles Pizzano
10/02/2018 at 13:00

Well I am flying in a few months, fingers crossed for duty free. I don’t have much hopes for LCBO, lol.

Goggles Pizzano > 404 - User No Longer Available
10/02/2018 at 13:07

LOL!

I think I remember you mentioning you travel to Alberta occasionally, or have a friend there? If I don’t remember this correctly, this site based in Alberta, will ship country wide. They’re a little f unky with shipping costs. After you order, you receive an email telling you the cost. Still, if it’s a bottle you just can’t get, but need , what’s $ 20? Looks a little barren there now, but there should be plenty of new additions over the next few months.

https://zyn.ca/

404 - User No Longer Available > Goggles Pizzano
10/02/2018 at 13:20

Yeah that said friend doesn’t travel as much now.

Goggles Pizzano > 404 - User No Longer Available
11/17/2018 at 11:58

Got some booze news for you. This isn’t going to be a Duty Free grab. It’s already heading in the direction of sold out in Europe due to huge demand. And being a 2018 Special Release, when it’s gone...it’s gone. The fact it’s not going to be available in the US at all speaks volumes too.

T his week the Alberta website that ships Canada- wide put some of the Special Releases on their site, but not the Talisker 8. I called and spoke to a very informed and helpful woman that checked her email while I was on the line.

Story goes, The Tali sker 8 was ordered with the rest they received, but was held back in Ontario. From the sounds of it, Diageo ships to Canada, not specific provinces. This shipment arrives in Ontario and is then distributed to other provinces. The woman complained that sometimes items are taken by Ontario and don’t arrive at all . She told me if it’s going to arrive , it’ ll be in the next two weeks.

This bodes extremely well for you! I’d expect it to show up on your shelves within the next 2-3 weeks. My best guess for cost is around the same as the 57.

404 - User No Longer Available > Goggles Pizzano
11/17/2018 at 13:12

Oh nice... Fingers crossed!

404 - User No Longer Available > Goggles Pizzano
11/28/2018 at 19:17

So I’ve been tracking that Talisker down... still nothing yet. I’ve been using this site which seems to have some data from LCBO before they release things. This caught my eye:

Kinja'd!!!

Looks like Diageo is starting to load data into LCBO’s system, so we might be closing in to a release.

You got me really riled up for that Talisker 8. :)

Goggles Pizzano > 404 - User No Longer Available
11/29/2018 at 09:49

:-)x. Nice to have someone to share with that loves Talisker as much as I do.

It’s not looking good for BC, or Alberta for that matter. BC has no record the 8 was purchased by an agent yet, and Alberta’s uploaded some Game of Thrones single malts. These were originally released a month after the 2018 Special Releases.

I’m still hope ful Nova S cotia will pull through with their Whisky release in February .

404 - User No Longer Available > Goggles Pizzano
12/10/2018 at 11:02

I’m starting to lose hope. That GOT Lagavulin showed up but still no info about the Talisker... sigh.

http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo/product/lagavulin-9-got-house-of-lannister/640102

Goggles Pizzano > 404 - User No Longer Available
12/10/2018 at 12:44

Me too, but i t’s strange. T he woman in Alberta had her order “confiscated” in Ontario. That order has to be somewhere...

A morning this week I’m going to stop into a private store and chat with the purchaser. He has a very good connection with someone as they have an amazing selection (Coopers Choice, Single Cask, Caol Ila) and prices (Oban 14 for $85).

At this point I’m reluctant to get your hopes up, but , there is still Nova Scotia in February. They could already have it and be holding it until then. Their selection borders on Alberta’s and, unlike our provinces, they’ve been known to get Annual Diageo Special Releases the year of. I t’s not like I’d have to get a friend to run around looking for it either , they have online purchasing . A real humdinger of a system.

If I’m able to find it here, Alberta, or NS, I’ll grab you a bottle. I can’t imagine shipping being more than $ 30.

Relating to Talisker, last night I cracked my bottle of Te Bheag . It’s bottled on Skye and contains a greater than average ratio of malts to grains. It’s well known Talisker is in there. To me, it did taste of Talisker quite a bit, although I only got black pepper once through the oz. It’s quite sweet , there’s a lot of Speyside, v ery Aberlour like. Interesting with lots of character. Great stuff for the price.

Well, that’s my novel for the day... I’ll drop you a quick line with an update from the private store.

404 - User No Longer Available > Goggles Pizzano
12/10/2018 at 13:13

Well I’m hitting up a s cotch bar tomorrow with a friend. I was told they had the Fire and Cane before it was even released at LCBO, so maybe they have it. Keeping my fingers crossed.

404 - User No Longer Available > Goggles Pizzano
12/11/2018 at 11:05

Another one of those special releases caught my eye:

https://blog.thewhiskyexchange.com/2018/09/cladach-diageo-special-releases-2018-10/

The component list is quite interesting, reminds me of the original Green Label that made me fall in love with Scotch.

And of course no signs of that at the LCBO either.

Goggles Pizzano > 404 - User No Longer Available
12/11/2018 at 12:51

That was the only other one that caught my eye. Not too heart broken that we won’t get it though, it’d probably be $350.

I can’t remember if you mentioned that you tried Douglas Laing Rock Oyster. Same idea, Coastal Blended Malt. I bought a bottle blind 2 years ago. At first I was disappointed, I think my expectations were skewed. After a few drams, I loved it, and currently have 3/4 of a bottle with another in the closet. It’s actually a pretty good summer sipper too. Bright with lemon over light smoke and salt. Surprisingly, LCBO has a very good price on this one. Roughly $90 here and $65 there .

404 - User No Longer Available > Goggles Pizzano
12/11/2018 at 12:59

Interesting... 1 left at my local store. Maybe I should pick it up, but then I’ll be at the duty free in a few weeks, lol.

Goggles Pizzano > 404 - User No Longer Available
12/11/2018 at 13:03

lol.

Goggles Pizzano > 404 - User No Longer Available
12/18/2018 at 11:10

The purchaser at the private store I mentioned isn’t really customer friendly. I went one morning and he was too busy to chat. I was told to call. Called later that day and he was too busy to take the phone. Next day, same thing. I’ll continue to check their website though (and all the others almost daily). Nova Scotia Whisky release is on Feb. 28th. I’m expecting a list to go up 2-4 weeks prior.

404 - User No Longer Available > Goggles Pizzano
12/19/2018 at 09:36

Well at least you have someone more informative. All we get is a bunch of government employees.

404 - User No Longer Available > Goggles Pizzano
12/24/2018 at 12:24

Think I’m officially giving up the search. If this shows up then I don’t think they have plans for the 8.

http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo/product/talisker-neist-point-game-of-thrones-house-of-greyjoy/640110

Goggles Pizzano > 404 - User No Longer Available
12/24/2018 at 13:01

Very interesting. That’s the only reference I’ve seen on the whole of the internet referring to what is in the GoT Talisker. It makes sense as Neist Point was very poorly received. They’re just getting rid of leftovers.

I too have given up here and in Alberta. If it shows up in Nova Scotia I’ll grab you a bottle. I’m somewhat optimistic .

Let’s play whose boozer is worse. :-)x Our GoT release date (that’s right, release date ) has been announced as Jan 12th. Just in time for Chri....oh never mind. Three days prior they’re having rotating $100 tastings which buys you the ability to have first crack at buying. Forget them.

I’ll be at their doorstep on the 12th looking for my Clynelish. I see your boozer now has it for $99. Holy shit NP because Clynelish, and 51%.

404 - User No Longer Available > Goggles Pizzano
01/02/2019 at 09:04

So Pearson Duty Free still has the banged up Octomore 7.2s that I saw the past 2 years I was there, lol. Boy I loved the 8.1 I got at the bar last time, and I read the 7.2 isn’t as well reviewed. And surprisingly they are 50% more expensive that LCBO (8.1 there is $226 75cl vs $338 for a 70cl).

Talisker was a complete disappointment, just the Dark Storm and the Skye, and the other usual suspects.

Last hope is Hong Kong but my hopes are not that high. They don’t like carrying the niche stuff, just your usual Chivas Regal 2 for 1 deals for people to mix into green tea (ugh).

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

Goggles Pizzano > 404 - User No Longer Available
01/03/2019 at 11:53

It’s amazing that bottle is still there. Haven’t tried an Octomore. Too much money for picking up a bottle without tasting it first and always something at the bar I’d rather try first. Is it true they’re not as peaty as they’re made out to be?

I think I’ve talked myself into buying the GoT Talisker. That never happens (rolls eyes). Over the weekend I did some digging into Neist Point. Seems the only thing that wasn’t well received was the price. Sold as a travel exclusive premium NAS, it originally sold for £140 ($240 CDN without the “Canadian markup”). I cross referenced reviews of the Neist Point and the GoT and they seem to match up. A subtle Talisker. I had to make a point of sticking with the reviewers I trust as this GoT thing has brought a huge number of noobs.

New Years I had a another drink of Te Bheag. I think it relaxed and opened s ince my first taste. More smoke and less sweet this time . A t $ 40 I don’t think it’ll last the year until I can get another bottle.

Goggles Pizzano > 404 - User No Longer Available
01/30/2019 at 11:59

Good Morning, Kind Sir. Long time no chat. How have you been? How are you today? I hear you’re having some winter weather out there. Can you see where I’m going with this? :-)x

When I mentioned Nova Scotia it wasn’t on a whim. I’ve had some great experiences buying there and (in my mind at least) the chances of them getting it were pretty good. T oday they posted a PDF of all that’ ll be available at the festival. I opened it, scanned, and didn’t see it. My heart sank. It was only after I did a search and it showed highlighted at the very bottom of the page did I see it. And that price...That’s with tax!

Kinja'd!!!

We’re not out of woods yet though. There’s been a change in their system. In years past festival goers couldn’t buy at the fest. After the fest they had order online or go to the stores the week after . I’m unsure if they had the ability to reserve a bottle at the fest and pick it up at a store. This year for the first time they have the ability to buy right at the festival. IMO this lowers the chances of leftovers. But who knows how many bottles they have. The fact it’s Talisker and not a Macallan or a Glenrothes works in our favour.

So, the festival is S aturday March 2nd. The Monday after bottles start to trickle out and it can take the better part of a week for all them to show on the site. I’ ll be diligent that week and be getting up early to match the time zone. I ain’t messin’ around.

I was sincere in my offer to pick you up a bottle. I’m guessing shipping would top out at $40 . Just a guess though, it might be $30, I don’t know. If you feel uncomfortable about this I’d understand. Let me know.

If you’re having doubts of the Taliskers quality watch this video. Check out what he’s had this year and what he says about the Talisker. Be sure to watch the whole video...

404 - User No Longer Available > Goggles Pizzano
01/30/2019 at 21:13

I was actually out of town for a month and literally at the airport right now, so I dodged most of the snow, lol.

Picked up an Octomore 7.2 on the way back... but your offer for the Talisker 8 is very tempting.

Goggles Pizzano > 404 - User No Longer Available
01/31/2019 at 10:42

You have a month to think about it. I was just thinking too, I could have it shipped direct from NS to you. Even cheaper.

Let me know when you crack that 7.2. I’d like to hear your thoughts and if it was worth it.

404 - User No Longer Available > Goggles Pizzano
01/31/2019 at 12:53

They had the 8.2 and the 7.2, for HK $1600 and HK$1410 respectively and there was a Bruichladdich promo going on so I also got 2 free Laddie Dram glasses . I had the 8.1 at a bar once, and it was surprisingly smooth even though it was pitched as a smoke and peat monster. Take it for what it’s worth since the reviews between the Octomores seem to vary wildly.

Goggles Pizzano > 404 - User No Longer Available
01/31/2019 at 13:12

Are they this tumbler kind? These look awesome!

Kinja'd!!!

Glencairn glasses are great but what a pain in the ass the clean and uncomfortable to drink from. Last year I discovered the Glendale glass and never looked back.

Kinja'd!!!

404 - User No Longer Available > Goggles Pizzano
01/31/2019 at 16:54

Yup. They didn’t come with the metal emblem though.

My primary is still the Glencarin and I also have Norlans.

Goggles Pizzano > 404 - User No Longer Available
02/28/2019 at 09:56

In case you’re away from Oppo over the next 3 days, the bottles are sent out to the stores starting Monday. If you’d like one, say the word and we’ll work out the details later. If you’re uncomfortable with it, that’s okay too.

404 - User No Longer Available > Goggles Pizzano
02/28/2019 at 10:02

I'd love one but given my current situation I think it would be prudent for me to hold off, although on the flip-side I could use the alcohol, lol.

404 - User No Longer Available > Goggles Pizzano
02/28/2019 at 10:04

What’s the price again? Think we can take it “offline” to discuss?

Email would everything before the at part of this name, one word, on Gmail.

Goggles Pizzano > 404 - User No Longer Available
02/28/2019 at 10:18

Sent. Let me know if you got it.