And So It Begins

"Goggles Pizzano" (gogglespizzano)
11/01/2020 at 21:28 • Filed to: whiskylopnik, whiskygeek

The process for our November 15th Spirit Release is a little different this year. The good news is there’s no longer a need to camp out in a parking lot. The bad news is a week ago I put in an online request and at that time was told, if I get what I requested, I’ll receive an email before the 15th and I can pickup on the 17th. This means a second trip to a store as I’ll still need to go on the 15th as a regular customer to get non-reservable no-bottle-limit whiskies. Still no word.

Meanwhile I’ve been watching whiskies sellout over the border that I could have ordered if I had known my request was denied. When I’m not looking over the border I’m physically going to private and hole-in-the-wall shops. This is the same every year. It’s a love/hate thing.

Last year I had one of these airplane bottle sets but ended up giving it away for Christmas. Believe it or not, I really wanted to find another, even at $50. I justified the cost by attaching a value of $20 to the experience of a Johnnie Blue side-by-side (40% vs. 43% 2000s bottle) without needing to spend $250 on a whole bottle.

$5 an ounce for the remainder doesn’t sound too bad and I’m sure the 18 will more than deliver.

DISCUSSION (24)

wafflesnfalafel > Goggles Pizzano
11/01/2020 at 21:40

never tried the blue, but I do enjoy the black

Beefchips > Goggles Pizzano
11/01/2020 at 21:46

Mmm Irish whiskey! Never tried the blue label... I ought to though, as Irish has become my whiskey of choice recently . I love the nice light balance, a little sweet, a little fruit, no molasses like bourbon or smoke like scotch. No death by lighter fluid like Canadian.

404 - User No Longer Available > Goggles Pizzano
11/01/2020 at 21:47

Too bad LCBO stopped carrying the Double Black. I actually really like it with club soda as a lighter drinker.

Goggles Pizzano > wafflesnfalafel
11/01/2020 at 21:47

I like the B lack a lot too. I think the B lue is nic er than many give it credit for and the amount of smoke usually surprises me .

Monkey B > Goggles Pizzano
11/01/2020 at 21:48

I have never been more disappointed in anything in my life than I was with Joh nnie Blue.

OmerCarrothers333 > Goggles Pizzano
11/01/2020 at 21:48

The first time I had Johnnie Walker was Blue. My brother-in-law have me a bottle several years ago. I believe that you can get a nice sized bottle for about $100 at Costco.

Goggles Pizzano > Monkey B
11/01/2020 at 21:51

G enuine question, no offens e intended, w hat were you expecting? What was it about it that let you down?

Goggles Pizzano > 404 - User No Longer Available
11/01/2020 at 21:57

There’s a chance we may follow suit then . Thanks for the tip. Tri ed it last year for the first time and liked it much more than the regular . Speaking of changes, I just noticed this B lack is 40% . The bottle in my closet is 43%. When did that happen?

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > Goggles Pizzano
11/01/2020 at 22:00

I bought half a dozen bottles of Green when it was phased out like 6-7 years ago. I think it’s back now, but not the same? I’m saving mine for a very rainy day.

404 - User No Longer Available > Goggles Pizzano
11/01/2020 at 22:06

I actually don’t know... for the longest time I’ve known Black is 40%. The only JW that is 43% I know of is Green.

Goggles Pizzano > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind
11/01/2020 at 22:11

It’s not the same. Even before I heard others say it, I found a considerable difference, a nd that wasn’t even side-by-side. There’s an e arthi ness missing in the new bottling and less body because of it . You are a lucky person, IMO.

Goggles Pizzano > 404 - User No Longer Available
11/01/2020 at 22:16

Just h ad a double check, 43%.

Goggles Pizzano > OmerCarrothers333
11/01/2020 at 22:20

“ $100 at Costco”. Not here. C heapest you’ll find is $ 250-$ 300. The 18 is $ 145 . Shakes head.

Monkey B > Goggles Pizzano
11/01/2020 at 22:27

I understand there is a law of diminishing returns when spending more and I’m generally not one with much expectations. I love Johnnie Black, Double Black...hell even R ed. In my opinion Blue had the finish of a $20 bottle and I didn’t find it to have much on the front due to the heat. My only expectation was for it to be as least as smooth as black and offer more on the front. I’ve tried it twice...same findings. Still need to try Platinum and some others.

I’ve found I enjoy Irish more than Scotch when dipping into pricier bottles. Next time I splurge it’ll be for Red Spot...delicious. On the less pricey end I enjoy Writer’s Tears and Jameson’s Caskmates Stout Edition. The best bang for buck I’ve encountered is John Barr Scotch...price of Johnnie Red but more in tune with Black.

Goggles Pizzano > Monkey B
11/01/2020 at 22:46

I couldn’t agree with you more on the finish, none. I haven’t tried the Platinum or the new 18 but if my opinion of the Gold Reserve or the old Gold 18 are anything to go by you may not find what you’re looking for in the whiskies above Green. They’re all kind of cut from the same cloth.

Last year I tried n ot just my first Red Breast 12, but my first Irish other than Powers and Jameson . S o good.

Monkey B > Goggles Pizzano
11/01/2020 at 23:08

Redbreast is a staple with me, y ou may also enjoy Writer’s Tears. Jameson’s Caskmates Stout is a favorite as well because I find it punches above it’s weight class in smoothness IMO . Red Spot would be worth your time, though I hear it’s hard to get a hold of, there is also Green Spot and Yellow. Interesting history on the names.

I’ve had that sne aking suspicion that I probably won’t care for the upper echelon Johnnie offerings, but I will try them r egardless. I may not find them worth the investment...but I will enjoy! Based on what I know and hear I feel like Red goes to Double Black, then the flavor profile changes.

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > Goggles Pizzano
11/02/2020 at 01:24

I built a blue label display on a cruise ship once, the union called and asked me if I had a passport. It was an interesting experience.

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > Goggles Pizzano
11/02/2020 at 01:28

I see an Extra Special Black is 43

Goggles Pizzano > 415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°)
11/02/2020 at 02:01

Cool, i t is E xtra S pecial! The bottle doesn’t look as old as those on the web and E xtra Special is written very small on either side of the 12. Other than that it looks like a typical Black of 2015 (when I bought it). Thanks.

Thomas Donohue > Goggles Pizzano
11/02/2020 at 09:26

Lowest I’ve seen recently in the NY area is $185 for the Blue 750ml. The 18 is a much better value at $80 IMO. I got the four 200ml pack to sample the Blue on occasion. They get ~$65 for the Blue 200ml, so it’s a no-brainer to get all four @ $80.

I’m currently searching for the latest Macallan Edition 6 at a reasonable price.....since it’s likely the last in the series it’s been selling out or being priced $50 above previous issues at $170+

Kinja'd!!!

Thomas Donohue > Monkey B
11/02/2020 at 09:37

Love RedBreast. The RB 12 Cask Strength is one of my favorites. So much better than the 15, and almost on par with the 21. Considering I found two bottles of CS at $70, it’s a relative bargain as the 15 is usually over $100 and good luck finding the 21 anywhere under $250 (it was a special birthday gift to myself last year when I found it at $225, and worth it!).

Green Spot also a staple for me, and the Montelena Zin Cask finish is one of my top whiskies.

Irishman Founders Reserve (from the same folks at Walsh that make Writers ) can often be found on sale around here for $30, same price as the base Irishman (not a fan). Not as much Pot Still in the mix as WT, but very good....outstanding at that price.

Ahhh....Irish whiskey.....

*prices in NY area, or shipped from elsewhere.

Goggles Pizzano > Thomas Donohue
11/02/2020 at 15:27

Last week I was in a very large private store and saw not just the Edition 5 but the 4 as well. Still no 6 but it’s early.

Someone on our local CL is looking for an Edition 1 box and willing to pay $50. Poor soul, says they have the whole set minus the box. I don’t see that ever happening.

Thomas Donohue > Goggles Pizzano
11/02/2020 at 18:00

A shame they don’t have the box. I’ve only had 3 and 5 so far. I have an unopened bottle of #4 but haven’t tasted yet....hoping to do 3 through 6 tasting at some point, with an open invitation to anyone who also has a #2 or #1. I am not hopeful we’ll find a #1 !!!

Tasting a Knappogue Castle 12 and Bushmills 16 tonight. At first it seemed excessive for a Monday, but it’s been that kind of year, and who knows what this week will bring.

Slainte.

Goggles Pizzano > Thomas Donohue
11/02/2020 at 18:04

Back at ya. Enjoy your evening. And happy hunting!