Whiskey is better!

I try to limit myself to 4 bottles at a time, but sometimes you see a sale on something and you just can't help picking it up.

 

I'll have to see if this is available locally. I'm about to finish a bottle of Hibiki 12 so I'll need a replacement.

 

Let me know what you think. I didn't have any 12 on hand to compare to directly. I want to say the 12 was a little smoother.

 

I try to keep one bottle on hand at a time and finish it before buying another. Current bottle:

 

I think I like the 4 bottles on hand strategy better, ala @Smitty

 

More bottles adds variety. Also, it keeps you from running out after a surprise binge driven by the insanity of getting called at 10 pm for a job-related emergency. That happens often enough to me that it's a legitimate concern.

 

How is it? My friend bought a bottle the other day but he didnt want to open it when he came over. So we ended up drinking my Four Roses Yellow label instead lmao. It's a pretty nice budget bourbon at $20.

 

four roses is very good, just avoid the single barrel stuff. You never know what you're going to get with the single barrel, and it's very personal if people like that particular bottle or not.

 

This was one of the choices for my payment for house sitting/dog sitting for my parents, but the other was 18yr Laphroiag. How's this stuff, I've been eyeing it for a while at the store.

 

Four Roses single barrel is my go to everyday bourbon. You do have to read the codes and see all of the different flavors and which one you are buying. Some have a sweet finish, more floral notes, hints of mint of whatever. Whiskey equivalent of tube rolling.

 

The Lagavulin is a *very* peaty and smoky scotch. If your tastes run in that direction, this is at the extreme end. It is not an easy sipping scotch -- you have to be in the mood for it. But if you want that taste, there is nothing else like it that I've tried.

I've rarely seen it in stores for less than $80, so I would advise you try it at tasting before buying blind if you can.

If this is too extreme, Talisker 10yr is another good option. Peaty, but not nearly as niche as the Lagavulin and usually around $60 depending on the store. If I had to choose something to always have on hand, it would be this.

 

I found out that I wasn't as into Scotch as I originally thought I was when I bought some Lagavulin without a taste and nearly threw away a whole bottle. I am not a fan of super peaty or super smokey stuff. I was also informed by "true" Scotch drinkers that if that was the case, I should stick to other whiskeys.

 

Yeah, Lagavulin is like licking a freshly tarred road.

But there are plenty of options that aren't at all smoky or peaty. The Macallans that someone mentioned, for example, have a totally different flavor. Lots of great bottles that taste like fruits, butterscotch, etc with no hint of smokiness/peat.

 

Hah! Best description I have heard for Lagavulin. Luckily a coworker loved it so I was able to trade it for stuff more suited to my tastes. Macallan has been my go to Scotch for years. Just working my way up in age as the budget allows.

 

Anyone ever been to a distillery? Took a trip to Kentucky last year and visited a few, with Four Roses being my favorite stop (Im a total fanboy).

 

Nope, but it's something me and my dad have talked about a few times. Might happen this coming year, might not happen for 10, it all depends on our schedules. Then again, 2016 is an election year, so I'm probably going to be insanely busy.

 

I haven't yet, but planning a trip to Japan for my birthday 2016. Plan to climb Mt. Fuji and visit some distilleries in Hokkaido (and sake breweries).

But before that, visiting some US distilleries would be fun. Any that were the best to visit (not necessarily the best whiskey).

 

I stayed Louisville KY and drove to a couple distilleries, but there are literally dozens in the area. I in terms of bourbon, 3 or 4 large corporations own several brands and have very large distilling complexes. I liked the smaller companies as they were less of tourist destinations and more trying to cater to loyal customers.

I am not a huge Jack Daniels fan, but I have also heard that Lynchburg Tenn is quite a destination.

 

What are your thoughts on Ardbeg? I find that sometimes only Lagavulin, Laphroig, or Ardbeg will scratch that particular itch.

 

Looking to taste a little Dalmore 15 this weekend: