What Whisky/Whiskey are we drinking this month?

odyssey06

Speaking of Scotch, LIDL have three in on special next week, all priced at €25 and 40% strength. No age statements:
* Ben Bracken Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
* Ben Bracken Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
* Abrachan Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
* Catalogue page here: https://www.lidl-flyer.com/485427aa-89b5-11e8-b5c6-005056ab0fb6/locale/en-IE/view/flyer/page/2

Has anyone tried this in the past \ picked up in UK? Worth a punt? Was thinking of trying the Highland.

L1011

I bought an Abrachan from them before but I'm sure it was a 10 stated age. Was fine, mate bought it repeatedly as he liked it a lot. However as its a psuedo name there's no guarantee its even vaguely the same product.

killbillvol2

odyssey06 wrote: »

killbillvol2 wrote: »

Is that the one that had the two terriers as a logo?

No that's Black & Whyte... understandabl this causes confusion!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_%26_White_(whisky)

Thanks. My uncle's pub had a 'statue' of the two terriers. The eyes lit up - freaky looking thing!

YFlyer

odyssey06 wrote: »

What's the verdict? How does it compare to other blends eg famous grouse, JW red, etc? Peaty?

It doesn't have the dry effect that a lot of Scotch have. It was Triple Mature.

YFlyer

killbillvol2 wrote: »

Is that the one that had the two terriers as a logo?

Two lions. Pride Passion

Kevk20

Have just bought a bottle of Bushmills 16 yr old in O’Brien’s. Seems to be back in stock after a few years’ “hiatus”. Tasting note to follow later.

Kevk20

Kevk20 wrote: »

Have just bought a bottle of Bushmills 16 yr old in O’Brien’s. Seems to be back in stock after a few years’ “hiatus”. Tasting note to follow later.

Single malt, obviously.

odyssey06

Kevk20 wrote: »

Have just bought a bottle of Bushmills 16 yr old in O’Brien’s. Seems to be back in stock after a few years’ “hiatus”. Tasting note to follow later.

Am a big fan of the 10 year old, would love to hear how it compares in price and quality to that...

EagererBeaver

The Bushmills single malts are really good I think and I good value too. Very underrated

L1011

I've run out of blend so I'm using Highland Park Einar in whiskey and soda. Airport NAS has its uses.

Kevk20

Bushmills 16 yr old tasting note: got the nose very quickly from pouring. Whiff of smoke. On the pour: rustic brown/red. On the taste: Toffee all around. Werthers original. Sweet dates, hint of praline and toasted nut. Beautiful malty nuttiness. Very smooth, like the 10 yr old, but a definite step up in depth of material. At 40% it’s quite light-ish but don’t be fooled, this is simply superb drinking pleasure.

My “tuppence” for the evening. Oh, and I have a day off tomorrow so may enjoy more of this.

TheShow

10 yr old is the best of bush imo, I find the 16 yr old a bit too fiery on the palate, still a damn good whiskey though.

irlirishkev

Kevk20 wrote: »

Have just bought a bottle of Bushmills 16 yr old in O’Brien’s. Seems to be back in stock after a few years’ “hiatus”. Tasting note to follow later.

What did you pay for the 16? I don't see it listed on their site. Celtic Whiskey have it for 95.

Bushmills is great. And the standard Bushmills permanently on special for 21e in Tesco.. smashing!

beardybrewer

Had the option to pick up 6 bottles of Ardmore Legacy Highland for €20/ea. Bought as an everyday whisky. I'm the guy who has a penchant of adding Laphroaig 10 to Bushmills. This feels like the job done for me. A smooth, smokey, honey, toffee, with a bit of spice, albeit a bit less spice than you'd get with Bushmills. Really a lovely dram I'd be happy to have daily.

Also Jameson Caskmates Stout is seriously yummy. Had to hide the last half of the bottle away from myself.

odyssey06

ALDI Special Reserve 4 years cask matured Irish Whiskey, €19.

I quite like this one, soft and smooth, no burn or harshness to it, and a splash of water brings to life some fresh fruit flavours. I'm guessing ex sherry cask aging?
On the light and delicate side but at that price you can't expect everything - so it'd be a waste with a mixer as it would overwhelm it.
Something to sip with dinner rather than brood over

I don't remember seeing this in a catalogue, and can't find anything online, so dunno if it's a limited special or part of their regular range.

I'd be curious about the provenance.

irlirishkev

I had some Dingle Cask Strength last night. 55% I think?
Very nice, but I did have to add water as I went along to soften it slightly.
I don't usually add water to whiskies, but at that % it's kinda needed (for me!).

L1011

odyssey06 wrote: »

ALDI Special Reserve 4 years cask matured Irish Whiskey, €19.

I quite like this one, soft and smooth, no burn or harshness to it, and a splash of water brings to life some fresh fruit flavours. I'm guessing ex sherry cask aging?
On the light and delicate side but at that price you can't expect everything - so it'd be a waste with a mixer as it would overwhelm it.
Something to sip with dinner rather than brood over

I don't remember seeing this in a catalogue, and can't find anything online, so dunno if it's a limited special or part of their regular range.

I'd be curious about the provenance.

4 could actually be from a few of the new distilleries and is too new to really be a Cooley.

osarusan

Taketsuru Pure Malt.

I have a friend in Japan who, each year, would send me a bottle of Taketsuru 17, in return for a few bottles of Irish craft beer (as virtually every beer is Japan is a light lager). It was nice to be able to drink one of the best blended whiskies in the world.

But demand has made it rare as hen's teeth, and the price has doubled too. So now I get Pure Malt, which is a poor substitute really. But hey, it's free whiskey, so I can't complain.

fret_wimp2

odyssey06 wrote: »

Speaking of Scotch, LIDL have three in on special next week, all priced at €25 and 40% strength. No age statements:
* Ben Bracken Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
* Ben Bracken Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
* Abrachan Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
* Catalogue page here: https://www.lidl-flyer.com/485427aa-89b5-11e8-b5c6-005056ab0fb6/locale/en-IE/view/flyer/page/2

Has anyone tried this in the past \ picked up in UK? Worth a punt? Was thinking of trying the Highland.

Tried the speyside so far. its not bad, but very young. The raw spirit/poitin type smell is instantly present when the bottle is opened and equally strong on the nose when poured and let rest, a clear sign that the component whiskys are all very young. Luckily that raw spirit taste is not as strong as the smell would lead you to believe.

Sweet straw is the main smell i get along with some sweet fruit like figs or dates.
The fruit is present on tasting, as is a little biscuit maltiness and a little new spirit taste.

Finish isnt very long and the new spirit taste lingers.

About right for 25 quid. Id say a bottle of black bush, which although is very different and not directly comparable, is still a much better bottle for about the same price.

I'll still happily drink it neat when eating fruits or chocolate and it wont last long when making Irish Coffees at xmas.

Have a bottle of highland variant also but not opened yet.

murphyebass

fret_wimp2 wrote: »

Tried the speyside so far. its not bad, but very young. The raw spirit/poitin type smell is instantly present when the bottle is opened and equally strong on the nose when poured and let rest, a clear sign that the component whiskys are all very young. Luckily that raw spirit taste is not as strong as the smell would lead you to believe.

Sweet straw is the main smell i get along with some sweet fruit like figs or dates.
The fruit is present on tasting, as is a little biscuit maltiness and a little new spirit taste.

Finish isnt very long and the new spirit taste lingers.

About right for 25 quid. Id say a bottle of black bush, which although is very different and not directly comparable, is still a much better bottle for about the same price.

I'll still happily drink it neat when eating fruits or chocolate and it wont last long when making Irish Coffees at xmas.

Have a bottle of highland variant also but not opened yet.

That’s a far better description than I could ever have given.

For what it’s worth I’ll add that I think for.€25 it’s well worth a try. I had a decent size dram (it being Monday) of it last night and was pleasantly surprised. Was expecting it to be harsher. Still young as you say but drop of water and it opens up nicely.

You mentioned black bush from a price point comparison point of view. As you say different whiskeys but personally I’d prefer the Aldi bottle.

I’ll most likely pick up a second bottle to be honest. More than an Irish coffee whiskey for me.

Don’t get me wrong it’s not €40 or €80 bottle of whiskey but not bad for the price at all.

odyssey06

fret_wimp2 wrote: »

Tried the speyside so far. its not bad, but very young... Have a bottle of highland variant also but not opened yet.

After that expert review, we expectantly await the Highland one

Greg81

Did anyone tried "The Legend of Silkie" Blended Irish Whiskey from Sliabh Liag Distillery in Donegal?

I will be in the distillery area on Saturday and I wonder if it is worth a try.

EagererBeaver

Big family birthday on at the weekend so there was quite a bit of the stuff drunk.

Writers' Years Red Head Single Malt and Jameson Cooper's Croze very much got a thumbs up.

Dingle Single Malt did not. Didn't like it at all.

mik_da_man

EagererBeaver wrote: »

Big family birthday on at the weekend so there was quite a bit of the stuff drunk.

Writers' Years Red Head Single Malt and Jameson Cooper's Croze very much got a thumbs up.

Dingle Single Malt did not. Didn't like it at all.

Which Dingle did you have, batch 3 I guess?

EagererBeaver

Batch 1 actually.

Why do you ask, did Batch 3 get a bad rep?

dashcamdanny

Got this in the post today.

mik_da_man

EagererBeaver wrote: »

Batch 1 actually.

Why do you ask, did Batch 3 get a bad rep?

Batch 2 is best of them so far I think.
I assumed batch 3 as it's the widely available one at the moment.

odyssey06

Am working my way through a miniature set of Knappogue Castle from the Celtic Whiskey Shop.

Was disappointed with the 12yo, thought it was a bit too much christmas cake \ butterscotch, artificial aftertaste.

Am really enjoying the sherry-cask finish 16yo, though can't see me paying 90 euros for a bottle considering how nice Writers Tears and Bushmills 10yo are.
https://www.celticwhiskeyshop.com/knappogue-castle-twin-wood-sherry-finish-16-year-old-single-malt?search=knappogue

Still left in the set is the 14yo cask strength.

Wailin

Folks can you recommend a nice scotch? Drink Irish whiskey mainly and tried scotch but wasn't a fan of the peaty smoky flavour compared to the smoother Irish stuff. Maybe it wasn't a good scotch but would like to give it a shot (dram!) again. Cheers!

brinty

Wailin wrote: »

Folks can you recommend a nice scotch? Drink Irish whiskey mainly and tried scotch but wasn't a fan of the peaty smoky flavour compared to the smoother Irish stuff. Maybe it wasn't a good scotch but would like to give it a shot (dram!) again. Cheers!

Speyside is pretty much like Irish
Try Cardhu it’s 45 quid in Most places

EagererBeaver

Auchentoshan is triple distilled (the only scotch to do so I think?) so is very smooth like the Irish whiskeys.

Glenlivet would also be high on my list of recommendations but it very much depends on what you're after - single malt vs blend etc.

If you really don't like anything peaty, stay away from anything from Islay.

Wailin

It was a few yrs ago when i tried the scotch but my tastes have broadened a bit since then so ill happily try the traditional peaty scotch again. I just don't know where to begin. Well up with irish whiskey but not scotch.

RebelButtMunch

I'm in the US this week. I generally like a nice peaty scotch or even a decent Jameson 12y.

Heading to a bar tonight and want to chance a bourbon?
Any recommendations?

Mellor

I'd meet up with my GF's brother in law every 2 years or so. I always get to get him a bottle of whiskey or something similar. He had been living in canada, so it was simple to grab the last jameson special edition (sydney edition,young henrys caskmates,etc) that he couldn't get easily. Now he's back in ireland so I need to switch it up.
Not sure what to get him now, some of the miniaturise sets are interesting but not sure if they are good value.

If I can't find anything I'll probably buy him a bottle of japanese

Wailin

Anyone try Method and Madness single malt? Chap in O' Brien's recommended it but I'm a bit reluctant to part with €80 on a whiskey I haven't heard of, even though it's from Midleton.

lord lucan

Wailin wrote: »

Anyone try Method and Madness single malt? Chap in O' Brien's recommended it but I'm a bit reluctant to part with €80 on a whiskey I haven't heard of, even though it's from Midleton.

14yo single malt from bushmills,a nice drop it has to be said.

dashcamdanny

Wailin wrote: »

Anyone try Method and Madness single malt? Chap in O' Brien's recommended it but I'm a bit reluctant to part with €80 on a whiskey I haven't heard of, even though it's from Midleton.

Its top shelf whiskey. You wont be disappointed if you like quality whiskey.

odyssey06

EagererBeaver wrote: »

Auchentoshan is triple distilled (the only scotch to do so I think?) so is very smooth like the Irish whiskeys.

Glenlivet would also be high on my list of recommendations but it very much depends on what you're after - single malt vs blend etc.

If you really don't like anything peaty, stay away from anything from Islay.

Have you been drinking Glenlivet for long? I only see the non age statement founders reserve around which is nice but I am curious how it compares to the 12yo?

I like the glenfiddich 12yo and the non peated 10yo origin from jura, think they are a notch above the founders reserve.

RasTa

Just looking at the whiskey in my local tesco. Eyeing up the Laphroaig Select Malt or is there something else I should be buying from this list?

https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/shop/drinks/spirits/whisky?viewAll=promotion&promotion=offers

Quackster

RasTa wrote: »

Just looking at the whiskey in my local tesco. Eyeing up the Laphroaig Select Malt or is there something else I should be buying from this list?

https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/shop/drinks/spirits/whisky?viewAll=promotion&promotion=offers

Certainly worth it at that price. Although the 10YO is the superior whisky IMO and I'd be keeping an eye out for when that's on promotion (in my experience a regular enough occurrence in one of the big three in NI).

EagererBeaver

RasTa wrote: »

Just looking at the whiskey in my local tesco. Eyeing up the Laphroaig Select Malt or is there something else I should be buying from this list?

https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/shop/drinks/spirits/whisky?viewAll=promotion&promotion=offers

I'd be a fan of the Old Pulteney at that price.

Agree on going for the Laphroaig 10.

brinty

RasTa wrote:

Just looking at the whiskey in my local tesco. Eyeing up the Laphroaig Select Malt or is there something else I should be buying from this list?

If you enjoy speyside the Aberlour 12 is a great drop too

odyssey06

The Quiet Man, 8 year old single malt, mini from the Celtic Whiskey Shop.

Lovely, light whiskey with a long red apple finish, although not sure if I'd pony up for a whole bottle.
https://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskies/the-quiet-man/the-quiet-man-8-year-old-whiskey/
https://www.celticwhiskeyshop.com/The-Quiet-Man-8-Year-Old-Single-Malt

ps the Derry distillery has been bought by the American makers of Ezra Brooks & Rebel Yell, I guess they see 'synergies' in re-use of ex bourbon barrels:
https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2018/04/luxco-acquires-northern-irelands-niche-drinks/

milltown

Makers Mark.
Only started getting into whiskey lately and tried mostly Irish and some scotch. Never tried any american. Guy in work recommended MM so when I spotted it on special in Dunnes I picked it up. I like my whiskey in a tumbler, almost neat, with maybe a drop of water to soften it.

I found the Makers Mark almost undrinkable to my normal recipe, with a very chemically taste to it. With extra water it's smoother and I can enjoy some of the flavours that come through but then the experience misses the burn and feel that I like in whiskey.

What are others' opinions on this stuff?
And any other american stuff worth a shot?

L1011

Bourbon is rarely drunk straight, there is little designed for it

EagererBeaver

milltown wrote: »

What are others' opinions on this stuff?
And any other american stuff worth a shot?

Makers Mark is grand, particularly nice for cocktails etc.

"American whisky" is a very broad phrase though as even the variance within bourbon is enormous, then you'll have other grain whiskies, e.g. corn and rye that are huge. Best option is to just experiment and see what you like.

L1011 wrote: »

Bourbon is rarely drunk straight, there is little designed for it

That's just categorically untrue.

mikeecho

Thursday, Glenmorangie !
Friday, Black Barrel cask strength 60.2%
Sat, Black Bush
Sun, caskmates stout.

Ardent

milltown wrote: »

Makers Mark.
Only started getting into whiskey lately and tried mostly Irish and some scotch. Never tried any american. Guy in work recommended MM so when I spotted it on special in Dunnes I picked it up. I like my whiskey in a tumbler, almost neat, with maybe a drop of water to soften it.

I found the Makers Mark almost undrinkable to my normal recipe, with a very chemically taste to it. With extra water it's smoother and I can enjoy some of the flavours that come through but then the experience misses the burn and feel that I like in whiskey.

What are others' opinions on this stuff?
And any other american stuff worth a shot?

Maker's Mark is run of the mill bourbon. Try Woodford Reserve (regular edition is nice, double oaked edition if you can find it is better again). Bulleit is not bad either, Tesco stock it.

Itssoeasy

mikeecho wrote: »

Thursday, Glenmorangie !
Friday, Black Barrel cask strength 60.2%
Sat, Black Bush
Sun, caskmates stout.

A shirley Bassey ? I don't drink whiskey but when I have I drink the one named after my great great grandfather.

Mellor

Itssoeasy wrote: »

A shirley Bassey ? I don't drink whiskey but when I have I drink the one named after my great great grandfather.

Care to elaborate? Not really clear what you are referring to.