Last night's whisky tasting

[Dr.Brian]

Here's what I sampled:
Aberfeldy 12yr
Aberdeldy 21yr
Ardbeg Corryvreckan
The Balvenie 13yr(?) Caribbean cask
The Balvenie 17yr peated cask
Classic cask rare 35yr
Classic cask Ben Nevis 12yr
Classic cask Tomatin 16yr
Classic cask bunnahabhain 13 peated
Glenkinchie 12
Clynelish 14
Cragganmore
Caol Ila
Dalmore Gran Reserva
Dalmore 15
Dalmore 18
Dalmore King Alexander
Dewar's Signature
Douglas Laing Big Peat
Douglas Laing Premire Barrel Highland Park 1996 (13yr)
Douglas Laing Double Barrel 10yr (bowmore and highland park)
Glenlivet Nadurra
Glenlivet 18yr
Glenmorangie 18yr
Highland Stag Blend
Isle of Jura 16
Jura Prophecy
Laphroaig Quarter Cask
Laphroaig Tripple Wood
Laphroaig Cairdeas
Laphroaig 25
Loch Chaim Isle of Arran 1996 (13yr)
Michael Collins Blend
Michael Collins 10yr single malt
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society's Single Cask bottlings
-5 bottles (18yr, 12yr, 28yr, 10yr, and 9yr)
And several bottles of Evian. And some more this AM!

I was looking forward to some Bowmore and maybe something new from Yamazaki, but they didn't attend this year.n:
Nice night. (hic)
(hic)

[Dr.Brian]

38 whiskies in 120 min. You've got to limit the small talk and know how to work the room. And have dinner first!

[Anthony808]

What were some of your favorites and why?

[Grumpy Badger]

I hope you left the Laphroaig til last or you wouldn't have tasted much else!

Sounds like fun.

[Dr. Robert]

Brings to mind that great old Doors song....Alabama Song (Whiskey Bar)
"Show me the way to the next whiskey bar, oh don't ask why.....oh don't ask why"

I am recovering from 2 nights partying & watching the last 2 games of the baseball world series at my favorite joint...."The Elephant Bar".......I am moving slow, like an elephant.......curse those back-to-back happy hours....5-7pm...then 9pm to close!

[Dr.Brian]

Originally Posted by Anthony808

What were some of your favorites and why?

I like both peated and unpeated whisky, though in general I prefer lightly peated or smokey whisky over the heavy peat monsters. Last night was an exception, in that I was in the mood for some peat.
I've had most of these before, but a couple stood out for different reasons. Of course, even with cleansing my glass and palate with water between drams, there is likely to be some confusion with my nose and taste buds. I only spent between 1 and 5 min on each one, depending on my initial take, and was quick to pitch a dud into the spittoon. If I had limited myself to around 15, I could have drilled in deeper, but I wasn't in the mood for that.
The ones that stood out:
Laphroaig Triple Wood. I had not tried it before and it did not disappoint. Well balanced peat with sweet smoke, oranges?, grass, and of course iodine and brine finish. I'll be ordering a bottle.
Dalmore 18. It started out as classic Dalmore, nice balance, a hint of tobacco smoke, but a couple drops of water and the nose exploded. Great. Of note the king Alexander also exploded with a couple drops of water, but in a bad way, it got very winey and disappointed. The undiluted was better. I'll order an 18, but the king can stay on his throne in Inverness.
Classic Cask Ben Nevis 12. I don't know why I liked it so much, simple clean, balanced, smooth. It just worked really well for me. I had a Ben Nevis before and it was not so good.
Balvenie 17yr peated cask. I always like this one. Clean and tasty Balvenie with some light peat smoke and ash across the tongue and in the finish.
Laphroaig 25. Everything you want in Laphroaig at cask strength, but the peat heat is mellowed and allows for subtle aromas and flavor to percolate through. The only one I went back for a second try. I'll get a bottle of this as well.

Overall great fun. And yes, I saved the big peat monsters for the last 1/2 hour.

[Dr.Brian]

I forgot about Big Peat!
Every time I try Douglas Laing's Big Peat I say I'm going to buy a bottle. It's really nice. And while plenty peaty, it's definitely not an ashy one trick pony. Like a whisky I generally don't like that rhymes with Guardbeg.
If you like peated whisky, you will like Big Peat!

[Johny]

great list doc and a great evening by the sounds of it.

[Lion]

With drinking all that whisky how did you stay upright???
Sounds like you had a lot of fun...

[Demosthene]

Originally Posted by Lion

With drinking all that whisky how did you stay upright???
Sounds like you had a lot of fun...

Just tasting and not ingesting is the usual method.

[Lion]

Originally Posted by Demosthene

Just tasting and not ingesting is the usual method.

What.....and waste good booze!!!

[Dr. Robert]

Originally Posted by Lion

What.....and waste good booze!!!

X2

[1675-David]

Thats not just a list of whisky, thats a tour of Scotland!!

Ardbeg

[Dr.Brian]

It's about 4 samples to a shot. And I didn't always drink the whole sample. Combine that with lots and lots of water and a full meal before starting and you're fine. You actually get a little more intoxicated after it ends as you continue to absorb the alcohol over the next hour or so. That and getting a big pour for the last couple of the night. I was surprised by the final tally. I figured 30 at the most. No driving home. Some of the people give a little generous pour, you have to watch out for that or you'll be too tipsy to really sample anything towards the end. You have to plan your attack if you're going all in.

[eric23]

That sounds like a party!

[wantonebad]

Originally Posted by Dr.Brian

I forgot about Big Peat!
Every time I try Douglas Laing's Big Peat I say I'm going to buy a bottle. It's really nice. And while plenty peaty, it's definitely not an ashy one trick pony. Like a whisky I generally don't like that rhymes with Guardbeg.
If you like peated whisky, you will like Big Peat!

Really? I love Ardbeg's Gator, it's a winner to me!

[Lion]

Brian, I'm glad to hear you are responsible and do not drive home after sampling the evening's libations!!!

[axxeman01]

Amazing Brian, thanks for sharing!