What Are You Sipping on Lately? (Spirits Thread)

[TXSTYLE]

Originally Posted by 1MOREMOD

Havent had drink in 2 weeks already gonna be a while, liver enzymes messed up.

Don't jack around with that buddy! I too have to monitor my intake with Kidney flair ups. I always drink in moderation and usually have some water on hand to alternate with. And I take Tart Cherry and Cranberry supps that def help! Have you considered a Liver supplement? Something with Milk Thistle? I've read very good things about it.

[1MOREMOD]

Havent yet but good plan

[bd307]

I have been taking this. 1-2 drinks a day and liver is in good state from the latest report.

https://www.amazon.com/Superior-Labs...hi%2Caps%2C195

[Hawkeye]

Originally Posted by SenorRoadRage

Yeah, I've just started dipping my toe into the whiskey/scotch arenas and am trying to find what I like. With scotch I like smokey and hot and I'm tending to lean that way in my whiskeys too... If I'm not mistaken, rye is often a decent middle ground between smokey/hot scotches and sweet/smooth bourbons, right?

There aren't really smoky bourbons (except for a few one offs that have all disappointed me). You can get spicy and hot with some cash strength ryes for sure.

For the scotch you want something from the Islay area as those are the smoky/peaty ones. For smoky and hot I would recommend the Laphroig Cash Strength or Quarter Cask Cask Strength as those have a little punch to them along with the peat.

[Maynard]

Those are two favorites of mine, for sure; I haven't bought a bottle of plain 10yo Laphroaig since I discovered the cask strength. The regular Quarter Cask is also very nice, especially for the price (the only cask strength QC that I know of is the 'brown' 2017 Cairdeas bottling, still on the shelves here). Lagavulin 16 is the king of the Isla's, but a bit softer and more rounded, same for the 15/18yo's from Laphroaig; you may like the 8yo Lagavulin as much, being a bit 'hotter' and young, and about half the cost. Also try the Bruichladdich heavily peated versions (Port Charlotte is a current fav) and Ardbeg, especially the Corryreckan. Anything "non-chill-filtered" will be an improvement in flavor, that will be listed someplace on the package but not always emphasized. There are also port- or sherry-finished versions of Ardbeg and Laphroaig if you like that effect. And FWIW I see a LOT of price variability across state lines, so if you are near a border go online and check; I usually save $6-10 a bottle in VT or CT on the Ardbeg and Laphroaig - haven't actually FILLED my trunk, but I do buy by the case so I'm on a very friendly basis with the owner of the little package store I shop at.

[bd307]

Originally Posted by Maynard

Those are two favorites of mine, for sure; I haven't bought a bottle of plain 10yo Laphroaig since I discovered the cask strength. The regular Quarter Cask is also very nice, especially for the price (the only cask strength QC that I know of is the 'brown' 2017 Cairdeas bottling, still on the shelves here). Lagavulin 16 is the king of the Isla's, but a bit softer and more rounded, same for the 15/18yo's from Laphroaig; you may like the 8yo Lagavulin as much, being a bit 'hotter' and young, and about half the cost. Also try the Bruichladdich heavily peated versions (Port Charlotte is a current fav) and Ardbeg, especially the Corryreckan. Anything "non-chill-filtered" will be an improvement in flavor, that will be listed someplace on the package but not always emphasized. There are also port- or sherry-finished versions of Ardbeg and Laphroaig if you like that effect. And FWIW I see a LOT of price variability across state lines, so if you are near a border go online and check; I usually save $6-10 a bottle in VT or CT on the Ardbeg and Laphroaig - haven't actually FILLED my trunk, but I do buy by the case so I'm on a very friendly basis with the owner of the little package store I shop at.

For my whole life, I cannot appreciate Lagavulin or any peated whisky. The Lagavulin 16 I got 4 years ago still got half a bottle. Been trying to sip it once in a while.

[Maynard]

Definitely a love-it-or-hate-it thing. I hear that during prohibition they could get Laproaig in thru customs by telling them it was medical supplies, and not fit to drink.

[bd307]

Originally Posted by Maynard

Definitely a love-it-or-hate-it thing. I hear that during prohibition they could get Laproaig in thru customs by telling them it was medical supplies, and not fit to drink.

Ya and I have a buddy who loves peaty stuff.

[Hawkeye]

Originally Posted by bd307

Ya and I have a buddy who loves peaty stuff.

It grows on you, I didn't like peaty stuff for the first few years after I started into whiskey but I have grown an appreciation for them. There are a few now I really like, but probably nothing in my top 10 still.

[IllSic_Design]

Tried some Crown Royal Texas Mesquite last night. It was pretty decent, super strong smokey taste for sure.

[TXSTYLE]

Originally Posted by IllSic_Design

Tried some Crown Royal Texas Mesquite last night. It was pretty decent, super strong smokey taste for sure.

Someone gave me a bottle over a year ago as a gift. I have not nor plan to open it based on what I've heard and read about the flavor.

[Blade Protection]

Was slowly sipping on a bottle of Oban which is now ran out so tonight i am opening up the Peatmonsterfrom Compassbox. Love my smoky and peaty scotch's

[Maynard]

That is one that I've had my eye on, haven't tried yet. Let me know what you think.

[Hawkeye]

Originally Posted by Blade Protection

Was slowly sipping on a bottle of Oban which is now ran out so tonight i am opening up the Peatmonsterfrom Compassbox. Love my smoky and peaty scotch's

I am not a big fan of peatmonster myself. Compass box is really hit or miss for me. Not a fan of most of their offerings.

Oban 14 is quite delicious though.

Some red breast cask strength, drift less Glen rye cask strength and a JD gentleman's Jack Pew edition.

[UncleWede]

Originally Posted by Hawkeye

I am not a big fan of peatmonster myself. Compass box is really hit or miss for me. Not a fan of most of their offerings.

Oban 14 is quite delicious though.

Some red breast cask strength, drift less Glen rye cask strength and a JD gentleman's Jack Pew edition.

"Fortified" wine

[bd307]

Thank you for the recommendation.

The 14 Caribbean cask is very tasty.

I also got the 15 Sherry cask and it is also a very good scotch.

Saw a Red Beast 21 selling for $229. Has anyone tried that?

[Hawkeye]

Originally Posted by bd307

Thank you for the recommendation.

The 14 Caribbean cask is very tasty.

I also got the 15 Sherry cask and it is also a very good scotch.

Saw a Red Beast 21 selling for $229. Has anyone tried that?

And now I am jealous, the 15 Sherry Cask has been on my wish list for a bit now, just a tad expensive to pull the trigger without a good reason (for me).

I can usually get Caribbean cask around $50 but the lowest I have seen the sherry cask is ~$130

[IllSic_Design]

Originally Posted by Blade Protection

up the Peatmonsterfrom Compassbox. Love my smoky and peaty scotch's

I tried a taster/test vial of this last night. It was pretty decent/good IMO

[bd307]

Originally Posted by Hawkeye

And now I am jealous, the 15 Sherry Cask has been on my wish list for a bit now, just a tad expensive to pull the trigger without a good reason (for me).

I can usually get Caribbean cask around $50 but the lowest I have seen the sherry cask is ~$130

It is holiday season

[Dog Face Pony Soldier]

As I experiment with different gin, this is what I picked up at Total Wine today. Seemed like a good deal.

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by glennQNYC

As I experiment with different gin, this is what I picked up at Total Wine today. Seemed like a good deal.

The St George's are similar, but I prefer them, and they're not any more. But the Oregon is plenty good too. Gin, like silver/plato tequila, really shouldn't be that expensive.

[TheHaze]

Enjoying a glass of this EH Taylor SmB tonight.