Whisky

Just about to head up north this afternoon for a little holiday, got a cottage booked on the ”whisky trail” near Inverness (I know, look at me etc. etc.)
have never really been into whisky but starting to get a taste for it now! Got a tour booked for the glenfiddich distillery and hoping to get a couple of bottles to bring back - any recommendations for a complete whisky novice??
Enjoy it. You are near plenty of distilleries if you feel inclined to visit more.
 


I regret not grabbing a Benrinnes when I ordered.
That's the joy of putting the bottles into storage and after a little reflection you can have a further dabble. I rushed a little with my initial purchases as it had been so long since they had released any bottles and probably didn't choose that well but I've drank five of their bottles now and they were all superb.
 
Just about to head up north this afternoon for a little holiday, got a cottage booked on the ”whisky trail” near Inverness (I know, look at me etc. etc.)
have never really been into whisky but starting to get a taste for it now! Got a tour booked for the glenfiddich distillery and hoping to get a couple of bottles to bring back - any recommendations for a complete whisky novice??

Handfills are your best bet if you’re only visiting the one distillery though I can’t recall if Glenfiddich do them. Avoid any without an age statement from them as it’s generally poor. Benriach isn’t too far away and near the Dufftown whisky shop - likely to get better bottles in each of those.

I regret not grabbing a Benrinnes when I ordered.
They’ve re-stocked some bottles today.
 
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That's the joy of putting the bottles into storage and after a little reflection you can have a further dabble. I rushed a little with my initial purchases as it had been so long since they had released any bottles and probably didn't choose that well but I've drank five of their bottles now and they were all superb.
I bought 3 and opted for shipping. I wish I'd waited because I fancy the Benrinnes, Teaninich and Macduff (I had their OB Deveron 12 last night and enjoyed it). If they're still available at payday at the end of the month I'll get them (into storage until I've got 6 haha)
They’ve re-stocked some bottles today.
One of my greatest qualities is my willpower.

I've folded like a deckchair, ordered the Teaninich and Benrinnes and placed on hold :oops:
 
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One of my greatest qualities is my willpower.

I've folded like a deckchair, ordered the Teaninich and Benrinnes and placed on hold :oops:
I could have posted similar as I was going to wait until my credit card was onto the next month but my willpower failed last night about 14 days short.
 
House full of my wife’s loud and screechy friends. This may be the first bottle I open and finish in the same evening.

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I take it you've seen the new Octomore releases.. just wondering your thoughts? Never tried an octomore myself but curious. Reading up on the 12 series was quite interesting, 12.1 solely aged in American oak, 12.2 aged for 3.5 years in American oak before being put in sauternes for 18 month and 12.3 being a mix of American oak and PX, not a finish though, and also used barley grown 2 miles from where it was distilled. Will definitely have to book myself on a trip over to Islay at some point, never been but always fancied it
 
I take it you've seen the new Octomore releases.. just wondering your thoughts? Never tried an octomore myself but curious. Reading up on the 12 series was quite interesting, 12.1 solely aged in American oak, 12.2 aged for 3.5 years in American oak before being put in sauternes for 18 month and 12.3 being a mix of American oak and PX, not a finish though, and also used barley grown 2 miles from where it was distilled. Will definitely have to book myself on a trip over to Islay at some point, never been but always fancied it

I was chatting to Derek at Artisan who makes the Octomore bbq sauce for Bruichladdich, he reckons it’s the best .1 in at least 5 years. He hasn’t tried the others yet, but typically .3 is annually the strongest.
 
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I was chatting to Derek at Artisan who actually makes the Octomore bbq sauce for Bruichladdich, he reckons it’s the best .1 in at least 5 years. He hasn’t tried the others yet, but typically .3 is annually the strongest.
It's £40 dearer than the other 2 so... I've had a bottle of that sauce, it's canny. Also ordered 10 samples off Derek and for what they were paid next to nowt for them. Benromach 30 and a couple of well aged cask strength Springbanks in amongst them, as well as some committee releases by Ardbeg
 
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It's £50 dearer than the other 2 so... I've had a bottle of that sauce, it's canny. Also ordered 10 samples off Derek and for what they were paid next to nowt for them. Benromach 30 and a couple of well aged cask strength Springbanks in amongst them, as well as some committee releases by Ardbeg

His whisky prices are incredibly reasonable. Prior to covid I used to go up to his restaurant every other month more for the whisky than the food - the food is a bit heavy duty for me. He has the largest laddie collection in the world - if you see his loft it’s absolutely unbelievable. Must have put steels in the floor or something to support what’s in there.
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This is the first sherried Daftmill I’ve tried. Nose is stellar, massive strawberry/raspberry notes. The palate is very good as well, though can’t quite match the nose. Both better with a drop or two of water.
 
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It's £40 dearer than the other 2 so... I've had a bottle of that sauce, it's canny. Also ordered 10 samples off Derek and for what they were paid next to nowt for them. Benromach 30 and a couple of well aged cask strength Springbanks in amongst them, as well as some committee releases by Ardbeg
I regret not filling my boots with samples from Artisan when he was selling them during lockdown. Would have been a good opportunity to try some whiskies (like Octomore) that are out of my price bracket.

Tobermory line up for me tonight.
Tobermory 12 OB
Tobermory 12 AD Rattray
Ledaig 18 OB
Ledaig 18 SMWS Odin and Zeus
 
I regret not filling my boots with samples from Artisan when he was selling them during lockdown. Would have been a good opportunity to try some whiskies (like Octomore) that are out of my price bracket.

Tobermory line up for me tonight.
Tobermory 12 OB
Tobermory 12 AD Rattray
Ledaig 18 OB
Ledaig 18 SMWS Odin and Zeus
Have you tried the AD Rattray Tobermory and if so, what is your opinion? My apologies if you have answered this previously.
 
got taken out by a car while on my bike today...ambulances and police etc, then x rays in hospital ( all clear)
came home and had a bath, funny turn and ended up sparked on bathroom floor, paramedics called and put it down to hot bath, no food and blood pressure issues...

basically could murder a few drams but dozed up on meds.

What a day :(

It’s right what people say about in a crash etc everything is in slow motion, remember being hit, on his bonnet and then flying through the air thinking this is going to hurt...funny enough it does :eek:;)
 
got taken out by a car while on my bike today...ambulances and police etc, then x rays in hospital ( all clear)
came home and had a bath, funny turn and ended up sparked on bathroom floor, paramedics called and put it down to hot bath, no food and blood pressure issues...

basically could murder a few drams but dozed up on meds.

What a day :(

It’s right what people say about in a crash etc everything is in slow motion, remember being hit, on his bonnet and then flying through the air thinking this is going to hurt...funny enough it does :eek:;)
f***ing hell. Doctor Presto prescribes painkillers and whisky for a decent nights sleep but I can't guarantee that you won't be in pain tomorrow morning.
 

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