The OCUK Whisky (and Whiskey) review thread

[Sleeve]

What's the general consensus on Woodford Reserve? Thinking of picking a bottle up off the back of a recommendation by a friend.

Also, where's the best place to pick a bottle up?

 

[Stan_Lite]

I need help with this Belvenie signature if I am going to make a dent.

Pour myself 1 single shot I can feel it going to my head!

I'd come and help you if you were closer

Just take it easy and enjoy it. You don't have to drink it quickly - just savour it. Depending on how much I like a whisky, I can take between 2 days and 6 months to drink a bottle of whisky. That's why I (and others) tend to have several bottles on the go at a time - I have had as many as 16 bottles of whisky at one time - so I can chop and change as I please. If you're not getting through it, buy something else and swap between the two to change things a bit.

I rarely have less than 6 bottles on the go at one time just for that reason - I'd get bored rather quickly if I was drinking the same stuff every night. The whole point of malt whisky is to enjoy and savour, don't rush it

 

[Raymond Lin]

6 months?

I think it'll last 2 years easy!

 

[Stan_Lite]

6 months?

I think it'll last 2 years easy!

If that's how long it takes, that's how long it takes

If you don't drink very quickly (as it appears you don't), perhaps you should buy smaller bottles in future. It works out more expensive but saves having whisky in the house it's going to take you a long time to drink.

PS: Don't worry about it sitting there for a long time, it won't spoil and the taste shouldn't noticeably alter over a couple of years

 

[Ahleckz]

4 bottles open atm for me:
Laphroaig Quarter Cask
Glen Gerioch 12
Talisker Distillers Edition
Balvenie Signature.

All offer something different.

I'm assuming it's Brian Cox the actor (one of my favourite actors). He uttered the famous line "I know many a Scotsman who would be glad of this on a cold morning; it's almost pure spirit, or I'm no judge of a pint of pish." (Rob Roy).

Aye pal, that's the wan. Was very interesting, try and watch it whisky fans!

What's the general consensus on Woodford Reserve? Thinking of picking a bottle up off the back of a recommendation by a friend.

Also, where's the best place to pick a bottle up?

It's my favourite supermarket bourbon. Just get it from ASDA/Tesco.

 

[Stan_Lite]

That looks like a fascinating series Ahleckz. I'll have to watch it all some time.

 

[Stan_Lite]

My open bottles at the moment are:

Laphroaig Quarter Cask
Longmorn 16yo
Glenkinchie 12yo
Jura Superstition
Singleton
Bunnahabhain Cruach Mhona

As with Ahleckz's collection, they all offer something different so I can pick and choose depending on how I feel on any particular night. Some nights I fancy something smooth and fruity like the Glenkinchie. Some nights I want something bold and pungent like the QC and so on. I'll normally have a Balvenie of some description in there and very often a Talisker and a Caol Ila but it's nearly Christmas so I've been buying stuff to share with my family over the festive period. To that end, I have an unopened bottle of Balvenie Signature and a bottle of Glenglassaugh 1986 Manager's Legacy/ Dod Came, which I've never had before but I always buy a special bottle of a new whisky for Christmas to share with the family. Looking forward to this one.

 

[nydryl]

My open bottles are:

Glenfarclas 105
Bailie Nicol Jarvie - named from the character in Rob Roy!
Bunnahabhain Rocks
Old Pulteney 12
Balvenie Doublewood
Black Bottle
Black Grouse

I always have a bottle of BNJ on the go as it's such a nice dram and fantastic value. The single malts offer a nice mix from the light and breezy to the full on monsters. The last two have sat for a year and rarely get touched.

 

[Raymond Lin]

If that's how long it takes, that's how long it takes

If you don't drink very quickly (as it appears you don't), perhaps you should buy smaller bottles in future. It works out more expensive but saves having whisky in the house it's going to take you a long time to drink.

PS: Don't worry about it sitting there for a long time, it won't spoil and the taste shouldn't noticeably alter over a couple of years

If you are around here, drop by for a drink !

I'll cook you a steak to go with the Whiskey

And make fresh ice cream for dessert!

 

[Stan_Lite]

If you are around here, drop by for a drink !

I'll cook you a steak to go with the Whiskey

And make fresh ice cream for dessert!

That sounds like an offer one cannot refuse. It's a long way away but, with the offer of surplus whisky, a steak and fresh ice cream, how could I refuse?

I'll take some of my open bottles with me to let you try some. It'll be in the new year sometime before I can do it (got to go to Egypt on Boxing day for a month to work ). You give me a bed for the night and steak and ice cream and I'll give you a masterclass in whisky - sounds like a good trade to me

 

[Irish_Tom]

Bought my old man a bottle of the 15 y/o Tobermory for Christmas and looking forward to sampling a wee dram myself.

Haven't tried sherry cask matured before so really looking forward to it.

 

[krooton]

Can anyone recommend something with a similar profile to Midleton Rare, but without the £100+ price tag? Something along £60 would be ideal.

Thanks!

EDIT - Is Bushmills 1608 / 400th Anniversary a good shout?

 

[CHokKA]

Morrison has the signature for £25 too.

Cheers for the head's up the other day on that Raymond. Unfortunately I'd already purchased a bottle of George T. Stagg's 72.3% Bourbon instead. Went into a shop in town and they had one bottle left. Quite lucky as I've found it hard to find in York. That's put any other purchases on hold for now but what an awesome Christmas gift to myself

 

[delta0]

Finally got a bottle of Lagavulin 16 year. It is a complex whisky, definitely more mature than Laphroaig. In comparison to Laphroaig it shares a lot of the great qualities such as smoke and peat. It has long finish also. The taste is smokier and smoother than Laphroaig. It is also spicy. As the whisky evolves in the air it gets sweeter and you really appreciate how smooth it is. To sum, I prefer this over Laphroaig 10 year and Quarter Cask because it is complex, smoother and smokier.

 

[Sonea Fifer]

Programme on BBC 1 Scotland tonight about whisky. It's part 4 of a 4 part series about addictions to pleasurable stuff.

Thanks for the heads up there Ahleckz - I'll catch it on I Player

Bought my 2nd bottle of 12 year old Royal Lochnigar - officially it was my first "purchase" as I got the first bottle for free by the time I included staff discount and vouchers into the equation.

Hopefully this second bottle will last a little longer than the first

// Edit:

Bloody Sonea Fifer and his Monkey Shoulder promoting!

Just read back through this thread and noticed you'd posted this - have you tried it yet?

 

[Ahleckz]

Not yet mate, waiting until I see it at £20. With so many great single malts on at £25 - £30 atm it's not worth me trying something new. But it's on my radar! If I see it in a pub this weekend, I'll get it. I promise.

 

[nydryl]

Picked up some more stuff for Christmas today. An Cnoc 12 and a couple of glasses for faither and me, good spirit company own blend out of curiosity, and some raspberry gin for maw. Almost sorted for Christmas now, need a final trip to Morrisons to spend some vouchers and I'm done and dusted!

 

[delta0]

Ardbeg is next on my list. Absolutely loving the Lagavulin. My favourite whisky so far.

 

[Sonea Fifer]

Had an unexpected payout on my dividends on my shares so it's time to invest it. . . . . .

In a bottle of whisky - I'm thinking I might treat myself to another Royal Lochnigar Select Reserve or something else for a change?

 

[delta0]

Dalmore 18 year has a good sherry note. It is very smooth. It is also a Highland whisky. Not sure it is in the same league though, that is a nice budget.