The Vice Thread --- Whisk(e)y, other spirits, beer, wine, and cigars

[TheSanDiegan]

On 3/31/2024 at 10:14 AM, tailingpermit said:

My local Costco sucks, too close to a school to sell liquor.  

That's why once a month I arrange to have a palette of liquor from my local Costco dropped off at the nearest middle school. 

[Stealthlobo]

On 3/31/2024 at 9:34 PM, TheSanDiegan said:

An Islay classic; I will always keep a bottle or two of L16 in my cabinet.

Had 3, drinking em as fast as I can now, don't want to ship them. 

[tailingpermit]

On 3/31/2024 at 11:56 PM, Stealthlobo said:

Had 3, drinking em as fast as I can now, don't want to ship them. 

I’m curious what your options will be like in NZ. 

[Stealthlobo]

On 3/31/2024 at 10:04 PM, tailingpermit said:

I’m curious what your options will be like in NZ. 

I'm excited! First, last, and only time I've had this whiskey (on the right) was in NZ. Best scotch I've ever had. Tried to find it in the states and never could.

[TheSanDiegan]

On 3/31/2024 at 9:10 PM, Stealthlobo said:

I'm excited! First, last, and only time I've had this whiskey (on the right) was in NZ. Best scotch I've ever had. Tried to find it in the states and never could.

The Distiller's Edition is a regular release available at TW. Link

[Stealthlobo]

On 3/31/2024 at 10:23 PM, TheSanDiegan said:

The Distiller's Edition is a regular release available at TW. Link

I've definitely seen that site. Unfortunately, I've never found a way to ship etoh into Colorado. Have to find it here

[TheSanDiegan]

On 3/31/2024 at 9:34 PM, Stealthlobo said:

I've definitely seen that site. Unfortunately, I've never found a way to ship etoh into Colorado. Have to find it here

You searched Total Wine's website but only searched store locations outside your state?

Maybe try searching some TW locations in your area:

[retrofade]

On 4/1/2024 at 1:12 AM, TheSanDiegan said:

You searched Total Wine's website but only searched store locations outside your state?

Maybe try searching some TW locations in your area:

TSD from the top rope.

[Stealthlobo]

On 3/31/2024 at 11:12 PM, TheSanDiegan said:

You searched Total Wine's website but only searched store locations outside your state?

Maybe try searching some TW locations in your area:

Sorry, was bit drunk last night so I wasn't clear. They've never had it before but I haven't really searched in a couple years. Only found it in like Texas or something and Colorado doesn't allow importing of out of state etoh. Too late now though, unfortunately, but thanks.

But back to my reply to @tailingpermit, I think because NZ was a UK colony, they still have connections with getting a lot of Scottish/Irish distillers. Or at least I'm hoping they do. Either way though, I'll probably find some local gems around too.

[retrofade]

On 4/1/2024 at 8:39 AM, Stealthlobo said:

Sorry, was bit drunk last night so I wasn't clear. They've never had it before but I haven't really searched in a couple years. Only found it in like Texas or something and Colorado doesn't allow importing of out of state etoh. Too late now though, unfortunately, but thanks.

But back to my reply to @tailingpermit, I think because NZ was a UK colony, they still have connections with getting a lot of Scottish/Irish distillers. Or at least I'm hoping they do. Either way though, I'll probably find some local gems around too.

Sorry if I missed it previously. How soon are you guys moving out there? 

[Stealthlobo]

On 4/1/2024 at 7:47 AM, retrofade said:

Sorry if I missed it previously. How soon are you guys moving out there? 

No worries, it's still kinda fluid depending on job offers and the immigration process. I have a big interview tomorrow. If everything goes accordingly to plan we want to be there this August. However, we want to spend 3 months in SE Asia before, so planning on leaving the US beginning of May. I'm a really slow scotch drinker, a bottle usually lasts me 6-12+ months lol.

[TheSanDiegan]

So my wife is back in India visiting her parents and after her cousins mixed Patrón with all sorts of stupid shit last trip, I sent her back this time with a budget bottle of Buffalo Trace to accompany the bottle of scotch she was already taking. We touched base this morning my time, and she was at her cousin's house with her two cousins and their husbands and all were collectively spilling their milkshake over the BT, both neat and in Old Fashioned's. I doubt the bottle survived the night, and I feel like a good ambassador from half a world away. 

[bitteraztec]

I just finished the Highland Park 12 year bottle last night as well as Better Call Saul (great show).  That was very easy sipping compared to the Lagavulin 16.  Although I like the levels of the L16.  Looking for the next scotch or bourbon recommendation.  I also had a High West double rye while out.  I have both TW and Costco as local options. 
 

@TheSanDiegan @tailingpermit Et al 

[Mano]

On 3/31/2024 at 6:00 PM, TheSanDiegan said:

Had to run on a couple Easter errands, which took me close to a BevMo. Stopped in and found something I thought I'd take home with me - a bottle of WT Kentucky Spirit from Camp Nelson F.

BM's price matching policy knocked $14 off. A coupon from the GoPuff app dropped another $10 off the price, bringing it down to $45.99.  

 

This is the one bottle I have been able to get really cheap here in Utah. It is listed at $32.50/bottle, but is only available by special order ( have to order by case of 6 ). I thought this was likely mismarked ( and I still do, but our abs is incompetent so has been this way over a year ), but I ordered 2 cases and received them for stated price.

[tailingpermit]

On 4/4/2024 at 11:02 PM, TheSanDiegan said:

So my wife is back in India visiting her parents and after her cousins mixed Patrón with all sorts of stupid shit last trip, I sent her back this time with a budget bottle of Buffalo Trace to accompany the bottle of scotch she was already taking. We touched base this morning my time, and she was at her cousin's house with her two cousins and their husbands and all were collectively spilling their milkshake over the BT, both neat and in Old Fashioned's. I doubt the bottle survived the night, and I feel like a good ambassador from half a world away. 

I make it a point to bring one really good bottle with me to Bookelia for my annual tarpon trip. I never finish the bottle and end up leaving it at my guide’s condo. His neighbor always comes over after I leave to finish it. 

[tailingpermit]

On 4/5/2024 at 10:41 AM, bitteraztec said:

I just finished the Highland Park 12 year bottle last night as well as Better Call Saul (great show).  That was very easy sipping compared to the Lagavulin 16.  Although I like the levels of the L16.  Looking for the next scotch or bourbon recommendation.  I also had a High West double rye while out.  I have both TW and Costco as local options. 
 

@TheSanDiegan @tailingpermit Et al 

Others have mentioned, 4 Roses single barrel is a can’t miss. 

[Mano]

On 4/5/2024 at 12:08 PM, tailingpermit said:

Others have mentioned, 4 Roses single barrel is a can’t miss. 

Love these, really love the single recipe Barrel Strength releases

[Stealthlobo]

On 4/5/2024 at 8:41 AM, bitteraztec said:

I just finished the Highland Park 12 year bottle last night as well as Better Call Saul (great show).  That was very easy sipping compared to the Lagavulin 16.  Although I like the levels of the L16.  Looking for the next scotch or bourbon recommendation.  I also had a High West double rye while out.  I have both TW and Costco as local options. 
 

@TheSanDiegan @tailingpermit Et al 

In general Islay scotch (lagavulin 16) will be more peaty and amazing to sip in colder weather. Speyside scotch is milder and  next level while sipping on a balcony in late spring or the summer. 

[TheSanDiegan]

On 4/5/2024 at 7:41 AM, bitteraztec said:

I just finished the Highland Park 12 year bottle last night as well as Better Call Saul (great show).  That was very easy sipping compared to the Lagavulin 16.  Although I like the levels of the L16.  Looking for the next scotch or bourbon recommendation.  I also had a High West double rye while out.  I have both TW and Costco as local options. 
 

@TheSanDiegan @tailingpermit Et al 

You mean the "Double Rye!"  They put that exclamation point on that name for a reason - dear God it is like drinking 100% fermented rye. Did you like it (the Double Rye(!))? Either way, IMO the flavor of the Four Roses single barrel TP suggested should be your jam, and it's priced in the same ballpark as the HP12. In fact, I think you'll dig on exploring high-rye mash bill bourbons in general. As far as ryes go, maybe try MIchter's Single Barrel Straight Rye sometime - it's ubiquitously available and brings a friendly rye profile in a very sippable proof.

I really like the balance of smoke and sherry notes in the HP - the peaked smoke almost makes it like an Islay-light without the iodine notes. I'm trying to remember what I just drank that had a nice smoke note from the barrel char... might have been Wild Turkey 12 or 1792 Aged 12 Years? 

If you want an interesting scotch experience, try a cask strength Arberlour expression sometime... Their A'bunadh is freakin delicious and has a complexity in flavor well beyond that of the HP (due in part to the higher proof). Also, Glenmorangie's experimental shit ranges from very good to unreal. When I update my menu I'll be including A Tale of the Forest, which almost has a gin-like character due to the use of local botanicals when they malt their barley.

[TheSanDiegan]

So this ended up being the crown jewel in last night's flight. An exceptional pour, and hands-down the best Wild Turkey expression I've ever had. I'd score it somewhere between an 8.7 and a 9.