Whiskey/Scotch Thread

[chris719]

Originally Posted by AlpineWhite_SJ

Picked up a trio of Kaiyo from K&L Wines earlier in the week that got delivered today. My understanding is they buy up teaspooned whisky from other distilleries and then age them in Mizunara oak which gives it a pretty unique flavor profile since barrels out of this type of wood are hard to make and costlier than regular oak. They’re then put on a boat for aging so are constantly rocking and exposed to salty sea air.

L to R:
7 year single malt
The peated
Cask #543 Cask strength

Sounds good. Yamazaki is aged in Mizunara I believe, and I like it.

[AlpineWhite_SJ]

Originally Posted by AlpineWhite_SJ

Picked up a trio of Kaiyo from K&L Wines earlier in the week that got delivered today. My understanding is they buy up teaspooned whisky from other distilleries and then age them in Mizunara oak which gives it a pretty unique flavor profile since barrels out of this type of wood are hard to make and costlier than regular oak. They’re then put on a boat for aging so are constantly rocking and exposed to salty sea air.

L to R:
7 year single malt
The peated
Cask #543 Cask strength

Attachment 2294949

Update after having sampled all three:

7year single - probably my favorite of the three. You can definitely get the coconut/vanilla hints Mizunara oak is said to impart.

The peated - smoky as the name implies, but you still get hints of tropical flavors from the Mizunara

Cask Strength - complex but I’m probably not experienced enough of a taster to pick up all the notes underneath the increase heat from the higher proof.

I now have a bottle of “The Sheri” which is started on Oloroso sherry barrels, mizunara oak aged and Pedro Ximenez sherry cask finished and another bottle of cask strength, but a different cask (#541 vs 543) on order that should come in next week.

[Murf993]

Originally Posted by AlpineWhite_SJ

Update after having sampled all three:

7year single - probably my favorite of the three. You can definitely get the coconut/vanilla hints Mizunara oak is said to impart.

The peated - smoky as the name implies, but you still get hints of tropical flavors from the Mizunara

Cask Strength - complex but I’m probably not experienced enough of a taster to pick up all the notes underneath the increase heat from the higher proof.

I now have a bottle of “The Sheri” which is started on Oloroso sherry barrels, mizunara oak aged and Pedro Ximenez sherry cask finished and another bottle of cask strength, but a different cask (#541 vs 543) on order that should come in next week.

Put a couple of drops of water in the Cask Strength, it will reduce the "heat" and open up the flavours.

[AlpineWhite_SJ]

Originally Posted by Murf993

Put a couple of drops of water in the Cask Strength, it will reduce the "heat" and open up the flavours.

I usually do a few drops in anything I’m tasting, but will try a couple extra drops on these.

[Hawkeye]

Originally Posted by AlpineWhite_SJ

Inert gas is one solution, but I’ve also heard of a lot of people also just moving their bottle into progressively smaller bottles to reduce the available volume of air in the bottle and the surface area being exposed to that air.

That just sounds like a ton of work... and you would need really clean bottles to keep from contaminating the whiskey...

[Hawkeye]

And here is an updated state of the whiskey shelf. No duplicates, one that look it are different releases or different store picks. Have a few not pictured as well, mostly some older years of ECBP releases.

[Maynard]

Originally Posted by chris719

Good advice. You might be the first person I've heard of to flush whisk(e)y bottles with an inert gas. I've not noticed much issue with the taste of opened bottles that are stored in dark place as far as oxidation goes, but the corks are a problem like you mentioned. It is unfortunate to open an older bottle and have the cork crumble in.

I saw several others on this forum post about doing the gas, but until then I was the only person I'd known to do it for anything other than wine. I get the aerosol cans of argon - it is heavier than air, so it sits above the spirit and blocks O2 from getting to it to oxidize. If you keep an eye out they go on sale periodically, I think b/c even wine drinkers do't do it often (need to be the kind that don't finish a good bottle). I bought 3 several years ago, and don't think I've finished the first yet. I'm told this is way better than the vacuum systems, especially for spirits (vacuum causes very rapid loss of the esters or volatile spirits).

[jamesinaz]

Originally Posted by Hawkeye

And here is an updated state of the whiskey shelf. No duplicates, one that look it are different releases or different store picks. Have a few not pictured as well, mostly some older years of ECBP releases.

OK. I like whiskey. But you REALLY like whiskey.

[Turkish Pickle]

Anyone ever had knob creek? I have a bottle of it, seems the whiskey in it is regular but the bottle is limited edition so I don't want to open it. Also says small batch on it which I can't find anywhere so it very well could be an actual limited run.

Is it good? I've only had horrible whiskey that tastes almost like sake at college bars, jack daniels which I like (especially the honey) and the bottle of double black I got when the world was "ending" a few weeks back. I genuinely don't even know what to look in a "good whiskey" other than if I like it or not

[chris719]

Originally Posted by Turkish Pickle

Anyone ever had knob creek? I have a bottle of it, seems the whiskey in it is regular but the bottle is limited edition so I don't want to open it. Also says small batch on it which I can't find anywhere so it very well could be an actual limited run.

Is it good? I've only had horrible whiskey that tastes almost like sake at college bars, jack daniels which I like (especially the honey) and the bottle of double black I got when the world was "ending" a few weeks back. I genuinely don't even know what to look in a "good whiskey" other than if I like it or not

It's generally a pretty decent quality bourbon. I am not a brand snob and I find that the quality you get from some mass market brands is very good. Glenmorangie 10 is one of my favorite scotches at any price.

Knob Creek is a lot better than JD in my opinion.

[1MOREMOD]

I like knob creek and always have some on hand. It's a staple for me.

[Hawkeye]

Originally Posted by Turkish Pickle

Anyone ever had knob creek? I have a bottle of it, seems the whiskey in it is regular but the bottle is limited edition so I don't want to open it. Also says small batch on it which I can't find anywhere so it very well could be an actual limited run.

Is it good? I've only had horrible whiskey that tastes almost like sake at college bars, jack daniels which I like (especially the honey) and the bottle of double black I got when the world was "ending" a few weeks back. I genuinely don't even know what to look in a "good whiskey" other than if I like it or not

Knob creek small batch is their widely distributed one. They have several specialty versions which are a little better and if you find a store pick those are the best ones you can get by far. Most store picks should be 14-15 years old and cost under $50. Every one I've had is very good.

The normal everyday offering of theirs is the one on the left and is just ok IMO.

[Maynard]

Originally Posted by Hawkeye

Knob creek small batch is their widely distributed one. They have several specialty versions which are a little better and if you find a store pick those are the best ones you can get by far. Most store picks should be 14-15 years old and cost under $50. Every one I've had is very good.

The normal everyday offering of theirs is the one on the left and is just ok IMO.

The Single Barrel barrel proof on the far left there is one of my favorites, along w/ Wild Turkey Rare Breed. I don't do much exploring with Bourbon anymore, so I stick with a few favorites for when I'm in the mood; I prefer the barrel-proof, and as little processing as I can get. Just got some Bulleit barrel proof but don't like it as much. Didn't know about store offerings, will keep an eye out.

[chris719]

Has anyone had the Makers Mark cask strength? I'd always meant to try it. I'm not a huge fan of Makers, but it seems like it could be interesting at full strength.

[TheHaze]

Originally Posted by chris719

Has anyone had the Makers Mark cask strength? I'd always meant to try it. I'm not a huge fan of Makers, but it seems like it could be interesting at full strength.

I think it's pretty solid. Plus it's relatively inexpensive and readily available at most stores near me.

[Hawkeye]

Originally Posted by chris719

Has anyone had the Makers Mark cask strength? I'd always meant to try it. I'm not a huge fan of Makers, but it seems like it could be interesting at full strength.

I have had that one a few times, it is a very solid offering. I bet Maynard would like it as I find it similarly pleasing as Rare Breed.

If you don't want to go full barrel proof, the Makers 46 is also a good choice for an in between. Then if you like Makers 46 and want that at cask strength you can get that combo on a Private Select bottle.

I have come to appreciate Makers a lot more since visiting their distillery.

[BMW F22]

Getting started early on a chill day.

[WhiskyPat12]

OK so this one has grown on me. Got a big carmel/honey hit from it. Still not sure it's a rebuy, but I'd gladly have this over the 12 which to me always seems flat.

Happy Friday gang!

[BMW F22]

Just delivered. Someone broke both my cognac glasses so decided to buy a set of these. Gonna be sipping some tonight with the new glasses! 😄

[Joekerr]

Originally Posted by BMW F22

Just delivered. Someone broke both my cognac glasses so decided to buy a set of these. Gonna be sipping some tonight with the new glasses! 😄

Glencairn glasses are great, I've had mine for 5+ years and always my go to. Enjoy!

And I forget whether it says not to put in dishwasher...but they can definitely go in the dishwasher! Been doing that for a while.

[WhiskyPat12]

Originally Posted by Joekerr

Glencairn glasses are great, I've had mine for 5+ years and always my go to. Enjoy!

And I forget whether it says not to put in dishwasher...but they can definitely go in the dishwasher! Been doing that for a while.

I put mine in the dishwasher, they are a couple years old and do just fine! I make sure they aren't near anything that can bang into them though.

I've heard some of the super nutty whisky guys will not wash them with any soap at all. Rinse in hot hot hot water and that's it, in order to make sure the whisky is completely unadulterated. That's to off the deep end for me

[BMW F22]

Yeah I was thinking of not using soap either but figured for first wash it’s whatever as long as I rinse it well and let it dry.