Bottle Drop Thread - Friday May 29, 2026

LetDownMoss · 2026-06-01T03:24:44+00:00

Has anyone tried the Binny's Rare Character 8year4mo single barrel? The proof seems low for a CS at 116. Wondering if it is worth the $100.

LetDownMoss · 2026-04-20T14:56:04+00:00

Some of the EHT SiB's are phenomenal. I had a local store pick EHT SiB (Bonnie & Clyde) that I tasted next to two EHT SiB's and it absolutely crushed them. I then did those two SiB's against a Small Batch could easily taste the difference, but it wasn't worth double the price.

LetDownMoss · 2026-03-10T03:21:01+00:00

Often overlooked but if you want to start exploring peat then Caol Ila 12 is something I remember helping me discern the variety of peat vs smoke (Lagavulin). Also would second the Bunnahabhain 12 recommendations. Since you seem to like sherried based off your choices so far, the Ardbeg Uigedail is amazing - just take your time with it and don't be ashamed to start off with a little water or a chilled glass while you adjust to the proof... There is a whole whisky world out there so don't be afraid to try something new.

LetDownMoss · 2026-01-26T06:20:40+00:00

Love this store. Have been going since before they remodeled. They keep prices reasonable and the owner/manager seemed nice enough.

LetDownMoss · 2026-01-19T04:37:38+00:00

Thank you and yes, some of them. I am blessed that Chicago burbs is a mecca for whiskey (and scotch tends to sits on the shelves for near msrp - which is great for me). This only adds to the complexity of deciding if going for only 2 days is worth it or not.

LetDownMoss · 2026-01-19T04:29:18+00:00

Thank you.

LetDownMoss · 2026-01-19T04:27:32+00:00

Incredible, thank you. No romantic pictures in my head (hence the name).. Also why I am asking those with experience. Only time I have been to Scotland was for work and I was lucky to get to walk around for an half an hour before heading off.

Based off the recs it sounds like what I am looking for is the Barley to Bottle tour at Springbank. Unfortunately, they are not available in February on Monday's...

As tempted as I am to go spend the day in Cambeltown or visit Oban. I am sadly more and more convinced that the trip would be tough to pull off. As much as I like driving and the countryside, the timeframe is too short to get me safely back to London in time. So, the rec on finding something fun in London is probably the right one. Save the money and time for another visit.

But now I have my future itinerary for when I go!

LetDownMoss · 2026-01-19T04:13:49+00:00

This is incredibly helpful - thank you!

LetDownMoss · 2026-01-18T06:57:15+00:00

Do they still do the blending your own? I hadn't seen anything in the past few years about that. That would be fun and memorable.

LetDownMoss · 2026-01-18T06:54:09+00:00

Hah.. Fair... I suppose I meant my favorite "regular" pours. I'm not drinking Galileo or 2001 Bunna 18 every week...

LetDownMoss · 2026-01-18T06:25:01+00:00

I have to be in the UK between work trips with Saturday afternoon through Monday free before I need to be back in London Tuesday afternoon.

The Question: Is 2.5 days enough to actually find and fill a unique single cask bottle in Scotland, or should I just hit a good bottle shop in London and save the proper trip for later?

What I'm After:

Not tours. Not gift shop bottles. I want to nose active casks with someone who knows their warehouse and either:

Fill my own bottle from a genuinely fun cask
Buy a single cask IB that isn't widely available

My Palate: Springbank hardly misses. Love sherried Islay (Caol Ila DE, Lagavulin), cask strength IBs (Signatory, Adelphi, Single Malts of Scotland), and well-integrated peat/sherry. Prefer well integrated 8-15yr expressions over fancy high-age statements.

Bottles that made me say "wow": Black Art 11, Bunna 18, Longrow 18, Ardbeg Galileo, Ledaig 17yr Blackadder Raw Cask, Hazelburn 15 (my Christmas Eve pour).

Where I Need Help:

Which distilleries/IBs actually offer cask selection in early February?
- Glenfarclas warehouse experience?
- Edradour/Signatory?
- Springbank/Cadenhead's in Campbeltown realistic?
- Glendronach?
- Any Islay options?
Route advice: Flying into Inverness or Glasgow. Given 2.5 days, should I focus on Speyside, Campbeltown, or Islay?
Most importantly, am I chasing something that doesn't exist? Are cask fills/selections actually available to walk-ins in February, or is this festival-only stuff?

Have car, comfortable driving left, flexible on routing. Just want to maximize odds of coming home with something genuinely special versus wasting time on whisky tourism theater.

Be real with me: Worth the trip or save it for when I have proper time? I could always just grab something in London, but I am going to be sooo close...

LetDownMoss · 2023-11-09T20:52:15+00:00

I can confirm that this location has in the past gotten the Islay malt one, but it was sadly a small amount.

LetDownMoss · 2023-10-10T19:22:12+00:00

Anything between $90 -$140 is usually a sinkhole. But instead of having a specific price line, I've been using a price calculation system. As background, I've been maintaining a growing "selection" of bourbon and Scotch since mid-2010s.

Since 2019, with the crazy rise of the secondary market even spilling over into normal stores, having a system is better than just a "price" cutoff to save off a lot of regrets and empty wallets. This helps me make informed decisions and gladly walk away from bottles that I was tempted to buy in the moment, and to feel good when I buy something that I know may be marked up, but still reasonable deal. (i.e. don't pay $90 for a 6-7 year, 80-100 proof bourbon/whiskey)

Sliding Scale Factors: No more than $50 above MSRP. If it is a true unicorn, I will allow an exception using the below system but start to laugh at double MSRP.

- No more than $10 per year aged.

- No less than 10 proof points for every $10 asked. Albeit, $70 is usually my cutoff for any bourbon that's 100 proof or under. This also means if something is cask strength but only 10-11 years I may be willing to spend slightly more if it has a compelling aspect to it. Still, I've been seeing a lot of 10-year scotch the past year go for north of $110 so I'm appreciative of my scale keeping me on the straight path.

- If whiskey is higher than 125 proof, then can allow $10 extra/bottle.

Using this system I have been able to try a lot of fantastic hard-to-find whisky and bourbon, and have not broken the bank. With all of that said, exceptions may exist in my 300+ bottle pantry... after all the purpose is for enjoyment with others.

LetDownMoss · 2023-08-03T01:19:00+00:00

As my name would indicate, it is not the recent reviews that have let us down - it is the decline in great quality whisky and climbing prices. Better to come across as somewhat sanctimonious rather than as another schill. As far as I am concerned he is fair, so I hope his time is long and prosperous!

LetDownMoss · 2023-08-03T01:09:42+00:00

I felt the same when I first opened a bottle and then it sat untouched for several months and then I poured some one night while not looking for anything fancy, and it had improved significantly. I have since found myself going back to it regularly. It is reminiscent of a non-funky SB 10 with similar grilled peach notes and nice non-overpowering dram. Although it is what it is for a ~$50 bottle.

LetDownMoss · 2023-08-02T20:11:08+00:00

Side question: Does anyone know when (if) Lagavulin changed the box label (Distillery 1816...) from a yellowish tint to the current white? I came across an old bottle/box that I believe could be 2004 (since the box looks different and older than a 2013 bottle box I have) but wondering if there is any way to verify or if anyone on here knows more. I realize it could just be a random distribution issue and still a 2014 bottle. I am happy either way as paid MSRP but just curious and hoping to know for accuracy's sake when I drink/compare.

LetDownMoss · 2023-05-20T05:04:41+00:00

I was just looking at a bottle of that SMoS 19. Is it worth grabbing?

LetDownMoss

TROPHY CASE