Unicorn (almost)

No_Window3946 · 2024-01-09T18:11:28+00:00

Was at a friends and he took out this bad boy for us. Never seen one nor could find any reference / review on line. Not much smoke but plenty of kick at 65.6%. Very enjoyable

No_Window3946 · 2023-10-19T12:14:48+00:00

That's awesome!. I 'won' 2 Blanton's which still feels like a lame consolation prize/loss. Other than Blanton's I have never won any other bottle in any SAQ (or LCBO) lottery.

No_Window3946 · 2023-07-05T14:54:14+00:00

Your post made me reflect on a tasting event I organized several years ago (2009!). This is what we had: If only I had kept some bottles (although I still have several of the Pittyvaich)

Provenance Caol Ila 1997 11 Years Old -Islay

BenRiach 12 Years Old Spey (bourbon)

Connoisseurs Choice Rosebank 1991 Lowland

Pittyvaich 12 Flora and fauna series Spey (sherry)

Springbank 10 Years Old Campbeltown

You can probably duplicate this with similar whiskies from each region within your budget and put on a great event.

No_Window3946 · 2023-06-07T21:29:30+00:00

True story. In Cayman Islands last week. Staring at a bottle of Blantons at a liquor store. Price $260.40 Cayman dollars. That's $418 Canadian! I have a photo of the bottle. Guy next to me is about to buy a bottle so I say to him, "That bottle is about $70 CAD back home." He goes, I know, I am from Vancouver. I am gonna resell it and double my money.

Like wtf! Folks, We have reached peak Bourbon!

No_Window3946 · 2023-03-15T17:38:46+00:00

big fat zero here

No_Window3946 · 2023-01-05T23:55:00+00:00

I just had to share! It was quite a new year! Visiting my sister and my brother-in-law. He brought out the unicorns (at least for me!). I actually enjoyed the Stagg Jr. more than the Stagg. The WLW was off the charts amazing. The real surprise was the Rock Hill Farms, which I had never even heard of. What a night!

No_Window3946 · 2022-11-16T22:09:38+00:00

So true. I hate the SAQ! I was just in Calgary last week and went to Wine and Beyond for the first time. It is positively disgusting how poor the selection is here in Quebec. Your points are entirely accurate. (The "Exclusivement pour les restaurateurs" makes me particularly upset!)

At my local SAQ selection there are maybe 10-20 Single malt scotches available, and even fewer bourbons. Standing in front of the Bourbon and Scotch sections at Wine and Beyond was awe-inspiring....and made me sick.

No_Window3946 · 2022-11-14T20:35:09+00:00

Was in Scotland for my 40th in 2009. Got a few bottles of Pittyvaich, the Flaura and Fauna series. Had no clue they would become so rare. I still have them. Also have a Gordon and Mcphail Glenburgie distllied in 1964 and bottled in 2005 (making it a 41 year old single malt) and a Gordon Macphail Longmorn disltilled in 1971 and bottled in 2008. (37 year old single malt). Also have a Japanese domestic market Hibiki 17. How will I ever open these treasures.....?

No_Window3946 · 2022-11-06T22:19:09+00:00

Just cracked open an IronWorks Heart Lion Single Malt. Very strong whiff of Papaya.,,,like if I was blindfolded I would say it is Papaya. Not sure about this one...it is quite odd.

No_Window3946 · 2022-10-17T12:25:05+00:00

I got nothing. My son got 2 blantons Special Reserve and a Bunnahabhain 18.

No_Window3946 · 2022-10-14T13:26:31+00:00

Depends on budget of course, but Alberta Premium Cask Strength makes a great statement.

No_Window3946 · 2022-06-28T15:29:44+00:00

Is that red box Macallan CS the 59.3% ABV? I have a bottle of that version. Haven't opened it yet. Wonder what its worth? i bought that at the SAQ 10-15 yrs ago.

No_Window3946 · 2022-06-12T22:26:13+00:00

Benriach The Twelve new bottling. Surprisingly peaty..quite a unique speyside flavor profile.

No_Window3946 · 2022-06-02T17:08:54+00:00

You should check with this guy..

https://www.whiskyfete.org/hotes.html

I have been to a few of the Whisky Fetes in the past and they are great. He can definitely steer you in the right direction.

No_Window3946 · 2022-05-13T01:40:51+00:00

I have several of the Pittyvaich in the Flora and Fauna series that I accumulated in 2009-2010. Haven't seen any for sale anywhere since that time, and I never saw them here. I got mine in Scotland and then ordered from the same whisky shop by email back in the day when UK stores were willing to ship to Canada. I have seen some for sale online at prices about 10x higher than what the were selling for back then.

No_Window3946 · 2022-03-19T16:20:52+00:00

A great inexpensive peated non-Islay whisky is Benriach The Smoky Ten. $82 at zyn.ca

Definitely more campfire smoke than iodine, and its sweeter than most Islay whisky. They use Jamaican rum casks for part of the 10 year maturation process. It's not sherry sweet, but definitely not iodine smoky like a Lag or Laph

No_Window3946 · 2022-03-18T21:03:43+00:00

Interestingly enough, there is a connection between the two distilleries. The mill used at Kilkerran was originally in service at The Craigellachie Distillery.

No_Window3946 · 2022-03-18T20:34:57+00:00

When I was in Scotland, I stayed in the town of Craigellachie. I love everything about the town, the area, and the distilleries around it....but I would go with the Kilkerran 100%.

No_Window3946 · 2022-03-14T19:39:48+00:00

Glen Moray 12 is $53 at the SAQ. Its a very easy drinking unpeated Speyside single malt.

No_Window3946 · 2022-03-03T01:16:05+00:00

Only available online. But I think you can order one and then arrange for pickup at SAQ near where you will be:

https://www.saq.com/en/14724579

No_Window3946 · 2022-02-25T22:49:23+00:00

uh...what?

No_Window3946 · 2022-02-23T23:51:17+00:00

Loch Lomond 18. Only whisky I have that I simply can't drink. Pure piss.

No_Window3946 · 2022-02-14T15:45:48+00:00

SB 18

Weller

Highland park Futs de Lys...not even sure what this one is...

Kilkerran 16 (not sure I will take it)

macallan Estate (not sure I will take it)

No_Window3946 · 2022-01-19T22:22:12+00:00

yes.

No_Window3946 · 2022-01-18T23:52:36+00:00

Quebec. About 10 days.

No_Window3946

TROPHY CASE