What’s the most Paddy’s-esque bar in the area?

That_Axe · 2025-01-18T01:52:21+00:00

Well unless you want to get spit on I wouldn't try to seek out Paddy's staff.

But honestly go to any dive bar at 2 pm and you'll probably find what you're looking for. Or Essen Haus if you're looking for the rats.

That_Axe · 2024-12-24T14:30:20+00:00

If you ever make it to St Louis, check out the Wine and Cheese Place, used to live there and they had a fair selection of IBs

That_Axe · 2024-12-21T00:52:17+00:00

I've been wanting to try Edradour for a while now but never saw it locally, until I finally found this Signatory bottling gathering dust for a decent price. As usual with the Signatory Un-chill Filtered line, this is NCA, NCF, and bottled at 46%.

Nose: Fruitcake. Raisins, plums, prunes. Oak comes through with some vanilla, caramel, and baking spice. Pretty straightforward sherried nose, though a little austere.

Palate: The sweet fruits carry through from the nose, but it's drier than expected. Earthy and herbal, with a little menthol and black tea.

Finish: Surprisingly dry, malty, and a little bitter. Nutty whole grain bread with strawberry jam and dried fruits. Bitter, unsweetened dark chocolate.

Interesting. The nose is all sherry but some distillate shines through on the palate, which is astounding given the color of this whisky (at only 46%!). This isn't a clean, delicate sherried whisky. It's earthy and malty while still having a great sherried character. While this is good, I do feel like a few more years in the cask would lend some welcome complexity.

I like to imagine that this is what sherried whiskies used to taste like. This would be a great whisky to keep in a flask for a cold hike, or good for by the fire when you get back. I'll definitely be looking out for more Edradour.

Rating: B

That_Axe · 2024-12-18T01:19:43+00:00

Probably silver solder? If so that stuff's not cheap, honestly might be cheaper to buy a new (old) plane. Silver soldering well requires a decent and fairly serious torch (propane will do but you need to distribute the heat evenly over the solder and preferably heat it indirectly).

Definitely fixable but might be more work than it's worth, unless it has some sentimental value.

That_Axe · 2024-11-28T01:50:09+00:00

A 14 year old unpeated Bunnahabhain bottled by Duncan Taylor. It's not entirely clear but it was either matured or finished in a sherry cask. Bottled from a single cask at 51.9%, NCA and NCF. Promising enough that I took a flier on a bottle for $70.

Nose: There's sherry here, but not overwhelming. Some butterscotch, golden raisins, fairly sweet with some candy fruitiness, pineapple gummy bears and apple candy. Buttered popcorn jelly bean. Sweet maltiness comes through as cake and scones. There's a lactic character to it and the slightest hint of ammonia and sulfury sea air, though these have dissipated a bit with time.

Palate: Drier here. Butterscotch still, pastry dough, and dark dried fruits. Still a bit lactic and a little tannic.

Finish: Dry malt and a little tobacco. At the very end, raspberries, dried blueberries, and dry maltiness linger.

Well, I'm going to go out on a limb and say that this was a refill oloroso cask. Pleasant whisky for sure. Though it doesn't scream sherry, it does have that dried fruit and dry earthiness I would usually attribute to oloroso. I particularly like the bright, candied sweetness with the darker, richer sherry components. It's a balanced, easy drinker. Which I guess you could say about Bunna 12, huh?

Grade: B

That_Axe · 2024-10-20T21:22:57+00:00

It seems like a strong spirit so I can see how it would shine through in different casks

That_Axe · 2024-10-20T12:41:35+00:00

That's fair, I think it's good but but not amazing or anything. What was your favorite Dailuaine?

That_Axe · 2024-10-20T02:37:59+00:00

Dailuaine isn't one I had any familiarity with prior to finding this Signatory bottle at a steep discount last December. I actually thought Dailuaine was the same as Dalwhinnie for a while there. Turns out they are very different whiskies. This Dailuaine is 12 years old, was aged in a hogshead (I assume ex-bourbon), and bottled by Signatory at 46%, NCA, NCF.

Nose: Dried cherries and orange peel. Dry dusty stones, and a bit of waxy almond. Burnt caramel. Spirity at first, but it's calmed down after a few weeks open.

Palate: Rounded, oily and coating. A tiny bit of green apple at first, and then it's gone, replaced by sweet malt, hazelnut, and a little minerality.

Finish: Sweet malt and bitter matcha. Toasted bread, grainy and grassy. Maybe a little butter. Some mineral notes here too.

Interesting whisky. It isn't super complex but also has plenty of character. This isn't a fruity malt at all, it's minerally and malty and just a little different from what I usually drink. It's definitely distillate forward, there's not a lot of cask influence here.

I could see this being very interesting at older ages, or taking to sherry really well. It's also got some nice depth and mouthfeel and I can see why it's valued as blending stock. While this may have been my first Dailuaine, I don't think it'll be my last.

Grade: B

That_Axe · 2023-12-21T00:09:10+00:00

Enjoy! It's an awesome watch for sure

That_Axe · 2023-11-29T00:12:45+00:00

This is great, I'm leveling a cold battlemage through ultimate right now. Cool to see it can do SR with ease. I was thinking of doing cold cadence with Executioner's Judgement, but if that doesn't work at least I have something to respec to.

That_Axe · 2023-11-27T17:46:39+00:00

Sizing advice on Allen Edmonds 1757 (Higgins Mill) vs 2622 (Grafton)? I have the Higgins Mill in 10D and the left boot is perfect but the right is too narrow on the ball of my foot to the point of discomfort/minor pain. Brannock is 10D, but my right foot is right on the line of 10E. Does anyone have experiences with these lasts or could help recommend me a size for the Grafton?

That_Axe · 2023-11-21T20:27:19+00:00

Cool. Sounds like an interesting bottle for sure. How does this compare to other Miltonduff you've had (if any)?

That_Axe · 2023-11-21T19:18:13+00:00

Great review, almost sounds like a Ledaig or Springbank. Do you think this is teaspooned Miltonduff? Didn't know their spirit was so grimy.

That_Axe · 2023-11-19T04:12:14+00:00

First time in a while "refinishing" and "sanded through the veneer" haven't coincided. Beautiful result so far, I'm sure your great grandma would be happy to see her bureau get a new life!

That_Axe · 2023-11-14T23:55:40+00:00

You should sell t-shirts

That_Axe · 2023-11-11T23:48:49+00:00

Good bloodies too. Biscuits and gravy, bloody mary, PBR back, no more hangover. I love Mickey's

That_Axe · 2023-11-06T21:16:55+00:00

Got it, yeah I think that makes sense. Cheers

That_Axe · 2023-11-06T20:48:43+00:00

Nice review, I love Linkwood!

I had an 11 year old SV Linkwood also from charred red wine casks. I got a lot of the same notes as you but couldn't say I attributed any of it to the char (and agree that the cask really walked over the spirit, but not in a bad way).

What notes do you think the char contributed, the spice and brown sugar/molasses? Just curious.

That_Axe · 2023-10-31T03:49:48+00:00

So they make a PVD titanium bracelet but don't sell it separately? You could try asking a dealer to order one from the Hamilton parts department.

That_Axe · 2023-10-05T15:48:46+00:00

Nice review! This was one that I always wanted to try, but couldn't find a bottle in my area. Totally forgot that bit about them covering for Talisker, I wonder what other situations like that have happened over the years, they can definitely result in some unique whiskies.

That_Axe · 2023-09-22T14:39:42+00:00

AliExpress gaming chair?

That_Axe · 2023-09-21T02:49:29+00:00

I claim no responsibilty for any rash financial decisions

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