What Are You Sipping on Lately? (Spirits Thread)

[RABAUKE]

Cohiba esplendido and Benromach......

[RABAUKE]

This is my Whisk(e)y Room, still a work in progress. I need a few more shelves as the collection is growing, and spreading into Rum's Bourbon's, Irish and Canadians. The room's also going to hold the wine collection which is well underway, my humidor's and a gun safe.....I think we might call the room Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms.

[Joekerr]

Originally Posted by RABAUKE

This is my Whisk(e)y Room, still a work in progress. I need a few more shelves as the collection is growing, and spreading into Rum's Bourbon's, Irish and Canadians. The room's also going to hold the wine collection which is well underway, my humidor's and a gun safe.....I think we might call the room Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms.

Impressive sir. One day I aspire to that collection. Not familiar with the Pilon CAO - looked like a darker wrapper - was it a Maduro?

I once found an individual going to Cuba who was able to bring me back a case of Cohiba Siglo VI - very much enjoyed them. Now it is mostly Dominicans, partially for value, but also because I refuse to pay Canadian prices for Cubans...so have to wait to find someone going over there again who can split a box (or get me a full one from a government shop).

Where do you get yours?

[RABAUKE]

Originally Posted by Joekerr

Impressive sir. One day I aspire to that collection. Not familiar with the Pilon CAO - looked like a darker wrapper - was it a Maduro?

I once found an individual going to Cuba who was able to bring me back a case of Cohiba Siglo VI - very much enjoyed them. Now it is mostly Dominicans, partially for value, but also because I refuse to pay Canadian prices for Cubans...so have to wait to find someone going over there again who can split a box (or get me a full one from a government shop).

Where do you get yours?

The Pilon is a Robusto, they dry the leaves in stacks rather than by hanging.....a nice smoke. My wife and I go to Cuba every few years and I know a guy there. You don't want to know what I paid for the Cohiba's. We brought back 4 boxes the last time though.

[Joekerr]

Originally Posted by RABAUKE

The Pilon is a Robusto, they dry the leaves in stacks rather than by hanging.....a nice smoke. My wife and I go to Cuba every few years and I know a guy there. You don't want to know what I paid for the Cohiba's. We brought back 4 boxes the last time though.

I do want to know. But I know what prices are here and the markup makes me cringe.

For reference, I got the Siglo VI about 7 years ago as best I recall and they ran about $20/cigar after exchange.

So this guy - back alley or government store? I've never been, but I've heard you don't want to go to back alleys because controls in the factories (particularly Cohiba) are strict and so anything you buy is the rejects / poor quality. What's your take having been there?

[Joekerr]

As an aside - if you ever happen to be going down to Cuba anytime and wish to pick up an extra box, I'll pay you for it and drive to wherever within reason. I'm around an hour from Toronto so looks like we are pretty close depending where in the golden horseshoe you live

[RABAUKE]

Originally Posted by Joekerr

I do want to know. But I know what prices are here and the markup makes me cringe.

For reference, I got the Siglo VI about 7 years ago as best I recall and they ran about $20/cigar after exchange.

So this guy - back alley or government store? I've never been, but I've heard you don't want to go to back alleys because controls in the factories (particularly Cohiba) are strict and so anything you buy is the rejects / poor quality. What's your take having been there?

The guy I deal with is associated with Cohiba. The esplendios are around $60 Canadian a stick in Southern Ontario. Lets just say I paid significantly less.

[Maynard]

Nice collection. Someday I'm going to have someplace with enough shelving but for now most of my collection is in boxes or the cellar. I'm an Islay fan (told its an acquired taste) and would recc adding Ardbeg (Corryveckan is my fav), Laphroaig (cask-strength 10yo, or quarter cask), and Bruichladdich (lots of variety, I like the heavily peated ones but they have un-peated). And Aberlour A'Bunadh, but that has gotten crazy expensive (I buy scotch like you guys get cigars, so I have a couple cases at old prices). These are all in heavy rotation at my place.

And from the organization strategy, looks like you may have CDO? .

[RickFLM4]

I'm not a whiskey or scotch drinker but curious - do they have a shelf life in opened (or unopened) bottles?

[RABAUKE]

Originally Posted by Maynard

Nice collection. Someday I'm going to have someplace with enough shelving but for now most of my collection is in boxes or the cellar. I'm an Islay fan (told its an acquired taste) and would recc adding Ardbeg (Corryveckan is my fav), Laphroaig (cask-strength 10yo, or quarter cask), and Bruichladdich (lots of variety, I like the heavily peated ones but they have un-peated). And Aberlour A'Bunadh, but that has gotten crazy expensive (I buy scotch like you guys get cigars, so I have a couple cases at old prices). These are all in heavy rotation at my place.

And from the organization strategy, looks like you may have CDO? .

My wife has the CDO and she likes to have a taste now and again. My whisk(e)y consultant/best friend has an enormous collection and he is pushing me to separate the Irish, scotch, rum and bourbon so they don't fight .

I've come to really like Talisker, smokey and salty.....yum. And you're right, they are an acquired taste. Had Lavigulan years ago and hated it, now it's a staple.

[RABAUKE]

Originally Posted by RickFLM4

I'm not a whiskey or scotch drinker but curious - do they have a shelf life in opened (or unopened) bottles?

Once they are opened there is a bit of evaporation, "the angles share" which also refers to the evaporation in the casks during aging. Other than that it doesn't go bad if thats what you're asking.

[M_Six]

Back to the Plantation Pineapple tonight.

[1MOREMOD]

At Melvin brewery in bellingham for heyZeus Fiesta

[///Mongo]

Special Club rarely disappoints

[GP0256]

I am officially a Whistle Pig Whiskey snob, lol! So smooth

[Maynard]

Originally Posted by RickFLM4

I'm not a whiskey or scotch drinker but curious - do they have a shelf life in opened (or unopened) bottles?

There is oxidation and sunlight damage, occasionally corks go bad. Once opened they do deteriorate some, especially if they sit long term at low volume. For the really rare stuff I don't drink often I use the argon gas spray they sell for wine (puts a heavier than air layer of inert gas atop the liquid). Vacuum sealers are discouraged b/c they can really alter the evaporation and taste over time (they are for keeping wine a few days not long term).

For unopened storage, the recc is cool temps and that you keep the corks damp. I tip the cases on edge 45degrees to wet them every 6 months (don't store on their sides like wine). You get a tiny bit of evap around the cork anyway, but only noticeable on s/t decades old. Main thing is don't sit clear bottles up in direct sun, avoid high heat.

[RickFLM4]

Originally Posted by Maynard

There is oxidation and sunlight damage, occasionally corks go bad. Once opened they do deteriorate some, especially if they sit long term at low volume. For the really rare stuff I don't drink often I use the argon gas spray they sell for wine (puts a heavier than air layer of inert gas atop the liquid). Vacuum sealers are discouraged b/c they can really alter the evaporation and taste over time (they are for keeping wine a few days not long term).

For unopened storage, the recc is cool temps and that you keep the corks damp. I tip the cases on edge 45degrees to wet them every 6 months (don't store on their sides like wine). You get a tiny bit of evap around the cork anyway, but only noticeable on s/t decades old. Main thing is don't sit clear bottles up in direct sun, avoid high heat.

Interesting and good to know. I bought a bottle of Macallan 12 scotch 2 years ago for Christmas guests and no one touched it so it remains unopened. It's out of sunlight and house is air conditioned so it should be good. Never acquired a taste for it myself but maybe time to try again...

[Terry989]

Originally Posted by Maynard

- - - I'm an Islay fan (told its an acquired taste) and would recc adding Ardbeg (Corryveckan is my fav), Laphroaig (cask-strength 10yo, or quarter cask), and Bruichladdich (lots of variety, I like the heavily peated ones but they have un-peated). And Aberlour A'Bunadh, but that has gotten crazy expensive (I buy scotch like you guys get cigars, so I have a couple cases at old prices). These are all in heavy rotation at my place. .

Like you, I'm real Islay fan, but drink many others depending on the mood I'm in or the time of day. Since Ardbeg is one of my favorites, I dug around the cellar this morning to see what I had.

Looks like some good drinking ahead! Left to right:

• Corryvreckan
• 1990 Airigh Nam Beist
• A very rare 1978 bottling
• My old friend - Uigeadail

[ShopVac]

Originally Posted by Terry989

Like you, I'm real Islay fan, but drink many others depending on the mood I'm in or the time of day. Since Ardbeg is one of my favorites, I dug around the cellar this morning to see what I had.

Looks like some good drinking ahead! Left to right:

• Corryvreckan
• 1990 Airigh Nam Beist
• A very rare 1978 bottling
• My old friend - Uigeadail

Only been a scotch drinker for about 9-10 months now...coming off my vodka and rum train.

Not sure if I'm ready for a heavy peated just yet...finding most of my stash if from the highlands.

What would a good intermediate be to try?

[Terry989]

To get started with lightly peated Scotch, try some of these:

• Highland Park 15 or 18 Year Old
• Bowmore 18 Year Old
• Caol Ila
• Oban 14 or 18 Year Old
• Springbank 15 Year Old (I love this one!)

Another of my favorite regions is Speyside with distilleries such as these:

• Almost anything from Mortlach
• Aberlour (Especially A'bunadh or the 18 Year Old)
• Craigellachie
• Longmorn

[Maynard]

I think Oban or Lagavulin would be good to try, Caol Ila is also a bit less peaty, IIRC; if you can find the Oban Little Bay it is one of my new finds. Lagavulin 16 is one of the top tiers in e/b book, but their new 8yo is also very nice.

I tend to prefer anything 'non-chill filtered' when possible (or they will warn that it will cloud with ice - same thing). The chill filtering takes out some proteins that add flavor. And adding a dash of water is also crucial (usually just a few cc's), and something it took getting used to; most other spirits I prefer straight, even Bourbon seems to just wash out. With Scotch the water does something to activate flavors, so to me much improved - you can actually see it if you hold it up to the light.

[Maynard]

Originally Posted by Terry989

Like you, I'm real Islay fan, but drink many others depending on the mood I'm in or the time of day. Since Ardbeg is one of my favorites, I dug around the cellar this morning to see what I had.

Looks like some good drinking ahead! Left to right:

• Corryvreckan
• 1990 Airigh Nam Beist
• A very rare 1978 bottling
• My old friend - Uigeadail

Very nice indeed. The two in the middle I have not yet tried, especially envious of the '78. I think Ardbeg changed s/t slightly within the past decade, but not sure if it is just my palate changing - that would be a nice comparo.