Single Malt, baby. That's how I roll.
Started collecting back when it was hard to find anything but Glenlivet and Glenfiddich in the US - it became a game and I slowly built up my collection by seeking out the few liquor stores that might carry a few more oddities. At its hight I had over 100 different varieties (I know, obsessive!) but I then moved to Montego Bay Jamaica and most of them went into storage - and caribbean weather is not conducive to whisky drinking. On my return to more northern climes I have slowly whittled away and it is now much smaller.
Most foolish bottle acquisition - drove 6 hours to Toronto when Bushmill's first introduced a single malt irish whisky that they had yet to export to the US - an OK dram, but 12 hours round trip!
Best ever purchase - found a bottle in a wooden box with leather belt - 25 year old Maccallan - it had a store sticker price of $25.99 - took it to the counter and asked the guy if the price was truly correct and he said 'Oh, yes! It is a
really good whisky.' I immediately bought it (after checking if they had any more) as I knew it should have been 5 times the price (I suspect the price gun didn't have three numbers before the decimal.) I had given him a chance to correct the price so I didn't feel too guilty! That is a truly remarkable whisky. It has since tripled in price from the $125 and I can't quite justify getting another bottle.
Favorite everyday - Lagavulin or Talisker (I do like the island whiskies)
But the prices on all the single malts has gotten crazy - and I think they are getting a little too cute with their products - too many specialty bottlings and messing around with the barrel woods. Too much focus on variety and not enough focus on producing the best edition at a few different ages that they can from their still and their art.
Now that was more than you expected from a one line post I bet - but you touched a sweet spot!
Always love chuckles and appreciate the folks who deliver them.
(Actually, I guess the lower case "l" took care of that matter.)
