OT: Scotch thread

[storrsroars]

At this point I am ready to pay $80 for it--if I can find it that low.

Here ya go, you'll have it next Wednesday!

 

[AllAbout5]

I opened this thread hoping this was about tape. I am very disappointed now

 

[tentoes4rings]

I made my first trip to Total Wine since the pandemic began and as expected Lagavulin 16 is back to $90 after that lovely surprise a year ago when it was $60. Thankfully I bought several bottles and I'm good for a while but I'm sure we'll never see it that low again. I wish I bought a dozen bottles.

I picked up a bottle of Bunnahabhain 12. I've never had it before but I need to work my way through all of the Islays and I never see Bunnahabhain in a bar. It's not a peat bomb by any means but it is surprisingly good. I've had a few glasses since I picked up the bottle and keep going back to it. At ~$50 it's something I'll keep stocked as it's a nice change from the usual Islays without straying too far (I know what I like, what can I say?). It's also good to have something solid to offer to scotch noobs who want to wet their beak without being scarred for life by jumping into something like Laphroaig.

Also, why on earth is Caol Ila 12 $70? It was one of my budget favorites at $40-$45 for a long time. I can't imagine Caol Ila is moving many bottles at that price point.

A regular rotation of Ardbeg 10, Laphroig Quarter Cask, Caol Ila 12, and Bunnabhain 12 is where I'd like to stay. Lagavulin 16 and Ardbeg Uigedail for special occasions.

I’ve asked this recently myself, why has scotch gotten so insanely expensive? I realize now just how spoiled I was by Total Wine when I lived in Florida. No state mínimums there so always good deals. Wish I didn’t love scotch so much!

 

[8893]

Just go to Total Wine.

It varies store to store, but it’s never more than $90. (Usually 75-80 if I happen to be in New Jersey.)

For ten extra bucks, just do it.

At this point it has become a mission and a matter of stubbornness.

The nearest Total Wine is at least a half hour away and they have it for $90. This is the same store where I bought multiple bottles of it for $60 exactly one year ago.

On my way home last night I stopped at two more stores. One had it for $95 and the other had it for $92. I just checked the store where I had planned to stop today and they have it for $95, but their sister store a few miles in the other direction has it for $90 (actually $89.99, which may be enough for me to break).

I tried the Nikka Coffey Grain last night. Nice. Sweet. Reminds me more of good Irish whiskey.

Here ya go, you'll have it next Wednesday!

Nice, but it's another $16 in taxes plus $18 for shipping.

 

[SoFla Steve]

I’ve asked this recently myself, why has scotch gotten so insanely expensive? I realize now just how spoiled I was by Total Wine when I lived in Florida. No state mínimums there so always good deals. Wish I didn’t love scotch so much!

Down here in South Florida, Total Wine prices are $109.99 and up for Lagavulin -- 16 yr - $109.99, 11 yr - $129.99 (!?), Distillers Edition - $129.99. I haven't found a good deal down here in years.

 

[Fishy]

It’s basically supply and demand.

People will pay $85-90 for it, so that is what it costs.

Expecting the price to drop ‘just because’ feels like a waste of time.

 

[8893]

It’s basically supply and demand.

People will pay $85-90 for it, so that is what it costs.

Expecting the price to drop ‘just because’ feels like a waste of time.

But nothing has changed in that regard for the past few years, and yet it still drops sometimes at some places for no apparent reason.

I'm not saying it's rational to hold out for a lower price, but I probably derive an irrational amount of satisfication from finding one--even if I spend the difference in the process.

 

[tentoes4rings]

Down here in South Florida, Total Wine prices are $109.99 and up for Lagavulin -- 16 yr - $109.99, 11 yr - $129.99 (!?), Distillers Edition - $129.99. I haven't found a good deal down here in years.

Yeah, things must have changed. I’m going back to 2014 or so. Too bad.

 

[Umami Zen]

At the 2020 Int'l Whisky Competition..#1 Whisky of the Year.. Scoring 96.4 pts out of 100.. Was Dewars Double Double 32 yr old.. That's a blend beating all single malts tasted.... Two other categories at same competition.. "Top Blended Scotch".. They were #1.. Their 27 Yr old was #2..Their 25 yr old was #3.. Same rankings in the category of "Best Blend over 25 yrs old". 32 year old is definitely a "pay check night" purchase.. Check it out..

 

[storrsroars]

Not scotch per se, but going back to that bottle of Kavalan Select that's horrible straight up but a solid mixer, I wanted to expand my repertoire, so going back to the ancients, I found a recipe for a Saratoga. I was at the end of my Martell, so next trip to the PLCB included purchase of a $25 bottle of Chalfonte cognac, which was a new label to me. It's really quite good, and exceptional for the price. Also expect to be using it with eggnog, and it's great for that old cureall of brandy/lemon/honey if you've got a cold, lol.

 

[Duncan Idaho]

I’ve asked this recently myself, why has scotch gotten so insanely expensive? I realize now just how spoiled I was by Total Wine when I lived in Florida. No state mínimums there so always good deals. Wish I didn’t love scotch so much!

Scotch was part of the European tariff package last year. I believe French wine also.

 

[HuskyHawk]

But nothing has changed in that regard for the past few years, and yet it still drops sometimes at some places for no apparent reason.

I'm not saying it's rational to hold out for a lower price, but I probably derive an irrational amount of satisfication from finding one--even if I spend the difference in the process.

Tariffs have changed. Nothing is going down. Very popular options like Lagavulin 16 sold out of pre tariff stock faster. It’s a terrible buy at this point. Here in MA we have some of the lowest prices nationally, I’ve begun to stockpile some bottles that I know are at the pre-tariff prices. I can still get Lagavulin 8 at $40, where it’s about $70 nationally. Same with Talisker 10.

It is a great time to branch out and try some different things.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Not scotch per se, but going back to that bottle of Kavalan Select that's horrible straight up but a solid mixer, I wanted to expand my repertoire, so going back to the ancients, I found a recipe for a Saratoga. I was at the end of my Martell, so next trip to the PLCB included purchase of a $25 bottle of Chalfonte cognac, which was a new label to me. It's really quite good, and exceptional for the price. Also expect to be using it with eggnog, and it's great for that old cureall of brandy/lemon/honey if you've got a cold, lol.

My Cognac arrived from Denmark. This was the first time I was part of a barrel selecting team for this Cognac and Armagnac. We also picked one from 1945 (only 60 bottles). But that was just too pricey for me. The Lot 72 has still been in the barrel for 48 years.

 

[8893]

So I found the Lagavulin 16 for $89 last week and sucked it up and bought it.

And then I bought an Ardbeg An Oa, which I’ve also been enjoying.

I have continued to like the Nikka Coffey Grain a lot; I have described it as sucking on a 90-proof sea salt caramel.

But today I grabbed a bottle of this and it I really love it:

 

[HuskyHawk]

So I found the Lagavulin 16 for $89 last week and sucked it up and bought it.

And then I bought an Ardbeg An Oa, which I’ve also been enjoying.

I have continued to like the Nikka Coffey Grain a lot; I have described it as sucking on a 90-proof sea salt caramel.

But today I grabbed a bottle of this and it I really love it:

Nice choice. That's the best "reasonably priced" Japanese Whisky left. They started selling it in the U.S. in 2018. People used to get it overseas. It's too bad most of the other Japanese stuff is so crazy expensive now. The only other one I think is good at it's price is Kaiyo Japanese Mizunara Oak Whisky (kaiyowhisky.com) The regular one has a fantastic nose from the Mizunara oak. It's a teaspooned whisky, but has been confirmed as Japanese distilled.

 

[8893]

Nice choice. That's the best "reasonably priced" Japanese Whisky left.

Well word must be getting out, and/or tariffs are hitting that, too.

I went to four different stores to find it; two of the first three had no Nikka at all (and responded to the effect of "I wish" when I asked for it), and the other said he was getting it in this week. I finally found it at a place I almost didn't even stop at because I doubted he would have it, but I got his last bottle and it was $80. It looks like it was around $65 when first imported in 2018 but I am guessing the tariffs and demand have driven it up, so I was okay with that price and it definitely delivers in terms of taste imo.

So today I decided to get a bottle for my partner for Christmas and, when I can find it online, I am seeing prices ranging from $80 to $200! I finally located it at a local place for $80 and bought three bottles, figuring I will give one to him and stash the other two as backups for myself, because I have a feeling this might go the way of Lagavulin.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Well word must be getting out, and/or tariffs are hitting that, too.

I went to four different stores to find it; two of the first three had no Nikka at all (and responded to the effect of "I wish" when I asked for it), and the other said he was getting it in this week. I finally found it at a place I almost didn't even stop at because I doubted he would have it, but I got his last bottle and it was $80. It looks like it was around $65 when first imported in 2018 but I am guessing the tariffs and demand have driven it up, so I was okay with that price and it definitely delivers in terms of taste imo.

So today I decided to get a bottle for my partner for Christmas and, when I can find it online, I am seeing prices ranging from $80 to $200! I finally located it at a local place for $80 and bought three bottles, figuring I will give one to him and stash the other two as backups for myself, because I have a feeling this might go the way of Lagavulin.

Oh it was always a hot bottle. People used to mule it from overseas and then flip bottles. Given the 500ml size it is expensive even at $65. I'm just comparing it to things like Yamazaki 12, which used to be $65 and is now more like $180+. Hibiki 12 is even worse, saw it for over $600 at The Whisky Exchange (it's discontinued now). The stuff has gone bonkers, because there isn't much older age stated Japanese whisky. That's why you see fake stuff now, distilled in Scotland and aged in Japan.

The Kaiyo is solid and interesting. It's $65, and was distilled in Japan. Teaspooned to avoid stating the name of the distillery.

 

[8893]

Oh it was always a hot bottle. People used to mule it from overseas and then flip bottles. Given the 500ml size it is expensive even at $65.

It is a 750 ml bottle, so not so bad.

 

[HuskyHawk]

It is a 750 ml bottle, so not so bad.

Oh that's a change then. I think when first sold here it was the usual 500ml they sold overseas. That could explain the price increase.

 

[Petero]

A special night... Listening to Eric Clapton on PBS... Broke out a serious dram of Lagivullen 16. My absolute favorite single malt. I have over 50 and have been collecting for over 25 years. A joy of my life. Layla was our wedding song 48 years ago. One great way to survive Covid!!!!!1

 

[HuskyHawk]

A question for the Scotch drinkers here on glasses. I most often use a Glencairn. I have come to also like my Tuath Glass. I got a couple of those. Slightly larger and with a heavier base (supposedly Skellig Michael). My favorite by far is one I rarely use, a Canadian Glencairn. My fairy time using one came when the barkeeper/owner of a small inn in Nairn, Scotland gave me a big pour before shutting down for the night. The problem is that if I use it, I’m probably going to drink too much.

I don’t sure rocks or old fashioned glasses unless I‘m drinking cocktails.

 

[storrsroars]

I don't know if they have a name, but the glasses I use basically look like a heavy bottomed stemless red wine glass/snifter.

 

[8893]

A question for the Scotch drinkers here on glasses. I most often use a Glencairn. I have come to also like my Tuath Glass. I got a couple of those. Slightly larger and with a heavier base (supposedly Skellig Michael). My favorite by far is one I rarely use, a Canadian Glencairn. My fairy time using one came when the barkeeper/owner of a small inn in Nairn, Scotland gave me a big pour before shutting down for the night. The problem is that if I use it, I’m probably going to drink too much.

I don’t sure rocks or old fashioned glasses unless I‘m drinking cocktails.

So I know it makes me a cretin, but I like a little chill on my whisky. My daughter bought me these cool molds that make an ice ball that‘s probably around 2.5” diameter. I have these oval crystal glasses we bought in Italy with heavy bottoms and I like drinking wine out of them, but I discovered that the ice ball is the perfect size to get lodged when the oval narrows, and the ice ball gets suspended around a half inch above the bottom of the glass. I pour the whiskey over the ice ball and then it settles below it and never touches the ice until I tilt the glass to drink it.

Works perfectly for me.

 

[Dove]

I don't know if they have a name, but the glasses I use basically look like a heavy bottomed stemless red wine glass/snifter.

They're called stemless wine glass/snifters.

 

[storrsroars]

They're called stemless wine glass/snifters.

lol.

 

[Umami Zen]

So I know it makes me a cretin, but I like a little chill on my whisky. My daughter bought me these cool molds that make an ice ball that‘s probably around 2.5” diameter. I have these oval crystal glasses we bought in Italy with heavy bottoms and I like drinking wine out of them, but I discovered that the ice ball is the perfect size to get lodged when the oval narrows, and the ice ball gets suspended around a half inch above the bottom of the glass. I pour the whiskey over the ice ball and then it settles below it and never touches the ice until I tilt the glass to drink it.

Works perfectly for me.

Have done the same.. There are actually bars around the US that have a cube molding machine by the bar that makes the singular ice ball for your favorite whisky.. Scottsdale was the first city that I experienced this set up in ..

 

[HuskyHawk]

So I know it makes me a cretin, but I like a little chill on my whisky. My daughter bought me these cool molds that make an ice ball that‘s probably around 2.5” diameter. I have these oval crystal glasses we bought in Italy with heavy bottoms and I like drinking wine out of them, but I discovered that the ice ball is the perfect size to get lodged when the oval narrows, and the ice ball gets suspended around a half inch above the bottom of the glass. I pour the whiskey over the ice ball and then it settles below it and never touches the ice until I tilt the glass to drink it.

Works perfectly for me.

And @Grey Goose, however you enjoy it is the right way. That ice not melting into the whisky is an interesting trick.

I used to write a lot of reviews, and for that, neat in a Glencairn is pretty much necessary. Maybe a drop or two of water if it is cask strength. Just to normalize results. I've been lazy this year, mostly stopped writing reviews. If you are interested in reviews, I'll offer a shameless plug for a guy I know who just became the Whiskey reviewer and managing editor of this new publication. Whiskey Raiders: Abrams Media Launches New Site (mediaite.com)

I'll probably be sending him some samples and look forward to seeing those hit the new site.

 

[Umami Zen]

And @Grey Goose, however you enjoy it is the right way. That ice not melting into the whisky is an interesting trick.

I used to write a lot of reviews, and for that, neat in a Glencairn is pretty much necessary. Maybe a drop or two of water if it is cask strength. Just to normalize results. I've been lazy this year, mostly stopped writing reviews. If you are interested in reviews, I'll offer a shameless plug for a guy I know who just became the Whiskey reviewer and managing editor of this new publication. Whiskey Raiders: Abrams Media Launches New Site (mediaite.com)

I'll probably be sending him some samples and look forward to seeing those hit the new site.

Agree with you on the versatility of approaches.. Have Glencairns with the family crest on them.. Curious if you've ever toasted with a quaich?? Scottish drinking vessel..Usually pewter..Used for celebrations..Old school but fun..

One last note of interest.. Depending on the number of years of the age of the scotch .. Once on the tongue.. Count to the number of years of the age. .Before swallowing .. When you contrast that approach vs a quick sip.. It's amazing how much differently the scotch tastes. Advice given on the box of a scotch that bears our family name..

 

[Umami Zen]

And @Grey Goose, however you enjoy it is the right way. That ice not melting into the whisky is an interesting trick.

I used to write a lot of reviews, and for that, neat in a Glencairn is pretty much necessary. Maybe a drop or two of water if it is cask strength. Just to normalize results. I've been lazy this year, mostly stopped writing reviews. If you are interested in reviews, I'll offer a shameless plug for a guy I know who just became the Whiskey reviewer and managing editor of this new publication. Whiskey Raiders: Abrams Media Launches New Site (mediaite.com)

I'll probably be sending him some samples and look forward to seeing those hit the new site.

Did any of your reviews ever make it into Whisky Advocate Magazine?? Always an interesting read..

 

[HuskyHawk]

Did any of your reviews ever make it into Whisky Advocate Magazine?? Always an interesting read..

Me? Nope. Just Reddit. I'm a casual in the vernacular of the board. I take Whisky Advocate with some grains of salt, just like Wine Spectator. Mostly the floor score is just way too high.