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    Iron Heart Fall/Winter 2025 Collection Preview - Now Live

    Hard Drinkers, Lets Drink Hard (Spirits, Liquors and Cocktails)

    General Chat
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    • Tago MagoT
      Tago Mago
      Mod Squad
      Joined:

      @Jett129 adding to what @WhiskeySandwich wrote: the Tomatin is also 92 proof and is somewhat of a logical next step from the Quinta Ruban, which I also enjoy. Generally speaking, 10-12 years is a good starting point for most major Scottish whisky distilleries, with the majority of bottlings somewhere between 10 and 18 years, at least in my experience. Alcohol content will be around 80-90 proof for most entry-level bottles. One notable exception age-wise and my personal initiation into single malt is Lagavulin 16 at 86 proof.

      I try to stay within the €50-80 range (roughly $55-90), which is becoming more difficult for a number of reasons. Bottles that I used to enjoy that are slowly beyond that range are the aforementioned Lagavulin 16 and pretty much anything by Hazelburn and Springbank.

      Proof is not necessarily a factor when I make a purchase, irrespective of the spirit I'm buying. Some of the rums that I have enjoyed recently have been 100-125 proof, but that means I drink them more consciously if that makes sense.

      last edited by WhiskeySandwichW 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
      • J
        Jett129
        見習いボス
        Joined:

        Thanks @WhiskeySandwich and @Tago-Mago for the responses. Interesting stuff for sure,especially the aspect of the seasonal differences not being as extreme as in Kentucky. When I last did The Bourbon Trail some of the distillers talked about how they raise the temperature of the rick houses for a period of time during the winter enabling them to get an extra season,which speeds up the aging process.

        last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
        • WhiskeySandwichW
          WhiskeySandwich
          啓蒙家
          @Tago Mago
          Joined:

          @Tago-Mago I really like Lagavulin as well. It's far different than a highland though. That's what I like about scotch - Islay's got crazy peat smoke and brine I love it, yet these port-finished highlands are clean and have some sweetness.

          "The greatest obstacle to living is expectancy, which hangs upon tomorrow and loses today...The whole future lies in uncertainty: Live immediately."
          -Seneca

          last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
          • Tago MagoT
            Tago Mago
            Mod Squad
            Joined:

            Agreed, the variety between the regions combined with the cask aging options makes whisky so appealing to me. And the Islay stuff really is an acquired taste. I usually try to have at least a bottle of Lagavulin 16 and Ardbeg 10 at home. Right now I have a Lagavulin 12 and an Ardbeg Corryvreckan as bonus bottles to go with Port Charlotte Scottish Barley, Laphroaig An Cuan Mor and Bruichladdich Cruach Mhona. Plus some non-Islay stuff

            last edited by Tago Mago 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 3
            • ddtrashD
              ddtrash
              Haraki san Expert
              Joined:

              Time to add a bit more to one of my favourite threads: The ongoing house renovations have nearly seen me bankrupted however the improvements have been worthwhile.

              One of the highlights of the new kitchen is a dedicated drinks cupboard with glass shelves and lighting.

              I have been super lucky and managed to find some physical stock of Springbank whiskies.

              The Campeltown loch is a very nice easy drinking blend and does not taste too dissimilar from Springbank 10. The 10 is also a very easy drink. The 15 is my favourite, finished in sherry casks and low levels of peat make this a lovely dram. Pick up any of them if you can find them.

              Unfortunately Springbank seems to be one of the small distilleries that has become a collectors (speculators) favourite. Mine are all opened and being consumed.

              cheers and Happy New Year to all.

              There is no 'I' in team …............ however there are five in 'individual brilliance'.

              last edited by ddtrash TinManT 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
              • ddtrashD
                ddtrash
                Haraki san Expert
                Joined:

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                There is no 'I' in team …............ however there are five in 'individual brilliance'.

                last edited by Tago MagoT 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
                • TinManT
                  TinMan
                  啓蒙家
                  @WhiskeySandwich
                  Joined:

                  @WhiskeySandwich definitely grabbing me a bottle on next visit to my local shop. Keep this info secret don’t want 101 getting allocated 😏😀!

                  Now, I have an IRONHEART!!

                  last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                  • TinManT
                    TinMan
                    啓蒙家
                    @ddtrash
                    Joined:

                    @ddtrash love your signature

                    Now, I have an IRONHEART!!

                    last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                    • Tago MagoT
                      Tago Mago
                      Mod Squad
                      @ddtrash
                      Joined:

                      @ddtrash love the setup and the Springbank in particular

                      last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                      • TwistlockT
                        Twistlock
                        啓蒙家
                        Joined:

                        Tried the Plantation OFTD now @pechelman.
                        Too strong to sip, but agree, really good for mixing.
                        Simple one, 4cl OFTD, lime, mint, ginger ale, ice.

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                        last edited by J 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
                        • J
                          Jett129
                          見習いボス
                          @Twistlock
                          Joined:

                          @Twistlock You got to be careful with that stuff. You go to scratch your shoulder and it's the floor.

                          last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                          • TwistlockT
                            Twistlock
                            啓蒙家
                            Joined:

                            Hahaha, @Jett129, i will be careful.👍

                            last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • pechelmanP
                              pechelman
                              啓蒙家
                              Joined:

                              Glad you found a way to enjoy that @Twistlock !

                              The usual for me is to find a rum cocktail I like and then split that rum base about 2 or 3:1 where the 1 part is OFTD. So a daiquiri might be 1oz of a favorite Jamaican rum, .5oz OFTD, .75oz lime, and .5oz rich Demerara syrup.

                              Also makes a killer old fashioned style cocktail used in a similar fashion.

                              last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                              • TwistlockT
                                Twistlock
                                啓蒙家
                                Joined:

                                Thanks. Will try some other rum based drinks with the OFTD.

                                last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                • pechelmanP
                                  pechelman
                                  啓蒙家
                                  Joined:

                                  Riffing on an idea here. Sort of a between the sheets meets a vieux carre. Added half a bar spoon of galliano for a bit of the anise flavor that's usually added in these new Orleans drinks in the form of absinthe. Overall not bad, but it needs tweaking and different bottles but with all of the OFTD talk I couldnt resist.
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                                  last edited by pechelman 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                  • MizmazzleM
                                    Mizmazzle
                                    見習いボス
                                    Joined:

                                    Giving this one a try for this evening’s record listening sesh.

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                                    In the easy chair with my boots on, melted whiskey in my hand. Could'na been asleep for more than three hours...time to go to work again...

                                    last edited by J 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 3
                                    • pechelmanP
                                      pechelman
                                      啓蒙家
                                      Joined:

                                      Sometimes it's just too damn cold to even think about making a cocktail.

                                      PXL_20240113_014435977.PORTRAIT.jpg

                                      last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 6
                                      • J
                                        Jett129
                                        見習いボス
                                        @Mizmazzle
                                        Joined:

                                        @Mizmazzle Four Roses Single Barrels are really great. What did you think. Readily available and pretty reasonable.

                                        last edited by MizmazzleM 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                        • MizmazzleM
                                          Mizmazzle
                                          見習いボス
                                          @Jett129
                                          Joined:

                                          @Jett129 quite fine indeed. Smooth yet hot. Touch of ice and it all blends quite nicely. Four roses never disappoints.

                                          In the easy chair with my boots on, melted whiskey in my hand. Could'na been asleep for more than three hours...time to go to work again...

                                          last edited by J 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                          • J
                                            Jett129
                                            見習いボス
                                            @Mizmazzle
                                            Joined:

                                            @Mizmazzle When I was on the Bourbon Trail I really wanted to visit them,and even drove right by them,but I just ran out of time.

                                            last edited by MizmazzleM 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
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