Spec's at 45 and Rayford/Sawdust had 3 Springbank 5 year 114 proofers and 5 Springbank 10 year this afternoon.
******************SCOTCH*****************
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Last: 4 hrs ago by AgInSingapore
I'm looking for a Springbank 15. I have a half bottle of Springbank 10. I'm running out of space to have to many back up bottles unfortunately
I grabbed a Springbank 5 year 114 and a Longrow 114 today at Specs Cedar Hill. Passed on the Ardbeg Dolce for now, hopefully later.
I'll keep an eye out for the 15 and post if I see it around town.
I picked up a Longrow 114 and a Killerran 8 cask strength today at the Spring Cypress and 249 specs
Specs has Octomore 15.1 on sale for 168 for cash and since I've never owned an Octomore but I have tried it I grabbed one at the Katy Mills location
That Specs also had a 15.2 that doesn't show online
That Specs also had a 15.2 that doesn't show online
Lots of stores are trying very hard to move the Octomores, even Raj at OLC has all his marked down 30% (inclusive of the 16.1, 16.2 and 16.3).
Which specs?
I would line to have the 15.3 but I don't think I would want to pay more than 200
Katy Mills
24417 Katy Fwy
Katy, TX 77494
281-394-5780
24417 Katy Fwy
Katy, TX 77494
281-394-5780
Got a Bowmore 21 year Aston Martin edition on sale at $250, pretty stoked about that because every time I had seen it before it was sitting at or around $600.
Has anyone tried the independent Caol Ila bottles at Specs? Some of them are on sale right now and I really liked the Caol Ila 12 standard bottle
I can't imagine they would be bad options to try out, particularly since you know what distillery it's coming from vs. here in the US where sometimes you have to really dig to try to find out where NDP's are sourcing. I have had some wonderful independent bottlings of scotch over the years from Gordon & MacPhail, Signatory, Douglas Laing, etc. etc.
TW Concierge has the sixth and final in the series of The Macallan Harmony Collection (No. 6 Inspired by Fresh Coconut). NAS, 46.3 ABV at the usual price point of $200. If they can pull off some magic with this like they did No.1 in the series I think it'll be a great way to close this out.
ziggity06 said:
Has anyone tried the independent Caol Ila bottles at Specs? Some of them are on sale right now and I really liked the Caol Ila 12 standard bottle
I have a Signatory bottle of 15 year Caol Ila and will gladly buy a backup if I see another.
Rocketman84 said:
I grabbed a Springbank 5 year 114 and a Longrow 114 today at Specs Cedar Hill. Passed on the Ardbeg Dolce for now, hopefully later.
How is the Springbank 5yr? Saw it the other day and wondering if it's worth grabbing. Only other one I've had is the 15 (which ruled).
Playfly Brinks Truck said:Rocketman84 said:
I grabbed a Springbank 5 year 114 and a Longrow 114 today at Specs Cedar Hill. Passed on the Ardbeg Dolce for now, hopefully later.
How is the Springbank 5yr? Saw it the other day and wondering if it's worth grabbing. Only other one I've had is the 15 (which ruled).
I like it, bought a backup. Don't really have any tasting notes, but I do like the higher proof.
It's worth the purchase, cool to see what young Springbank at a higher proof does, digging mine for sure. Smokey and sweet with a youthful spring to it.
Octomore 17's up on TW concierge, I'm not pre-ordering these basis the current state of the 16 and 15's still on the shelves at a discount. May bite me in the butt, may not, but I'm not ready to drop the $$$ and willing to take the chance.
I would do a 3 person bottle split on all three of the octomore 17s or 16s just to try all of them. I have a 15.1 if someone has the .2 and .3
I know this isn't how this thread has typically been used, but as a person who loves scotch of all varieties but isn't at the enthusiast/hobby level I'm curious from the folks here…
If you were only allowed 5-10 scotches to keep on your shelf, and they had to be under $100 and generally available, what would you have? I'm talking about base expressions, not special releases that are hard to get your hands on. Stuff that you could walk into Specs or Total Wine tomorrow, and expect to find.
If you were only allowed 5-10 scotches to keep on your shelf, and they had to be under $100 and generally available, what would you have? I'm talking about base expressions, not special releases that are hard to get your hands on. Stuff that you could walk into Specs or Total Wine tomorrow, and expect to find.
I'll give you a response this weekend, need to stew on this for a minute as I've had one to many pours of springbank 114 proof this evening, not that there is anything wrong with that
My quick list would be but I would recommend any Springbank products if you can find them
1. Laphroaig 10
2. Talisker 10 or Torabhaig
3. Ardbeg 10
4. Craigealliche 13
5. Highland Park 15
6. Port Charlotte 10
7. Benromach 15
8. Ardnamurchan AD or the midgie
9. Glen Scotia 15
10. Redbreast 12
1. Laphroaig 10
2. Talisker 10 or Torabhaig
3. Ardbeg 10
4. Craigealliche 13
5. Highland Park 15
6. Port Charlotte 10
7. Benromach 15
8. Ardnamurchan AD or the midgie
9. Glen Scotia 15
10. Redbreast 12
Are you seeing Torabhaig in stores? I was on Skye this year and tried a few different expressions of Torabhaig I really liked. I was told I probably wouldn't see it readily available in Texas for a while.
I've found it at Specs and total wine . I have all of them except the cask strength one. It's something you have to search for though
Here's my list for sub $100, all personal preferences and in no particular order, tried to give an option or options for each region you can easily find and are standard releases as you noted.
Speyside - Aberlour 12 or Aberlour A'bunadh
Northern Highlands - Old Pultney 12
Western Highlands - Oban 14
Lowlands - not my style so no recommendation here
Campbeltown - Springbank, whichever you can find
Islay Peated - Laphroaig 10, Ardbeg 10, Lagavulin 16, Caol Ila 12
Islay Unpeated - Bruichladdich 10, Bunnahabhain 12
Islands - Talisker 10
Speyside - Aberlour 12 or Aberlour A'bunadh
Northern Highlands - Old Pultney 12
Western Highlands - Oban 14
Lowlands - not my style so no recommendation here
Campbeltown - Springbank, whichever you can find
Islay Peated - Laphroaig 10, Ardbeg 10, Lagavulin 16, Caol Ila 12
Islay Unpeated - Bruichladdich 10, Bunnahabhain 12
Islands - Talisker 10
I've never had Springbank, what are they like?
Springbank is a fantastic whisky and unfortunately difficult to find most of the time. Standard releases are 10, 15, 18 and 21 (and older) with the latter being a real challenge to get your hands on. I think each statement is only released once a year (not 100% certain, but believe that is correct) and not just continuously put out. Also have the 5 year 114 proof that was recently released and a 12 year cask strength among other special finishes or full aging (fino, madeira, etc.) and all with age statements. Each standard release has variations in the makeup of casks used (15 year more sherry influenced, 10 year less so). It's not a linear comparison of seeing how it evolves with age. They really are a treat to drink with what may be the perfect amount of peat, smoke, sweetness and length vs. the big brooding powerhouse Islays for folks who don't enjoy the style of ash, wet wood, smoke, earth, brine, and so on.
They also release whisky under the Hazelburn (unpeated) and Longrow (heavily peated) labels.
They also release whisky under the Hazelburn (unpeated) and Longrow (heavily peated) labels.
Great synopsis, thanks!
My folks came by for a visit this afternoon and dad loves Islay whisky so I shared the 5 year springbank with him and he says "that's really good" and I could see the positive facial expression, tis a fine dram indeed
I love Islay as well, so will be on the lookout/watch for Springbank!
I like this idea.
Not ranked but here are 10 I would always have on hand. My list leans sherry, but I do enjoy smokey stuff too. Most of these you should generally be able to find. Glenallachie 15 is the absolute best sherry forward speyside you can get, especially now that Billy Walker is there (he used to be at Glendronach which is why older bottlings are so good).
Glenallachie 15 - Personal favorite sherry king.
Talisker 10 - Coastal, briney. Not too much peat.
Oban 14 - Great all purpose Highlands. Hint of smoke.
Balvenie 14 Caribbean Cask - Awesome speyside.
Macallan 12 Double Cask - Cheaper than normal bottle. Less sherry.
Springbank 10 - Coastal, touch of funk and earth. Hard to find.
Glenrothes 12 - Everyday Speyside. Light. Fruity.
Ardbeg Uigeadail - Sherry and smoke in spades. Flavor bomb.
Lagavulin 16 - Decent dose of peat without being overbearing.
Aberlour A'Bunadh - When you want sherry to smack you in the face.
ETA in case you haven't seen the chart. Its not comprehensive but covers a lot of common offerings.
Not ranked but here are 10 I would always have on hand. My list leans sherry, but I do enjoy smokey stuff too. Most of these you should generally be able to find. Glenallachie 15 is the absolute best sherry forward speyside you can get, especially now that Billy Walker is there (he used to be at Glendronach which is why older bottlings are so good).
Glenallachie 15 - Personal favorite sherry king.
Talisker 10 - Coastal, briney. Not too much peat.
Oban 14 - Great all purpose Highlands. Hint of smoke.
Balvenie 14 Caribbean Cask - Awesome speyside.
Macallan 12 Double Cask - Cheaper than normal bottle. Less sherry.
Springbank 10 - Coastal, touch of funk and earth. Hard to find.
Glenrothes 12 - Everyday Speyside. Light. Fruity.
Ardbeg Uigeadail - Sherry and smoke in spades. Flavor bomb.
Lagavulin 16 - Decent dose of peat without being overbearing.
Aberlour A'Bunadh - When you want sherry to smack you in the face.
ETA in case you haven't seen the chart. Its not comprehensive but covers a lot of common offerings.
Great question! One thing that drove me to Scotch in the first place was getting tired on not being able to find the popular bourbons. Now I much prefer it (and Irish) and you can typically find these excellent bottles for good prices.
-Faves-
Macallan 12 Sherry - This was my "aha" Scotch moment. I love it, as does my wife. I still prefer it to most other sherry recommendations. It has a "body" to it that I enjoy.
Oban 14 - I typically consider this my favorite well-rounded and refined Scotch.
Springbank 10 - This has become my favorite but it is getting more difficult to find. To me, it's similar to Oban 14 but rougher around the edges. Nearly a perfect pour when the temps start to drop.
Talisker 10 - This is as peaty and smoky as I typically care for. Yes, I keep Islay's on hand, but if I'm being honest, I prefer Talisker.
-Honorable Mentions-
Balvenie 12 Double Cask - This is my entry dram for those that are Scotch curious. Goes down too easy.
Glenfiddich 12 - Bought it for the Stag bottle before I knew anything about single malt scotch. I shared this bottle with a late grandfather the evening I became a father. Now I pour it every year on her birthday. (And maybe more often than that when feeling sentimental or just want a classic malt).
Johnny Walker Black - I keep this one in a big bottle. No nonsense pour when I just need a drink or maybe want to have a bit more than usual.
-Faves-
Macallan 12 Sherry - This was my "aha" Scotch moment. I love it, as does my wife. I still prefer it to most other sherry recommendations. It has a "body" to it that I enjoy.
Oban 14 - I typically consider this my favorite well-rounded and refined Scotch.
Springbank 10 - This has become my favorite but it is getting more difficult to find. To me, it's similar to Oban 14 but rougher around the edges. Nearly a perfect pour when the temps start to drop.
Talisker 10 - This is as peaty and smoky as I typically care for. Yes, I keep Islay's on hand, but if I'm being honest, I prefer Talisker.
-Honorable Mentions-
Balvenie 12 Double Cask - This is my entry dram for those that are Scotch curious. Goes down too easy.
Glenfiddich 12 - Bought it for the Stag bottle before I knew anything about single malt scotch. I shared this bottle with a late grandfather the evening I became a father. Now I pour it every year on her birthday. (And maybe more often than that when feeling sentimental or just want a classic malt).
Johnny Walker Black - I keep this one in a big bottle. No nonsense pour when I just need a drink or maybe want to have a bit more than usual.
Ardbeg is adding something to their core range... no idea what it is but they've said it has been hiding in plain sight so MAYBE it's the 10 year cask strength?
Laphroaig Cairdeas this year is French Oak, 52.6% abv
Really digging y'alls list of bottles, seems we're all sorta in the same ballpark of flavor profiles
Laphroaig Cairdeas this year is French Oak, 52.6% abv
Really digging y'alls list of bottles, seems we're all sorta in the same ballpark of flavor profiles
What are some bottles y'all have stumbled upon that when you saw them you had to purchase (MSRP or not, but not Sotheby's auction style buying) because you never thought you would find them in the wild? Not the bottles that you go 'oh that would be nice to try' but the one that made your adrenaline kick for a moment?
I have a few that I vividly remember picking up and just being stoked I stumbled on them...
29 year old Dalmore Stillman's Dram that I found in a hole in the wall out west of Houston, guy behind the counter says he was gonna get more in but seeing as how it was 2006-ish at the time and it was released in 1999 I knew that wasn't the case, probably paid around $100
35 year old Bunnahabhain 125th anniversary bottle (only 750 bottles released), walked into Spec's on Smith St. and they had it in the case, but priced incorrectly. I told the guy 'hey you guys have that priced wrong, you are charging a quarter of what MSRP is' (I believe there were 4 bottles to a case so I can see the mistake easily). His response to me was, we sell so much we can keep prices low... Walked out with 4 at $250/each after I tried to explain to him the error and was shot down.
1978 Ardbeg at The Whisky Exchange in London before they moved from the Borough Market location
Two Hazelburn 8 year first editions at a shop in Austin that was going out of business and everything was on sale
There are others I was/am excited I snagged but those four I still think back on and smile.
I have a few that I vividly remember picking up and just being stoked I stumbled on them...
29 year old Dalmore Stillman's Dram that I found in a hole in the wall out west of Houston, guy behind the counter says he was gonna get more in but seeing as how it was 2006-ish at the time and it was released in 1999 I knew that wasn't the case, probably paid around $100
35 year old Bunnahabhain 125th anniversary bottle (only 750 bottles released), walked into Spec's on Smith St. and they had it in the case, but priced incorrectly. I told the guy 'hey you guys have that priced wrong, you are charging a quarter of what MSRP is' (I believe there were 4 bottles to a case so I can see the mistake easily). His response to me was, we sell so much we can keep prices low... Walked out with 4 at $250/each after I tried to explain to him the error and was shot down.
1978 Ardbeg at The Whisky Exchange in London before they moved from the Borough Market location
Two Hazelburn 8 year first editions at a shop in Austin that was going out of business and everything was on sale
There are others I was/am excited I snagged but those four I still think back on and smile.
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