[Sonic Defender]

Too true. Whilst I either drink my Scotch neat, or with a little water, I like my bourbon with a little ice, or mixed with ginger ale as a long drink. My supermarket choices are usually Woodford Reserve, Bulleit, or Bulleit Rye. I do have a Four Roses small batch that I keep for special occasions. I drink that one straight. Cost too much to water down.

Yes, really enjoy Four Roses, quite nice. I loved the original bottle with the embossed roses. The bottle itself was a thing of beauty.

 

[j4100]

OK. For those of you in the US, you better get your Scotch whisky orders sorted now, as your president has announced a 25% punitive tax levy on said whisky as part of a bigger tax fight with the EU. I believe this takes effect from mid October.

Sad face

 

[bfreedma]

OK. For those of you in the US, you better get your Scotch whisky orders sorted now, as your president has announced a 25% punitive tax levy on said whisky as part of a bigger tax fight with the EU. I believe this takes effect from mid October.

Sad face

Ridiculous. Fortunately, I'm well stocked and I doubt the tariffs will last long.

Looks like duty free shopping while travelling for "the good stuff" until then.

 

[Davesrose]

OK. For those of you in the US, you better get your Scotch whisky orders sorted now, as your president has announced a 25% punitive tax levy on said whisky as part of a bigger tax fight with the EU. I believe this takes effect from mid October.

Sad face

I guess since pasta is more popular, it's been spared https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/03/business/us-tariffs-whisky-wine/index.html . Sorry to you Scots, as this article does say the tariffs will hurt Scottish jobs the most. Most wines I get are from California and Argentina...I'll still try supporting Scottish whisky, but may also start trying Japanese brands.

 

[Jon L]

Ridiculous. Fortunately, I'm well stocked and I doubt the tariffs will last long.

Looks like duty free shopping while travelling for "the good stuff" until then.

Oh, well, supposedly tariffs will kick in on10/18, but I doubt admin will go through with it and expect to see something negotiated. Trade war with EU is FAR less popular than one with China...

 

[Davesrose]

Oh, well, supposedly tariffs will kick in on10/18, but I doubt admin will go through with it and expect to see something negotiated. Trade war with EU is FAR less popular than one with China...

I would think China trade war is unpopular as well as it means hikes in all electronics, appliances, and metals. Another consequence of the trade war with China is that we're swimming in our own trash (cargo ships used to export our trash to China for recycling while we imported goods with those ships). Other Asian countries have said no to importing US waste, so instead of being recycled, t's piling up in new land fills.

 

[Davesrose]

No, sorry, they kept that for the Octomore. Unfortunately, for a five year old, it's one of the most expensive whiskies out there.

https://scotchwhisky.com/whiskypedia/2067/octomore/

Who knows, you may find one barrel of it floating around in an Islay peat blend (one can't discount blends, as they can be sourced from all distilleries now). With the popular names, I find Ardbeg and Laphroig to be the peat monsters...Laphroig is cheaper in my neck of the woods, so I have that and Laughlin on hand (Laughlin also has some peat, but is better matured and have had friends say they like it opposed to "motor oil" Laphroig). The write up about Octomore's peat index does remind me about IBU (bittering units) with beer. IPAs (especially new American styles that have new hop strains that are mega hoppy) can have IBUs well past the proportional ABV. There is a thought at a certain limit, you can't even perceive the highest IBUs. It becomes more about what strains of hops you're using for the bitterness and with dry hopping (that doesn't impose bitterness, but lends different nosing finishes going into piney or citrus notes). Since I like my barley drinks, I do find it fascinating how much variety I have with beer (which has many more notes due to water chemistry, special grain bills, and hops) compared to whiskeys (and their mash bills with different grains and how they were conditioned).

 

[j4100]

Oh, well, supposedly tariffs will kick in on10/18, but I doubt admin will go through with it and expect to see something negotiated. Trade war with EU is FAR less popular than one with China...

I would think China trade war is unpopular as well as it means hikes in all electronics, appliances, and metals. Another consequence of the trade war with China is that we're swimming in our own trash (cargo ships used to export our trash to China for recycling while we imported goods with those ships). Other Asian countries have said no to importing US waste, so instead of being recycled, t's piling up in new land fills.

Yes, China appears to be the main target and the product targetting does appear to be a bit random. Our local news gave it the slant that Donald was reminding Boris that he needs to get some serious trade deals done when we crash out of the EU without a deal. Corruption on a massive scale.

Who knows, you may find one barrel of it floating around in an Islay peat blend (one can't discount blends, as they can be sourced from all distilleries now). With the popular names, I find Ardbeg and Laphroig to be the peat monsters...Laphroig is cheaper in my neck of the woods, so I have that and Laughlin on hand (Laughlin also has some peat, but is better matured and have had friends say they like it opposed to "motor oil" Laphroig). The write up about Octomore's peat index does remind me about IBU (bittering units) with beer. IPAs (especially new American styles that have new hop strains that are mega hoppy) can have IBUs well past the proportional ABV. There is a thought at a certain limit, you can't even perceive the highest IBUs. It becomes more about what strains of hops you're using for the bitterness and with dry hopping (that doesn't impose bitterness, but lends different nosing finishes going into piney or citrus notes). Since I like my barley drinks, I do find it fascinating how much variety I have with beer (which has many more notes due to water chemistry, special grain bills, and hops) compared to whiskeys (and their mash bills with different grains and how they were conditioned).

The Octomore really is a peat monster. I bought the 6.1 when I had £20 off at a whisky tasting and it cost me £80. They usually go for £150+. There is a blend called Big Peat which is good fun for a very peaty blend. Barley wines. I like those, but that's another thread.

 

[Matez]

What are you trying to do, class this thread up?

I thought you folks in whiskey-fi were classy enough already

 

[Matez]

Sry, double!

 

[Davesrose]

The Octomore really is a peat monster. I bought the 6.1 when I had £20 off at a whisky tasting and it cost me £80. They usually go for £150+. There is a blend called Big Peat which is good fun for a very peaty blend. Barley wines. I like those, but that's another thread.

Wonder if you guys get American style barleywines (like Rogue Old Crustacean or Great Divide Old Ruffian)...just like IPAs, the American styles are more heavily hopped (which I like). As for thread topic, if it's about distilled spirits, I would like to raise an issue I'm finding a new trend in my state of GA (US alcohol laws are all different by state). In GA, you can buy wine or beer at the grocery store, but spirits are reserved for buying at a "package store" (PA is pretty weird where you can buy wine and spirits at a package store, but you have to buy cases of beer at a special store). Several years ago, you couldn't buy high gravity (ABV) beers, until finally Georgia allowed up to 21% (other Southern states limit to 18%). At my local grocery, I've started seeing a display for what looks like bottles of various liquor. Doing some Googling, I found that they are in fact fortified wines with liquor flavoring from Sazerac (and reaching the 21% ABV groceries/convenience stores can sell). When it comes to their 'whiskey' variant, I've heard mixed reviews as to it tasting like trash to some cheap blend. I'm not sure if I'll ever be desperate enough to try it, as I can just go to package store.

 

[sam6550a]

Wonder if you guys get American style barleywines (like Rogue Old Crustacean or Great Divide Old Ruffian)...just like IPAs, the American styles are more heavily hopped (which I like). As for thread topic, if it's about distilled spirits, I would like to raise an issue I'm finding a new trend in my state of GA (US alcohol laws are all different by state). In GA, you can buy wine or beer at the grocery store, but spirits are reserved for buying at a "package store" (PA is pretty weird where you can buy wine and spirits at a package store, but you have to buy cases of beer at a special store). Several years ago, you couldn't buy high gravity (ABV) beers, until finally Georgia allowed up to 21% (other Southern states limit to 18%). At my local grocery, I've started seeing a display for what looks like bottles of various liquor. Doing some Googling, I found that they are in fact fortified wines with liquor flavoring from Sazerac (and reaching the 21% ABV groceries/convenience stores can sell). When it comes to their 'whiskey' variant, I've heard mixed reviews as to it tasting like trash to some cheap blend. I'm not sure if I'll ever be desperate enough to try it, as I can just go to package store.

We moved to GA in 2014 after living in civilized Florida for 44 years [long, long story, let's just say I am married], and this place is as spirit backward as they come---I live in a spirit DRY county! Needless to say, finding single malt scotch is a 40 mile to 150 mile trek, The local "super" market carries a limited beer selection, and a few wines. Fortunately, a convenience store owner in Dixie, GA stocks some really nice wines----try 14 Hands of Washington.

 

[Ableza]

Accompanying the new Abbey Road remix on my AudioValve Solaris and MrSpeakers Ether C Flow. Not bad.

 

[Davesrose]

We moved to GA in 2014 after living in civilized Florida for 44 years [long, long story, let's just say I am married], and this place is as spirit backward as they come---I live in a spirit DRY county! Needless to say, finding single malt scotch is a 40 mile to 150 mile trek, The local "super" market carries a limited beer selection, and a few wines. Fortunately, a convenience store owner in Dixie, GA stocks some really nice wines----try 14 Hands of Washington.

At least I do live in Atlanta, which being cosmo, is the first area to get new laws. i learned from on older guy that in the 60s, even Dekalb county (in Atlanta) was dry and that Cheshire Bridge Rd had a lot of package stores (unlike today which is strip clubs). I grew up in NC, and my folks will come and stock up on liquor from Greens because of prices being cheaper (less tax).

 

[j4100]

Wonder if you guys get American style barleywines (like Rogue Old Crustacean or Great Divide Old Ruffian)...just like IPAs, the American styles are more heavily hopped (which I like).

I haven't tried any US barley wines. It's a rare enough beer over here and usually only stocked in specialist stores. If I find any, I'll give them a try. I prefer strong ales, though usually only drink a couple when I'm at home. Not like they are session ales. Heh!

As for thread topic, if it's about distilled spirits, I would like to raise an issue I'm finding a new trend in my state of GA (US alcohol laws are all different by state). In GA, you can buy wine or beer at the grocery store, but spirits are reserved for buying at a "package store" (PA is pretty weird where you can buy wine and spirits at a package store, but you have to buy cases of beer at a special store). Several years ago, you couldn't buy high gravity (ABV) beers, until finally Georgia allowed up to 21% (other Southern states limit to 18%). At my local grocery, I've started seeing a display for what looks like bottles of various liquor. Doing some Googling, I found that they are in fact fortified wines with liquor flavoring from Sazerac (and reaching the 21% ABV groceries/convenience stores can sell). When it comes to their 'whiskey' variant, I've heard mixed reviews as to it tasting like trash to some cheap blend. I'm not sure if I'll ever be desperate enough to try it, as I can just go to package store.

Some weird laws around the US (for us Brits, anyway), with them not only differing from state to state, but from indivudual counties within the state! Confusing, for sure. You have my sympathies.That Sazerac stuff sounds a bit mental. Buckfast, anyone?