The Bar Towel

portwood wrote:Really like:
Lagavulin 16 ... still a classic but the current $135 price tag is getting into "pass" territory. Consider the 8 year at $85. Its not as "smooth" as the 16 but packs a peat punch
Ardbeg 10 Compared to most markets, the $100 is still expensive but its been the same price in Ont for more than 9 years. I think its a great whisky and now worth buying from LCBO (though I still have a few I bought elsewhere for ~70 bucks)
Jura Superstition I'm not a fan of Jura. I'd give Bruichladdich - Port Charlotte 10 a go (recently listed at $110)

Like:
Nikka 12
Bowmore 12 Was going to recommend the 18yo (probably the cheapest >15yr at the "BO) but I see its sold out
Talisker 10 or 12 (can’t remember). Game of Thrones Talisker is coming and is has been getting reasonably good reviews. Probably not as good as the standard 10yo but at the same price may be worth a try if you find a bottle

Looks like you're a fan of heavily peated whisky. Have you ever tried Longrow? It appears to be expensive ($104 @LCBO for the no age statement) but its from a tiny distillery (Springbank) that is as "craft" as you can get. For that reason, they tend to be more expensive than comparable whiskies ... which shouldn't be a hurdle for "craft beer" drinkers willing to pay 6 bucks for a pale ale
Similarly, Kilchoman (Machir Bay $95) is a small craft distillery putting out high quality heavily peated whisky

MatttthewGeorge wrote: Thank you sir, some interesting things I should check out, however anything you can think of at a “I won’t get in shit from my wife” price point?

portwood wrote:

MatttthewGeorge wrote: Thank you sir, some interesting things I should check out, however anything you can think of at a “I won’t get in shit from my wife” price point?

You're into (expensive) craft beer and you're worried about shit from the wife over a bottle of Scotch?

Your problem is liking heavily peated whisky.
Within the already expensive Scotch single malt category, heavy peat (especially from Islay) has been very popular in the last few years, and prices have skyrocketed.

You did say you liked Bowmore 12 .... for Islay whisky, Bowmore is probably the best value (at less than 18 years). Currently at $5 off its not a bad choice if budget is a consideration....perhaps Laphroaig 10 ($80) - also heavy on the peat but a very medicinal type of smoke

If they had been in stock I would also have recommended:
Compass Box Peat Monster, $76 (a blend of various single malts. Not sure if still the same distilleries but in the past the blend contained Caol Ila, Laphroaig, Ledaig, and Ardmore)
Ledaig 10, $70 (from Tobermory distillery)

MatttthewGeorge wrote:This evening I really enjoyed a dram of Aberlour A'Bunadh at my friends place. Is the $100 price on point or off?

portwood wrote:

MatttthewGeorge wrote:This evening I really enjoyed a dram of Aberlour A'Bunadh at my friends place. Is the $100 price on point or off?

Aberlour a'bunadh is top 5 best bang for your buck single malts at LCBO
so much so, that its been virtually the same price for nearly 10 years ($95 in 2010 to $100 today), while its seen significant price increases in most other markets in the last 2 years (currently >$130 in Alberta, land of cheap booze).

every batch (they release 3-4 annually, currently ~62) is slightly different but they are all very good. Worth a buy ... before the 'BO jacks up the price

if you enjoy this style (ex-sherry cask matured whisky), a whole bunch of options open up. Keep in mind that ex-sherry casks are expensive, so pricing is up there like heavy peat.

Relative bargains are more likely to be found among non-peated, ex-bourbon matured whisky

MatttthewGeorge wrote:

portwood wrote:

MatttthewGeorge wrote:This evening I really enjoyed a dram of Aberlour A'Bunadh at my friends place. Is the $100 price on point or off?

Aberlour a'bunadh is top 5 best bang for your buck single malts at LCBO
so much so, that its been virtually the same price for nearly 10 years ($95 in 2010 to $100 today), while its seen significant price increases in most other markets in the last 2 years (currently >$130 in Alberta, land of cheap booze).

every batch (they release 3-4 annually, currently ~62) is slightly different but they are all very good. Worth a buy ... before the 'BO jacks up the price

if you enjoy this style (ex-sherry cask matured whisky), a whole bunch of options open up. Keep in mind that ex-sherry casks are expensive, so pricing is up there like heavy peat.

Relative bargains are more likely to be found among non-peated, ex-bourbon matured whisky

Really enjoyed this. Had this nice fruity-ness that the heavy peats covers up. I’ll pick up a bottle for sure (plus the Longrow my local called me to say it’s in).

If you’d like to suggest some options like these, I’m than willing to listen/read, lol

Belgian wrote:A to Z Wineworks Pinot Noir

Here is a theoretically 'textbook' Pinot Noir for about $25 and still I'm truthfully not all that excited. It's perfectly fine, with good harmony and some nice acidity. It's my first Oregon Pinot Noir. There is black cherry and stuff. Some beetroot, some layering. What is it lacking?

Still I think there has to be more exciting Pinot Noir from France, the USA and elsewhere, whether or not the LazyBO is letting us have it. What a stupid provincial liquor system, that it keeps everything here a bit boring and a little too expensive. BOO!!

Oh and if you buy this, yes by Ontario standards you'll find it enjoyable. It's just not in any way remarkable or very exciting, it isn't meant to be. I guess I'll have to spend nearly 35 bucks on the stupid Crema Pinot Noir next.

MatttthewGeorge wrote:If you’d like to suggest some options like these, I’m than willing to listen/read, lol