Some solid whiskies there Alan. I have not tried the Talisker or the Turntables but all sound great. I sipped on a SMWS 'Gastronomic Fusion' (8 year old peated single grain from Loch Lomond) and it went brilliantly with both the sweet and the savoury foods we had. Merry Christmas and cheers!
Excellent list, Alan, and I'm particularly pleased that you've put the focus on IBs, both in this vid. and this year, because they bring so much to the industry/sector. Some OMCs do appear in my market but not the others, alas. People say SV are releasing too many in the 100 proof series and I understand what they mean, but for nz there's only been 3 for the whole year/just this month so I'm not quite at saturation point, yet. Plus there's the potential frustration of which ones the local importer chooses to pick/omit. Cheers!
Alan good line up. My picks would be 5.Compass Box Nectarosity, 4.SMWS Three in One 140.9 (Balcones), 3. Compass Box No Name No 3, 2.Campbeltown Loch (20/06/23), 1. SMWS 157.1 Toasty, Roasty and Oaky Armorik "Warenghem Distillery"
I was blown away by the Infrequent Flyers Highland Park (they just say Orkney) 21y PX... then I bought 5 different samples from other of their bottles (Bunnahabhain 9 peated, GlenMoray 11, Glentauchers 11, Royal Brackla 15 and Alta a Bhaine 17) and was absolutely underwhelmed... All of them very meh whiskies, and the GlenMoray was outright bad. Lots of inconsistency with SV too, they just release way too many bottles.
Milking succeeded, Alan. Thanks for sharing. My focus mainly is on IB, and then preferably on bourbon matured whiskies (CS, UCF and NC, of course). Not really valuable to mention specific expressions as theymostly are single casks ... and therefore most likely not available anymore. Slàinte mhath
I think the independents have been great. Here are some but I’d add them to your list Alan. Signatory vintage 100 Caol Ila 9 years 2015. Signatory 100 Benrinnes 2011 13 years. Signatory Vintage 14 years North British Grain 2009 @46 abv. Douglas Laing Premier Barrell Ardmore 12 years Fathers Day. Cutty Sark Prohibition 50% abv. Happy Christmas.
What a Great Lineup!! Happy New Year my Great Friend!!
Cheers Marty hope youve had a great start to 2025 my friend....
Merry xmas & happy new year Whisky friend and everyone!! 👍 👍 👌🤘🍻🥃🎄⛄😎✌️
Unlike others, Great IB picks , thanks Allan for all the great works
Some solid whiskies there Alan. I have not tried the Talisker or the Turntables but all sound great. I sipped on a SMWS 'Gastronomic Fusion' (8 year old peated single grain from Loch Lomond) and it went brilliantly with both the sweet and the savoury foods we had. Merry Christmas and cheers!
Lovely ID Bottle review Alan. Merry Christmas to you 🎄
Cheers peter same to you and the family fella...
My Scotch Whisky of the Year is Glen Scotia 15 and my Bourbon of the Year is Town Branch Overproof!
Old Perth for the win!
Not quite..close though...got a deployment 7 sherry bomb...think if id have cracked that it would have been close....
Excellent list, Alan, and I'm particularly pleased that you've put the focus on IBs, both in this vid. and this year, because they bring so much to the industry/sector.
Some OMCs do appear in my market but not the others, alas. People say SV are releasing too many in the 100 proof series and I understand what they mean, but for nz there's only been 3 for the whole year/just this month so I'm not quite at saturation point, yet. Plus there's the potential frustration of which ones the local importer chooses to pick/omit. Cheers!
Alan good line up. My picks would be 5.Compass Box Nectarosity, 4.SMWS Three in One 140.9 (Balcones), 3. Compass Box No Name No 3, 2.Campbeltown Loch (20/06/23), 1. SMWS 157.1 Toasty, Roasty and Oaky Armorik "Warenghem Distillery"
All bangers matey...
I’m a big fan of Infrequent Flyers, North Star and Signatory Vintage. There are some fantastic whiskies in their lineups
I was blown away by the Infrequent Flyers Highland Park (they just say Orkney) 21y PX... then I bought 5 different samples from other of their bottles (Bunnahabhain 9 peated, GlenMoray 11, Glentauchers 11, Royal Brackla 15 and Alta a Bhaine 17) and was absolutely underwhelmed... All of them very meh whiskies, and the GlenMoray was outright bad. Lots of inconsistency with SV too, they just release way too many bottles.
Too many fella...happy holidays my friend...
@ It’s tough to pick as there are so many excellent independent bottlers. Have a great Christmas and a healthy and prosperous 2025 Alan
@ Interesting
Milking succeeded, Alan. Thanks for sharing.
My focus mainly is on IB, and then preferably on bourbon matured whiskies (CS, UCF and NC, of course). Not really valuable to mention specific expressions as theymostly are single casks ... and therefore most likely not available anymore.
Slàinte mhath
I think the independents have been great. Here are some but I’d add them to your list Alan. Signatory vintage 100 Caol Ila 9 years 2015. Signatory 100 Benrinnes 2011 13 years. Signatory Vintage 14 years North British Grain 2009 @46 abv. Douglas Laing Premier Barrell Ardmore 12 years Fathers Day. Cutty Sark Prohibition 50% abv. Happy Christmas.
You’re killing me Alan, I can’t get any of your 5 here in Texas, USA! Argh
Then you need to move to Scotland my friend....🤣 happy whisky filled festive season my friend...responsibly of course....😂
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