I can’t remember the last bottle of whisky I purchased. Over the last couple of years I’ve probably only purchased 2-3 bottles a year. I still get every release of the Laphroaig Cairdeas; if lightning strikes and I come across a bottle of Springbank 10, I get it. I used to get whichever new release I saw of the Laphroaig 10 CS, but I haven’t even looked for any of those in a couple of years. A significant part of the reason for this—and my lowered rate of reviewing—is that I am trying very hard to drink my whisky hoard down over the new few years. Another part is that unlike in the period when I purchased a lot and accumulated most of the whisky I am drinking down now, the last few years—maybe more—haven’t seemed like a good time for whisky drinkers. Prices have risen dramatically across the board; whisky with any age on it has become either scarce or too expensive or both. Indeed, I’ve lost touch with the whisky industry almost completely and barely even read any whisky blogs anymore. Of course, this means there’s a good chance that as a result I am unaware of recent/new releases that are in fact worth purchasing. If you are someone who is more in touch, and thinks there have been new things hitting the market that are worth checking out, tell me what I’ve been missing.
My Annoying Opinions
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A couple of outfits near you are making some really good ryes based on heritage grains: Far North Spirits Hazlet BIB and J Henry Spooner rye. The first is in Minnesota and borders Canada, the second is near Madison.
Dad’s Hat Pennsylvania rye bottled at cask strength is pretty pretty good as well.
I was thinking more of malt whisky, which is what I mostly drink, but, sure, recommendations for recent releases of American whiskies are welcome too.
Ardnahoe and Ardnamurchan are the newer ones that get a lot of buzz.
I’m interested in what Sukinder Singh will do with Tormore. Unlike these new distilleries he should have stock of all ages and be able to select the best ones to sell as single malts via IB or OB.
Like you, I have also drifted away due to high prices and a lack of innovation. However, my last visit to London rekindled my excitement. As mentioned above, Ardnahoe is very much worth checking out. Both the 5 year Inaugural Release and the Infinite Loch are fantastic.
Just as wonderful is Signatory’s new 100 proof series (I’m not sure why they call it that, they all are cask strength). They are all around $50-$75 and good stuff. I see you’re in Tokyo, so you should swing by Liquors Hasegawa… they had a couple there last week.
There have also been a number of Caol Ilas finished in various casks batting around. Normally, I’m not a fan of finishes, but these have been all very good… John Eadie, Milroys (EXCELLENT), Signatory, etc…
I’m actually not in Japan anymore. And another sign of just how different my relationship to whisky is now is that while in Tokyo I did not even seek out any whisky bars or try to visit any whisky stores.
You’ve both convinced me I should give Ardnahoe a try…
I came here to see what I have been missing.
Not much, turns out.
Oh, it’s you…