Gonna educate myself on whiskey

[Legion]

I found this an interesting documentary (see part one here). I was especially blown away by the shear volume of product created and stored by the big manufactures.

"Paddy, call the foreman. The warehouse is subsiding again. A million barrels have rolled down one end."

 

[ReAndyMator]

I was especially blown away by the sheer volume of product created and stored by the big manufacturers

We've got something like seven acres of warehouse space, and in most cases, casks are stored 5-6 high. Plus a few million litres blended for bottling on site. Not to mention two acres of cased goods storage. Mostly stored three pallets high.

And we're nothing like as big as the big boys.....

(FWIW, somewhere like North British distillery produces over 30,000,000LOA (litres of alcohol) each year)

 

[CptBlueBear]

What part of Oz are you in, Legion?

Dan's have some interesting stuff for under C-note. Don't be to concerned about age and start with the "base" releases. There's some good stuff for under or around a pineapple ($50): Big Peat, Monkey Shoulder, Spey River, Glenmorangie (see if you can pick up the Christmas box discounted), Dalmore, Glenrothes and my bargain pick, Bailey Nicole Jarvey. If you liked the Laphroaig 10, try the Ardbeg equivalent or Lagavulin 16 year.

One of my current favourites is Japanese: Nikka From the Barrel. Brilliant stuff but should come in a bigger bottle!

 

[CptBlueBear]

I'm guessing Aussie means Australian? I would recommend looking around your backyard and try some Australian whiskies. For a few years now I've done just that and tried all kinds of Canadian whiskey and have recently learned to love and appreciate them. When it comes to Aussie whiskies I've always been interested in Australian whiskies after reading reviews, such as Bakery Hill and Limeburners single malts but never had a chance to try them.

The problem with the local product is the price. Small wineries get to claim back the duty, but small breweries and distilleries don't (although I understand that's changing at least for the former). That amounts to around $30 a bottle of whisky.

My local whisky distiller (Southern Coast) got big write ups from Jim Murray, but they just announced they were ceasing production and all the available stock went in a matter of hours. I was lucky enough to nab a bottle Smiths of Angaston (about 40km away) last relase. Hellier's Road and Sulivan's Cove have been picked up by Dan Murphy's, but the prices are a bit silly. A pity 'cause Tasman Distillers, the latter's third owner, are finally producing good stuff. Other Tasmanians I've seen locally are Nant, Old Hobart and Lark. Bakery Hill and Limeburners are priced way out of my league.

I'm a huge fan of Canadian Club the original. The 12yo seems to be strange tasting a bit to me but then, that was a few years ago, I need to try it again. The CC is like my "daily" whisky (actually, when I want some which is not on a daily basis). It has strong caramel notes in it and that's why I really enjoy it.

Being in Oz, try the Tasmanian Larks. That was pretty awesome out of the Australian whiskey that I tried.

I tried the Canadian Club 12 yo the other night. I thought tasted like the standard offering only more of everything and smoother. Very much in the CC "house" style but bigger and more rounded. I quite liked it.

I find Lark big on personality but lacking finesse. A bit of an in-your-face, take-no-prisoners, bruiser. Being all cask strength, single barrel bottlings doesn't help that impression.

 

[Legion]

What part of Oz are you in, Legion?

Dan's have some interesting stuff for under C-note. Don't be to concerned about age and start with the "base" releases. There's some good stuff for under or around a pineapple ($50): Big Peat, Monkey Shoulder, Spey River, Glenmorangie (see if you can pick up the Christmas box discounted), Dalmore, Glenrothes and my bargain pick, Bailey Nicole Jarvey. If you liked the Laphroaig 10, try the Ardbeg equivalent or Lagavulin 16 year.

One of my current favourites is Japanese: Nikka From the Barrel. Brilliant stuff but should come in a bigger bottle!

I'm in Melbourne. Interesting you mention the Bailey Nicole Jarvey. I'd never heard of it, but I took a punt and bought a bottle of that a while back when it was on special, and I was quite impressed with it as well. Thanks for the advise.

 

[saltypete]

Love the BNJ! The price is right, the taste is unreal and every review I've read heaps praise upon it. Jim Murray gave it 'golden drop' status in his Whisky Bible.

Petr

 

[CptBlueBear]

I'm in Melbourne. Interesting you mention the Bailey Nicole Jarvey. I'd never heard of it, but I took a punt and bought a bottle of that a while back when it was on special, and I was quite impressed with it as well. Thanks for the advise.

I had a vague feeling you were in Melbourne. Look up Nick's Wine (website) on Doncaster Rd. They have a much better range than Dan's but being is not so keen. Good for rum and gin as well. I use them occasionally, less so now 'cause we have a good specialist now in Adelaide (Oddwhisky in case anyone is interested) plus we've been ordering from OS...

Love the BNJ! The price is right, the taste is unreal and every review I've read heaps praise upon it. Jim Murray gave it 'golden drop' status in his Whisky Bible.

BNJ was our find of last winter or maybe a close second to Glengoyne 17. Ralphy had it among his Best Blends or Best Cheap Scotch or some such. A week later I found it at Dan's for $35. Hard to beat for value.

 

[Fkread]

Jack Daniel's is rotgut where I am from; Four Roses, Woodford Reserve, Makers Mark, and Knob Creek are all amazing.

True words there -- throw in Wild Turkey -- I wouldn't buy it until you sample it -- it's not a bourbon for everyone