Mike D. Loc: Crowley County, CO.

Not a stunning picture but it illustrates the point of the title.

I'm kidding, by the way. The boss knew before we left that I would be bringing back some Scotch and I left the how much as a very open-ended idea.

The Glenfidditch on the left is empty, it never left the U.K. The Fire and Cane, as they call it, is an experimental bottling that I found in a Costco, of all places, in Glasgow. Glenfidditch is not a Highland Scotch which is usually associated with peated flavorings but it had a very nice smoky taste nonetheless. The container made it home because it housed the bottle of Talisker that can only be had by visiting the distillery. My wife rented a house for three days that was across the street. I went, with number two son where we were able to tour the distillery and taste things. We also learned a thing or two in the process.

The Torabhaig (pronounced something like Tora beg) bottle came from a whiskey shop in Portree. It was another distillery on the Isle of Skye but logistics did not allow for a visit. This also applied to the pretty bottle in the center. Josh and I were able to taste this one and while the taste didn't blow us away, it did have the distinction of being one of the only female-owned distilleries in the country but what really did it was her business model. She allows the employees to distill their own versions of the brand. They do a limited run and them someone else gets a turn. So essentially that bottle of Scotch is a one-of-a-kind deal and the bottle is handpainted to (roughly) match the design on its container.

Raasay was another unknown as far as taste goes because we didn't want to take to ferry to that island. Another "special" bottling, it was recommended by the bonnie lass in the shop.

The Benriach was also untasted but we are an adventurous bunch and I have never had a Scotch over 10 years old that was horrible so off we go to the taste tests. I just have to do some research on the ones that we really like in case they are non-refillable.

If anyone has first-hand knowledge of any of the above, feel free to post your two cents worth. Scotch is a relatively new thing for me so I have much to learn.

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cahale Loc: San Angelo, TX

Ah, the cringing livers all around.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

I just hope he wasn't one of the pilots on that plane home.

Mike D. Loc: Crowley County, CO.

Perhaps, but worry not. All of these are sippers and will not be hoovered down like a Kirby on steroids. Especially the two bottles that I know for sure are not replaceable.

Case in point, in 2012 my wife and I flew to Puerto Rico for no other reason than I had four days off. While there we visited the Bacardi facility and at the end of the tour we purchased a bottle of Limited Reserve rum, nothing in the bottle was less than ten years old. I doubt that it tastes the same now but there is still some of that left.

Mike D. Loc: Crowley County, CO.

No worries there. The last time that I flew anything it was attached to strings.

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

I'm interested in and curious about just about everything, so this interests me!
I don't drink alcohol, not for any reason except that it ALL tastes like rotgut firewater to me. Beer, wine, rum, whiskey, ALL of it! And I have given it ALL a fair taste test. So not only has it saved me a lot of money, but a few brain cells too, I suspect.
This and Caviar (salty fish eggs!!??) are and I guess, always will be, a mystery to me.
But still...always interesting!
Interesting post!! :-)}

Mike D. Loc: Crowley County, CO.

I am totally with you on the caviar thing. Just because it's expensive doesn't mean that the taste buds are in agreement.

Scotch is like photography for me, it's a hobby. Even for people who enjoy whiskey, Scotch is not a given and for many it is an acquired taste.

I've known people who like Irish whiskey but it doesn't do a thing for me.

The biggest reason that I enjoy alcohol is purely medicinal. I see some eyebrows moving here but my knees are thrashed to the point where OTC pain killers are only marginally effective. CBD creams still work but tend to be expensive, whereas spirits 3 or 4 times a week is, overall, safer than highly addictive opioids. Until I have my knees replace, this will work and for the most part I drink fairly inexpensive stuff like Fireball, which is a cinnamon flavored elixer, or coconut rum. Both are cheap and readily available.

This could, of course, be debated but the Scotch thing is another matter. I just like the taste. There are subtle but interesting regional differences that make Scotch whiskey different from other whiskeys.

Save the brain cells, my man, you aren't missing all that much, lol

Tdearing Loc: Rockport, TX

The makings of a great year.

Mike D. Loc: Crowley County, CO.

Especially the 12-year on the right end. lol

Happy holidays, T.

craggycrossers Loc: Robin Hood Country, UK

Hey Mike - an English fella here who enjoys Scotland !

Just thought I'd join in - we're 60 mins from Christmas Eve - and if ever there was a time to talk 'malts', then the festive season helps mellow everything !

First - in these islands, if you drink whiskey, you're drinking Irish. If you wanna drink 'Scotch', like us mainlanders, then you drink whisky. And then there's 'malt' - huge variety as you have mentioned - we tend to drink it straight, no added water, to enjoy the 'full character' - or 'blends', cheaper, less tasty, usually add mixer (still water), the likes of Famous Grouse, Bells, Johnny Walker.

Be careful of your spellings - Glenfiddich has no 't' - how much has passed your lips today?

Just wondering - what are your customs & excise regs regarding importation of alcohol? How much of that lot in your pic were you allowed to bring in for free? For us it's one litre scotch ! But we're already here, so no probs I guess !

Anyway - you're in Colorado, and here's me in Robin Hood Country - and we both enjoy a 'scotch' or three !

Happy Christmas to you n' yours ...... and 'keep on sipping that scotch' !

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fhayes Loc: Madison, Tennessee

Any with Glen in the name will be a better, finer tasting scotch, perhaps because single malt is a joy to behold. Glenlivet is to be sipped slowly, glacier slow. There are also ‘The’ scotches are another world, ‘The Glenlivet’ is exceptional as a single malt. It does boil down to taste, the blends to me seem to be more of a perfume but I did really enjoy them.
Interesting thing with Costco, their booze is just about all top shelf so ya can’t go wrong!

craggycrossers Loc: Robin Hood Country, UK

Some fine distilleries with a 'Glen' in their name ........ but lots n' lots without !

https://www.whiskyinvestdirect.com/about-whisky/malt-whisky-distilleries-in-scotland

Mike D. Loc: Crowley County, CO.

Happy Holidays CC, feel free to impart any bits of wisdom that you like.

Unfortunately, none of the tasty elixirs have passed my lips today, I'm at work. Shhhh.

I know that Glenfiddich has no t in it. Flying phalanges are to blame.

Can I safely assume from the pictture that you posted, that the yumminess from Islay has some peat in it? Most of the Highland Scotches seem to start at still smoldering and go right to burnt log. If you win the lottery, look for a bottle of Octomore. According to the world wide web it has the most ppm of smoke.

I haven't tried it, our local watering hole wants just shy of $300.00 USD for 750 ml. I don't make THAT much.

Anyway, Merry Christmas and I will expect a full report on that bottle.

Mike D. Loc: Crowley County, CO.

Once, on an airplane to Ireland, I was able to sample a shooter of Glenfarclas 10-year and it was pretty tasty. I was impressed for airplane fare.

I am not, out of hand, opposed to blended things because technically, they are all blended for one reason or another, usually to maintain a certain ABV or flavor profile but I will admit to two things, one being a relative newbie to the Scotch world, and two, to being a single malt snob but I will ALWAYS be open to suggestions.

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

Few enough brain cells left to worry about saving at my age! But I suppose every little bit helps.

I hear you about OTC pain killers! Diabetic neuropathy and my feet are KILLING ME!!! OTC stuff doesn't even touch it! I used to be able to get Tramadol from the VA, not any more! That's an opioid but it's a class four with very little chance of addiction risk and provided COMPLETE relief. But like every other governmental agency, the VA pounced on the NAME and NOT the FACTS when the overdose/suicide rate jumped and will no longer prescribe it. IDIOTS!! And I and many others suffer for it!! And have for years. I wonder if they have ever thought that some of the suicides might be the results of unrelenting pain that they refuse to treat through complete and utter IDIOCY! OK, off the soap box now!

But there might be light at the end of the tunnel...ask your Doc about Gabapentin, I'm thinking it might be the miracle I've been hoping (praying) for if I was religious! Or just stick with the good stuff if it's working for you!!