You haven't sampled enough. There is a tremendous amount of variety in Canadian whisky. I have had some exceptional Canadians over the years, like Alberta Premium 25yo, Alberta Premium 30yo, J.P. Wiser's Dissertation, J.P. Wiser's Red Letter, Ninety 20yo, Century Reserve 21-Year-Old, etc.
I listed some more available Canadian varieties in a post above. Have you tried any of these?
Alberta Premium Cask Strength
Alberta Premium Batch 10 Legacy Reserve
Lot No. 40 Dark Oak
Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye
I've never tried Bib & Tucker. I really like the flavour of Longbranch, I just wish they had made it higher in alcohol content, 46% or 50% would have made it much better. You should try my concoction, equal parts Old Turkey 86 and 101. Wonderful!
If you like the flavor on the Longbranch then maybe keep an eye out for the Bib & Tucker. It's a bit darker / heavier of a flavor, the Longbranch is a bit brighter. But we're of the same mind on the Longbranch and I like the Bib & Tucker quite well. And the B&T says it's 92 proof, so right up your alley. Ach, now I've talked myself into it, I'll go have a pour...
I would like to try it, however bourbon is not currently being sold in Ontario. Fortunately I have four full bottles of my regulars left.
Bourbon, and despite my now dated avatar pic always neat sans ice. I have tried a pour of the crazy expensive like Pappy Van Winkle, but I most enjoy the really good bottles that are reasonably priced in the $30 to $60 a bottle range. Buffalo Trace, Heaven Hill, Ezra Brooks Distiller's Collection, Green River...there are many, many good ones. Of course, around St Paddy's Day when I raise glasses to my Irish ancestors my favorite is Green Spot Irish whiskey.
Just as with wine you can pay a lot for something that is hardly better than a well bought cheap whisky, it's the same stupid snobbery, if that's how you like to spend your money fine. I used to only buy Lagavulin but maybe age changed my taste buds - quien save. An old Calvados is worth the money and if you've tried the best can easily give a single malt serious competition.
Living in France I don't have access to a lot of Irish whiskeys. By chance I decided to buy a bottle of Blackbush at the ridiculous price of €14.99. It's similar to a good Speyside. I suggested to one of the male nurses who come each day to help with my wife that he should try the Blackbush, he did and he takes a dram most days. Spirits are for me a winter drink. As I've become older I drink much less alcohol with the exception of red wine. If you can find Blackbush where you live try it.
Living in France I don't have access to a lot of Irish whiskeys. By chance I decided to buy a bottle of Blackbush at the ridiculous price of €14.99. It's similar to a good Speyside. I suggested to one of the male nurses who come each day to help with my wife that he should try the Blackbush, he did and he takes a dram most days. Spirits are for me a winter drink. As I've become older I drink much less alcohol with the exception of red wine. If you can find Blackbush where you live try it.
Not in my opinion, only one person to blame for that.
The Balvenie in different versions!!
Of course there are 20 more brands!!!!!!!!!!!
And the Grappa, white is on top
from Levi distilleries , Piemonte Italy
Walter
Of course there are 20 more brands!!!!!!!!!!!
And the Grappa, white is on top
from Levi distilleries , Piemonte Italy
Walter
Now we're talking.
We didn't pass by, but paid a visit to Distilleria Marzadro in N Italy. Got to try a variety of grappa and went for Diciotto Lune and an olive-infused grappa ....
Many people consider grappa to be nothing but fuel for the lawnmower, but I guess those people have picked up cheap crap at their local Aldi shop.
(A side note: there's a "whisky" called Statesman, that is of poorest of poor quality and isn't to be mixed with THE REAL THING. The same with grappa.)
We didn't pass by, but paid a visit to Distilleria Marzadro in N Italy. Got to try a variety of grappa and went for Diciotto Lune and an olive-infused grappa ....
Many people consider grappa to be nothing but fuel for the lawnmower, but I guess those people have picked up cheap crap at their local Aldi shop.
(A side note: there's a "whisky" called Statesman, that is of poorest of poor quality and isn't to be mixed with THE REAL THING. The same with grappa.)
The grappa is distilled from grapes after they are pressed, hundreds of taste for different types.
And the quality is mandatory
Lagavulin is a very nice whisky, that is priced way beyond its worth ($175 at the LCBO). I have had several Balvenies and enjoyed them all, but like Lagavulin, they have become too popular, so the prices rose. The 12yo Doublewood is $130. It was $67 just a few years ago, when I bought it regularly.
Loch Lomond is my affordable whisky of choice ($82). I will take this over any others unless I'm spending around double its price. This is the best balanced whisky I've ever tasted.
Loch Lomond is my affordable whisky of choice ($82). I will take this over any others unless I'm spending around double its price. This is the best balanced whisky I've ever tasted.
@soundbrigade How in the world did you get a hold of Cedar Ridge in Sweden? That comes from my home state.
This is just part of my inventory. Some have suggested I might have a problem, but those 1.75 L bottles of Wild Turkey 101 were on sale for $20 off the normal price. I'm just being frugal.
This is just part of my inventory. Some have suggested I might have a problem, but those 1.75 L bottles of Wild Turkey 101 were on sale for $20 off the normal price. I'm just being frugal.
Most of the bourbon is brought home from USA, but our govt run liquor stores carry quite some stuff, so here's the ones I picked up locally:
Beaver's Dram, Belgian Owl (this we picked up in Belgium), Floki (Iceland), Cedar Ridge, Glendalough, Bulleit Bourbon, High West, Buffalo Trace.
Here's what comes up when looking for US whisky (hope you aren't barred from the site): US Whisky in Swedish liquor store.
You can only get alcohol (stronger than 3.5%) at the state owned stores, but a) no drinks sold to minors and b) a great assortment of drinks of pretty good quality from affordable stuff to "selling your newborn" stuff. It's a lot like Binny's in Chicago.
Beaver's Dram, Belgian Owl (this we picked up in Belgium), Floki (Iceland), Cedar Ridge, Glendalough, Bulleit Bourbon, High West, Buffalo Trace.
Here's what comes up when looking for US whisky (hope you aren't barred from the site): US Whisky in Swedish liquor store.
You can only get alcohol (stronger than 3.5%) at the state owned stores, but a) no drinks sold to minors and b) a great assortment of drinks of pretty good quality from affordable stuff to "selling your newborn" stuff. It's a lot like Binny's in Chicago.
Thanks for the link. It's fun to see what all you can get.
I live in Iowa where liquor distribution is tightly controlled by the State which limits variety and adds significant taxes to the final price. It looks to me that you have a better variety available than I do locally. We used to live in the Chicago area and still have family there, so a stop at Binny's on the way home is standard practice. I can typically save 20-50% on the gin I like for martinis and sometimes on the bourbon. The current stock of Wild Turkey was picked up on a recent trip to Memphis, TN.
I live in Iowa where liquor distribution is tightly controlled by the State which limits variety and adds significant taxes to the final price. It looks to me that you have a better variety available than I do locally. We used to live in the Chicago area and still have family there, so a stop at Binny's on the way home is standard practice. I can typically save 20-50% on the gin I like for martinis and sometimes on the bourbon. The current stock of Wild Turkey was picked up on a recent trip to Memphis, TN.
I think i may have a problem...
These are just the single malts. Bourbon, Canadian and Irish are elsewhere!
These are just the single malts. Bourbon, Canadian and Irish are elsewhere!
Yes, I would say you have a serious problem Too many of them are unopened!!!
Visited 3 places in SF Bay area to buy Canadian whisky. Costco and Bevmo were disappointments, but I did find this bottle of 8 year old at Total Wine. Along with several promising Cremant d'Alsace sparkling wines, Mrs. J's current favorite. Will sample the whisky on Saturday or Sunday. Thanks everyone for your recommendations!
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