The Waxhole: Speakeasy & Whisk(e)y Lounge

kvetcha said:
I’ve had and enjoyed both the Seagrass and the Armida, but haven’t had any Barrell expressions past that. This can’t have been cheap!

Tonight’s pour was an Ardbeg BizarreBQ.
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About the same price ($100) as prettty much anything else Barrell puts out, minus their grey label or beyond offerings.

I like Ardbeg a lot, but only had their standard bottle. Is this sweeter or more smokey than normal? I see other Ardbeg special releases, but due to how heavy on the smoke/peaty they get normally, I assume the unusual stuff is extra...
 
Splunders said:
About the same price ($100) as prettty much anything else Barrell puts out, minus their grey label or beyond offerings.

I like Ardbeg a lot, but only had their standard bottle. Is this sweeter or more smokey than normal? I see other Ardbeg special releases, but due to how heavy on the smoke/peaty they get normally, I assume the unusual stuff is extra...
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This one has a nose almost exactly like BBQ potato chips. It's typical Ardbeg on the palate, I think, but has a bit more spikey smoke on the finish. There's a sweetness running through the midpalate that's nice.

Oddly, as far as Ardbeg goes I've mostly had these special releases, at least recently. I should really try some of their core lineup as a basis of comparison. I tend to be more of a Laphroaig guy.
 
Russell's is always a great bang for buck sip. This one's up a rung from the $35 entry level stuff, as it's a single barrel and 110 proof, but still very affordable at ~$50. Was lucky to stumble across this in the wild, esp in MN.

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Splunders said:
I've not had a lot of Irish Whiskey. I mean like, proper sippin Irish whiskey. This is incredibly delicate and complex. It forces you to really pay attention, unlike a lot of Bourbon that just smashes you over the head. Excellent stuff.

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That’s an absolute favourite of mine. Along with a Teelings it’s one I always have a bottle of in my cupboard.
 
Splunders said:
I've not had a lot of Irish Whiskey. I mean like, proper sippin Irish whiskey. This is incredibly delicate and complex. It forces you to really pay attention, unlike a lot of Bourbon that just smashes you over the head. Excellent stuff.

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Gold Spot is lovely! I’m also a fan of Redbreast, any variant you choose.

Splunders said:
Is it good? Definitely, yes. Is it worth the price? Not so sure.

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I’m so jealous. I love Japanese whiskey, but wish it weren’t so expensive.
 
One of the distilleries in my state has gotten rather good at American Single Malts in the scotch tradition. If you’re able to get it in your area, give it a shot. The Double Cask Reserve is especially nice.
 
My first sippin' rum. Aged in ex-bourbon barrels, so it's not exactly a huge leap. Really impressed with this. Pronounced bonfire note, which I was not expecting, but definitely a positive. I'm going to explore more aged, barrelled rums in the future.

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kvetcha said:
Love this stuff.

I’m nursing a pour of Willett 4 Year Single Barrel Rye. There was a drop at the VA ABC today and I snagged the second to last bottle. Happy birthday to me!
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Happy birthday!!

Single Barrel, you say? Normal offering is small batch, right? I need to get another bottle some time. Seagrass, which is wildly different as you know, has been the rye I reach for lately.
 
Splunders said:
Happy birthday!!

Single Barrel, you say? Normal offering is small batch, right? I need to get another bottle some time. Seagrass, which is wildly different as you know, has been the rye I reach for lately.
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Seagrass is awesome.

I believe all Willett’s ryes are cask strength single barrels, but I’ve very much enjoyed all the ones I’ve tried (this bottle being the fourth, and the first I’ve been able to find for my own cabinet). I recommend seeking it out!
 
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