I think the Bunnahabhain 12 cask strength is always a winner. One that is at the top end of the price range yet very much a must get is the Springbank 12 cask strength. Very widely available and Springbanks are a must. So, getting the Spring 12 cask is a must.
I like the list. I'd probably include Jack barrel proof and Bunnahabhain 12 CS in mine. My personal preference is the Uigedail over Corryvreckan too. But really can't argue or nitpick over it lol. All good stuff
Love the Uigeadail and Corryvreckan; in fact, because of them, I haven't had the 10yo on my shelf for quite some time, even if that one really started it all for me. I make sure to have the Kilkerran HP batches (stunning!) and the Ardnamurchan A/D big hitters on hand. Oh, heck yeah! Curious to know if Kilchoman is making a cask strength Sanaig? I heard a rumor...
Aberlour a'bunadh is affordable in my market (New Zealand), the batch # 76 is at 61.3% ABV. I'm a big fan of the Corryvreckan and have to buy a new bottle soon
Great list Erik! Tamdhu and Glengoyne especially 😎 (I’m an Ian Macleod Ambassador 😅) Honourable mention for me would be the Glen Scotia Victoriana 😁 Slainte Mhath!
Good list Eric. A few I've not tried yet, so will keep an eye out. Redbreast 12 I just don't get on with, but I have to agree with the Highland Park and especially the Ugedail. Both brilliant. I'm surprised Benromach cask strength and Bunnah 12 Cask strength are missing tho. Both of these are superb.
That's a really good list. Thanks for sharing. Some I have, open and some still sealed. Your list has reminded me of bottles I still want to get that I forgot about due to over influx of so many bottles out there. Thanks again, Cheers 🥃
Knob Creek SB absolutly agree, yes!. Other similar is Russell's Reserve Single Barrel 110 proof, is absolute awesome balanced & rich rich toffe creamy notes. Best regards Sr.
Quite a blast from the past. The cask strength NAS category was a key step on the journey. I actually haven't finished anything of these bottles yet as I've moved on to independent bottles and newer distilleries. Everyone has mentioned the scotches that are not on the list like Benromach, Bunna12, Glenallachie 10, Kilkerran 8, Tomatin, Victoriana and A'bunadh. They are like reliable friends waiting in the back of the cupboard for me. Any Balcones single barrel is worth a go.
Great line up! If the list were limited just to Scotch, I would add GlenAllachie ahead of the Glenfarclas 105. Definitely agree with the Tamdhu -- great stuff!
Love the list Erik. I would have added any of the Benromach Cask Strength series, I have the 2013 Batch 1 and have had the 2009 Batch 4, and probably Aberlour A'Bunadh.
A good list. I love the Corryvreckan - my favorite Ardbeg! I just bought a wonderful bottle of Kilchomen Batch Strength - 57%, which retails for about $90 where I am.
I'm very fortunate to be able to visit Taiwan regularly, and can get all their solist for between 90 and 100 usd. Their distillery is an awesome visit too
My favorite whisky so far that I've ever had was the Laphroaig 10 Original Cask Strength, specifically Batch 12, bottled February 20 at 60.1%. Magnificent, especially when it's cold outside! A close second would be Laphroaig Lore. My favorite Ardbeg is Uigeadail. Haven't tried Corryvreckan yet, though. Maybe some day!
I've had Batches 15 and 16, as well as a really nice independent bottling that, sadly, is nearly drained. I have a few good pours left that I'll savor. I found Batch 15 a bit better than 16. To me, 16 benefits from a good amount of air and time in the glass and really has more to say with one or two drops of water. But no real complaints; once I found how to bring it up to speed, it works nicely enough. Uigeadail, definitely, but once you try the Corry, you'll know you need both on your shelf.
Nice episode. May I submit: Aberlour a'bunadh, Bunnahabhain 12 C/S, Alberta Premium C/S Rye, Amrut Cask Strength (or Portonova although that's closer to $150), Port Charlotte (not strictly C/S, but a decent 50% ABV), Wild Turkey Rarebreed B/P, Knob Creek 120, & Jack Daniels Single Barrel Barrel Proof (Bourbon or Rye). Cheers.
I kind of live in a whisky desert that is Prince Edward Island Canada. A small town in the smallest province so I will not blame our outlets. All things considered in a very small and somewhat isolated and mostly rural area, they do a pretty good job. But having a small population means we are not exactly a huge market that great whisky's try hard to get here. It's a meat and potatoes kind of place so maybe fine whiskys land elsewhere. But grab every Alberta Premium Cask Strengths that you can. Whatever year. Bargoon you can be proud to have and serve. Cheers
I'm watching this from Korea. I would like to ask whether Ardbeg should be considered cask strength. I understand that Ardbeg does not indicate cask strength.
Agreed. I started at Batch 6. Loved it. Also loved B7 and am just past the shoulder on B8, which I thoroughly enjoy. B9 is unopened and I haven't bought B10 yet. I did find another bottle of B6 and so bought it again. 7 and 8 seem much more similar (and delicious) than 6 with it's bigger sherry presence (terrific stuff).
I agree completely to everything you wrote. Looking forward tasting B10. Incredible, I believed that those small nuances are purely subjective, but there must be some kind of objectivity there
@@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies If it would be CS, they would state that at the label (marketing / selling proposition). If it isn't, they aren't allowed to state (regulations). Also it would be very hard to find the mixture of casks for each bottling date, which exactly matches the Vol % Alc stated at the label (Ui 54,2% for past 20 years / Corry 57,1% for past 15 years) AND have got the ideally expected (same) flavour. Cask Strength varies, what can be seen in e.g. GlenAllachie 10yo CS, Aberlour A'bunadh CS, Bunnahabhain 12yo CS, Laphroaig 10yo CS, Springbank 12yo CS, Highland Park CS
Jack Daniels Single Barrel Barrel Proof Rye and I was a Jack hater for decades. Bunnahabhain 12 yr Cask Strength Those are the two I would add The Redbreast 12CS would be in my top 5
UIGI isn't casks strength but excellent, all the same. I would add Stagg(jr) Bookers Glendronach Annual Cask Strength Batch Lagavulin 12 Cask Strength Bunnahabhain 12 Cask Strength - all come to mind....
