What sort of price hike are we talking about? I've always wanted to try it.

Hibiki 17 (and 30) are old favorites of mine too, but unfortunately their value has increased more rapidly than my income over the last decade, so I rarely get a chance to drink them now. Obviously not the same as Japanese whisky, but I'm finding good Irish whiskey to be very fairly priced and lovely to drink. Check out the Teeling special releases, the nicer Redbreast, or Green/ Red Spot as examples. I would not be surprised if Irish whiskey undergoes the same increase in price in 5-10 years, so it might be best to get your fill of it in now.

With a return to winter-like temperatures this week, I wasn't in the mood for a cold beer. Rummaging around the back of the liquor cabinet I found an unopened bottle of Glenfarclas 12 year. I gave it a couple tries but my impression was "meh". Not particularly smoky or peaty, maybe a little on the sweet side, but not particularly anything. I returned it to the back of the cabinet.

BamaVol, you did a great job of describing this Speyside whisky. I also find it a little on the sweet side and certainly not overpowering, but it has the attributes that I expect from a whisky from that area.
I rarely find a peaty profile unless I'm tasting something from Islay or the Islands. Yes, there are others, but not so much in Speyside or even the Highlands.

Personally, I've never met a bottle of Laphroaig that I didn't like :)

Sounds similar to another Speyside product - Glen Fohdry Dublaich.

Had the opportunity to recently attend a Glenmorangie Scotch tasting at a local Total Wine store. It was hosted by Brendan McCarran, Head of Maturing Stocks at the distillery. Kudos to him for staying up past midnight to lead it.

We went through 5 variations: Glenmorangie Original; Sherry Cask Lasanta, Quinta Ruban Port Cask; Extremely Rare 18; and Spios Private Edition #9 .

He said that they pull from Glenmorangie Original (10 year) to produce the others. Lasanta spends an additional 2 years in either Pedro Ximenez or Oloroso sherry casks. It won Highland Single malt Scotch of the year last year. Quinta Ruban spends an additional 2 years in Ruby Port casks. The Extremely Rare 18 is aged to 15 years then spends another 3 years in either Pedro Ximenez or Oloroso sherry casks. Spios is their 9th edition special distillation. It is fully matured in former American rye whiskey casks. While Spios translates as "spicy", I didn't find it overly so. Our host said he was skeptical at first at what they might end up with using rye whskey casks, but once fully matured, he was won over. I believe Whiskey.com gives it a 90 out of 100 rating.

I think my favorite was the Extremely Rare 18, but I found the Spios to be very interesting and actually bought a bottle for the liquor cabinet.

I've decided this year to branch out and try new bottles for my nightly cocktail. Here's my first purchase. I like it, a little on the peety side but that doesn't turn me off. Love the color too

https://photos.smugmug.com/Travel/Fl...732599_n-L.jpg

Did you pick that up in an NC ABC (alcohol) store, or at a duty free shop on one of your trips?

Too much ice!!

The ABC Store near my house actually (NC-55 in south Durham). They had some good deals on scotches and a better selection than I'm used to.

I love a lot of ice. Whether I'm "supposed to" or not, it's my drink and it's how I take it.

I'm curious what it runs in NC. VA ABC charges around $105. I got my current bottle at a Costco in Seaside, CA, for $45 (it was normally $65 but was on sale).

L16 standard price at CA Costco is $64.99. Lowest in US including many duty-frees.
There and HKG/SIN duty-free is where I replenish my go to, L16.

As I've said elsewhere, Lagavulin is a sledgehammer of a drink. But sometimes a sledgehammer is just the tool for the job.

The first time I ever tasted Lagavulin, I immediately realized it might not be perfect, but it was perfect for me and for my taste.
It is my water of life. I can't completely explain it. I just love it.

I really wish I could get into the smoky peaty scotches. I just don't like them. :(