Well, I prefer an Isley but in general I have to agree.

Which Isley? Ron or Ernie? :D

I really don't like Islay malts...they taste like you retrieved the bottle from the wreckage of your burnt down house.

Blanton's is my favorite. :)

Mea culpa. ;)

Lagavoulin is my favorite but I also like Bowmore and the 15 and above Laphroig. I like the more salty a bit more than the more smokey.

Try an older Islay. The barrel mellows them out. The 10 and 12 yrs are a little rough - like drinking a liquid 'band aid'. IMO most Scotch doesn't get better after 18yrs. They end up tasting more like the barrel (Bourbon) than Scotch. Islays, being so funky, can take almost unlimited barrel aging. BTW, this is a Bourbon thread and I love me some Pappy Van Winkle 20 ! Just got some back in. wj

For FTers in Ontario, Canada, I've seen some recent sightings of both Bulleit and a few Buffalo Trace products in even some smallish stores. Usually you can be fortunate to find even a Maker's Mark at most places.

I'm in Kanata now and all I can find is some Maker's. I was looking for Alberta Premium Rye, but no dice.

On the other hand, Blanton's bourbon is to be avoided at all costs. Just tastes like harsh heat with no flavor. And it gives me a headache.

I like Blanton's. Since you like Basil, maybe try it w/a cube or 2 to bring down the proof. Bulleit Bourbon is just OK IMO, but their Rye is brilliant.

Introduced to a new premium "Bourbon' type whiskey recently, supposedly winner of some recent contests. "1835" out of (God save me from such heresy!) Lewisville, Texas. Very pleasant, smooth and mild, but without the darker over-tones which i seek in corn whiskey.

At the same time, I was gifted with a bottle of "Yellow Rose" Rye from another Texas distiller. Impressive, with a full, rich flavor....

Just took the Anchor Brewery tour and the guide said they distill one barrel of whiskey a year (aged for 17) for personal consumption. I'd kill to get my hands on a taste. He also said they'll drastically scale up their distilling when they open their new brew house soon. Old Portrero is a great rye, so that's good news. They also make a decent gin.

I've found the Old Potrero very inconsistent over the years. One year the stuff would be chestnut brown, the next year the color of Mazola. Same product. If it wasn't dark brown I wouldn't buy it. Many props to Fritz Maytag for being one of the 1st micro-distillers of Rye though. Hopefully, the new owners will produce more consistent styles. Their gin (Junipero) has always been excellent IMO.

I tried the "1835" because they were practically giving it away at Spec's for less than $20 a bottle and I agree with every thing you said about it. Not disappointing exactly, but neither is it exceptional.

Going to have to give the Yellow Rose Rye a go, however. Bulleit Rye is my favorite lately, but you have to expand your horizons, or so they say. ;)

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

[email protected]

I read an article about Canadian Rye which said that Alberta Premium is the best Rye and the only one that is 100% Rye. But I couldn't find it in Ottawa. So I bought another bottle of Bulliet 95% Rye which I do like very much.

The article also said that most all the Rye whiskey made in the US uses Canadian rye.

That probably makes sense since Canada produces twice as much rye as the US. Of course, Russia, Poland, and Germany produce three times as much as Canada, but I'm guessing the transportation costs make Canadian rye a better deal.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

[email protected]