Just arrived...

Which one are you going for?

Easy enough call. The Jameson is growing on me but the Redbreast wins across nose, palate, finish. Unsurprising. Winner: Redbreast Lustau #whiskey #whisky #Whiskeyfaceoff #Jameson #Redbreast

"follow your nose Jim"... Remember when we used to be cool? Get rid of the cock-wombles in the crowd at the Ryder Cup FFS.... youtu.be/oYJ8b28Cd88?...

For folks wondering how I decide which whiskies appear in my face-offs, I don't! I have a randomised selector (aka "The Gods of Random Whiskey") which chooses the whiskies for me. I just honour those choices.

Which one are you going for?

Both very similar on the nose. Approachable. Honeyed notes, juicy fruit. The PJL was a bit spiky on the palate. The Green Spot more rounded. That gave it to the GS for me. Winner: Green Spot #whiskey #whisky #Whiskeyfaceoff #GreenSpot #Powers

Bottlekill of my first ever bottle of Ardbeg. Definitely a wee bit glum as it might be a while before I open another bottle of it.

Which one are you going for?

Wordle 1,544 1/6 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 😯

Another face-off that was all about red fruit. I thought the smoke would have just edged the Ledaig for me, but honestly couldn’t choose between them. Winner: Draw #whiskey #whisky #Whiskeyfaceoff #Bunnahabhain #Ledaig

Deid #bottlekill

Which one are you going for?

The Dingle was much fruitier on both nose and palate. Boiled sweets - cola cubes, a big bowl of red fruit. The Green Spot was more white fruit by comparison (apple). The GS was a little spicier. Both enjoyable. Winner: Dingle #whiskey #whisky #Whiskeyfaceoff #Dingle #GreenSpot

Did I miss a memo? Is it a national day for wallboxes?

Which one are you going for? This will be interesting. I've not spent a lot of time with these whiskies, so I've no preconceived idea of which one I'll like more. Also a reflection on how much more Irish whiskey I've got in my collection now.

The LL is described as “heavily peated” but it doesn’t come through for me on the nose On the palate, it is lovely. I enjoy my whisky on the nose as much as the palate and the finish. The Deanston covers that spectrum nicely. Winner: Deanston #whiskey #whisky #Whiskeyfaceoff #Deanston #LochLomond

Which one are you going for?

Trying something new. A sample from a friend. Young, a bit zesty, but coffee and sherry notes. Shows promise but needs more time in the cask.

Which one are you going for?

Still unsure about the Jameson Black Barrel. Maybe it'll grow on me - very fruity and spicy (spikey)? Not getting any toffee that others have described. Wouldn't describe it as a daily sipper. But then, I've changed my mind before about whiskies so maybe this one too....?

Wow. Lots of red fruit from both of these. Blast of coffee too from the Miyagikyo initially. However that faded away. Miyagikyo had a slight acetone note towards the end. Ledaig was rounder and softer. Ledaig nicked it at the end. Winner: Ledaig #whiskey #whisky #Whiskeyfaceoff #Ledaig #Miyagikyo

Which one are you going for? TFIF.

I love smoke. But I also have a sweet tooth. The Szareac Rye is like candy floss on the nose and initially on the palate is more enjoyable. But then the Ardbeg comes roaring back as it develops later on the palate and lingers better. Winner: Draw #whiskey #whisky #Whiskeyfaceoff #Ardbeg #Szaerac

Which one are you going for?

I've selected the Ledaig Rioja for my next bottle kill. I've just not liked it as much as others. Having said that, tasting this outside of face-off, its flaws aren't highlighted as much and so I enjoyed it a wee bit more. Loads left, so I'll gift some to others who might appreciate it more.

@2dramsofwhiskey.bsky.social kindly provided me with a sample of Connemara Turf Mor after I told him I'd never tried it. Plus another mystery whiskey into the bargain. So this face-off is semi-blind I guess. Looking forward to it.

Finally got to visit on Sunday past. Guess the pub....

Bushmills. At 46%.

And now for something, completely different....

After a week in the whiskey desert that is Salou, Spain.... glad to be home.

A Ralfy inspired purchase...I generally don't do FOMO but this sounded right in my wheelhouse..... Ledaig 18 yr old apparently...

Tour yesterday. Didn't take too many photos.

Present. Anyone tried this?

Which one are you going for?

Grain whiskey, cabernet sauvignon finish.... This could be interesting.

Two enjoyable whiskies. The face-off showed an agricultural note in the Bunna I normally associate with Islay peat which is odd given it's unpeated. Brine too. Fruit is more unripened versus the deep dark red of the Lustau. Winner: Lustau #whiskey #whisky #Whiskeyfaceoff #Bunnahabhain #Redbreast

Two enjoyable whiskies. The face-off showed an agricultural note in the Bunna I normally associate with Islay peat which is odd given it's unpeated. Brine too. Fruit is more unripened versus the deep dark red of the Lustau. Winner: Lustau #whiskey #whisky #Whiskeyfaceoff #Bunnahabhain #Redbreast

Which one are you going for?

Delivery day...

Have to say the Rare Breed on the first pour was a little disappointing. Not sure what I expected - something with more depth compared to the 101. It's cask strength and does run hot. I added water until I was satisfied but at that point it was more or less identical to the 101. Which I like. But...

Which one are you going for?

I like the standard Laphroaig 10 but this particular batch of cask strength isn't for me. Looking forward to its bottle kill to make room on the shelf to open up something else. Winner: Ledaig #whiskey #whisky #Whiskeyfaceoff #Laphroaig #Ledaig

Which one are you going for?

Non-whiskey post! Who is this? Assuming it's a player but no idea who.

I think I'm going to always have an open Ardbeg in the collection. The Miyagikyo Grande is a lovely whiskey with a superb, rounded sherry finish. But the smoke wins for me. Winner: Ardbeg #whiskey #whisky #Whiskeyfaceoff #Ardbeg #Nikka