I was asked what my favourite cask finish was for Springbank and had to admit that I hadn’t done any comparison for some years. So tonight I shall spend a few hours and report back tomorrow. #whisky

Thompson Bros seem to be offering decent value so I decided to give this one a go.

Difficult choices. Soft caramel coated cherries or chocolate orange.

Lagavulin and PX casks ❤️ Smoky Christmas cake. And I'm getting old tractor parked in a barn on this Springbank. Higher ABV's are really overrated in my opinion. #whisky

@thewhiskywire.bsky.social samples for @bravenewspirits.bsky.social tasting are in the library!

After 10 dry days caused by a gall stone I'm enjoying a fresh palate. The ER has a toffee popcorn note that I really like. The Johnnie Blue is just a fabulous easy sipper. #whisky #bourbon

Another auction find arrived. Never bid while drinking 🤣 #whisky

Having a dry week but picked up this 1996 Kilbeggan at auction for £20. #whiskey

This Talisker is even more smoky and maritime than the distillery bottlings but still has the chilli pepper notes. Absolutely delicious and sadly nearly finished, I shall miss it. #whisky

Eagle Rare is one of the classic bourbons in my opinion. Where I am it’s readily available and affordable. The Dorado is really interesting, the mesquite smoke really works with Singke Malt. #whiskey #bourbon

Neck pour so no opinions. Getting a lot of wood (so to speak) on this one. #whisky

Happy New Year!

A subtly smoky, salty, dark fruit and fresh herb filled Ardmore with @whisky.vanjaarsveldt.com.

What a great dram this is. Their notes are way better than mine would be, all I'll say is wow! #whisky

A funky yet fantastic Cragganmore, I thoroughly enjoy this distillery. I poured a dram for myself and a friend then @whisky.vanjaarsveldt.com immediately chipped in with ‘where is mine’.

Non-Scotch that I love theme. The Far North and Kilbeggan are my favourites here but I would always welcome a dram of any of these! I think I prefer plain Sagamore to this CS, it's a little rounder & deeper but this is still delicious! #whiskey #rye #bourbon

Having friends round and fancied some bourbon, rye & American Single Malt tonight. Starting with George T Stagg & seeing where the night will go from there. It's a really good bourbon but I can see no relationship between it and Stagg (Jr)! #bourbon

More from the same distilleries with @whisky.vanjaarsveldt.com. An oily Balmenach and a more tropical Clynelish.

@whisky.vanjaarsveldt.com and I got very lucky with our mystery malts, now it’s time to try them.

A wine cask exploration tonight. We avoided Glenallachie for this one, it deserves it's own flight! #whisky

In support of my fellow Kilchoman enthusiasts 🤣 The Calvados cask is superb. #whisky

Last drams of Christmas. Back to normal from tomorrow! It's been a fantastic lineup today, @distilling-wisdom.com , his girlfriend and I have enjoyed every minute! #whisky

Following on from @whisky.vanjaarsveldt.com’s selection, there was no topping it for age statements so I have chosen what I believe to be some of the best whiskies in this collection.

Final Advent dram of this crazy calendar was this G&M Glen Albyn 31 from 1975. Really oily and thick but very enjoyable. No chance of guessing it though!

Today’s theme is over 30s. It will take @distilling-wisdom.com and I a very pleasurable few hours to get through these. #whisky

Merry Christmas! Just popped this 52yo Ben Nevis from Thompson Bros. Orchard fruit, almond croissant, pot pourri. #whisky

Nightcaps, have to save some energy for tomorrow! The Lagavulin is in the kill zone, it's been a great dram. The SM'OAK! is one of my favourites, hickory smoked BBQ ribs. Tomorrow's theme is over 30s which should be interesting! #whisky

Ending the evening strong with some familiar, yet impressive, drams. @whisky.vanjaarsveldt.com over to you for the first drams tomorrow.

My turn to choose drams between 12 and 30 for @distilling-wisdom.com. It's Christmas Eve so you have to go large and on my shelves these are large! #whisky

Day 24: We settled on it being Glen Grant but had Allt-a-Bhainne or Caperdonich as possibilities. That lovely perfumed, floral light spirit. #whisky

Myself and @whisky.vanjaarsveldt.com starting with these four drams today. Starting with an old Glen Garioch back from when they ran lightly peated whisky, then Aldunie (teaspooned Kininvie), a single cask Speyburn and finally 23 year old Aberfeldy. My first time trying Kininvie.

I set the theme of 12 and under for @distilling-wisdom.com for this evening and these were his first 4 choices. Young, lively, vibrant whiskies like these are a real treat. #whisky

Advent 23: Advent Dram Day 23: Both Gabriel & I called this immediately. No chance of calling the specific bottle, I said young cage bottle or hand fill. I haven't had the latest version of this but this one is gorgeous, slightly less peat but all the orange soda and funky goodness. #whisky

Young ex-bourbon cask Lagavulin is magic. Ashy, smoky layers built on butterscotch. Banger! #whisky

Day 21: No chance of guessing this but we both picked up grain. This is pretty and floral. #whisky

Back home for the holidays, I haven’t tried this particular Lochlea before but I’m excited for it. The Glenrothes I tried at a whisky festival, I’m refreshing my memory of it with @whisky.vanjaarsveldt.com.

My son and his girlfriend have arrived bringing the Christmas whisky with. Should be a decent Christmas 😍 #whisky

This is a decent list. Usually I look at these lists and wonder if the people have even tried whisky before! vinepair.com/articles/wa-...

Day 21 is quite sherry forward. Nice though.

Day 20. 🤨? Me neither. Anyway, it's very pleasant. Overripe clementines, liquorice, some leather, quite spicy and some lovely sweet undertones. #whisky

Friday-yay! First up the advent dram, not a bad dram. Next my favourite bourbon, just smooth cherry, vanilla, nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon, caramel. After sweet comes peat, tropical fruit, salty, smoky Caol Ila and smoky dried fruit Bunnahabhain. #whisky #bourbon

I guessed the advent dram! Decided on two stunners to go alongside it. The floral icing sugar Kilkerran which develops into a leathery Pina colada & the Powers, creamy vanilla, apple and shortbread dipped in milk chocolate but balanced with powdered ginger and white pepper. #whiskey #whisky

This advent calendar just keeps on giving. Two very nice drams today and now I'm all caught up. #whisky

The advent torment just went up a notch. The website is broken so I don't know what the second 2 are 😱

This advent calendar is quite something. Still catching up so 8, 9, 10, 11 are: Ardnamurchan AD/09.20:01 Inaugural Release Mannochmore 10 "The Manager's Dram" 2018 Fuji Gotemba Single Malt Springbank 10 (2017) 60% bourbon 40% Oloroso

Not a bad set if I say so myself and two crackers to finish off the Blind Drams for 2025. #BlindDrams

Advent dram day 7, again no chance of guessing it but what a great dram. Lots of white grapes, white pepper and green apples.

#BlindDrams after dram. This is incredible. Fruity, elegant, floral. Proper notes next time!

Dram 5: Score 5! Cracker! #BlindDrams

Dram 5: Cordite, aniseed, ash, brine Palate Same again with blackberry, figs, candied orange peel Finish Baking spices, aniseed, smoke and some more smoke Delicious! #BlindDrams