A couple of years ago I hosted a Scotch tasting for some friends. It was enough of a success to make it an annual event. My 3rd is coming up this weekend. Looks like a cozy little crew of 6.

Here's the line up

Auchroisk 1992, 14 yr, finsihed in Syrah casks, bottled by Murray McDavid
Glen Grant 25 yr, bottled by Gordon & MacPhail
Highland Park 1989, 16 yr, finished in port casks, bottled by Murray McDavid
Coal Ila 1984, 18 yr, bottled by First Cask
Bowmore 17 yr, distillery bottled
Port Ellen 1982, 24 yr, bottled by Dewar Rattray

Should be a good time. Too bad it will be raining here and we won't get a chance to light up a stick.

I'll post pics and comment of the event next week.

Does anyone have any Scotch tasting stories to share?
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No stories to share of organized tastings like this. At a local Irish pub has half off all Irish Whiskeys and Single Malts during their Monday happy hour. So a buddy of mine and I go in occasionally and have mini tastings when Scotches in the 18-25 year range are almost affordable. :-)
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What, no smoking inside? Who is calling the shots over there?

Sounds like a great line up. I hope no one is driving home...

My only worthy Scotch tasting story is that a friend of mine says he has a good palette could tell the difference in the Scotch he owns. I served him one Scotch, he guessed and was wrong. I served him the say Scotch again and guess something totally different and was wrong again... We were all laughing at him!
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Man, that sounds great Ian. Have a great time!

You already know my 'tasting' story over from CS. :-)

I just posted an update....very strange indeed.
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Um...Scotch tasting done.

Good...

Um...

will post more tomorrow...

:-)
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Took a day off to recuperate.:-)

It wasn't really that bad, just forgot to post on this yesterday.

The tasting went very well. A cozy little group of 5, with 2 newbies. One was a real newbie to Scotch.

I only took one pic, and that was just of the line up before we got started.

The Bowmore and the Highland Park were the common favourites.

We had spring water and unsalted crackers between samples to help cleanse our palates.

After the formal part of the tasting we had another sociable or two along with a few snacks (Scottish shortbread, smoked gouda, malt cheddar, capicolo, prosciutto,smoked maple mild pepperoni, smoked maple salmon pate, milk and dark chocolate).

Everyone had a great time (and we didn't scare off the newbie). We even started making plans to have another one this summer that will include cigars.
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Nice! I have a Signatory bottling of Highland Park from 1992 and it is outstanding. I'm definitely no Scotch expert but it is the best I've had. Sounds like a lot of fun!
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Time for another Scotch tasting!!! and there's going to be cigars too!:-)

Here's what's on our tasting list for tonight:

Macallan 18 Fine Oak
Auchentoshan 1998
Clynelish 14
Aberlour A’bundah
Bowmore 17
Caol Ila 1996 by Gordon & MacPhail

We are going to start the evening with some Innis & Gunn beer (the Canada Day edition). I have some Cohiba minis for a short smoke half way through and some bigger cigars for after the formal part of the tasting.

Lots of great snacks including meats, cheeses and smoked char.

Should be a great night. I'll post some pics tomorrow.
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hmmmm thats a sweet idea...I think I might have to host a bourbon tasting at my place :-)
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Sounds great. I haven't got my full faculties right now, but if you need any ideas let me know.:-)
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Holy moly !! only six to share these beauties :-) and no cigars :-)

You'd think it was in Washington!


Uhhh ... this isn't in Washington is it? I'll be there in a heartbeat! :-)
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I keep meaning to take pictures at the tastings but quickly lose the idea when things get rolling.

I just hosted another tasting this past weekend and we had great success.

The line up:

The Singleton of Dufftown 12
Glenkinchie 12
Bunnahabhain 18
Bruichladdich 18 2nd ed.
Bowmore 15
Glenfarclas 15

With 12 people in attendance this was our largest event yet. It was a little crowded but people seemed to really enjoy themselves.

We had smoked char, meats and cheeses, cookies and chocolate to snack on after the formal part of the tasting.

I actually took some pics for this one, so I'll go and get the camera now...:-)
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Looks like it was a good time Ian.

Thanks for the pics brother!
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Looks like a great tasting and good fun all the way around -- wish I would have looked you up when I was on the Rock earlier this Spring :-)
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You should have. How was your visit?
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i am fairly new to scotch and have never been to a tasting. i have a cadenheads that hosts tastings right around the corner. I might go to one after all the holidays.
these are the "beginner" line ups that they are offering right now (please give me your opinion on them):
1)
# Moidart 10y/o 46% -Pure Malt Whisky
# Redbreast 12y/o 40%
# Balvenie 12y/o 40%
# Balblair Distillery 1990 · 18Y/O 46%
# Scapa 14y/o 40%
# Springbank 10y/o 46%
# Longrow 1996 10y/o 46%
# 1842 Cadenhead "Campbeltown from the cask" 56,4%
# Mortlach Distillery 16Y/O 46% /Sherrywood
2)

# Moidart 10Y/O 46%
# Tomatin 12Y/O 40%
# Glen Grant Distillery 13Y/O 46% /Sherrywood
# Auchentoshan Distillery 1990 19Y/O 56.8%
# Springbank Distillery 15Y/O 46%
# Glenlossie Distillery 1993 14Y/O 57.6% /Portwood
# Pulteney Distillery 1990 18Y/O 57.2%
# Longrow CV 46%
# Caol Ila Distillery 1995 13Y/O 60.4% /Refill Sherry
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Hmmm...do you have a choice or are they all part of one tasting flight?

In the first lineup, I'm only familiar with the Scapa and Balvenie. Both are great. The Scapa is milder. I think the Sprinbank is also very good, but I think I only had it once.

In the second lineup, I know Auchentoshan (worth a try), Old Pultney (I've only had an 8 yr old version), I love Caol Ila, but it may require some getting used to. It's peaty.

Sorry I couldn't be more help.

If they have such a great selection. Just ask the bartender to walk you through a tasting. Starting out I would stick to 3-4 samples. After that your taste buds may start to get over whelmed.

Hope this helps.
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I'd say you should be able to catch a buzz if you make it through both flights.
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cadenheads is a whisky store/oldest independent bottler (http://www.wmcadenhead.com/). They have somebody there that talks about scotch history, production... I plan on getting a bottle of either tomatin or glenlivet before i spend money on a tasting seminar.
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I was on the Rock for a 2-day conference but had limited free time. I hooked up with one of the local ASC old-timers for a quick tour and a smoke. :-)

Hopefully a longer stay next time :-)
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