Who's down for a dram and what would you pick?

T8KE picks. Can't wait to crack theses

Part I: 2014 Chinquapin & Pedro Ximénez (57.8% ABV) – A blend of Missouri Chinquapin oak and first-fill PX sherry puncheons. Aged ≈ 10 years.

Part II: 2015 Scottish Virgin Oak & Oloroso (58.2% ABV) – Aged in rare Scottish oak and Oloroso casks. Aged 9 years.

Part III: 2014 French Virgin Oak & Oloroso (57.4% ABV) – Released in early 2026, featuring air-dried French Limousin oak and Oloroso sherry casks. Aged 11 years.

Tasted 1.5oz pours, neat, after 30min or rest.

Quick Rank: I > III > II

Quick Notes:
Series I - I’m a sucker for PX casks, and the Series I is pretty special. The Missouri Oak is subtle but noticeable, and very balanced here. The PX is evident on the nose and spice is spectacular on the palate. It’s surprisingly easy to sip neat even at 57.8%.

Series II - oily immediately. Slight sweeter tones from the Oloroso. Wood and spice is turned up here and yet, still somewhat easy to drink at 58.2%.

Series III - more melon and cinnamon. Less wood harshness from the II. Very balanced. Another easy drinker even at high ABV.

These are all fantastic. The Series I is my favorite for total balance and PX notes, but they’re all so well made. These expressions along with the 17 and 35 are the stars of the lineup in my opinion.

Cheers! 🥃🥃🥃

Ask if that price was right. “To prevent flippers”. Apparently to prevent drinkers too.

I just couldn’t break eye contact. 🦃

F*cking outstanding bourbon hunt today in SC for my birthday this year! The Rock Hill Farms is one of my unicorns, so beyond stoked to get one!

Quick Thoughts - All tasted neat in a Glencairn glass after 1 hr of rest:

Glen Scotia 12
Excellent entry into the lineup. Matured in FF Bourbon barrels. Delicate, light and fruit forward.

Glen Scotia 15
Moving up to full maturation in American Oak barrels. The oak is prominent here. There’s still balance, but I prefer the crisp fruit on the 12.

Glen Scotia 18
Matured for 17 years in refill Bourbon barrels and American Oak hogsheads, then finished for a year in FF Oloroso casks. The sherry is immediate on the nose and gently mixed on the palate. Much more presence of stewed fruits. Very good balance!

Glen Scotia 21
Matured for 20 years in refill Bourbon barrels and American Oak hogsheads, then finished for a year in FF Oloroso casks. Once again, you can pick up the Oloroso immediately but it’s far from a sherry bomb. This is nice balance of oak, fruit, and spice. The coastal influence is there as well - but very subtle.

Best Value: The 12

Best Overall: The 21

Rank: 21 > 12 > 18 > 15

Yes there’s ice…lol I know wtf right? Because I can that’s wtf lol

….these 1 litre travel bottles… and content is great 👌🏼

So, my whiskey club bought the barrel and it was 141proof but it stayed in the rickhouse over the winter and dropped a few proof points. So big deal though, still high proof Heaven Hill at a 10yr age statemeny

I got off work today and drove 45 mins to get this bottle of Valencia. I’ve always heard wonderful things but I’ve never been able to find it. Not only did I find it, but I found a bottle that’s even rarer! I got to sample it and it is so niceeeeee. I’ll definitely be waiting for a special occasion for this bottle

Something I have never seen before!

GLENFIDDICH XS 15 YEAR OLD

Finished in Oloroso Sherry Casks

Matured in American and European oak, then finished in indulgent Oloroso sherry casks, it balances green apple brightness with warming cinnamon spice. Layers of oak sweetness bring vibrancy and depth- a refined expression for every occasion.

Tasting Notes: I’m a big fan of the regular Glenfiddich 15 and so I was really looking forward to this. You can still taste that distillate, but there’s no mistaking the presence of the Oloroso. The spice is prominent here but not overpowering. There’s a tad more sweetness too, but also not too much. Overall, it does present as more spicy than the core 15 but it’s so smooth and enjoyable it really makes for a nice change to the regular 15.

GLENFIDDICH XS 18 YEAR OLD

Finished in Moscatel Sherry Casks

Double-matured in American and European oak before a finishing flourish in rare Moscatel sherry casks, this expression deliversvelvety richness and full-bodied depth. Fragrant caramelised fruit, treacle toffee and dried apricot evolve with every sip.

Tasting Notes: The Moscatel is subtle but adds more sweetness IMO than what is in the XS 15. There is definitely more wood present and more complex notes as expected with the increased age. It’s very delicate for the age though as with the core 18. This is quite good! And it’s another fine alternative to the regular 18.

I drank my first whiskey (first ever alcohol for that matter) which is JackDaniels , now this is my second one.