The perfect nightcap..?

You have nowhere to go but cask strength. The Laphroaig CS couldn't hurt--but for a real change of pace try icing the evening with a warm, rich, sherry-red Aberlour A'Bunadh.

Certainly on a par.... Caol Ila 15 (or 18 if you can't get it) and Bowmore 17.

I believe I read on the bottle, or elsewhere, that a'bunadh means "the origin."

Some minimal googling produces this:

A`bunadh means "made in the original and natural way".

I'm a peat, smoke and tar addict (Islays and Talisker, basically) and since I don't have the budget for a big collection, I ignore almost everything from the mainland.

The Aberlour a`bunadh is a notable exception. It couldn't be more different from the Islays, but it packs a huge sherry punch. In its own way, it is as startling an experience as your first taste of a young, peaty, in-your-face Ardbeg. It will certainly take your mind off whatever you were drinking before.

Enjoy.

bill

Laphroaig 10 at 43% instead of 40% (1,0l bottle) Laphroaig 10 cask strength Very Young Ardbeg 6y

Serge,

Absolutely! Nice guide to Longrow. Although, I am not as big a fan of the nonvintage contemporary bottlings. I don't know the international marketplace asking prices for 700ml bottlings, so that is very helpful.

I don't typically point people in the Longrow direction because it's even more important to get the details of the bottling just right.The ultimate for me is the 21yo 1974 OB, with the 18yo 1974 OB a close second. The few Samaroli's I've been privileged to try have been excellent.

I'm generally also not a fan of "finished" whisky because of the prophetic nature of what it implies after you've paid your money and opened the bottle.