Drumguish.

I've always preferred the RED over the BLACK.

De gustibus, etc. In a way, you're fortunate, since you get to save some money. And you get to save even more, since there would be no point in you trying other single or vatted malt whiskies.

There are many people who prefer some robusta beans in their coffee, as well, including most of Italy.

-- Larry

I'm not quite sure what you mean by this post. I don't drink coffee for one although I know what Arabrica and Robusta are.

For two I don't really like Johnny Walker but many people I know keep bottles of this stuff and always seem to offer me some. They seem to thinks it's premium and the thoughts are well-intentioned. I've never like the taste of the Black always trying to get a Red to the surprise of the hosts.

It's thanksgiving here this weekend so I gave thanks to with a sampling of Glendronach 15 year old.

I'm not much of a Johnnie Walker fan at all to be honest, I just used it as a cost example that's fairly universal due to it's international market penetration. If I'm drinking blended I'd much rather have a glass of Vat 69.

Actually, if I'd looked more closely and seen the screw-cap on the Drumguish it would have clued me in to how much value it's makers put on it. I don't think I've bought a SMSW that didn't have a cork stopper before.

Slainte,

Have you noticed how many $50+ wined now bear screw-on caps? They're actually better than either natural or synthetic corks. In ten years, it's likely that you'll have a hard time finding an actual cork in any wine bottle.

Whisky is actually trailing the trend here..

-- Larry

Yeah, I know that a lot of wines are using screw tops. I used to work in the wine industry 20 years ago and we used to debate the pros and cons of screw-caps. The biggest 'con' was the perceived quality. It was thought back then that the premium wines will always use natural corks, it's an inherent part of what makes a good wine in too any people's eyes to be replaced anytime soon.

I think the same thing will happen with whisky (where it's not quite so important that the bottle be completely airtight. Whisky doesn't go off quickly and completely with a little oxidation like wine). The better SMSWs will always use cork stoppers IMO, the cheaper ones, like this Drumguish, will likely use screwcaps. MY point was that this is the first single malt scotch whisky I've ever bought that used a screw-cap and (not so) coincidently, it tastes like paint stripper.

I thought (was lead to believe) that the low price was because it was a loss-leader to get people into the liquor chain outlets. It was widely advertised. However, after tasting it I think it was *overpriced* and if that was the first SMSW I'd ever tried I'd never have touched another.