A couple of weekends ago, I was in the whisky wilderness of Michigan, where the state controls wholesale distribution and dictates retail prices. Normally, that's a Bad Thing; the prices were generally higher than what I have seen around Chicago, and there's only a small selection of interesting bottles available from the state wholesaler at any given time. Few stores have a decent selection of single malts.
However, there's always the off chance that a rare bottle or two will sit on a shelf for a long time -- and when that happens, the store still has to sell it at the state-mandated price, even if it might be worth more in a free market.
In an unnamed store, I noticed a Cadenhead's bottle with the black-and-white label. Looking closer, it was an 11-year-old Port Ellen (1981/1992), cask strength, Cadenhead's 150th Anniversary bottling.
*SNAG!*
At $81, the price was quite reasonable for something that rare, especially considering the Chicago price for Lagavulin 16! I just opened the bottle tonight. At a whopping 64.1% ABV, I found that it definitely needs some water, and it opens up nicely once the water's added.
Notes: (keep in mind that I'm a rank amateur at whisky tasting - especially in terms of describing whisky flavors and scents) Color: pale golden; out of the bottle, it's slightly darker than Ardbeg TEN or the Signatory UCF Caol Ila that I have. Nose: You can tell it's an Islay of the peaty kind, with a hint of the sea. Palate: A bit mellower than Laphroaig 10CS or Ardbeg TEN; it reminds me more of a Lagavulin (but without Laga 16's touch of sherry). It has a delicate but lingering smoky finish. I'd give it a 92, and a +3 bonus for rarity. I might never see another bottle of this. :( As much as I like it, it'll be one dram only when I drink it... and I think I better get some smaller bottles for decanting. At least it's a cask strength bottling!
My verdict is, the closing of Port Ellen was a crime against whisky.
Aside from my FOAF, I also received a bottle of Laphroaig 15 for my birthday that same weekend. Mmmmmmmm. A bit mellower than the 10CS that I've had, but definitely a Laphroaig. Another solid 92... but no rarity bonus.
Some other recent drams: Caol Ila 1990/2003 (Signatory UCF): Another nice excursion into Peatville. (90) Lots of flavor for somthing that pale...
Glenfarclas 12 (OB): A good, solid, nicely sherried Speysider. (86)
Chivas Regal 12: A nice blend, with a definite Speyside influence. (81)
Johnnie Walker Black (50 ml miniature): I'd give it a tie with the Chivas. (81)
Glen Ord 12 (OB, 250 ml): A bit on the harsh side. (75)
Non-Scotch: Black Bush (Irish blend): Smoooooooooth. Easy drinking; almost too easy. (86)
Connemara (Irish single malt, NAS): Irish that took a detour through Islay (or maybe Orkney). Not a peat monster, but very nicely done! (87) Now I'm going to have to try the cask strength version...
Cognac Guy Lhéraud (VSOP, Fine Petite Champagne, Domaine de Lasdoux): My first foray into Cognac; very mellow, slightly sweet, reasonably priced. I like. (85)
I wonder how Scotch would do if aged in a Cognac cask?
Russ