ON SALE! Cheap bottles of booze

LukehGee said:
I have always wondered if being a smoker or ex smoker has effected my taste and sense of smell. Like would I pick up more if I had never smoked?
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Been off the smokes for 10 years or so now, but I wonder the same.
 
eggbert said:
I kind of think this to a degree, however with coffee I can taste / smell most things that tasters mention. I can discern some of the flavours associated with Glenmoranjie but I got almost nothing except generic scotch out of the Ballantines.

But at least it gives me a starting point from which to learn.
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Do you enjoy them?
If yes, do the nuances of what you enjoy it ultimately matter?
 
It's very easy to make a previously enjoyable drink much less enjoyable by over analysing it.drink what you like not what some expert tells you that you should like.
 
I'm fairly new to whisky sipping, and have discovered a few I like, and a couple that I'm not so keen on.
I like exploring taste, and sensory perceptions, but had previously been put off whisky because my first encounters with it were huge peaty jobs (Lagavulin) , tasted like medicine (Laphroiag) or harsh, probably cheap blends ( I really don't remember other than thinking I didn't like it).
I've recently bought a few cheaper end single malts (Glenmoranjie, Glenfiddich, Glenlivet founders something or other- you know, your average BWS fair) and a few blends, and have recently decided to try tasting them and comparing notes to see what I get out of them. So far the Glenmoranjie has been my pick of the bunch, and after watching a review, I found I had sensed a few of the scents and flavours described by the reviewer.
However, I was surprised to find I got nothing from the Ballantines that Ralfy had described in his review. I honestly wasn't expecting much, as it was only a $40 blended whisky (I'm not a big fan of coffee blends, so kind of expected similar), but it really did just taste very generic. I was going to try upblending to see if it could improve the base, but wasn't inspired to bother after finishing my snifter.

I've got to admit that spending over $100 on a bottle is still a bit of a step to me, so I have hovered at the lower prices for a while. I notice the difference when I spend a little more, but not enough to feel confident another $30-40 will make my experience that much nicer, but as I'm pretty much off the beer now I want something else alcoholic I can enjoy.
 
A clean palate and I can taste all sorts of flavours that I couldn't previously.
I think the previous time I had finished off my toddlers ice cream after dinner and the cream must have completely coated my mouth.
While it's not as nice as the couple of single malts I have, the Balantines 12 isn't unpleasant to drink after all.
I also tried another trick which I've seen recommended for hot places. The glass has been put inside a stubby holder, and kept in the freezer between drinks. This cools the whisky down to the low 20s C - a temperature far closer to that which it is drunk in cooler climes, and it slowly gets a little warmer over the next half hour or so.
Far more impressed, and bore want to explore more flavours.
 
@eggbert Lagavulin 16 (I'm guessing that's the one you tried) is my favourite whiskey. I have not been game enough to have a glass since I went cold turkey from the smokes. They just seem to go hand in hand.

If your looking for a suggestion of something under 100 that won't be far off what you have been enjoying I would suggest highland park 12. Been a while since I bought a bottle but the last time I think I paid a bit over 70.
 
Seems like the thread got off track a little - back to the bargains.

Back into the country yesterday, and picked up a few DF bottles on arrival at YSSY:
  • Mount Gay XO Rum - I am sure that @Mark1966 approves
  • Ardmore 'Tradition' peated NAS (double matured - quarter cask finish)
  • Old Forrester 'Signature' 100 proof bourbon.
Cost me a total of $136. I may or may not have had more than 2250mL. 'Nothing to declare officer'.

You can also get Talisker 10 from Dans for $79.90, cheapest price on that I have seen for a bit. It is known as the core of most of JW blends for a long time.

Dans also has the Glengoyne 10 on a member offer for $69, saving of $6 off the normal price. Considering I got the 15 at $79 from Nicks recently, it just goes to show how good that deal was. Other member Deals includes the Balvenie 17 Double Wood which is a good deal at $149, and the 'Fiddich 21 Gran Reserva at $199 which is about $60 off. I'd personally prefer a 25yo Glenfarclas at that price but it is still a great whisky with not too much 'wrong' with it although some say the aftertaste is a bit short after an amazing nose. These prices finish April 30.
 
Monsta_AU said:
Seems like the thread got off track a little - back to the bargains.

Back into the country yesterday, and picked up a few DF bottles on arrival at YSSY:
  • Mount Gay XO Rum - I am sure that @Mark1966 approves
  • Ardmore 'Tradition' peated NAS (double matured - quarter cask finish)
  • Old Forrester 'Signature' 100 proof bourbon.
Cost me a total of $136. I may or may not have had more than 2250mL. 'Nothing to declare officer'.

You can also get Talisker 10 from Dans for $79.90, cheapest price on that I have seen for a bit. It is known as the core of most of JW blends for a long time.

Dans also has the Glengoyne 10 on a member offer for $69, saving of $6 off the normal price. Considering I got the 15 at $79 from Nicks recently, it just goes to show how good that deal was. Other member Deals includes the Balvenie 17 Double Wood which is a good deal at $149, and the 'Fiddich 21 Gran Reserva at $199 which is about $60 off. I'd personally prefer a 25yo Glenfarclas at that price but it is still a great whisky with not too much 'wrong' with it although some say the aftertaste is a bit short after an amazing nose. These prices finish April 30.
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I’m coming back in tomorrow - with two other PAX in tow. Not sure about the Mount Gay - I think I’ve tried it?
 
Liquorland appears to gave a half decent special this week on Glen Scotia 15YO at $109, $16 cheaper than at Nicks where it appears to be quite highly rated with scores of 94 and 91.

Not tried it, and not experienced b enough to comment on if this really is a good deal, but the reviews I've read seem to rate it fairly well.
 
Yep, that is a great deal, I paid $125 for a bottle about a month ago. I'd also consider a bottle of Loch Lomond 18 from the same distillery for a bit more, it has a bit more to it (peated). They also have Glenmorangie 10 at cheaper than Dan's advertised online price right now ($70).

Dans has the following offers worth buying:
  • Zacapa 23 Solera Rum (member offer) $89 ($5 off)
  • The Balvenie 14yo Carribean (rum) Cask $110 ($28 off)
There's a deal on a local vodka/absinthe distillery who does a smoked version and also a Lemon Myrtle version: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/376633
 
The Loch Lomond 12 didn't have very good reviews that I could find, so had dismissed the range.
Well, flavour descriptors of burnt rubber don't really entice me anyway.

Was temped with the Glen Scotia 15 but just worked out it didn't make it to the NT.
 
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Not sure it it a 'cheap' bottle but an interesting selection for $15 if you have spent money already at first choice -



They also have a sale on spirits at the moment
 
20% off "featured" whiskies (includes some bourbons / irish whiskeys) at https://www.vintagecellars.com.au/

Probably not that great a deal for most of you, but when they are the place with the widest choice until Dan's gets built (and that's out for tender!!) it's worth a look.
 
For Perth members, annual 30% off Sale at the Re Store in Leederville. Was in yesterday and scored a few bots.
 
Not sure how good of a deal it is but Aldi has the laphroaig 10 year for $75
 
Rami said:
Not sure how good of a deal it is but Aldi has the laphroaig 10 year for $75
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Seems like a reasonable deal - but Nick's beat it!

Aldi 700ml - https://www.aldi.com.au/en/special-...tail/ps/p/laphroaig-10yo-scotch-whisky-700ml/ $10.71 per 100ml

Nicks 700ml - https://www.nicks.com.au/laphroaig-10-year-old-single-malt-scotch-whisky-700ml-2658 $12.71 per 100ml

Nicks 1000ml - https://www.nicks.com.au/laphroaig-10-year-old-single-malt-scotch-whisky-1000ml $8.99 per 100ml
 
When do they do their whisky special at Aldi? Tempted with asking one of you to buy one for me and send one of them up - Their own brand was supposed to be a fairly reasonable drop wasn't it?
 
Which one are you after?
What are you willing to trade for it ? ;)
 
While not actually on sale, the guys who run thewhiskylist recommend purchasing some Ben Nevis 10 because:
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Not sure how true this is, but recent reviews have given the BN10 much higher scores than it previously had.
 
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