ON SALE! Cheap bottles of booze

I have to take back what I said about Makers. It's pretty average. I picked up a bottle on special, as my preferred JWB wasn't. I used to find Makers a rung up from Jack, having a bit more smoke and a creamier taste. Not any more. It's pretty one dimensional, quite thin tasting, a decent flavour, but it disappears very quickly. JWB does it better. JW Green has more complexity and flavours than both, and I think it's this that's altered my cheap palette.

I still can't detect individual flavours and whatnot, but I can tell if a drink has layers, and whether I like whatever is I'm tasting. But when I come across a bottle that's a bit meh, Ralfy comes to the rescue. I top up Makers with a dash of Green and a teaspoon of water (which I do to all my sippers anyway) and get something more than sippable. The Green asserts itself on the cheap stuff, but you still get the bourbon-ness of the Makers.

Any cheap scotch or bourbon can benefit from a drop of the good stuff (whatever that may be to you), it's how master blenders go about their work. Quick and dirty home 'blending' such as this is a good way to make something dull into something better, and also stretches out your top shelf stuff.
 
If you drink enough Green Label, then yes you will not enjoy the cheaper stuff as much. But if you aren't enjoying Makers now, then going back to Jack or Beam White will kill you. Makers is far more refined than either, and I like it better than Dickel as a sipper which is strange as it is $10 cheaper. But I think you are right in that the quality has seemingly gone down - some of the stuff that would have gone off into blended 'non-branded bottlings' for someone else is being held back more and lowering the quality as demand increases. The 46 is seriously superior but double the price.

I added a few drops of Aberlour 12 into the remaining drams of Auchentoshan American Oak when I was finishing it. Very different flavour profile once the oxidisation started to turn it very one-dimensional. That little bit of sherry definitely turned what what ended up a very malty/biscuity ex-bourbon barrelled drop in a new sweeter, spicier direction. Certainly helped get it down.
 
If you drink enough Green Label, then yes you will not enjoy the cheaper stuff as much. But if you aren't enjoying Makers now, then going back to Jack or Beam White will kill you. Makers is far more refined than either, and I like it better than Dickel as a sipper which is strange as it is $10 cheaper. But I think you are right in that the quality has seemingly gone down - some of the stuff that would have gone off into blended 'non-branded bottlings' for someone else is being held back more and lowering the quality as demand increases. The 46 is seriously superior but double the price.

I added a few drops of Aberlour 12 into the remaining drams of Auchentoshan American Oak when I was finishing it. Very different flavour profile once the oxidisation started to turn it very one-dimensional. That little bit of sherry definitely turned what what ended up a very malty/biscuity ex-bourbon barrelled drop in a new sweeter, spicier direction. Certainly helped get it down.
Damn, just bought the Dickel as a sipper (could only find the 8, and as I have lost my phone, I couldn't remember your other recommendations). Not that impressed to tell the truth, can't taste much difference between that and the cooking Bolt (?) whiskey I just finished.
 
Damn, just bought the Dickel as a sipper (could only find the 8, and as I have lost my phone, I couldn't remember your other recommendations). Not that impressed to tell the truth, can't taste much difference between that and the cooking Bolt (?) whiskey I just finished.

You really have to move up to the middle shelf to get decent whiskey - Scotch or otherwise. $60 is probably the minimum, and that's for stuff that's on special and is usually 10-15 more. To begin with, you might not notice a big difference, unless you find something you really like, as I did with JW Green. Then its obvious straight away.

Then as per this thread, when you go back to the cheaper stuff after a decent break, the penny drops. You can tell what's missing. I tried a lot of whiskies during tastings, and some of the really expensive stuff I don't even like, so I thought, 'why does this cost so much?' But you get a lot of diversity at the top end. That all gets blended and blanded out when you move down the shelves. Jack and Jim are coke and ginger whiskys. For people that like tasting whisky, as opposed to necking alcohol, they aren't drinkable neat or rocked.
 
Damn, just bought the Dickel as a sipper (could only find the 8, and as I have lost my phone, I couldn't remember your other recommendations). Not that impressed to tell the truth, can't taste much difference between that and the cooking Bolt (?) whiskey I just finished.

I personally think the #8 is fine, I prefer the #12, but that's just personal opinion. It does have a different mashbill so it will taste different. Probably has a touch more flavour than Makers but the Makers comes in at $44 here, and Dickel #12 is $55 (my last bottle was $46). I think the Makers is better value.

The 'cheapie' bottles you have never heard of get under-quality barrels from Dickel, Makers, even Beam & JD. Sometimes you get a really good blend, sometimes horrible. Part of the fun of getting the cheap 'no-name' bottles. Due to the demand for new American oak barrels in the US, quite a few have coopering and/or wood defects and you end up with a sub-standard product. This is what the distilleries try and get rid of. That, or fill consigned barrels at the cheapest possible price, often taking the more heads & tails end of a distillation and leaving the best part of the heart for their own best quality fills for single-barrel and special products.

Woodford is a bit under the radar, and excellent when on special. Otherwise make sure you buy duty free at the cheapest port possible. Definitely recommend Vanuatu but a few of the other Pacific ports have really good prices.
 
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Makers, like JD and Wild Turkey went down the toilet when they dropped to 80 proof. I had this confirmed recently: a mate's brother came back from The States with a couple of bottles of 1980s era JD. It was what I remember JD No7 being like. Big, rich, a little smokey and quite rye forward rather than vanilla. The current product is a thin, pale and sad imitation.

At least MM and WT sell higher proof versions but I don't think they're worth the premium.

I haven't had George Dickel in years. I remember No8 being not-quite-as-good as JD No7. I saw both No8 and No12 at Dan's recently for slightly more than I was willing to pay. I thought Woodford was way sweet, like a kind of liquid vanilla slice. I used to get Johnny Drumm or 4 Roses from a local whisky specialist but I haven't seen either in while let alone at a sensible price. These days I use the money I save by wet shaving :)ROFLMAO:) and buy Rittenhouse Bottled in Bond. Its pricey, but at 100 proof there is plenty of headroom to add water (if that's your thing) so it lasts.

I found this rather interesting family tree of the big name bourbons a while back. its a little out date since Suntory(?) bought Beam.
bourbon-family-tree-large.jpg
 
A quick one for anyone interested in odd blends: 1st Choice have Johnnie Walker Red Rye Finish for $42. I'd describe it as Red Label with a dash of Bulleit rye (which should surprise exactly no one)
 
Nick's Stocktake Sale -

1998 Midleton Single Cask Cask Strength Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey (700ml)
Normally $550.00 - Reduced to $425.00
Distilled in 1998 and matured in a first fill Sherry butt then bottled at natural strength, this is arguably one of Ireland’s most exclusive offerings to date. 59.7%

Lagavulin Distillers Edition Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)
Normally $199.00 - Reduced to $165.00
This distinctive 16 Year Old bottling has all the classic Lagavulin sea-spray notes matched by the sweet accents of sun-dried grapes derived from PX cask wood. 43%

Glenlivet Nadurra Peated Cask Finish Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1000ml)
Normally $150.00 - Reduce to $125.00
This is the third release from the "Nadurra" collection and represents a throwback to Glenlivet's past when peat smoke was used to dry the malted barley. 48%

Glenlivet Nadurra Peated Cask Finish Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)
Normally $125.00 - Reduced to $99.99
A cask strength 700ml format of the above Glenlivet Nadurra. 61.5%

Strathmill 25 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)
Normally $499.00 - Reduced to $399.00
This is the first time Strathmill has been included as part of Diageo's limited release "Special Series". 2700 bottles are on offer worldwide. 52.4%

The Macallan 1824 Collection Whisky Maker's Edition Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)
Normally $199.00 - Reduced to $150.00
Macallan's "1824 Collection" was created by Macallan’s whisky maker, Bob Dalgarno, who's named this expression as 'his own', stating on the back label that it has been created “…for his personal enjoyment and bottled at his preferred strength...” 42.8%

Nikka Pure Malt Red Blended Malt Japanese Whisky (500ml)
Normally $99.99 - Reduced to $79.99
Nikka's range of blended, pure malt and single malt whiskies will be exciting new discoveries for any Whisky enthusiast. 43%

Lagavulin 200th Anniversary Limited Edition 25 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) - No Box
Normally $1499.00 - Reduced to $1299.00
An exclusively Sherry matured, cask strength effort, paying tribute to Lagavulin’s distillery managers from foundation to now. Only 8,000 bottles have been released worldwide. 51.7%

Caol Ila Distillers Edition Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)
Normally $150.00 - Reduced to $125.00
Six months finishing in the sweet Moscatel dessert wine casks has resulted in a decidedly different Caol Ila. A complex and richly flavoured whisky that maintains a fine sweet/dry balance. 43%

Laphroaig Brodir Port Wood Finish Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)
Normally $199.00 - Reduced to $165.00
The whisky is matured in ex-Bourbon barrels followed by a second maturation in European oak casks seasoned with Ruby Port. 48%

Bunnahabhain Cruach Mhona Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1000ml)
Normally $150.00 - Reduced to $135.00
We managed to secure a small quantity of this limited release Bunnah' without traveling abroad, and are pleased to report that it certainly doesn't taste like distressed stock! 50%

Bunnahabhain Toiteach Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)
Normally $140.00 - Reduced to $99.99
Bunnahabhain have now released one of their smokiest editions ever. Named "Toiteach" (pronounced toch-chach) which is Gaelic for smoky, there's some sherry influence to this as well. 46%

2007 Douglas Laing & Co. Single Minded Glengoyne 8 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)
Normally $79.99 - Reduced to $69.99
Glengoyne is now the only distillery that continues to use majority Golden Promise barley and one of a dwindling few to completely avoid peat. 43%

2002 Signatory Vintage Mortlach 13 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)
Normally $99.99 - Reduced to $89.99
This special direct import indie release is a terrific opportunity to secure this sought after Speyside malt. Distilled in 2002 and bottled in 2015 after 13 years maturation in hogsheads of undisclosed provenance. 43%

1996 Signatory Vintage The Un-Chillfiltered Collection Mortlach 19 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)
Normally $150.00 - Reduced to $135.00
Distilled in 1996 and bottled in 2016 after 19 years maturation in hogsheads of undisclosed provenance. 46%

1996 Signatory Vintage The Un-Chillfiltered Collection Glenlivet 19 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)
Normally $180.00 - Reduced to $160.00
Drawn from a first fill sherry butt and bottled without chill filtration. If you're looking for a well priced sherry-hit with age, this should be on your shortlist. 46%

2008 A.D.Rattray Cask Collection Craigellachie 6 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)
Normally $145.00 - Reduced to $125.00
Drawn from a Sherry butt, just 704 bottles are on offer. At this direct import pricing the pedigree and value for money are equally hard to resist. 58%

1995 A.D.Rattray Cask Collection Macallan 19 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)
Normally $499.00 - Reduced to $399.00
Distilled in 1995 and matured in a Bourbon hogshead, this highly unusual Macallan was bottled in 2015 at natural strength. Indie Macallan bottlings aren't common, especially single barrel, non-chill filtered, straight from the cask expressions. Total outturn for this A.D. Rattray release was 310 bottles. 49.1%

Kavalan Solist Moscatel Sherry Cask Strength Single Malt Taiwanese Whisky (750ml)
Normally $699.00 - Reduced to $550.00
Other reviews...
Initially quiet, the nose opens to a classic ex-bourbon vanilla-toffee nose, the notes of cherry the proverbial cake topping. Exquisite mouth: clean, sweet and balanced, the fruit rides the high alcohol content effortlessly. Dry, but not overly so, the finish is long and sweet, the toffee notes positively singing. 57.1% Alc./Vol. Gold Medal. World Whisky Awards 2016

Kavalan Solist Manzanilla Sherry Cask Strength Single Malt Taiwanese Whisky (750ml)
Normally $699.00 - Reduced to $550.00
A new and very scarce Kavalan matured in Manzanilla Sherry Casks. Rarely available.

Kavalan Solist Amontillado Sherry Cask Strength Single Malt Taiwanese Whisky (750ml)
Normally $699.00 - Reduced to $550.00
Other reviews...
Hints of raisin and coconut on the nose, but essentially what we have here is a toffee smoking a cinnamon flavoured cigar. The palate opens with a nice burst of sweet fresh fruit – guava and melon - front to mid palate, after which the wood takes over; a Christmas pine hit, the fruit now acting as flamboyant outriders, the caramels rushing in to fill the gap. The finish is long and dry and punches into the throat. 55.6% Alc./Vol. - World Whisky Awards 2016

Colonel E.H. Taylor 100 Proof Straight Rye Whiskey (750ml)
Normally $299.00 - Reduced to $250.00
According to producers, Buffalo Trace, it is “An altogether different recipe and profile than Sazerac Rye, containing just rye and malted barley, no corn. The result is an aroma full of dried fruit, black pepper, and touch of fresh dill.” 50%

Colonel E.H. Taylor 100 Proof Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey (750ml)
Normally $299.00 - Reduced to $250.00
This Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey has been aged inside century old warehouses constructed by E.H. Taylor, Jr. 50%

Colonel E.H. Taylor 100 Proof Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey (750ml)
Normally $299.00 - Reduced to $250.00
This single barrel release is aged exclusively in "Warehouse C", which was built by Taylor himself in 1888. It's proven to be a superior aging warehouse. Each barrel is hand-picked and bottled in Bond at 100 proof to honor its namesake. 50%

Talisker Distillers Edition Double Matured Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)
Normally $140.00 - Reduced to $120.00
Talisker, which combines the island style of distinctive peatiness with its own individual notes of spice and pepper, has accented its character by finishing in sweet Jerez Amoroso cask wood, amplifying Talisker's sweetness and rounding off its 'rugged' island edges. 45.8%

The Macallan 12 Year Old Sherry Matured Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)
Normally $125.00 - Reduced to $109.99
Universally recognised as one of the world's greatest single malt scotch whiskies, The Macallan is consistently awarded top ratings by the world's leading spirit journalists. 40%

Suntory Yamazaki Distiller's Reserve Single Malt Japanese Whisky (700ml)
Normally $125.00 - Reduced to $105.00
A polarising mix of malts varying in age and cask type, originating from ex-red wine casks matured for approximately three years, older Sherry matured malts approximately twenty years in age and Mizunara casks, otherwise known as Japanese oak, for a twelve year period. 43%

Suntory Hibiki Japanese Harmony Master's Select Blended Japanese Whisky (700ml)
Normally $159.99 - Reduced to $139.99
A blend of more than ten malt and grain whiskies which are aged in five different types of casks from the Yamazaki, Hakushu and Chita distilleries, Suntory chief blender Shinji Fukuyo was involved in its creation, while production is overseen by the third generation master blender and great-grandson of Suntory founder, Shingo Torii. 43%

Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Gin (500ml)
Normally $84.99 - Reduced to $74.99
Monkey 47 is definitely on a short list of hard to find but worth-the-wait gins. Produced in the Black Forest in Germany from no less than 47 botanicals (mostly from the region). Unusual ingredients include blackberry leaves, sloes, honeysuckle, pine shoots, cranberries and lingonberries. 47%

Marie Brizard Watermelon Liqueur (700ml)
Normally $39.99 - Reduced to $26.99
Marie Brizard’s know-how has given this original liqueur the exceptional taste of luscious watermelons along with a variety of seasonal melons- reminiscent of the freshness of summer fruits. Enjoy over ice, in cocktails or long drinks, or add 1 part to 3 parts of tonic. 17%

Bleustorm Vodka (750ml)
Normally $79.99 - Reduced to $39.99
A traditional Russian style vodka, only made in the Cognac region of France from a 100% wheat base. According to its creator, the extravagant bottle design is meant to "carry the feeling of holding an academy award." The glass gradually deepens to blue towards the base and is intended to be as much of a showpiece as the spirit inside. 40%
 
Well you lot are no help - I had to decide to press that button all by myself!

Well I reckon the 12yo El Dorado is better than the 15yo but both are full to the brim with rummy goodness. If only they'd bottle them at better than 40% ABV...

My picks of the rest would be:

Glenlivet Nadurra Cask Strength
Signatory Unfiltered Mortlach
Nikka Red
Bunnahabhain Cruach Mona

With high interest in the Rattray's Craigelachie.

Sadly, my wallet is empty due to previous purchases. Happily, my cupboard is full of whisky (and soap)
 
Well I reckon the 12yo El Dorado is better than the 15yo but both are full to the brim with rummy goodness. If only they'd bottle them at better than 40% ABV...

My picks of the rest would be:

Glenlivet Nadurra Cask Strength
Signatory Unfiltered Mortlach
Nikka Red
Bunnahabhain Cruach Mona

With high interest in the Rattray's Craigelachie.

Sadly, my wallet is empty due to previous purchases. Happily, my cupboard is full of whisky (and soap)

They do have the 12 YO - https://www.nicks.com.au/el-dorado-12-year-old-rum-700ml and obviously I make have to try it in the future too :)
 
https://www.nicks.com.au/store/spirits-liqueurs/rum-cachaca/more-amazing-rum-deals

Ahoy there matey, cheap rum! :)

Or if Whisky is more your deal.

https://www.nicks.com.au/store/spir...le-malt-scotch-whisky/glenfarclas-super-deals
I'd suggest the 105 cask strength.

https://www.nicks.com.au/store/spir...whisky-liqueur-and-glenfiddich-direct-imports
A few more and curious about that Old Pulteney for equivalent of $42 a 700ml bottle.
Anyone in Shitney interested and save ourselves upon postage by combining an order?
 
You know, I noticed that as well...
So did some research and found that they indeed are a part of the Beam International house, now owned by Suntory after purchasing them earlier this year.

SUNTORY? I'm old enough to recall it's introduction into Australia. Out of curiousity, I purchased a bottle, poured a wee taster and the remainder "doon the stank" (Scots for "down the sink"). It was :vomit: , to me at least.

Now my likes, in no particular preference, are Ardbeg :love:, Auchentoshan :singing:, Glenfiddich :happy: and Bladnoch :wacky::wacky:.
 
SUNTORY? I'm old enough to recall it's introduction into Australia. Out of curiousity, I purchased a bottle, poured a wee taster and the remainder "doon the stank" (Scots for "down the sink"). It was :vomit: , to me at least.

Now my likes, in no particular preference, are Ardbeg :love:, Auchentoshan :singing:, Glenfiddich :happy: and Bladnoch :wacky::wacky:.
...and your opinion upon Glenfarclas 105that Nicks is selling a 1L bottle for $105?
 
An excellent tipple but try the Bladnoch Samsara from an Aussie-owned distillery. About the same price, well nearly! Dan's have a 700ml bottle for $130.
 
Dans has JW Green at $63, not the cheapest this year but the cheapest now.

SUNTORY? I'm old enough to recall it's introduction into Australia. Out of curiousity, I purchased a bottle, poured a wee taster and the remainder "doon the stank" (Scots for "down the sink"). It was :vomit: , to me at least.

If you are talking about the Kakubin, then it is different but I am not one to waste it. I'd mix it with something else.

That said, Suntory own Yamazaki, Hibiki, Bowmore and Laphroaig. When they picked up the Beam brands recently they got Beam, Makers and Canadian Club. They also own Couvoisier.
 
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Over 25% off Port Ellen 35 Year Old Scotch Whisky 700mL at Nicks, compared to Dan's.
Shame it's only the 56% vol compared to the 61% vol offered by the whiskyexchange though.
 
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