When January 1st rolls around, I don't purposely set out to break records. What I mean by that is, I don't set a goal and other than taking photos and keeping a spreadsheet I don't go out of my way to try and supersede previous years numbers. For 2016 I tried 397 NEW whiskies. To the average person this may sound like a crazy number but when you start to talk to other enthusiasts, I'm not even considered hard core... yet!
I like picking out whiskies that really stood out as my top 10 or 12 of the year. I make notes, put little stars beside the ones I think were most memorable and for what reason. I've had a few people say: "Wow, I'm surprised you picked (that) whisky". So again, I'll explain that sometimes it's about the memory the whisky created, or the moment itself. For instance: Benromach 35 and how it transported me back to a time when my grandfather was still alive. How magical is it to sit there, close your eyes and be inundated with memories of someone who was very special. (Just the thought of that day as I sat there nosing that whisky and remembering pepere Mossey brings tears to my eyes as I type this). That is powerful indeed.
With 397 whiskies to choose from there are bound to be some that I initially say: Oh yeah - top 12 indeed but then as the year rolls on they get bumped by others. When I created my list this year, I noticed two things:
1. There wasn't one single American whiskey that even made the top 30!? As I surfed my photos it made me wonder. Is it because, here in Canada we don't really get to try many new/interesting USA whiskies or is it because I simply gravitate toward other whiskies in general. Hmmm... Goal for 2017: Try more American brands.
2. As I went through the spreadsheet it became very apparent that the whiskies I did seem to gravitate toward in 2016 were independent bottlings. Again, it made me ponder: Was I naturally inclined toward those or did I somehow have more access than usual to these types of whiskies?
If you look at my list of honorable mentions you'll see for yourself. Here are whiskies number 30-13.
30. SMWS 59.49 - Celebration in a glass (Thanks Ross)
29. SMWS 1.196 - Sunshine, motherhood and apple pie (Thanks Blair & Clare)
27. Douglas Laing Rock Oyster (Celebrate Whisky Festival Halifax)
26. Deerstalker Braeval 20 year old (Celebrate Whisky Festival Halifax)
25. SMWS 9.84 Playing "Sea battle" in the garden (Club whisky tasting)
24. Cadenhead Mortlach 26 year old (Thanks Dave W)23. Cadenhead Caperdonich 39 year old (Thanks Mark W)
22. Balvenie 25 year old Triple cask (Thanks Ian M)
21. Gordon & MacPhail Macallan 1958, 11 year old (Thanks Richard U)
20. Balvenie 1966 (HUGE thanks to Jill B - my birth year!)
19. The Cask of Yamazaki 1990 Sherry Butt (Thanks Martine N)
18. Highland Park 1968 (Thanks Nicolas V and Dan V!!)
17. Two Brewers Yukon Single Malt, Release 2 (Thanks Lydia!)
16. Wemyss Malts 1988 Kirsch Gateau (Thanks Jacqueline)15. Sansibar Tomatin 18 year old (Thanks Igor K)
14. Springbank 12 Rum Wood (Thanks Frank S)
13. Adelphi 1988 Cambus 27 year old (Thanks Jonathan B)
It's always an amazing journey and you'll likely also notice that the majority of whiskies on this list were shared by friends in one form or another.
You can make fun of me all you like but #whiskyfabric truly is a weave of personalities, friendships and connections that I am truly grateful for. We share moments, we create memories and best of all: We love whisky!Now, if you'll excuse me I'm off to make some room on my sample shelf: Thanks Benoit B for the latest rounds of drams I can't wait to try!
Here's to 2017... may the list of new whisky discoveries, friendships and adventures be long and good for all of you!
Cheers,
Lassie
Good post.
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