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Going back through my 12 Whiskeys of Christmas sampler in reverse order. First time through was neat, this time I’m adding a a few drops of water. Not changing my rankings though.

Tonight last 1/3 of #1: Naked Grouse Blended Malt Scotch

Here we go! The last leg of the journey to the finish line! The last thirds of the samples over ice. Letting each sit for at least a minute. Expecting that it’ll be much like the “with water” but cold and a bit sharp. If I don’t drink the dram fast enough, there’s a good chance it’ll be totally washed out too.

“Chilled” has a certain scent...it’s weird! Definitely picking up most of the major scents as with the “with water” tastings. There’s just that icy tinge to the scents. I suspect it has something to do with the chilled air more than anything.

Taste is OK. The extra water and cold actually kill a good bit of the firey whisky kick. Flavors are fairly washed out already...getting mostly dry, bitter char. Blech. Also minimizes the whiskey’s warming effect. Naked Grouse remains best neat.

Tacking in my final rankings list from the initial tastings to add notes about whether I preferred them neat, with water, or over ice.

Blended Malt Scotch Rankings:

1) Naked Grouse (neat)
2) Johnnie Walker Green Label 15 year (neat)
3) Monkey Shoulder (neat)

Single Malt Scotch Rankings:
1) Craigellachie 13 year (neat)
2) Grangestone 12 year (neat)
3) Balvenie 14 year (neat)
4) Glenlivet Founder’s (neat)
5) Glenmorangie 10 year (neat)
6) Oban 14 year (neat)
7) Bruichladdich (water)
8) Laphroaig 10 year (water)
9) Ardbeg 10 year (water)

Bourbon Rankings:
1) Eagle Rare (neat)
2) Buffalo Trace (neat)
3) Woodford Double Oaked Straight (either)
4) Jim Beam Black
5) Larceny

Rye Whiskey Rankings:
1) Sazerac Straight Rye (neat)
 
Shave #36 (453 Open Blade Shaves) of 2021:

Gear: Blackland Vector, Proline blade, Graydog Art Deco brush, Moon’s Amaretto soap, homemade witch hazel/aloe mix, Fine American Blend AS, and Fine American Blend EDT to finish!

Up later than normal but still early? Normal Friday dad duties. Got a little extra sleep though which is nice.

Sublime shower n shave this morning. Took a page out of our friend DJ Markymark’s book and reached for Moon Soap Amaretto...so yum! Knocked this one out of the park by pairing it with Fine’s AB AS/EDT combo and the Vector.

FF1DF76B-D8B2-49FD-BD8B-CA4626B5DFB6.gif

Not a whole lot on the docket today besides keeping the kids out of trouble. I do have one meeting with a young gentleman who queried me yesterday about beginning a friendship/discipleship relationship. We’ve got a phone conversation scheduled this evening to talk it over. It’s humbling to be thought of that way.

Have a great Friday all! Almost there!
 
Smattayu said:
Two mentions of a soap I’ve never heard of in a five minute period. I must bow to the predestined mandate that I will buy this soap.
Click to expand...
If you’re referring to the Moons Soaps, yes...their tallow base is pretty special. The Amaretto scent is the only one of theirs I’ve tried but the scent and performance blow Cella out of the water.
 
GearNoir said:
If you’re referring to the Moons Soaps, yes...their tallow base is pretty special. The Amaretto scent is the only one of theirs I’ve tried but the scent and performance blow Cella out of the water.
Click to expand...
I'll echo Chris, great soaps. Wonderful post shave face feel. Can't go wrong with any of them IMO.
 
GearNoir said:
Shave #36 (453 Open Blade Shaves) of 2021:

Gear: Blackland Vector, Proline blade, Graydog Art Deco brush, Moon’s Amaretto soap, homemade witch hazel/aloe mix, Fine American Blend AS, and Fine American Blend EDT to finish!

Up later than normal but still early? Normal Friday dad duties. Got a little extra sleep though which is nice.

Sublime shower n shave this morning. Took a page out of our friend DJ Markymark’s book and reached for Moon Soap Amaretto...so yum! Knocked this one out of the park by pairing it with Fine’s AB AS/EDT combo and the Vector.

View attachment 46856

Not a whole lot on the docket today besides keeping the kids out of trouble. I do have one meeting with a young gentleman who queried me yesterday about beginning a friendship/discipleship relationship. We’ve got a phone conversation scheduled this evening to talk it over. It’s humbling to be thought of that way.

Have a great Friday all! Almost there!
Click to expand...
#theempiredidnothingwrong
 
GearNoir said:
Going back through my 12 Whiskeys of Christmas sampler in reverse order. First time through was neat, this time I’m adding a a few drops of water. Not changing my rankings though.

Tonight last 1/3 of #1: Naked Grouse Blended Malt Scotch

Here we go! The last leg of the journey to the finish line! The last thirds of the samples over ice. Letting each sit for at least a minute. Expecting that it’ll be much like the “with water” but cold and a bit sharp. If I don’t drink the dram fast enough, there’s a good chance it’ll be totally washed out too.

“Chilled” has a certain scent...it’s weird! Definitely picking up most of the major scents as with the “with water” tastings. There’s just that icy tinge to the scents. I suspect it has something to do with the chilled air more than anything.

Taste is OK. The extra water and cold actually kill a good bit of the firey whisky kick. Flavors are fairly washed out already...getting mostly dry, bitter char. Blech. Also minimizes the whiskey’s warming effect. Naked Grouse remains best neat.

Tacking in my final rankings list from the initial tastings to add notes about whether I preferred them neat, with water, or over ice.

Blended Malt Scotch Rankings:

1) Naked Grouse (neat)
2) Johnnie Walker Green Label 15 year (neat)
3) Monkey Shoulder (neat)

Single Malt Scotch Rankings:
1) Craigellachie 13 year (neat)
2) Grangestone 12 year (neat)
3) Balvenie 14 year (neat)
4) Glenlivet Founder’s (neat)
5) Glenmorangie 10 year (neat)
6) Oban 14 year (neat)
7) Bruichladdich (water)
8) Laphroaig 10 year (water)
9) Ardbeg 10 year (water)

Bourbon Rankings:
1) Eagle Rare (neat)
2) Buffalo Trace (neat)
3) Woodford Double Oaked Straight (either)
4) Jim Beam Black
5) Larceny

Rye Whiskey Rankings:
1) Sazerac Straight Rye (neat)
Click to expand...
I think you and Nurse Dave must pee in plaid with all the Scotch! 🥃

1612558731311.png
 
Going back through my 12 Whiskeys of Christmas sampler in reverse order. First time through was neat, second time through was with some drops of water, this time I’m pouring the last third over an ice cube. Not changing my rankings though.

Tonight last 1/3 of #2: Grangestone Highland Single Malt Scotch

Scent: Hard to pick up well over the fresh cold ice “smell”. Smells mostly like just a glass is mild scotch. Maybe a higher touch of malt.

Taste: The ice brings out quite a bit of the malt and a bit of peat. The oily-ness of Grangestone is cut but still present. The fire is cut down quiet a bit. The char and oak on the end are intensified, bringing some bitterness, but only briefly

Eh...this needs to stay neat too IMO.

Blended Malt Scotch Rankings:

1) Naked Grouse (neat)
2) Johnnie Walker Green Label 15 year (neat)
3) Monkey Shoulder (neat)

Single Malt Scotch Rankings:
1) Craigellachie 13 year (neat)
2) Grangestone 12 year (neat)
3) Balvenie 14 year (neat)
4) Glenlivet Founder’s (neat)
5) Glenmorangie 10 year (neat)
6) Oban 14 year (neat)
7) Bruichladdich (water)
8) Laphroaig 10 year (water)
9) Ardbeg 10 year (water)

Bourbon Rankings:
1) Eagle Rare (neat)
2) Buffalo Trace (neat)
3) Woodford Double Oaked Straight (either)
4) Jim Beam Black
5) Larceny

Rye Whiskey Rankings:
1) Sazerac Straight Rye (neat)
 
Shave #37 (454 Open Blade Shaves) of 2021:

Gear: Feather folding AC SS, Feather Pro blade, Blackland Vector, Proline blade, Graydog Art Deco brush, CBL Roasted Oatmeal Stout soap, homemade witch hazel/aloe mix, Lucky Tiger AS, and Tom Ford Oud Wood to finish!

Finally, a sleep in day! Random nighttime wake ups aside, I was able to squeeze in about nine hours and wake up naturally, to no alarm. That feels good!

Another superb shave this morning as I got ready to head out with the family to the local farmer’s market to see what there is to see and let the boys see something other than the backyard or next door park.

The folding Feather SS made an appearance for two efficient passes, followed by the Vector for what cleanup there was. I saw ROS pop up in the soap feed and instantly craved my original batch tub. It did not disappoint! Finished off with Lucky Tiger and TF Oud Wood...😎

So brief morning out this crazy, sunny and slightly warm winter day...then back home to take care of chores. Should be a nice day.

Have a great Saturday all!
 
Going back through my 12 Whiskeys of Christmas sampler in reverse order. First time through was neat, second time through was with some drops of water, this time I’m pouring the last third over an ice cube. Not changing my rankings though.

Tonight last 1/3 of #3: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Scent: Still gloriously rich and deep smelling. Buttery. Caramel.

Taste: Tastes a bit like an Old Fashioned left to sit too long. The chill of the whiskey only makes it markedly smoother. Oak and char a bit on the back end. In general, as seems to be the case, the finer notes are drowned out. Still...it’s probably the best “on the rocks” tasting if had so far. Given the choice though, I’d stick to neat first, then with a splash of water if I needed a lighter drink.

Blended Malt Scotch Rankings:

1) Naked Grouse (neat)
2) Johnnie Walker Green Label 15 year (neat)
3) Monkey Shoulder (neat)

Single Malt Scotch Rankings:
1) Craigellachie 13 year (neat)
2) Grangestone 12 year (neat)
3) Balvenie 14 year (neat)
4) Glenlivet Founder’s (neat)
5) Glenmorangie 10 year (neat)
6) Oban 14 year (neat)
7) Bruichladdich (water)
8) Laphroaig 10 year (water)
9) Ardbeg 10 year (water)

Bourbon Rankings:
1) Eagle Rare (neat)
2) Buffalo Trace (neat)
3) Woodford Double Oaked Straight (either)
4) Jim Beam Black
5) Larceny

Rye Whiskey Rankings:
1) Sazerac Straight Rye (neat)
 
Shave #38 (454 Open Blade Shaves) of 2021:

Gear: Parker Adjustable injector, Parker blade, Yaqi Sagrada Familia synth brush, CBL Money tonsorial soap, homemade witch hazel/aloe mix, Barbasol Pacific Rush AS, and Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue to finish!

Back to the grind! If there was ever a day I’m cool with working on a Sunday...this is it. Never been much of a football fan. Could probably count the number of Super Bowl games I’ve watched on both hands.

Great shower n shave to kick off the morning though. Back to the 3027 of the Money tonsorial. No issues at all.

Have a blessed Sunday all!
 
Going back through my 12 Whiskeys of Christmas sampler in reverse order. First time through was neat, second time through was with some drops of water, this time I’m pouring the last third over an ice cube. Not changing my rankings though.

Tonight last 1/3 of #4: Johnnie Walker Green Label 15 year Blended Malt Scotch

Scent: Very light, general “scotch” smell over a mostly alcohol background. A hint of malt perhaps and some citrus. Everything else is washed out/too faint.

Taste: Still a bit of a firey kick to that one! It’s lost a bit of its smoothness. The malt and wet char are definitely there. Everything else is drowned out. The overall taste has “cheapened” quite a bit though. Definitely keep this one neat!

Blended Malt Scotch Rankings:

1) Naked Grouse (neat)
2) Johnnie Walker Green Label 15 year (neat)
3) Monkey Shoulder (neat)

Single Malt Scotch Rankings:
1) Craigellachie 13 year (neat)
2) Grangestone 12 year (neat)
3) Balvenie 14 year (neat)
4) Glenlivet Founder’s (neat)
5) Glenmorangie 10 year (neat)
6) Oban 14 year (neat)
7) Bruichladdich (water)
8) Laphroaig 10 year (water)
9) Ardbeg 10 year (water)

Bourbon Rankings:
1) Eagle Rare (neat)
2) Buffalo Trace (neat)
3) Woodford Double Oaked Straight (either)
4) Jim Beam Black
5) Larceny

Rye Whiskey Rankings:
1) Sazerac Straight Rye (neat)
 
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