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So, I recently got my Flaviar order and each tasting represents a high-quality booze that is somewhere between fifty and two hundred dollars a bottle. (edit to add prices in VA for a full bottle of the alcohol tasted)

So, I thought I'd post my thoughts about each tasting here--we started yesterday, and are drinking one scotch and one cognac every day or so until we've gone through all 10 samples. Fair warning, I got the scotches for Callistarya because she's a fan. Me, not so much.

Yesterday:
Glenlivet 18 YO (scotch) - Big oak nose and flavor, peppery on the tongue like an anejo tequila. Calli was a big fan. I appreciated the peppery nature, but wasn't really sold on the oakiness. Cost: $99.90

Gautier XO Gold & Blue (cognac) - Also oaky, but not nearly as much as the scotch. The oak quickly fades, leaving a whisper of hot vanilla swiftly followed by sweet-and-spice. We both liked this one, though she liked the Glenlivet more. Cost: Not available via VA ABC. $100 online.

[DOUBLEPOST=1418771865,1418771796][/DOUBLEPOST]Today:

Laphroaig Quarter Cask (scotch) - Expresses everything I hate about scotch. The quarter cask is supposed to allow for more contact between the barrel and the booze, which surely contributes to the flavors of motor oil and charcoal. Cindy didn't much care for it either. The charcoal taste is intense, so if you like that sort of thing in your scotch, more power to you. Cost: $59.90.

Baron Otard VSOP (cognac) - extremely smooth. Starts with just a hint of oak, which quickly gives way to almond and flowery notes. I thought to myself that it almost reminded me of Amaretto without all of the cloying sweetness. We both enjoyed this one a lot. Cost: Not available via VA ABC. $60 online.

And, a little FYI for folks who don't know the difference between cognac and scotch:

Cognac is a type of brandy, just like Bordeaux is a type of wine. To be classified as a cognac (and not just "brandy"), certain grapes must be used, certain wooden barrels must be used, etc. But none of those legal requirements exist outside of France (and treaty countries), and in the US, "cognac" could easily refer to a style of brandy, just like a wine labeled a bordeaux in the US doesn't actually have to be created in the Bordeaux region of France--any more than a champagne in the US has to have been created in the Campagne region, though this is changing. Now that US wine regions are starting to get their own reputations, we are becoming more concerned, as a nation, about respecting those same reputations from foreign countries.

Note that all of the scotches in my tasting pack are all authentic Scotland scotches, and all of the cognacs are all authentic French cognacs.

Both types of liquor are distillations. Scotch is made with grains, cognac/brandy is made with grapes. So basically scotch is distilled beer, while cognac is distilled wine.

Both are then aged in barrels, which means that there will be quite a few tasting similarities between the two types of alcohol. That said, it seems to me that a lot of scotches really try to play toward the oaky and peaty characters, whereas the cognacs aren't quite as obsessive about these flavor notes. Since these are the notes I like least in these kinds of drinks, I tend to like cognacs better than scotches--generally speaking, of course.

Tinwhistler said:

a lot of scotches really try to play toward the oaky and peaty characters, whereas the cognacs aren't quite as obsessive about these flavor notes. Since these are the notes I like least in these kinds of drinks, I tend to like cognacs better than scotches--generally speaking, of course.

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Let's not forget that many beers enjoy trumpeting exactly how much bitter hoppiness they contain, to play up that whole Data-esque reaction for those people who like telling everyone how much they enjoy punching themselves in the tongue.

--Patrick

PatrThom said:

Let's not forget that many beers enjoy trumpeting exactly how much bitter hoppiness they contain, to play up that whole Data-esque reaction for those people who like telling everyone how much they enjoy punching themselves in the tongue.

--Patrick

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Between all the various styles of beer, I tend to prefer low-hopped ales. I definitely don't want to drink hop tea. I often get a hankering for a cherry lambic. Bitter is not my favorite flavor in beer.

On the other hand, I love extremely dry, highly tannic cabernet sauvignon in wines. Go figure.

PatrThom said:

Let's not forget that many beers enjoy trumpeting exactly how much bitter hoppiness they contain, to play up that whole Data-esque reaction for those people who like telling everyone how much they enjoy punching themselves in the tongue.

--Patrick

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I found this guide to craft beer to be pretty accurate.

Today: 16 year old Lagavulin (scotch): Charcoal character similar to the Laphroaig. Makes sense, since they're both from the same region, known for that big oak flavor. Cally didn't like this one either. I told her "I think you don't really like Scotch..you just think you do." I was able to drink this one, but it wasn't my favorite. After the peaty/oaky character subsided, there was a nice sherry-like flavor that lingered. I could probably drink this one all night, if I had to. But it wouldn't be by choice. $100

Dobbe Cognac XO: We both loved this one. Very mild oak character, with nuttiness, cream, and fruit in the nose. Very sweet smelling. Citrus and cream flavors linger on the tongue. Really great cognac. I would buy this by the bottle. Cally asked for seconds. $130

I'm waiting for when you try Ardbeg,

Tinwhistler said:

Today: 16 year old Lagavulin (scotch): Charcoal character similar to the Laphroaig. Makes sense, since they're both from the same region, known for that big oak flavor. Cally didn't like this one either. I told her "I think you don't really like Scotch..you just think you do." I was able to drink this one, but it wasn't my favorite. After the peaty/oaky character subsided, there was a nice sherry-like flavor that lingered. I could probably drink this one all night, if I had to. But it wouldn't be by choice. $100

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This is my favourite scotch. I could drink it all day, every day.

Chad Sexington said:

This is my favourite scotch. I could drink it all day, every day.

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This.

Chad Sexington said:

This is my favourite scotch. I could drink it all day, every day.

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It's one of my scotch-loving friend's favorite scotch, too.

I just can't get past the charcoal taste.[DOUBLEPOST=1418905684,1418905616][/DOUBLEPOST]

HCGLNS said:

I'm waiting for when you try Ardbeg,

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If my experience with other Islay scotches are any indication, I'll not like it

Last night:
Martell VSOP Cognac: Sweet and floral nose with a bit of raisin. I have a hard time describing the flavors--very complex, and while it tasted like *something* I don't know what that was. We really liked it on the first sip. By the third, we decided we didn't like it at all.

Singleton of Dufftown scotch:After the Islay scotches, we were scared to try this one. But it was barely oaky at all--nutty and malty with a good mouthfeel. It was passible, but nobody's favorite

HCGLNS said:

I'm waiting for when you try Ardbeg,

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Ah the Stinky Foot scotch.