Whiskey Review: Iowa Legendary Rye Whiskey Small Batch and Private Reserve

[@beatingcancer1180]

A week ago today I got the news that my latest scan was cancer free after a year long battle with non hodgkins lymphoma. I've had major surgery, 4 months intensive chemotherapy and 3 weeks radiotherapy in that time and, as you can imagine, it all sucked. I was saving the 50 year old dram from the 2017 whisky advent calendar (Half-century blend, batch 2, blended whisky co) for a special occasion and this was it. It was really lovely and I now have the slight problem that it makes most of my other whisky taste "meh" by comparison yet for a full bottle it's over £600! Thanks for a great channel that kept me company in the darker times and, hopefully, now in better times :).

[@Gizmomaster]

I have a bottle of Octomore 8.3 that I keep for special occasions. I use it because I have anosmia(no sense of smell) and the peaty smokey chemical iodine kind of sensations I get from sniffing it makes me think for a few seconds that I can smell now! And the taste to me is like salt wrapped in toasted seaweed dipped in lemon juice and then smoked in a smoker for 5 days straight. I like it.

[@stanislavmigra]

good choice

[@lastmaneating2989]

I'm an Iowan and I appreciate you reviewing this whiskey!!

[@OFFTHEGRIND]

I recently separated from the army. To celebrate my career and all those experiences, I bought a bottle of balvenie 21 year old port wood. It’s a bottle I’ve wanted for years and even though I’m more in to the world of peat now, I still had to get it. This will be my special occasion scotch, especially cause my wife will drink it with me too

[@worstcovers4670]

DavidJenk253 Thank you for your service.

[@russellbarrett8828]

High West Midwinters Night Dram is my special moment whiskey. It’s the first whiskey that really blew my socks off. Truly enjoyed every sip and can’t wait to get another. My dad has a bottle of Hakushu 12 YO that he breaks out for occasions.

[@connorryan7122]

Today is a special day for me. After a few months I have finally watched every single video on this channel, and this is the first video I get to watch on the day it's published. It's been a great few months, I have no idea how I'm going to cope with only one video a day now

[@kvmedman6217]

Did the same thing about 2 months ago. You start looking forward to the hour they post.....and get SERIOUSLY disappointed when they don't post (like yesterday)!

[@BigJimmyJazz]

There is always Ralfy to past the time

[@gregj8008]

My bottle of Eleanor Chapter 1, My son made the drive from DFW , where he was training to Austin and back, Just to pick up that special bottle and deliver to me in Hawaii. We each had a dram on my 69th birthday, probably have another on his birthday in April. Thank you.

[@mcbroomjacob]

I really love your story about special occasion whiskeys Daniel. Gave me all the feels.

[@zackzenron]

My special occasion/special whiskey is a bottle of Dewar’s signature 27 year. I was given it by my father the day I passed the bar exam to be an attorney. I have only opened it one other time since then, and that was on the day I got engaged to my beautiful fiancé. I intend to open it again this year when she and I buy our first house, and perhaps one more time this year when I make it down to the Crowded Barrel distillery and meet Rex and Daniel fir the first time.

[@BetancourtPablo1958]

Iowa Legendary Rye. Probably the best whiskey I've ever drank.

[@NeonSonOfXenon]

I have a bottle of Hibiki that gets opened when I get to see my best friends, which is special because I only get to see them once or twice a year, and Hibiki was the first bottle we all shared together.

[@TheClarkified]

My special occasion whiskey is Old Forester. My brother and I would occasionally sip it with our Grandfather. While not called Old Forester back then, he said it was what he would sip on back in the 40s just after WW2. We shared it as recently as this past summer. He passed away just this month at 93. So while it may not be the best or most expensive whiskey going, it holds a special place in my heart.

[@comradestrawberry1876]

My special whisky is Glenfiddich 12; it was my first whisky and I drank it through a really dark period in my life. Now it's a bittersweet, memorial dram that always bring me back to the old times!

[@nathanquinn471]

Jameson 18 Limited Reserve. I got that bottle on my 18th birthday (drinking age in Aus) from my grandfather. It's an amazing Irish whiskey but because it is so friendly and approachable, I've been able to share it with special people in my life who aren't regular whisky drinkers and they have been able to enjoy and appreciate it. It's special because of who it came from and who I've been able to share it with.

[@nickdondarrion4384]

I bought a bottle of Oban Distiller’s Edition on the day my son was born and had a dram to celebrate. Last week was my son’s first birthday and I took the Oban bottle off the shelf for the first time since his birth - and enjoyed a dram on his birthday. I decided that I will only have Oban Distiller’s Edition once a year on my son’s birthday - and when he eventually turns 21... I’m going to surprised him with a vacation to Scotland and bring him to the Oban distillery. Only 20 years to go...

[@alyr9640]

Nick Dondarrion That’s wonderful! Love it!

[@Trigg6978]

Our special bottles are our Macallan Ruby. I always enjoyed the 17 which was what got my wife into whiskey and we had the Ruby after our wedding so we enjoy the Ruby itself, but it also jas special memories.

[@stephanvanzyl5824]

I bring out a bottle of Royal Salute 21 year to celebrate. Was my first whisky I ever bought myself when I was 18 for an unbelievable price (less than a quarter of its original price). I put off opening it for too long, many milestones passed, and finally opened it on my wedding day. Cork broke and we had to filter the whisky using a sieve but it made it all the more entertaining. My friends and family enjoy the whisky and the story around it makes it special for me.

[@Stagger20]

Oh man, I'm just an hour south of Carroll Iowa. I really need to check this out. Thanks for the great review.

[@Sjackson2369]

Templeton isn’t terribly far from Carroll, but this is the story templeton wishes they had lol. I first got in contact with these guys on Ragbrai and immediately went to get a bottle, which I proceeded to sit on until August.

[@flyman0xp721]

Before I deployed I got a bottle of Crown Royal bottled in 1968 from my grandfather (it was sealed with the dated paper strip). I had 1 drink the night before I left and then when I got all my stuff back upon return I had another. That was the bottle I celebrated with until it ran out (I've had a divorce, a marriage, and two kids plus other big moments since then). That being said, Crown holds a special place in my heart because of that bottle and is always my celebratory go to.

[@adrianbell6051]

I kept a bottle of Glenmorangie Signet for a year and opened it on Christmas Eve with my wife and son. It was magnificent! Recently I had a glass by myself and it wasn’t the same. It needs to be shared! Cheers!

[@alyr9640]

It’s not a crazy rare or expensive bottle but a year ago on my 40th Birthday my husband took me to DC and out to dinner with my oldest and best friend to the Jack Rose Dining Saloon where by happenstance I met Mr. Harvey Fry who ordered me a dram of Springbank 12 Cask Strength, batch 15. It was my first significant scotch experience and hooked me hard on Campbeltown. It was also one of those perfect nights with loved ones. Edit: I was able to find that exact bottle recently and it’s still corked. That bottles a liquid memory for me.

[@MiguelTorres-hg1kn]

Guys I am new to bourbon and I love your reviews. Thanks for all the detailed information you guys provide. I am learning a lot.

[@theswag5997]

My special occasion whisk(e)y is a 1998 16YO Linkwood from Gordon & MacPhail's Private Collection. How I got the bottle wasn't anything special. But what makes it special for me is how I felt when I first tasted it. Now, every time I taste it, I remember that feeling. Cheers.

[@nelsonjohnson6413]

My fiance and I bought a bottle of Gentlemen Jack when we went to the distillery four years ago when we were dating. At that time we knew we wanted to get married and decided to save it for the big day. We are getting married on May 18th and I am looking forward to having that moment with her. I know it isn't an overly special whiskey, but the story of visiting the distillery and having our names and the date engraved on the bottle means a ton to us.

[@burgeyburgful]

I think I might know the secret recipe for that 100% rye...

[@ExiledVessel]

My favorite special occasion bottle is Crown Royal XR just because when I was in the military we would often times all pitch in for a bottle or two on celebratory nights. If you liked drinking it straight, its a really nice bright drink. If you liked mixing it then you know your cocktail is going to be a pleasant experience. It was a status symbol, and pleased almost everybody. Can't go wrong with that. There were also never any left so everybody was happy ;).

[@thomasbuck303]

10:20 This is the reason why I love Rex, and Daniel. The contrasting characters make the show.

[@BlackSnack]

I have 2. McClellands highland was my first Scotch. Even though it is nothing extravagant, it takes me to a different time. For special occasions with friends, I keep a bottle of High West, Mid Winter Nights Dram.

[@canj54]

My all time ‘special’ bottle of whiskey has to be Weller 12 and that itself is a special bottle that’s quite hard to find these days. I love it because it was the very first whiskey that propelled me forward to try all or any whisky that I could get my hands on and I’m happy to report that I’ve never looked back since.

[@TheLuckless]

Right now, my go-to celebration bottle is Glenlivet's peated cask Nadurra. The original Nadurra 16 was a birthday present to myself a few years ago, and it really opened my eyes to the wonders of complex Scotch. I can't afford many $70+ whiskies, so this is one that I treat as a very special dram.

[@phreakmac4361]

Longmorn 16(purple) and Glenfidditch 15 are my gotos for special occasions. Both so friendly. Have not received any as gifts yet so they are just my current favorites.

[@michaelwaugh7973]

My father passed away about 3 weeks ago, and I found a special bottle when I cleaned out his liquor cabinet. He was given a bottle of scotch that had been sitting in a basement for years about 15 years ago, and he’d never opened it. Based on the patent number on the lid, it was imported between 1958 and 1960. It was a 12 year old Johnnie Walker Black back then, so its almost 70 years old now. My brother and I cracked it open and had a toast, and I have to say, it was far better than typical JW Black.

[@meesternibbles]

I am sitting on a 21 yr cragganmore that I'm hoping to get to share at some point... But not sure what. Hopefully some big MB gathering where I know a lot of people can get to try and appreciate it.

[@AndrewHiltz]

I don't have a single special-occasion whiskey, but try to keep something friendly on hand for special occasions so that I can share and enjoy with others. I pack a hip flask of something like Buffalo Trace, McKenna 10, or Sazerac for milestone events because I know that most people I'm celebrating with will enjoy a swig of something nice-enough. It's the company you keep that makes the whiskey even better!

[@jking54544]

Special Whiskey ... last year my wife ordered a bottle of Blanton's Gold from Master of Malt before they stopped shipping to the US, and I've opened it and sampled it once, and it is incredible. So in my case, it's a special whiskey based on the experience of drinking it, but also even more special because of who it came from and the thoughtfulness behind it.

[@hoth2112]

I've got a bottle of Black Art 6.1 i have stashed away for v special occasions. It was distilled in 1990, the same year I was born. I also have a rare bottle of Octomore 8.2 that I'm saving till my birthday next month. And I recently got the new Octomore 10 yr but I don't know when I'll open it.

[@BigJimmyJazz]

Another with the Bruichladdich Black Art. How is it? I was thinking of some special like that with my tax refund, but not this year.

[@hoth2112]

@@BigJimmyJazz I actually saved around $75 by ordering it directly from Bruichladdich (it would have cost around $440 after taxes to buy it here). It's actually pretty good, but it's a lot more subtle & complex than my palette is ready for. I can definitely pick out the hints from sherry cask influence, but most of what I get is some light salt, leather & wood spice likely from a combination of French & American oak. It's something special, but I'm hoping with more experience, trying different Scotches, It'll be easier to pick out the different flavors.

[@BigJimmyJazz]

@@hoth2112 Thanks for the insight into both taste and savings. I'm still very new to whisky, but love the Classic Laddie and many of the unpeated Island whiskys. I am trying to let the peat grow on me and it has, but it will take a little more time I think

[@hoth2112]

@@BigJimmyJazz You're welcome! Theres definitely a lot i can't get, or get at a reasonable price, so direct shipping has been a blessing. I love everything that Bruichladdich makes, Laddie, Port Charlotte, Octomore & even their Botanist gin, so its not easy to branch out, esp when I still have a lot more to explore within the Highlands/ Speyside, Lowlands & Islands.

[@jlnightshade]

Currently, my go to is a bottle of Balvenie 17 Doublewood. It was a present from my groomsman when I got married almost 2 years ago, and I've only opened it for special, special occasions. The last time was this past April when I was accepted to Veterinary School.

[@CopyCatCo]

Cool to see a whisky from Iowa get shown. Kinda interested in checking out distilleries from my home state, so are there any others you could recommend?

[@MTBoozeman]

Iowa Distilling in Cumming.

[@hakanilkin7491]

My special bottle has become the Black Art 4.1. I have one stashed away and every time I take a sip, it takes me on a journey, a glorious journey.

[@burleymullins8776]

I have 2 whiskies that I'm loathe to open, saving for special occasions. Both are absolutely delicious in their own rights, but not particularly expensive. How I got them or encountered them was why they're so special. They are my bottle of Eleanor 1858, picked up at the Grand Opening, and my bottle of Corsair Hydra, which I got after being introduced to it by a co-owner of Corsair at Dragon Con.

[@rosscarballo3162]

For me, the celebration whiskey changes depending on what the occasion is, who I'm with, and what I have at the time. Currently, a good go-to is either JW Platinum or Blue, which my dad gave me as gifts, but if the person doesn't even like a trace of peat, I'll pull out a nice Irish. But there have also been occasions that I deem special enough to go and buy a new bottle of something fancy

[@diamonbacks47]

I was gifted Resbreast Lustau for my birthday in January. This year it will be my special go to whisky.

[@shakeyfly]

I have only ever once marked a special occasion with Whisky. That was for my wedding and it was Glenlivet 21 Archive. I shared it with my friends on that day. The birth of my daughter I was so exhausted and so tired from the whole ordeal, that by the time I was thinking of whiskey it was already a week past her birth, so I didn't crown the moment. I recently bought a Bruichladdich black art 4.1 based upon this channel's love of it. it's unopened and waiting it's moment.

[@BigJimmyJazz]

The Bruichladdich Black Art is exactly the bottle I might use when the current one is gone and a more personal meaning bottle has not shown up yet. On some happy day for you, I'd love to hear your opinion of it.

[@nurseactual]

Good sirs, I only recently discovered your channel and am thoroughly enjoying it. I was on a 20 year alcohol fast whilst I raised my stepkids, as they came out of a bad situation with an alcoholic father. In the old days, I drank Jack Daniels with orange juice, amongst other beverages of differing variety ( rum and vodka). I am older now and would appreciate any suggestions towards a good sipping whisky or bourbon one can drink neat. Thank you for your time and consideration.

[@charlesmartel9502]

My "special occasion" whiskey is one that my granddad gave me as part of a "bar starter kit" when I first moved into my own place. It's a grocery store bourbon from New Orleans (late '60s - early '70s) called "Old Piety & Burgundy". The grocery store chain that sold it is long gone and the whisky itself is unremarkable - but the bottle is special because it holds such wonderful memories. It has been with me everywhere I've lived and worked. The original contents are almost gone now, so I'll probably refill it with something nicer - maybe an Elijah Craig 18. I think my grandfather would approve.

[@wsmithjr74]

My "special occasion" whiskey is Jameson. Not because I was gifted a bottle, and certainly not because it's a great whiskey... It's the closest thing I have to a "family whiskey". We drank the bottle from my grandmother's cabinet after she died. I drank it with my cousins when I was young and before I knew any better. There was always a bottle on the shelf at my parent's home. It's just the default, and has a lot of great memories wrapped up in it. It's like how a smell can bring you back to a memory.

[@lfurman]

Have you done a video tour of your shelves - the collection? How is it organized? How often to you go back to the lesser known bottles?

[@michaelwilson3418]

I do not have a special occasion whiskey, but I do have a special occasion cognac. My father in law was a great guy and an awesome influence on not only my wife, but myself and many others. The first night I ever met him when my wife and I were dating we sat down in his office and had a 2 hour conversation about life over a bottle of cognac. I think we only had a glass and a half each but it was the conversation that had the floor that night. Fast forward a few months and I found that we shared a birthday and again we went back to that bottle and another conversation about life. He put the bottle away in the cabinet and I had honestly forgotten about it. The next year on our birthday he gave me the bottle as a gift and a thank you for asking his daughter to marry me. Three weeks later he passed away of a heart attack and it left a huge void in our lives. I had a drink on my wedding night, and a glass a year on my anniversary. I have bought 3 more bottles to make sure I dont run out any time soon. Thank you Bill for the wonderful memories and gracing me with your wonderful daughter's hand in marriage.

[@AskTheTree]

Gotta love how Daniel always acts surprised upon hearing the questions, even though he was the one who picked them.

[@sergantgrunt1650]

I just completed a non-voluntarily two week quarterly challenge because I sprained my ankle and was on meds so I couldn't drink but finally done so I'm glad for that. Also I'm still new to whiskey so I don't have a large selection for special whiskey only had 10-12 whiskeys but if I had to choose it would be Buffalo Trace because that's what got me hooked on trying Bourbon/whiskey

[@TheBioethicist]

So when I was working on the campaign, I worked out of Carroll and at one point, happened to knock on Rich Eggers' door and we had a good chat. He said he's actually making what Templeton claims to, and I respect that move. I'm glad you liked their stuff.

[@Furry_Viking]

For me my special occasion whiskey is Compass Box Lost Blend for two reasons. Firstly, this was my introduction to Compass Box. A former co-worker who was a much bigger Scotch fan than I had me over to his house one day and I got to sample from his rather impressive collection. That was one that he made sure that I tried and I've been a Compass Box fan ever since. Second, Lost Blend is a very rare and hard to get whisky now. I'm always looking for it when I'm on my travels.

[@jesusfreakinct]

I have 3 special occasion whiskies, all of which are special because of the rarity/price of the bottles, but they do have moments attached to them as well. The first 2 are an old-version Laphroaig 30 Year, and a Bunnahabhain 30 year single barrel from The Exclusive Malts (samples of these were reviewed on the show a few months back); the Bunnahabhain was a 30th birthday gift to myself, and the Laphroaig was a 30th birthday gift from my uncle; we opened them together and only really revisit them when we're together. The other bottle is a Bruichladdich Black Art 1990 (23 Year Old) which I purchased when I found it for a price I couldn't refuse (but was still a stretch for me at the time financially); I purchased with the intent to open it when I got a new job - I had been struggling to find a job after law school for 3+ years and I opened it in August when I finally broke through, so it has an emotional memory attached to it as well.

[@blakeslack]

I keep a bottle of basil Hayden and my brother keeps a bottle of knob Creek for special occasions. When our father died in 2000 we were going through things and found 1 bottle of each stashed away in a cupboard. My step mother told us he had bought them to save for a special occasion. So we each took 1, I the Basil and my brother the Knob.

[@articpigs7294]

Went down to Tennessee where my dad and sister live and we went to the Jack Daniels Distillery to buy a barrel of single barrel select since my dad had just bought a new property to build a house on. Though since I am still only 20 I was only allowed to smell the 3 choices they gave us, but from after the fact I know they got a great barrel, as far as Jack goes its a well balanced barrel not too oaky and not too sweet. They give you a great experience while picking your Whiskey if you are able to go there but they can send the sample to you. Now I just have to make sure they don't drink it all before I turn 21.

[@morandirdraugmor4130]

Would be Lagavulin 16. It was my intro into Islay, always takes me back in time, and enjoyed many a bottle with a close friend who passed a few years ago. Can't just drink it in passing

[@agrainofmalt]

I just bought a bottle of Laphroaig Lore, which I think I will save for special occasions. Beyond that, while my mate from Australia was visiting me in Sweden a couple of weeks back he brought me a bottle of Green Spot and Nikka Coffey Malt. We polished off a good portion of both those bottles while he was here, so now I'm trying to make them last - and I definitely think of him, and miss the bastard already, every time I have a dram!

[@jonathanrose5490]

My special occasion whiskey is a now 28 year old cask strength Gordon & MacPhail single malt scotch from the Rosebank distillery. It was a wedding gift from my best man that was distilled the same year I was born and bottled the year I turned 18.

[@billknoth3244]

Because my wife traces a lot of her genealogy to Ireland we tend to mark special occasions with Irish whiskey. When my twin Grandsons were born we toasted their birth with a 21 year old Bushmills Single Malt. We pour a small amount out of that bottle for their birthdays. As they will soon be five it means a new bottle should be purchased. The wife prefers Jameson's so other occasions have been with Jameson's Distillers reserve or RedBreast. The Redbreast 21 year old was crazy money but she enjoyed every sip.

[@CPTCAVEMAN21]

There will always be a bottle of Wild Turkey 101 around. My Pawpaw's favorite. I can hear him now hollering at my mom when I was a little kid "Hey jugbutt, bring me a bourbon and coke!" My mom is the only one who would make it strong enough for his taste.

[@Kannushi5]

Have you guys reviewed anything by Grangestone? I recently discovered their cask finishes (bourbon, sherry, and rum) and have absolutely loved them. Especially the rum one. I'd like to hear your opinions.

[@mattkimber9704]

I have a midleton Irish whiskey very rare 2016 for my retirement

[@Koester95]

The occasion/special whiskey that my Wife and I have is Jack Daniel's Sinatra Select. We got it on our 11th year anniversary weekend at Nashville TN. We have our names engraved in the bottle and we are the only ones who drink it and we drink it together.

[@brettlangston1585]

I have a bottle of Bookers The Blue Knights version. I have this bottle set aside as my retirement bottle as it represents my two passions, Law Enforcement and Motorcycle riding. A few years to go, so for now I will just have to think about it.

[@JaysonBucy]

My intro into scotch I liked was Laphroig Lore at a highland games competition. My intro into bourbon I like was a tasting at a friend's house. My take away winner of the night was Midwinter Night's Dram. I hunted and searched and found a bottle for $200 but it was worth it to me to celebrate a new job, a new house, a new chapter in my life and family. Unfortunately that bottle was sacrificed to the moving gods before I could even celebrate. It shifted in moving, got too hot and the cork popped thus spilling all of the bottle. I've since found another, more reasonably priced bottle and that is my celebratory bottle now.

[@WhiskyGeek]

I normally use special occasions as an excuse to open a 'special' bottle - and they're almost always something that came to me in a special way. Be it a gift or hand-filled at a distillery, that kind of thing. Nothing better than cracking something special open and toasting an achievement/occasion!

[@6point5]

Chivas 18. My grandfather drank Chivas 12 most of the time, and would never buy "the expensive stuff" for himself. Because of this, it's my goto celebratory drink for special times.

[@ROPname]

My special bottle is a Glenfiddich 19y Age of Discovery Bourbon Cask. Cause is given as a 5y aniv gift by my wify and is my most expensive in my collection :). Awesome ep.

[@adrianbowley1595]

This is so fortuitous. I just happened to see Iowa Legendary Rye on the shelf of my local store yesterday. I was just looking to see if you had done a review of it when this video popped. Thank you. Now, if someone could just send you (and me) a bottle from Cat’s Eye Distillery to sample. They’re located in Bettendorf, Ia, and I’m in Des Moines. A mere 200(ish) miles away, and I can’t seem to find it here. I’m starting to feel a road trip in my future.

[@ryanrandazzo7677]

If you get with the wine and spirits at the urbandale hy-vee im sure they could get it. Have you tried the green frog barrel aged corn whiskey? I wasnt sure about it at first after the first sip and i felt there was a bacon note but i started to enjoy it and its its officially my new go too.

[@mikelisac]

I'm glad you guys got to these. ILR is good stuff.

[@joshuafetter3831]

While catching up on my Whiskey Vault back log I had an interesting question about your experience while working in the distillery. Since you've put your feet to the ground as a craft distillery has there been any growth in the costumer base outside of the Whiskey Tribe? Have you guys been seeing more and more people outside the tribe come in to have a drink or buy a bottle or has it stayed pretty consolidated? I know the distillery was created specifically with the Wizard Academy and the Tribe in mind, but it would be interesting to see if word of mouth or advertising has brought in anyone in from outside the "target audience."

[@sfollows]

Personal go to for special event whiskey is Bowmore “darkest” 15. Would love a recommendation for a more savoury peated whiskey (brine, campfire, dark fruits, and... ?pork?) had something along these notes at a restaurant but don’t know what it was

[@CheeseTaterson]

My go-to "special occasion" whisky is Glenmorangie Artein. I've barely touched it for years, since I know it'll be pretty much impossible to get again. In the meantime, the Glenfiddich Project XX has been a good celebratory substitute.

[@Bazzoro]

I got three special whiskies. Two of which are special because of the reason i got it, one because of how i got it. Caol Ila 25 to mark my 25th birthday. It is a milestone in my opinion and I had a few friends over to share it with. Whenever I get further in live I celebrate it with this. Glenlivet 18 is special because my friends got it for me when I turned 25. Only drinking that when they are around or it stays shut. Laphroaig Brodir is special because it just means brother. Whenever I am drinking it I think of my brother. It is sad he doesn't like whisky at all, or else I would have gifted him one too.

[@Sonofamensch]

My special occasion pour is a bottle of cask-strength Laphroaig 16 bottled by First Editions, which I got (on closeout!) to celebrate getting into grad schools. At the time, my ID was misplaced so I had to have a friend pick up the bottle for me, and I also helped him find Connemara CS and Hyde 10 at very good prices so we had a tasting of those together. I only pour from the Laphroaig bottling when I've heard from a grad school (yes or no), although I'll make an exception when that friend is free to try it with me!

[@thomasbuck303]

Special Occasion whiskies- Bunnahabhain Moine Bordeaux Cask Strength: Only whisky I brought back from Scotland, reminds me of the lovely people I met there. Old Pulteney 21 - Old Pulteney is just my favorite sooo...

[@BiO811HazarD]

I have two special occasion whiskeys. First is Highland Park Dark Origins which is special since it’s amazing and I can’t buy it anymore. Second is Jack Daniels Sinatra Select because it was a wedding gift from a good friend. Plus it’s amazing too.

[@rioslara6555]

My special occasion whiskeys are yamazaki 18 and Johnny Walker green label. Yamazaki because it is a marvelous dram that I got for retail price, crazy right. The JW because it was the first whiskey given to me by a family member, my grandmother.

[@scottfahle8627]

My special whiskey (open to change but this has been the one for many years now) is The Dalmore Cigar Malt. Reason is that this is what my great uncle drove in from Chicago for my wedding and brought 2 bottles with him. This was back before they killed it (along with the original and in my opinion, superior recipe) and then brought it back. If I could find just one bottle of that original recipe.... I'll just have to do with the current one. It's not super fancy, not super expensive but has a special memory and therefore means more to me.

[@richardarmitage5976]

You both have such a great supper geak power, love it.

[@blind7000]

So would you all call the second Rye the Michter's American of Rye? That high vanilla, less barrel notes, uniqueness?

[@dadjokes1012]

Dalmore Cigar Malt Reserve is my current "Happy Memories" talking good times whisk(e)y. Just Christmas in a bottle.

[@TJ-ti8gd]

Special occasion whisky? Ardbeg 10. Back when I was just getting into peated whiskeys, a good friend of mine called to ask if I'd ever had Ardbeg yet. I had a bottle but just hadn't tried it yet. Lagavulin 16 and Laphroaig 10 were already opened, and well... Yeah. Anyway, later that night, he showed up with an opened bottle of Ardbeg 10, and we hung out over a couple of drams. I fell in love with the whisky instantly, but it was a few days later while thinking about that night that I realized that that was a special night. He shared his Ardbeg, we had a great night just telling stories, and hanging out. From then on, whenever there's a special occasion, Ardbeg 10 is the first to come out.

[@clos2132]

I recently (literally this weekend) got Bruichladdich Black Art 4.1 at my local liquor store here in Chicago. Definitely my special occasion whiskey. Dont know what that occasion will be but I feel time will tell :)

[@tonycronin3080]

My special occasion whiskey is Knob Creek 25th anniversary. which I have a special memory tied to a night of drinking Knob Creek by the campfire with a friend.

[@strayer99]

had a s boss I worked for 20 years off and on, and really got along well so much so he tried to set me up with his daughter (another story)...our choice of drink before he passed away was Jack Daniel's single barrel, barrel proof. we both thought jt was always the best with bbq's and grilling...so every 4th of july in his memory this is what I drink and also at other times and more. though there are other scotch and irish whisk(e)ys that I love to drink, johnnie walker double black is my new years eve drink just because it is the most gifted to me at christmas and I do like it.

[@shawngunn1273]

Hell yeah, I have an unopened bottle of Bunnahabhain 26 in my cabinet. Distilled in 1990, it is older than I am.

[@footprintsinthesand2009]

I was raised in Carroll, Carroll County, Iowa 51401!

[@butchborsic9174]

My special occasion whisky is a bottle of Jameson Distiller's reserve "personalized to me" and gifted to me by my good friend.

[@zackzenron]

What is that small square bottle with the white label on the corner of the narrow whiskey shelf underneath the Canadian whiskey? It looks like a white Japanese whiskey from here.

[@carwynvan]

Bladnoch 15 Adela is my extra special occasion whiskey because it's the one me and my wife bought on our honeymoon :-D

[@warddbud]

My special bottle is orphan barrel Barterhouse. Impossible to find another bottle. Or Tullamore Dew Phoenix easer to fine.

[@tommccafferty5591]

For my 65th birthday, my son gave me a bottle of The Gelnlivit Archive 21 year old. I will turn 70 this year and the bottle is still half full. My son lives in NYC and we each share a dram once a year.

[@kostasmaziotis]

Hello there guys! I hope you re doing well. I would really like to see a video with whiskeys of any category (i am not an expert at terminology excuse me :p) that YOU love the most. I mean really love. That would be awesome in my opinion. Besides that, you are a very nice duet and you are doing an excellent job. Thank you very much, greetings from greece

[@brentross9233]

How does it compare to Col EH Taylor Rye? It sounds very similar

[@ThePartySourceReviews]

Another new distillery hitting the market that I would like to try and chase down. Cheers, -J.O.

[@ianoloughnan9345]

Going to get some yellow spot for st. Patrick's day this year to celebrate I've only ever tried redbreast and west cork for irish cant wait to try the spot. If anyone knows of a must try Irish that would be cool

[@josepharsola5972]

My go to special occasion whisky used to be the laphroaig lore until I purchased the bruichladdich octomore 6.1 which has since taken the place of my lore in the special occasion category. It will soon be replaced by the 6.3....and so on and so fourth

[@stillcrazy4023]

i got a bottle of pappys 23 year back in '07. its the one bottle i have yet to open. feel i need a special occasion...