Regarding the Cognac The Sun say "Aldi is also selling a 70cl bottle of Chevalier 1989 Grande Champagne Cognac for just £29.99 – which is 74 per cent cheaper than a similar bottle of 1990 cognac from alcohol retailer Master of Malt."
The full list and prices can been seen at the below link. (I'll update this post directly with drinks / prices when I get home)
Cheers, sitting on a train with dodgy reception so was a chore just getting the post up.
japes
15 Nov 16#3
Who's compiled this comparison? Is it just on Price ... like comparing value vodka with Grey Goose or is it a taste comparison?
DuffyMoon to japes
16 Nov 16#24
All (non-flavoured) vodka is basically the same (apart from the strength). It's a neutral spirit.
bungral
15 Nov 16#4
That list is by The Sun so grain of salt required.
Haven't seen tasting notes on any of it.
I just used the list to show what's on offer and at what price.
stfagos
15 Nov 162#5
Thank you very much for this
Littleminx
15 Nov 16#6
Thanks
FamilyGuy67
15 Nov 16#7
Ha where are these comparisons coming from? yeah right no thanks
bungral
15 Nov 16#8
Not had any Whisky from Aldi since the 40 year single malt a few years ago so looking forward to cracking the 28 open over Xmas.
Got one for me and one for my Dad.
MissAshley
15 Nov 16#9
Good deal, thanks.
^ you don't have to buy it
Biggunspaul
15 Nov 16#10
Would i be correct in thinking those comparison prices are Aldi vs the most expensive prices to be found ?
bungral
15 Nov 161#11
Doesn't look like it. Looks like they're comparisons to things of similar age / type, just not necessarily quality. Who knows, might be just as nice in some cases.
Could find plenty more expensive than that.
djdope
15 Nov 16#12
Wow heat from me
nokiafusion
15 Nov 16#13
Oh it's nearly xmas
clennon
15 Nov 161#14
where is the rum ?
fairytooth to clennon
15 Nov 162#15
Don't know but there's some 'kraken' deals on Amazon!
bungral to clennon
15 Nov 16#20
Looks like there is Kraken in Aldis range too but seems like it's at £19.99 so not as cheap as Amazon Prime but cheaper than non Prime.
my experience of the aged single malt whiskey's at Aldi are quite poor so I skip them every time these offers come up and stick with the proper branded tried and tested whiskey's
bigsky
17 Nov 16#32
^ That is hilarious. :smile:
MattyGr
17 Nov 16#33
Any feedback from anyone who's tried the 28yo malt?
Each year the bottles are different, bungral's instagram link from the_whiskyphiles saying it's probably Glenfarclas. Glenfarclas 25 is £119.76.
Aldi and Lidl don't produce their own whisky, they are bottled for them from 'branded tried and tested' distilleries.
Hatchorder to MattyGr
28 Nov 162#48
Matty,
I bought a bottle of this the other day. I opened it to taste because in general I do like "sherried" whiskys. I have a reasonable collection of Malts and usually have a tasting night with friends occasionally.
This is a FABULOUS drink for me - really warm on the tongue, it oozes sherry, very subtle smokiness and just has a general all round complex flavour with tons of fruit and a hint of nuts. I love it so much I went and bought 3 more, 1 to keep for ron - later on, 1 for my son, who loves a Balvenie 15 year old Sherry Cask one we bought some years ago, and one for my mate who turns 50 next year - birthday present sorted!
Some of the Aldi and Lidl specials have been a bit hit and miss but this one is bang on for me. If I could buy 4 more without the wife finding out I would stick them in the loft for years to come in my retirement.
I am now eying up the Maynard's 40 year old Tawny Port and trying to justify getting a couple of bottles of that as well.
For those who think that these cannot be good Whisky's because they are Aldi or Lidl I am sorry but I think that is a bit snobbish. Buy it, try it, and if you don't like it send it to me and I'll give you the £40 - all you lose is the postage........... all I lose is a tot out of the bottle!
Ian
DuffyMoon
17 Nov 16#35
I know! But people still believe there's a difference.
Fools and their money...
ciarandanielbyrne1
17 Nov 16#36
I'm in Bristol am trying to find some cognac's at £40. I'm going to three stores tomorrow. Possibly get a whisky too. I bet there's sweet f all when I do this 11 mile goose chase. Still i'm getting away from my 20 two litre bottles of pilsner I have just bottled up :wink:
bungral to ciarandanielbyrne1
18 Nov 16#40
Good luck! Let us know how you get on.
MattyGr
17 Nov 16#37
It makes you wonder how aldi and lidl can sell 28yo single malts under £50 when others at a similar age are at least twice as much but most are £200+.
psychomech
17 Nov 16#38
I've seen a few comments suggesting the whisky is a sherried Mortlach, which would make the Aldi price an absolute steal!
bungral
18 Nov 16#39
Aldi's 40 year a few years back was immense. That was £50. Ridiculous really.
Similar scenario is Arla who sell full price milk as Cravendale but the same milk in supermarkets own packaging I.e Aldi Puriti at a discounted price.
Same happens with hotels, few full price rooms but more sold cheaper via third parties like Booking.com, Expedia etc.
They can afford to do so as it's better to sell a few full price and more cheaper VS just a few. They are still making profit even at a discounted price, maximizing sales.
Better than having a warehouse full of full price bottles going nowhere or hotel with lots of empty rooms.
They could sell for £140+ but if it costs £10 etc to make it's a loss of £100 'potential' extra revenue not a £100 loss, it's still £30 profit.
Ploppy69
19 Nov 16#43
I picked up the single malt today from the Fishponds branch...had a couple left on the shelf. Didn't notice if they had the cognac as only went for the whiskey
revcrocket
21 Nov 16#44
you have obviously not drunk Vodka straight if you think they are all the same. Stick coke or other mixers in it then fair enough, but a good vodka should be chilled and sipped straight, try that with a bottle of smirnoff and a bottle of Beluga and tell us there is no difference.
DuffyMoon
21 Nov 16#45
Actually I have - Zubrowka. It was OK, but then it's flavoured.
No. I don't generally drink neat Vodka. Do many people? I bet no more than 1% drink it neat. Maybe there are slight differences, but not enough to justify the prices and this is a website which is supposed to save people money. If people have plenty of money to blow on drinks with fancy labels, then go ahead.
Cheers for those. Glad I checked back again to catch your edit.
Hatchorder
28 Nov 161#49
I have just decided to go and open a different bottle - a Ben Bracken 28 year old Speyside from Lidl, which was £10 more than this Aldi offering.
It is good, very good, but Speyside's are not my favourite to be fair. Fruity, a little hint of smoky, flowery, fresh and yet quite sweet. I liked it a lot, and still think it is worth the money............ but..............
I want to go back and have another dram from the Glen Marnoch.... NOW!
Seriously, I am chuffed with these two in my Malt cupboards.
I hope this helps someone.
Ian
booroo to Hatchorder
29 Nov 161#50
Legend. This is what I wanted to hear.
I've one bottle which I've not opened yet but will definitely pick up a couple more based on your feedback. Thanks.
booroo to Hatchorder
29 Nov 161#52
Ah, yes. My local Aldi said that they should be getting new stock in fairly regularly so it will be a case of keeping an eye out. Although the staff probably isn't kept completely up-to-date of nationwide stock levels!
I have a few questions, if you wouldn't mind:
1) The Ben Bracken 28 - is that the release from last year? I just so happen to have a bottle that I picked up this time last year which I still haven't opened.
2) Have you tried many/any batches of Aberlour A'bunadh? If you like your sherry bombs, I'm assuming you have. How about Glendronach 15? Glenfarclas 15? Wondering how the Glen Marnoch would compare for you.
3) I'm based in London and have a few stores around me. Want me to keep you updated if I manage to find some? I could also pick a couple up for you if you like.
4) "Keep one for Ron"? I've not heard that expression before! Care to elaborate?
I could talk scotch all day so feel free to ignore me!
Slainte!
B
booroo to Hatchorder
30 Nov 16#55
Lol! That's good news. And well played on the wardrobe trick - I've done the same thing with a stack of Octomore 7.2s...(I'm under no illusions though - my SO is way smarter than I am. She's just letting me pretend I've got one over on her!)
It sounds as though you have similar tastes to me so I think I'm going to go and hunt down a few more bottles of the GM28 too!
Enjoy and have a great Christmas. I'll have a wee dram in toast to you when I finally get to open mine.
ps would love to hear your thoughts on the Port as I was considering getting a bottle of that too. If you like your stickies too, their Botrytis Semillon is supposedly killer. I managed to pick one up (£6!) but haven't seen any more on the shelves for a while
booroo to Hatchorder
2 Dec 16#57
Ah mate, I think you got extremely lucky with the extra bottles! I popped into a couple of Aldis today and both stated that they were unlikely to get more stock in (both had sold out, of course). Good for you.
I should be opening my bottle tonight with my little whisky club and am already salivating at the thought (though I'm also hoping that I don't like it too much now that I know it's going to be a lot more difficult for me to find more!).
Cheers
B
edit: and thanks for the Port tasting notes! One to consider next time I pop to aldi...
booroo to Hatchorder
2 Dec 16#60
Oh my word. Talk about Christmas cake! Sherry, nuts, fruit, oak and smoke. This is absolutely beautiful. What a delicious, delicious dram! I'm so happy I have the rest of my (almost full) bottle but also gutted that there are no more seemingly left in London. I've literally just put the bottle away, the whisky club has dispersed (this was hands down the favourite of the night) and I'm already considering getting the bottle straight back out for a nightcap! This is a tasty, tasty drop. There's so much going on with it that I can only imagine what time with it will reveal. Wow. Well done Aldi!
This is a magnificent whisky! Ian, if you really are willing to pick some up for me I would be extremely grateful but of course only if it's not out of your way.
Hatchorder
29 Nov 16#51
You will be lucky to find them - unless more stock comes in - I picked up the last 2 at 2 different branches and nothing has appeared since - I keep checking.......... There will also be those that ambush them to keep for later and sell - gggrrrrrrrrrr! As said before I have a Balvenie 17 year old Sherry Cask (I think I said it was a 15 - my mistake) and it was only about £40 at the time (around 2008-9?). I have a couple of fingers left in the bottle and cannot find it for less than £475 now.
The best advice I was given recently was to buy 3 bottles of everything. 1 for now - 1 for ron - later on and 1 to sell in 10 years time to cover all your costs and pay for the next release! Wise words..... Balvenie have not done a 17 year old Sherry cask for many years to my knowledge - I keep hoping...
I would love to know what you think of it when you taste it - this is a sherry monster in my eyes...... I might even try a blind taste off between the 2 when my son gets home just before Xmas...... mmmmmmmmmmmm.
Let me know.
Ian
Hatchorder
29 Nov 16#53
No, this is the 27 year old speyside I picked up last week. Last year I picked up the Ben Bracken 22 year old Islay - quite nice ( I LOVE Islays) but not the best - but at that price it was a steal. I have paid more than double that for a Lagavulin that was just as nice.
If you can get it, the Glendronach Allardyce 18 is better! Really well priced from memory as well. Think it was only about £55 when I bought it. Much smoother than the 15.
Thank you kind sir but I think I have bases covered, especially if you are saying there is more to come.... I have scouts everywhere looking for me! Nice of you to offer though.
I always knew it as "Keep one for Ron" and after a pause then finish the sentence with "Later on" - in other words another one for me!
I get more into trouble by sitting down with about 30 bottles and trying little sips from each one whilst educating friends as to what they like. Many of my friends are Speyside men, my son is a Highlands man and I am generally an Islay man but love the stronger Highlands and the Sherry Monsters as well.
Here's tae us, Wha's like us? Gey few, and they're a'l died
do dheagh shlàinte. Talking Irish - I was at the Jameson Distillery in Dublin last year and had a special tasting with friends of some very nice older Malts and they could still not convince me that their triple distilled's were better than their Scottish competitors....... and they spell it wrong!
Shhhhhhh. Tiptoe out, everyone else is snoring....................
Ian
Hatchorder
30 Nov 16#54
<3 The search is over. I happened to be driving through a town this morning and traffic was a bit slow so I saw an Aldi. I pulled in thinking I would just have a look and see if they had any and they had just put 6 bottles out on the shelf. Not wanting to be too greedy I picked up 3 and 2 bottles of the 40 year old Maynard's Port.
Now just have to work out how to get this into the wardrobe and when I pull one out I say to the wife "What, this old thing.... Had it for years!" - well, it seems to work for her! :laughing::laughing:
Ian
Hatchorder
30 Nov 16#56
You must - because they are special one off cask deals it is unlikely you will find this again, just because they will buy different casks next year. That is why I have bought some more - I will not get them again.... I learned that the hard way with the Balvenie.
I would love to know what you think when you do. A friend tried it last night and has gone on a hunt for it today!
Well....... I showed your comment to the wife and said I cannot let my new friend down...... So I opened one.
First of all I was taken by surprise, another monster sherry smell! Tons of fruit, vanilla, demerara sugar and spice. Taste wise it has so little tannin it is so smooth - definately a Tawny with a silky nutty taste with a hint of smoke - but really light smokiness. It is so like a sherry, quite a lot sweeter than many ports, that I am not so sure.....
In truth I don't know............ I like it a lot, but I just wonder if it is just too smooth for me - I prefer something a bit drier with a bit more bite like a vintage Ruby. I just wonder if there comes a point at which a Tawny is too silky for me....
I think I will need to have a couple more tastings - just to make sure!
Ian
vurt
2 Dec 16#58
Picked up the whisky in Brighton London Road store yesterday, they had 2 more on the shelf. Cracked it open last night and was very impressed. As good as the 17 year taketsuru I've just finished
Hatchorder
2 Dec 16#59
I might pop into my 3 local stores tomorrow and see if they have any. I am in the Midlands if it is any good to you if they have any, and I can pick them up?????
So - Sherry Bomb or Sherry Bum?
Ian
bungral
3 Dec 16#61
Hmmm tempted to get another if I can find one.
Hatchorder
7 Dec 16#62
Booroo, I have looked in 3 Aldi's so far to try and find some more bottles, but sadly have not found any. Wish I had bought all 6 when I had the chance.....
Anyone else found any more?
Ian
booroo to Hatchorder
12 Dec 161#63
Hi Ian,
I didn't realise you had posted here again as I didn't get a 'reply alert'. I just happened to pop back in...
I called Aldi Customer Services to try to find out where I could find more bottles. I spoke to 3 different representatives in as many days and, to their credit, they were absolutely fantastic. Basically, there were a couple of stores which showed stock on their systems but calling through (which the reps did for me as the stores don't have a number for customers) revealed that they had either just sold out or that the computer systems were showing an error. Frustrating.
On the second day I called they were showing double digits of stock in Colchester! Calling through revealed 3 left and so I got a friend to run over to the store for me. By the time he got over there there was just 1 bottle left so he grabbed it for me. Better than nothing!
On a whim, I called back the next day and it was a similar situation - apparently none in London and double digits in Colchester! Surely that was a mistake? Calling through, however, confirmed that there were definitely 8 on the shelf so I got my good buddy to run back down and grab me a couple more!
So...long story short, I have 3 full bottles for our good friend Ron! Result. I was contemplating getting even more but decided that there was plenty of good scotch out there and that these four bottles should easily last me til next Christmas (and beyond!) when the new Aldi/Lidl releases come out!
I've been sipping away at the open bottle and I'm really enjoying it though I have to say that the nose is a little better than the palate in my opinion. I could sit nosing it for hours! Still absolutely delicious on the palate though and a tiny drop of water brings out the fruitiness even more. It does really bring Glenfarclas to mind...
Re: the Aldi situation, apparently all stores received initial stock of the whisky with a few, choice and limited stores, receiving one extra run of stock last week. Customer services seemed to think that this was now 'it' and that there wouldn't be any more coming in but they couldn't be certain. For anyone looking for this whisky, I highly recommend calling Aldi customer services and trying to pin a bottle down using their service. They are a very helpful bunch.
Cheers for trying to find stock for me, Ian. Greatly appreciated and I hope it wasn't too much hassle. I have a Ben Bracken 28 (last year's release from Lidl) which I plan to open soon. When I do, I'll get your details to send a sample your way.
Slainte!
Hatchorder
12 Dec 16#64
Booroo,
Thank you for the kind offer but I already have the Ben Bracken from last year and this year! I am so glad you found some more - I kept looking for you! But you are right - get them whilst you can - I have 4 in my loft now - and they will never be sold. To me they are too nice to part with and I totally agree with you on the nose it is one of the nicest I have ever had. You are absolutely right about a few drops of water, it always brings out the flavour. Do yourself a favour though, have a big enough collection that you have all different types so that you drink different ones all the time - you may return to favourites over time but that way they last - I have a couple of bottles of special ones from back in the 80's that are looking like the tide is out - but they are still here and even more savoured now than they were then. I will still have some of this one left in 20 years time I hope. Oh, and another tip - stop sharing! LOL. It becomes everyones favourite and they keep asking you to bring it out......
My son flies in from China today for Xmas and we have wrapped a bottle for him for a present. He will love it. I'll tell you how good it is though, my daughter - who is not into whisky at all had a small taste of it the other night and said she really liked it - aaaarrrgggghhhhh! I have told her she is banned from it!
Merry Xmas.
Ian.
Hatchorder
12 Dec 16#65
Booroo,
Thanks for the tip about Customer services. I rang them today, as my son said he wanted to buy some after tasting it and they said both our local shops had stock of 3. The nearest 1 could only find 1 bottle, but they had put it to one side for us. When we got there the lady said she had found another one so my son bought both!
Brilliant tip. Thanks,
Ian
bungral
13 Dec 16#66
Just going out now to look for another.
Hatchorder to bungral
13 Dec 16#67
I would suggest you ring their customer services on 0800 042 0800. They can check stock near you. They will also ring the store if any are showing in stock to check they do still have them.
Cannot fault their customer services - Well done Aldi for going the extra mile.
Ian
bungral
14 Dec 16#68
Booooo, no stock near me.
Looks like both my bottles will have to be for me! Was going to gift one.
Anyone opened this years Lidl 27 year Ben Bracken yet?
tanjawest
16 Dec 16#69
Aldi down Straight Road in Colchester had 3 single malt whisky left at lunchtime, hope it helps someone :smiley:
theyiddo
17 Dec 16#70
Just picked up another of the Glen Marnoch 28 from my local Aldi. Was soooooo tempted to clear the shelf (there were 3 left after I grabbed one), but the wife was with me, so I pretended this was the first one I'd bought anyway....Just need to hide it in the bottom cupboard in the kitchen with all my other single malts. Its getting pretty full in there now though.
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Opening post
Apparently the best deal is on the old Cognac but I'm more interested in the Glen Marnoch 28yr single malt at £39.99.
Figured if the Lidl Ben Bracken 27yr is decent at £50 then this 28yr at £40 is worth a punt!
Thoughts from Whiskyphiles: https://www.instagram.com/p/BMw2LG-hKvY/
Regarding the Cognac The Sun say "Aldi is also selling a 70cl bottle of Chevalier 1989 Grande Champagne Cognac for just £29.99 – which is 74 per cent cheaper than a similar bottle of 1990 cognac from alcohol retailer Master of Malt."
The full list and prices can been seen at the below link. (I'll update this post directly with drinks / prices when I get home)
https://www.dropbox.com/s/3ga0imju8m34jxh/Photo%2015-11-2016%2018%2026%2009.jpg?dl=0
All comments (71)
Haven't seen tasting notes on any of it.
I just used the list to show what's on offer and at what price.
Got one for me and one for my Dad.
^ you don't have to buy it
Could find plenty more expensive than that.
Could be cheaper else where though.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/living/2188588/aldi-launches-premium-christmas-drinks-range-but-its-not-as-cheap-as-you-might-think/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BMw2LG-hKvY/
Next to nothing on Google
Each year the bottles are different, bungral's instagram link from the_whiskyphiles saying it's probably Glenfarclas. Glenfarclas 25 is £119.76.
Aldi and Lidl don't produce their own whisky, they are bottled for them from 'branded tried and tested' distilleries.
I bought a bottle of this the other day. I opened it to taste because in general I do like "sherried" whiskys. I have a reasonable collection of Malts and usually have a tasting night with friends occasionally.
This is a FABULOUS drink for me - really warm on the tongue, it oozes sherry, very subtle smokiness and just has a general all round complex flavour with tons of fruit and a hint of nuts. I love it so much I went and bought 3 more, 1 to keep for ron - later on, 1 for my son, who loves a Balvenie 15 year old Sherry Cask one we bought some years ago, and one for my mate who turns 50 next year - birthday present sorted!
Some of the Aldi and Lidl specials have been a bit hit and miss but this one is bang on for me. If I could buy 4 more without the wife finding out I would stick them in the loft for years to come in my retirement.
I am now eying up the Maynard's 40 year old Tawny Port and trying to justify getting a couple of bottles of that as well.
For those who think that these cannot be good Whisky's because they are Aldi or Lidl I am sorry but I think that is a bit snobbish. Buy it, try it, and if you don't like it send it to me and I'll give you the £40 - all you lose is the postage........... all I lose is a tot out of the bottle!
Ian
Fools and their money...
Same happens with hotels, few full price rooms but more sold cheaper via third parties like Booking.com, Expedia etc.
They can afford to do so as it's better to sell a few full price and more cheaper VS just a few. They are still making profit even at a discounted price, maximizing sales.
Better than having a warehouse full of full price bottles going nowhere or hotel with lots of empty rooms.
They could sell for £140+ but if it costs £10 etc to make it's a loss of £100 'potential' extra revenue not a £100 loss, it's still £30 profit.
No. I don't generally drink neat Vodka. Do many people? I bet no more than 1% drink it neat. Maybe there are slight differences, but not enough to justify the prices and this is a website which is supposed to save people money. If people have plenty of money to blow on drinks with fancy labels, then go ahead.
Edit: And another! http://whiskyapocalypse.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/glen-marnoch-28-year-old-single-malt.html
Sounds like a must-purchase to me!
It is good, very good, but Speyside's are not my favourite to be fair. Fruity, a little hint of smoky, flowery, fresh and yet quite sweet. I liked it a lot, and still think it is worth the money............ but..............
I want to go back and have another dram from the Glen Marnoch.... NOW!
Seriously, I am chuffed with these two in my Malt cupboards.
I hope this helps someone.
Ian
I've one bottle which I've not opened yet but will definitely pick up a couple more based on your feedback. Thanks.
I have a few questions, if you wouldn't mind:
1) The Ben Bracken 28 - is that the release from last year? I just so happen to have a bottle that I picked up this time last year which I still haven't opened.
2) Have you tried many/any batches of Aberlour A'bunadh? If you like your sherry bombs, I'm assuming you have. How about Glendronach 15? Glenfarclas 15? Wondering how the Glen Marnoch would compare for you.
3) I'm based in London and have a few stores around me. Want me to keep you updated if I manage to find some? I could also pick a couple up for you if you like.
4) "Keep one for Ron"? I've not heard that expression before! Care to elaborate?
I could talk scotch all day so feel free to ignore me!
Slainte!
B
It sounds as though you have similar tastes to me so I think I'm going to go and hunt down a few more bottles of the GM28 too!
Enjoy and have a great Christmas. I'll have a wee dram in toast to you when I finally get to open mine.
ps would love to hear your thoughts on the Port as I was considering getting a bottle of that too. If you like your stickies too, their Botrytis Semillon is supposedly killer. I managed to pick one up (£6!) but haven't seen any more on the shelves for a while
I should be opening my bottle tonight with my little whisky club and am already salivating at the thought (though I'm also hoping that I don't like it too much now that I know it's going to be a lot more difficult for me to find more!).
Cheers
B
edit: and thanks for the Port tasting notes! One to consider next time I pop to aldi...
This is a magnificent whisky! Ian, if you really are willing to pick some up for me I would be extremely grateful but of course only if it's not out of your way.
The best advice I was given recently was to buy 3 bottles of everything. 1 for now - 1 for ron - later on and 1 to sell in 10 years time to cover all your costs and pay for the next release! Wise words..... Balvenie have not done a 17 year old Sherry cask for many years to my knowledge - I keep hoping...
I would love to know what you think of it when you taste it - this is a sherry monster in my eyes...... I might even try a blind taste off between the 2 when my son gets home just before Xmas...... mmmmmmmmmmmm.
Let me know.
Ian
If you can get it, the Glendronach Allardyce 18 is better! Really well priced from memory as well. Think it was only about £55 when I bought it. Much smoother than the 15.
Thank you kind sir but I think I have bases covered, especially if you are saying there is more to come.... I have scouts everywhere looking for me! Nice of you to offer though.
I always knew it as "Keep one for Ron" and after a pause then finish the sentence with "Later on" - in other words another one for me!
I get more into trouble by sitting down with about 30 bottles and trying little sips from each one whilst educating friends as to what they like. Many of my friends are Speyside men, my son is a Highlands man and I am generally an Islay man but love the stronger Highlands and the Sherry Monsters as well.
Here's tae us, Wha's like us? Gey few, and they're a'l died
do dheagh shlàinte. Talking Irish - I was at the Jameson Distillery in Dublin last year and had a special tasting with friends of some very nice older Malts and they could still not convince me that their triple distilled's were better than their Scottish competitors....... and they spell it wrong!
Shhhhhhh. Tiptoe out, everyone else is snoring....................
Ian
Now just have to work out how to get this into the wardrobe and when I pull one out I say to the wife "What, this old thing.... Had it for years!" - well, it seems to work for her! :laughing::laughing:
Ian
I would love to know what you think when you do. A friend tried it last night and has gone on a hunt for it today!
Well....... I showed your comment to the wife and said I cannot let my new friend down...... So I opened one.
First of all I was taken by surprise, another monster sherry smell! Tons of fruit, vanilla, demerara sugar and spice. Taste wise it has so little tannin it is so smooth - definately a Tawny with a silky nutty taste with a hint of smoke - but really light smokiness. It is so like a sherry, quite a lot sweeter than many ports, that I am not so sure.....
In truth I don't know............ I like it a lot, but I just wonder if it is just too smooth for me - I prefer something a bit drier with a bit more bite like a vintage Ruby. I just wonder if there comes a point at which a Tawny is too silky for me....
I think I will need to have a couple more tastings - just to make sure!
Ian
So - Sherry Bomb or Sherry Bum?
Ian
Anyone else found any more?
Ian
I didn't realise you had posted here again as I didn't get a 'reply alert'. I just happened to pop back in...
I called Aldi Customer Services to try to find out where I could find more bottles. I spoke to 3 different representatives in as many days and, to their credit, they were absolutely fantastic. Basically, there were a couple of stores which showed stock on their systems but calling through (which the reps did for me as the stores don't have a number for customers) revealed that they had either just sold out or that the computer systems were showing an error. Frustrating.
On the second day I called they were showing double digits of stock in Colchester! Calling through revealed 3 left and so I got a friend to run over to the store for me. By the time he got over there there was just 1 bottle left so he grabbed it for me. Better than nothing!
On a whim, I called back the next day and it was a similar situation - apparently none in London and double digits in Colchester! Surely that was a mistake? Calling through, however, confirmed that there were definitely 8 on the shelf so I got my good buddy to run back down and grab me a couple more!
So...long story short, I have 3 full bottles for our good friend Ron! Result. I was contemplating getting even more but decided that there was plenty of good scotch out there and that these four bottles should easily last me til next Christmas (and beyond!) when the new Aldi/Lidl releases come out!
I've been sipping away at the open bottle and I'm really enjoying it though I have to say that the nose is a little better than the palate in my opinion. I could sit nosing it for hours! Still absolutely delicious on the palate though and a tiny drop of water brings out the fruitiness even more. It does really bring Glenfarclas to mind...
Re: the Aldi situation, apparently all stores received initial stock of the whisky with a few, choice and limited stores, receiving one extra run of stock last week. Customer services seemed to think that this was now 'it' and that there wouldn't be any more coming in but they couldn't be certain. For anyone looking for this whisky, I highly recommend calling Aldi customer services and trying to pin a bottle down using their service. They are a very helpful bunch.
Cheers for trying to find stock for me, Ian. Greatly appreciated and I hope it wasn't too much hassle. I have a Ben Bracken 28 (last year's release from Lidl) which I plan to open soon. When I do, I'll get your details to send a sample your way.
Slainte!
Thank you for the kind offer but I already have the Ben Bracken from last year and this year! I am so glad you found some more - I kept looking for you! But you are right - get them whilst you can - I have 4 in my loft now - and they will never be sold. To me they are too nice to part with and I totally agree with you on the nose it is one of the nicest I have ever had. You are absolutely right about a few drops of water, it always brings out the flavour. Do yourself a favour though, have a big enough collection that you have all different types so that you drink different ones all the time - you may return to favourites over time but that way they last - I have a couple of bottles of special ones from back in the 80's that are looking like the tide is out - but they are still here and even more savoured now than they were then. I will still have some of this one left in 20 years time I hope. Oh, and another tip - stop sharing! LOL. It becomes everyones favourite and they keep asking you to bring it out......
My son flies in from China today for Xmas and we have wrapped a bottle for him for a present. He will love it. I'll tell you how good it is though, my daughter - who is not into whisky at all had a small taste of it the other night and said she really liked it - aaaarrrgggghhhhh! I have told her she is banned from it!
Merry Xmas.
Ian.
Thanks for the tip about Customer services. I rang them today, as my son said he wanted to buy some after tasting it and they said both our local shops had stock of 3. The nearest 1 could only find 1 bottle, but they had put it to one side for us. When we got there the lady said she had found another one so my son bought both!
Brilliant tip. Thanks,
Ian
Cannot fault their customer services - Well done Aldi for going the extra mile.
Ian
Looks like both my bottles will have to be for me! Was going to gift one.
Anyone opened this years Lidl 27 year Ben Bracken yet?