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Dark Cloud Whisky Awards Best of 2024 continues with the top 5 whiskies of the year, and as the hands on the clock show, we are at number 3 of the best overall whiskies of the year.
@northstarspirits have continuously released absolute top-notch whiskies over the years, single malts, blends, grains, and everything in between. They are no stranger to my year-end awards, and this year, they take home the third place whisky of the year.
From the second i saw the release announcement of this, I knew I needed it. The 50-year blended grain whisky was distilled in 1973 and finished in an Oloroso Barrique. Bottled in April 2024 and at a strength of 46.6%
It finally arrived in Canada, and it was a no-brainer to grab a couple. The first bottle was opened and shared among a huge group of friends and fellow whisky enthusiasts.
This whisky stole my heart from the first sip, and it only evolved even better after it was opened and shared. Oloroso influence without being one dimensional while still retaining the beautiful old musty grain note that I die for. Wet autumn forest floor, old musty cabin in the woods, worn leather saddles, nutty, chocolate, and dark fruit leather.
This is an absolutely phenomenal whisky and truly special one that i can't get enough of. And it's a no-doubter for the top 5 overall for the whole year!
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#whisky #scotch #scotchwhisky #grain #grainwhisky #blendedgrain #1973 #2024 #top5 #oloroso #outstanding #special #northstar #50years #delicious #grainisgood #insane #onceinalifetime

The clock strikes 4, which means it must be number 4 in the top 5 overall whiskies of the year in the Dark Cloud Whisky Best of 2024 Awards.
This was one of my most anticipated releases of the year, and it still exceeded my expectations by a lot.
The @theglenallachie_ Meikle Toir Turbo.
Part of the newly launched peated line from Glenallachie, the Turbo, turns it up. Peat leaves in the whisky (not the barley level) is 71ppm. It was matured in virgin American Oak and sherry casks and released at 50% abv.
Billy Walker has stated in the past he wanted to leave a legacy with peated Whisky, and this is the capstone in the initial foray for Glenallachie. The heavy peat is evident right from the get go but what really got me in the cockles was the way the sweetness and fruit slowly built up, growing stronger with each sip until my mouth was overtaken with a balanced heavy flavor that was bottled at the perfect abv and left a lasting impression. It is truly a legacy inducing release.
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#whisky #scotch #scotchwhisky #speyside #peated #peat #smokey #sherry #virginoak #glenallachie #meikletoir #turbo #legacy #amazing #bestof #bestoftheyear #awards #overall #top5

And here we go....
The Top Five Overall Whiskies of the Year for 2024.
The top 5 exceeded all others for me and therefore don't qualify for their individual categories. They are above categorization because they are the best of the best.
Starting off at number 5 is a truly unique and amazing whiskey from my pals @twostackswhiskey and their Polaris 3.1 release.
They have released a few different Polaris bottlings previously, but this is the first one to use 100% peated distillate in it. 5 year old peated distillate from Great Northern Distillery that was finished in a Cabernet Franc Ice Wine Cask for 14 months. It's finally bottled (and canned) at 58% abv.
What this adds up to is a game of contrasts that also balance each other out, and your mouth is left open in awe (and open for another sip). Initially, the smoke rushes in. Like a deep woodsy cigar, which coats the mouth, but then the cask drives forward with a sweetness and berry jammy quality. Irish apple dusted with clove and cinnamon. Absolutely a delight, and I'm already looking forward to news of the next releases from Two Stacks. Maybe they will invite me over for a launch...😉
You might be asking yourself "Darkcloud this bottle looks sealed..?" Yes. Yes, it is. I was lucky enough to snag a handful of cans of this as well. And those are almost all gone.
Two Stacks Polaris 3.1. Coming in at the number 5 spot in the best whiskey overall for 2024
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#whiskey #whisky #singlemalt #irishwhiskey #irish #twostacks #bonding #polaris #peated #peat #smokey #cabfranc #icewine #wine #top5 #best #awards #amazing #outstanding #devine #delicious #special

Day lucky 13 of the Dark Cloud Whisky Awards Best of 2024. A very special one today...
Distillery of the Year!
This year's winner is legit in my backyard. 12 mins away from the Dark Cloud Den and it's @anohkadistillery
Open for right around 2 years now, @gurwhisky has established something very special and accomplished a heck of a lot in a short amount of time.
Canada's best London Dry Gin for their "Tempest"
The WORLD'S Best Newmake Spirit from @worldwhiskiesawards
They are making both heavily peated and unpeat single malt spirit, and in a short while, the world will see just how delicious it is.
They have released their "This is not Whisky" spirit along the journey, which are like snapshots in time as their spirit ages in casks.
I literally can not say enough praise for what they are doing!
The 2024 Distillery of the Year...Anohka Distillery!
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#whisky #spirit #singlemalt #distillery #best #bestof #awards #worldsbest #gin #canada #alberta #delicious #special #peat #peated #smokey #neighbours #fantastic

Day 11 of the Dark Cloud Whisky Best of 2024 Awards and the final region in Scotland. Whisky Island, of course we are talking about Islay!
The top three were fairly easy to pick. However, the order changed multiple times, and on any given day, these three could fall in any order.
Taking third place is @laphroaig and their 2024 Cairdeas releases, Cask Favourites. The Cairdeas releases are no stranger to my annual awards, and this shows that they consistently release top quality annual limited editions. This one is no exception. A nod to two fairly recent Cairdeas releases 2019's Triple Wood & 2021's PX Cask. Here, the single malt was first matured in over-charred first- and second-fill ex-bourbon & quarter casks. It was then finished in PX casks. A stunner.
The runner-up for Islay Whisky of the year is the second release of a former overall whisky of the year for me. Hailing from Islay's best distillery @kilchomandistillery and their Fino Fully Matured. Officially released in 2023, i did not open this one until this past year. Full on Fino sherry funk and brine on display here, which compliment the typical sweeter heavy peat Kilchoman is known for. Like a freshly caught bounty of fish over smoldering coals dug into the sand on the beach. Another hit from Kilchoman.
The Dark Cloud Islay Whisky of the year is from a distillery I've never featured in my awards before and one I typically don't ever buy. This is an independently bottled Bowmore from the fine folks at @singlecasknation What a stunner. Unexpected and a huge surprise. 11 years old with a 39-month finish in an American Oak oloroso hogshead. This is not a sherry bomb. This isn't a floral Bowmore bomb either. It's creamy and complex and evolves every time you pour it. Not one to sip while distracted, demanding your full attention. It's equal parts smoke, floral and fruity, and cask influenced with earthy dried fruits and raisin sweetness. I love surprise amazing bottles.
What was your favorite Islay whisky this year?
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#whisky #islay #bowmore #singlecasknation #indy #oloroso #kilchoman #laphroaig #fino #px #bestof #top3 #2024 #awards #surprise #gorgeous #delicious

Double digits reached and day 10 of the Dark Cloud Whisky Best of 2024 Awards.
Today, we visit the smallest region by numbers of distilleries by a long shot. Of course, we are in Campbelltown.
Taking the third best Campbelltown whisky of 2024 is a private store pick from a local-ish store here in Alberta. @craftcellars and their 8 year old Glen Scotia from a first fill oloroso cask and bottled at cask strength of 55.6% abv. The color does not reflect first fill oloroso. However, this is an experience in balance. Campbelltown funk and oloroso fruit and spice blend together to make a great example of a young balanced whisky that holds a bit of a surprise every time you pour it.
Runner up for Campbelltown whisky of the year is an annual contender every year. It's the 2023 (we saw it land here in spring 2024) release of the Cask Strength full oloroso matured from Hazelburn. This year's is another 15 year, only 9000 bottles and coming in at 55.8% abv. This is one of my favs from the entire line of these releases, which I have had all of them. Again, just enough of that funky coming from distillate AND oloroso casks to combine for a dank, dark fruit, leather, and tobacco. Unreal whisky!
The best whisky from Campbelltown for 2024 was the first release in the limited edition "Icons of Campbelltown" series from @glenscotiamalts
12 years old, bourbon matured and finished for 8 months in Palo Cortado and release at CS of 54.1% abv. This is Campbelltown with an extra special cask finish in pure form. Farm yard creosote funk with salty brine and seashells all wrapped up beautiful salted caramel. Nutty and orange rind, some honey roasted cashews. This bottle has everything. I simply love it. I instantly bought the second in the series recently and can't wait to side by side with this.
I want to know what Campbelltown whiskies you loved this year!
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#whisky #campbelltown #scotch #caskstrength #glenscotia #glenscotiawhisky #hazelburn #springbank #bestof #bestoftheyear #top3 #palocortado #oloroso #private #limitededition #singlemalt #delicious #2024 #awards

Day 9 and roughly the halfway point of the Dark Cloud Whisky Best of 2024 Awards.
Staying in Scotland and a " region" that some argue doesn't exist. To them, i say that's hogwash. These are the top 3 Island whiskies of 2024.
Taking the third spot is an old reliable @tobermorydistillery release of the Triple Wood Ledaig. A NAS cask strength release featuring peated distillate from Bourbon, Port, and Wine casks. This is everything a young current day Ledaig can be. Farmyard funk, maritime notes, minerality, salt, sweetness and salted caramel chocolate, some ripe berries, earthy. In one word, YUM!
Runner up for best Island whisky is a newcomer to the great white north this year, and that's @laggwhisky and this one is their limited edition inaugural release batch 3. 30 months in ex bourbon and 6 months in rioja Red wine casks. Bottled at 50% This whisky is the bare minimum age, yet drinks way older. The Rioja finish is the perfect amount of influence and meshes really well with the heavily peated distillate. A big surprise for me and one I love pouring blind as it shocks people every time.
2024 Best Island Whisky is again a Ledaig. But this time from indy bottlers @liquid_treasures and it's a 16 year fully matured in PX sherry and bottled at cask strength of 50.4% This is a wheel house whisky for me. The perfect abv. Full PX casks on display with the funk I love so much. Like a black cherry ice cream cone dropped and melting on a mechanics floor, next to the ocean, where a fire just went out and the wind is blowing from the farm next door. Outstanding stuff!
Do you consider the Islands their own region? Did you have anything super tasty from an island distillery this year?
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#whisky #scotch #scottishwhisky #scotchwhisky #islands #singlemalt #peat #peated #rioja #redwine #port #px #pedroximenez #bourbon #ledaig #lagg #arran #awards #top3 #bestof #special #tobermory #isleofmull #caskstrength #singlecask #limitededition #inaugural

It's day 8 of the Dark Cloud Whisky Best of 2024 Awards, and we are still in Scotland. Today, we take a look at the Highlands region. The largest in size of any region, and also probably the most varied in styles in one singular region. My top 3 Highalnd whiskies for 2024 will show just that.
Taking home the third spot is @smwscanada release from Ben Nevis (78.65) titled Garbanzos Cajun Train Ride. A cask strength 67.7% abv wild card whisky. A 9 year old bottled from a 2nd fill oloroso butt, this has leather and tart dark fruits and a heavy Cajun like spice to it. It can handle a lot of water, and it still has a hint of the Cajun spice but a lot more fruit forward when tamed down. It's such a cool and unique whisky.
Runner up in the Highlands region is....again a bottle from @smwscanada and this time from a newer distillery. Ardnamurchan (149.7) and one of a few top-notch bottlings from a relatively new distillery. This one titled "A coal scuttle of Jam and treacle" Ardnamurchan is cool because they make peated and unpeated malts. This one is a peated thriller from a 1st fill oloroso butt and has coastal peaty and fruit sweetness mixing together for a complex dram full of sizzling maple bacon, smoked green jelly on warm biscuits and petrichor and tobacco. It's probably my fav Ardnamurchan I've ever tried.
Taking home the Highland whisky of the year is @signatoryusa and their "100 proof - exceptional cask" release from Macduff. Much like yesterday's speyside winner at Inchgower, Macduff can have that touch of funk on a lot of their releases. This one is 57.1% abv or the old British "100 proof." 16 years old and from a 1st fill oloroso butt. Salted caramel drizzled over dates and prunes, served on shouldering tobacco leaves whilst sitting in old worn leather seats. Malty funk and oloroso nutty spices and just plain delicious. The best from the exceptional cask series and the best whisky from the Highland region in 2024.
Did you drink something special from the Highlands this year?
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#whisky #scotch #scottishwhisky #singlemalt #highlands #oloroso #sherry #peated #peat #smoke #smws #signatory #bennevis #ardnamurchan #macduff #bestof #awards #2024 #top3

Dark Cloud Whisky Awards Best of 2024. Day 5.
Best Irish Whiskey of the Year.
As I drink a lot of Irish Whiskey, i had to go top 5 for this one. I also could very easily have a @twostackswhiskey top 5 as well as a @killowendistillery top all by themselves.
5th Best Irish this year was @jackryanwhiskey with their "Shelbourne" release. A cask strength 5 year old single malt finished in Oloroso casks. These guys picked up my biggest surprise Whiskey in the past but a surprise no more. Just a solid sherry finished single malt. Love this one a lot.
4th goes to @waterforddistillery with their Peated Ballybannon. It was a tough year for Waterford, but this whiskey remains one of my faves. Heavy peat that holds its own against all the Islay's in Scotland.
3rd place is @twostackswhiskey with the "Mandalorian" release. It's actually smoke and mirrors Mandorla cask, but Mandalorian is how we affectionately call it. Smokey, earthy, funky, fruity, and a Canada exclusive.
Runner-up is the FOB club pick from @killowendistillery a very cool whiskey made 50% local oats and 50% peated malted barley. Released for St. Patrick's Day, this one is super unique and special. I don't think I've had a peated whiskey that is this creamy before. Actually, it's a really insanely delicious whiskey.
The Dark Cloud Irish Whiskey of the Year goes back to @twostackswhiskey and their "Pillars of Creation" release. A blend of 3 of Ireland's "Pillar" distilleries. Bourbon matured single malt from @dingledistillery as well as bourbon casked single pot still from @echlinville and quarter casked pot still from @killowendistillery These were then married together in a cream sherry cask that housed a blend of Amontillado, PX and Oloroso sherries. Yeah. It's complex. It's amazing. It's delicious. It's my Irish Whiskey of the Year 2024
What your fav Irish from this past year?
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#whiskey #irish #irishwhiskey #singlemalt #singlepotstill #potstill #peated #sherry #oloroso #px #caskstrength #twostacks #killowen #waterford #jackryan #top5 #bestof #awards #2024 #blends #favorite #ireland

Day 3 of the Dark Cloud Whisky Best of 2024 Awards. Today, we are bringing it on home for the best Canadian Whiskies of the year.
The third best comes from my friends @eauclairecraft here in Alberta. Consistently producing top-tier whisky and this one is special. Celebrating their 10th anniversary, they took a single malt and finished it in a @ximenezspinola sherry cask. Absolute Decadence in a whisky. Also some of the best people in the industry.
Runner-up is a familiar name in my annual awards, and that's @twobrewerswhisky and this is their release 44. A Green "special finishes" release. This features some of the oldest stock available and blends a couple barrels together and resting them in a top-notch PX sherry barrel. I often can be heard saying Two Brewers is Canada's best single Malt distillery, and they proved it again this year.
The Dark Cloud Canadian Whisky of the Year is a bit of an odd-ball. Coming from @gretzkyestates and produced by @distilling_hobbit this is the second release in the Craftsmanship Series, and it's a whopper. 100% whole oats, aged in 100% Virgin American Oak, and then bottled and released at a staggering 63.24% abv. This whisky does it all. Knocks your socks off, melts in your mouth with a huge creamy mouthfeel, takes a few drops of water like a champ, and eviscerated any preconceived notions about what Canadian Whisky can be. I've gladly got to share this with a ton of people, and I will continue to do so. Stunning stuff, and I implore you to keep your eyes open for future Craftsmanship Series releases.
What was your top Canadian Whisky for 2024?
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#whisky #awards #canada #canadasbest #bestof #2024 #twobrewers #eauclaire #px #sherry #oats #gretzky #virginoak #caskstrength #singlemalt #singlegrain #delicious #homeland #sharing #top3 #canadianwhisky #worldclass

Here we are. 2025. And day 1 of the Official Dark Cloud Whisky Best of Awards 2024 edition.
Starting it off with one of the most important categories, and that is Best Value Bottles of the year. This will be the only category where I will discuss price as it's an important factor for this award.
In third, we have a local favorite and their latest whisky release. @hansendistillery and thier Roughstock Reserve. This is a true Canadian style whisky with each component matured seperately and then blended together. This whisky consists of 3 grains, rye, wheat, and triticale. From various barrels, including virgin oak , 2nd fill oak, char 3, char 4, and even a sherry cask. This whisky runs 35 bucks, and to find it's rivals you are looking at spending around 50, and to my palate, this Roughstock Reserve just tastes better.
Second, we have a very late entry. I just got this one a month ago. It's a 25 year old single grain whisky from @boutiqueywhisky which is cask strength and from North British Distillery. Only being a 500ml bottle played a factor in this, but the price was an astonishingly low 65 bucks. That's damn near $2.50 per year, which you will be hard pressed to find anywhere else in the whisky world. And it's an absolutely delicious whisky!
And the winner for Budget Value Whisky of the Year is...
@boutiqueywhisky again and this time with their core range 30 year old Blended Grain whisky. A full-size bottle from Boutique-y, which is not the norm and also a nice abv of 45.8% and readily available at right around 100 dollars. It's easily one of the coolest whiskies to hit the market and at a price that blows minds considering it's 30 year age statement. The whisky inside is gorgeous and has made many enthusiasts very happy throughout the year. It is truly a worthy recipient!
Now let me know your thoughts on these and also what you would pick for your Budget Value Whisky of the year!
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#whisky #awards #bestof #2024 #budget #value #blended #singlegrain #scotch #scotchwhisky #boutiquey #canadianwhisky #canadian #yeg #alberta #hansen #top3 #30 #25 #happy #newyear

We made it to the final day of 2024!
And I am away at work, so I wanted to show you what it looked like after I compiled my annual Dark Cloud Whisky Best of Awards.... 2024 edition.
I made my lists, I checked them thrice, and then I shot each days worth all in one fell swoop. This was the aftermath...
So, starting tomorrow, I will be posting my Top Whiskies of the Year in a few categories. Don't worry. I pared down the amount this year, and it's only 12 or 13 categories this year.
Who will take the top spot in Irish Whiskey? American whiskey? Canadian? Campbelltown? Islands? Budget? Single grain? And what will be my overall top 5??
Tune in starting tomorrow to find out!
Also, another huge thank you to those of you who continue to show your support and interact with my posts. There's nothing more than sharing love for great drams and opening up discussions amongst friends, old and new.
Now, do you spot any that you think are worthy of an award?
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#whisky #whiskey #bestoftheyear #bestof #2024 #irishwhiskey #bourbon #americansinglemalt #scotch #ryewhiskey #awards #darkcloud #friends #sharing #aftermath #happynewyear

Sometimes, you come across a set of whisky glassware that just turns your head and catches your attention.
Tha ks to @koriwhiskey for this set of 3 glasses, all with a clear Japanese flair to them.
I had seen these only one time before and was awestruck by the Craftsmanship and sheer beauty of them.
On the left is the "Hanyu" glass with a big flared rim that just feels classy as heck to sip from. The shape also acts much like most nosing/blending glasses with concentrating the aromatics for clearer nosing and an ergonomic design for a great feel in the hand.
In the middle is the "Fuji" glass, and its incredible design witch is mimicking the bowl atop Mt. Fuji, one of Japan's most recognized landmarks. The striking beauty yet complete functionality of a whisky glass makes this one truly stand out.
And on the right, we have the "Yuki" glass, which is handmade using knowledge and skills passed down over two centuries of glassmaking tradition. More reminiscent of a traditional rocks glass yet with a frosted bowl shape and handmade textures that feel perfect in the hand.
I highly recommend visiting the Kori Whisky website and looking through all the designs and picking one up for yourself, and even grabbing a second to give to someone special.
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#whisky #glass #glasses #japanese #style #craftsmanship #craft #handmade #design #edo #kyoto #fuji #yuki #hanyu #gift #tradition #whiskey #whiskyglass #glasswork #drinking

2024 is coming to a close faster than anyone thought possible, and I'd be remiss if I didn't talk about one of the biggest rising stars in whisky, not just in Canada but the world over.
I remember close to 4 years ago, I got a random message from a complete stranger who just started talking whisky with me. Very shortly after, I was told this complete stranger was building a custom distillery minutes from my house. I got really excited. Over the last 4 years, @gurwhisky has become a great friend and has proven that nerding out over whisky is always awesome.
Fast forward to 2024, and @anohkadistillery has been awarded Canada's Best London Dry gin, which is amazing but even cooler and more amazing. They picked up the worlds best newmake spirit for 2024. Simply an outstanding achievement for any distillery but especially one that doesn't have any actual spirit old enough to be actual whisky.
This one right here was released very recently and is one for the enthusiasts. "This Is Not Whisky" was bottled at Cask Strength of 67.9% abv. This is from the same batches that won the worlds best newmake and it has been aged for just under 2 years. And whoa, boy, does it pack a punch but is also at the same time delicious and more than drinkable. So drinkable, you must be careful not to sip too much before standing up.
The future of Canadian Single Malt might not even be whisky yet!
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#whisky #canadianwhisky #singlemalt #newmake #distillery #anohka #worldsbest #best #peated #peat #smoked #thisisnotwhisky #caskstrength #singlecask #future #friend

Well. We survived another mad dash of chaos through the holidays all wrapped up with the annual Boxing Day sale shopping bright and early today, followed by another family gathering we hosted. It's now quiet again, and I'm going to celebrate with this absolutely crazy bottle.
@pwsimports first introduced us in Canada to @jeadiewhisky a couple of years ago, and they stayed on my radar as everything they sent to Canada was top quality stuff. So, imagine my delight when I came across this Cambus single grain that's 26 years old and was bottled out of a sherry butt. Cask strength ( 55.4%) and natural color.
I love Cambus single grains and sherry casked Cambus is unreal every single time. So this is a perfect dram to kick back, in comfy clothes, and just exhale and focus on nothing else besides the gorgeous liquid in my glass.
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#holidays #christmas #boxingday #canada #scotch #singlegrain #cambus #caskstrength #singlecask #sherry #butt #relax #exhale #26 #chaos #whisky

The merriest of Christmas day to you and yours from the DarkCloud family.
Christmas day is always a day of joy and fun and surprises and sharing and giving and much much love!
I always take a few moments when the chaos dies down a little to reflect, and today, i was able to reflect on a truly exceptional year and many wishes and hopes for the year ahead.
I hope each and every one of you also had an amazing experience and hope nothing but the best for you and yours.
I also take a second every Christmas day to pour something extra special, and it's a tradition to pour @glengoyne 25 year. The distillery that started it all for me in whisky and a bottle that I absolutely cherish.
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and all the best to you and your family and friends!
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#christmas #christmasday #whisky #glengoyne #25 #25years #scotch #celebrate #reflection #family #friends #sharing #special #singlemalt #happyholidays #bestwishes #love #gathering #food #treat

Ehats hiding under the magic mini tree?
The latest and greatest whisky cream to hit the market from @anohkadistillery
This is called "The Duke" Single Malt cream and it's made basically in my back yard. Okay okay. I'm 12 minutes door to door from the distillery but close enough. I happened to be visiting my friend @gurwhisky as he was in the process of the final blending of this and the whole distillery smelled like a bakery (with a hint of peat smoke lingering as well).
The "not whisky" used in this blew me away. Probably the most buttery whisky/spirit that I've ever tasted. I was a little sad to know it was going into the cream but also knew deep down it would be the exact right spirit for the project.
The Duke also used fresh cacao from a local chocolate maker, tonka bean, with a touch of ginger, cassia bark and cardamom and of course some single malt spirit.
This is perfect to have on the counter today and the next few days for those that may not want a cask strength whisky and just want a delicious little treat. We cracked this tonight and it was a huge hit with la familia Darkcloud.
Grab yours now. You won't regret it!
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#whisky #cream #liqueur #local #theduke #singlemalt #christmas #family #friends #parklandcounty #alberta #supportlocal #supportcraft #craft #batch1 #delicious #treat

A quick meet up with a friend to exchange a few bottles we had been saving up for each other led to this unexpected score...
@northerncigar bought a crazy advent calendar last year but it was already too late to start it, so he decided to wait until this year to Crack into it. Well, he saved up a few of the single grain whiskies that were included in it just for me!!
A trio of single grains from North British, Strathclyde, and Invergordon!!!
These will now all be my day 24! And I'll even save a little drop for the big guy in the red suit! Rudolph will have to work extra once they leave the DarkCloud residence!
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#whisky #scotch #scotchwhisky #advent #calendar #sharing #samples #day24 #xmas #friends #singlegrain #grain #northbritish #invergordon #strathclyde #awesome #santa #rudolph

A special bottle appears today!
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of @eauclairecraft they released this single cask single, single malt, and it's a whopper!
Finished in a very special Pedro Ximénez cask from @ximenezspinola which has been in the sherry business since 1729. You know this is a special barrel.
I've been a big fan of Eau Claire from the very beginning, and I absolutely love what @caitlinquinn91 and her team are producing.
Inside each commemorative tin is a small booklet that shows the incredible location and story of this celebration bottle. The coolest part is my good buddy @jeremypue took almost all of the photos. Whisky unites friends as they say!
Congrat to Eau Claire, and here's to many more decade anniversary bottles in the future!
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#whisky #canadian #canada #canadianwhisky #singlemalt #singlecask #spinola #px #pedroximenez #alberta #anniversary #celebration #decade #10years #photography #friends

A very late contender for one of the upcoming DarkCloud Whisky Awards of 2024.
A 25-year-old North British single grain at a cask strength of 56.5% fr9m @boutiqueywhisky and grabbed recently from @kwmwhisky for an absolute bargain at 65 Canadian pesos. Yeah. Unreal. So i got 2!!

Choose Whisk(e)y. Choose Scotch. Choose the finest oak casks. Choose terroir. Choose craft. Choose the purest water source. Choose hand-crafted, hand-cut, hand-distilled, hand-picked, and hand-made. Choose legal-minimum-abv, e150a, and chill-filtration. Choose whisky stones. Choose a f*ck off expensive decanter you'll never use. Choose a limited edition run of bottles you'll flip or hoard and never open. Choose slobbery. Choose message board misogyny, don't tell the wife, banter and "i was here in the good ole days" entitlement. Choose ballooning prices, big-budget advertisements, and dead-eyed celebrity endorsement. Choose some slick prick whose barely sipped a drop of whisky promising you 300%+ returns on an NFT of a cask of 6 year old filler fuel he's already sold to 10000 other sucker's because nobody ever failed to make a dime preying on hope.
Choose your drink.
Choose Whisk(e)y!
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#whisky #singlegrain #singlecask #caskstrength #boutiqueywhisky #boutiquey #northbritish #25 #25years #onsale #special #cheap #choose #words #grainspotting #grain #trainspotting

Another well wish of joy for everyone as I'm officially on holidays!
I'm definitely going to celebrate this yule season with cracking this newer version of the @knappoguecastleirishwhiskey 16 year. I just killed the older red label version earlier this year and I already miss it. I'm hoping the new version is the same.
Oh, and this is Bushmills distillate, so it can't be bad...
Have you ever tried any bottle from Knappogue Castle?
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#whiskey #whisky #irishwhiskey #singlemalt #knappoguecastle #bushmills #irishsinglemalt #16yearsold #joy #share #newvsold #pop #sherry

This bottle was so special when I stumbled upon it in the wild I needed to get a second.
A 32 year old single grain from the now demolished Dumbarton Distillery. Cask strength at 50.7% abv, which all means it's already a special bottle.
It's also one that only saw the light of day in Canada. Exclusively sold in Western Canada, which again ups the special factor.
Lastly, it was brought to us here by @fountanabeverage which was the company the late and most certainly great Jay Wheelock worked for. Anyone who got to meet Jay will regal you with the best stories and the best memories. I only got to meet Jay once, but he left a lasting impression and is dearly missed.
Cheers to you, Jay!
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#whisky #singlegrain #caskstrength #singlecask #dumbarton #infamous #nectar #scotch #scotchwhisky #rip #memories #special #cheers #gem #missed

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(ARTICLES)

What I think of
What I drink
(REVIEWS)

Upcoming Events in the Dark Cloud Sky
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