@Slainte-Mhath @LeeEvolved, Thanks for the info guys! I think it’s time to kill this thread. :)

Hmm, I didn’t refresh the Distiller app before you posted the price. $330 is a very good price. I think I’d bite.

Tough call on the value of that bottle, Rick. I paid $650 for the distillery released 30yo, so I’d guess the Samaroli would be at least 2/3 of that price, if not a little more.

@Rick_M I think the price is okay, and at least you get a good presentation (natural color, no chill filtration). Cask strength would be better of course, but again $330 seems reasonable for that age statement. I would expect a characterful, old Islay whisky which will hopefully suit your palate! There is always a risk of disappointment with the independent bottlers, but the average score on WB indicates that it is very good - although not superb. Something in the high 4-star range, I guess.

@Slainte-Mhath, yes, thank you, that’s the one. $330 US. Seems like a good price. What do you think? They have it put aside for me.

@Rick_M Then it should be this one: https://www.whiskybase.com/whiskies/whisky/40374/caol-ila-1980-sa

@Slainte-Mhath, yes I believe that is the one. 1980 Coilltean with different label, so probably different cast.

I guess it's the 7th review in this list: http://www.whiskyfun.com/archivejanuary13-1.html#140113

@Rick_M I just bought a 40 yo Glen Grant by Samaroli, and although the screw cap and lack of any packaging was a bit odd (not even a box!), I must say that the whisky is superb. Given the bold age statement, the price was quite okay. Do you have the cask number of that Caol Ila 31 yo?

@LeeEvolved, what would you think a good price for a 31yo Caol Ila Samaroli be?

Rick- I’ve heard nothing by good things about Samaroli as an IB. I have a 22yo Braeval from them that I’m offering up for the guys on this distillery tour. They are usually more expensive, but they do usually get higher ratings across the board, too.

@Slainte-Mhath - Caol Ila 25 & 30 impossible to find in my area. I do see a Samaroli 31 Caol Ila available at a good price, that I’m going to grab. Thanks for prompting me to look! :)

@Slainte-Mhath - after I read your Caol Ila 30 review I added that bottle to my short list. I bought a 25 & 30yo about a month or so ago. Cheers.

@LeeEvolved @Rick_M @PBMichiganWolverine A personal recommendation, if I may: https://distiller.com/spirits/caol-ila-30-year-2014-special-release Best whisky I had in about 500 drams. Comes at half the price of Laga 25. Not sure if you can find it in the US, but if you can go for it! Adorable malt.

Lagavulin 25 yo - good choice @LeeEvolved ! Didn't open my bottle yet, but tasted it twice on a festival. Great Lagavulin experience!

@LeeEvolved - No plans to drink that one. I just wanna look at it for a couple of years. :)

Have you opened your bottle of Laga 25? How was it?

@LeeEvolved - Looks like I nailed it! I’m sorry I didn’t buy 2 of that one. Too cheap at the time. :)

I already have the Caol Ila, Bowmore and Laphroaig...

@LeeEvolved - Wow! Only four possibilities: Bowmore, caol Ila, Laphroaig, and Lagavulin. I’m guessing the Lagavulin, since you said expensive. That’s the cream of the crop and outstanding packaging.

Peated Islay. Quarter century.

The First Edition is an independent bottler.

@LeeEvolved - come on Lee, give us the inside scoop. :)

@PBMichiganWolverine - By rare I mean collectible whisky priced $130 and higher. For example, A few days ago I found 2 of 209 Bunnahabhain 24yo (The First Edition) for $150 apiece, so I grabbed them both. :)

@PBMichiganWolverine - nope. That bottle is dead to me (unless you find one gathering dust while away on business, lol). This is a pretty expensive bottle.

@LeeEvolved. Is that the Macallan edition 1?

Yeah, I’ve been eyeing the HP40 at Masters of Malt for a few months now- it’s priced at a hair over $2800, so I figure the auction will end up close to that price. But, alas, I’m out of the auction game because I just purchased a bottle I’ve wanted for over a year that’s finally starting to disappear on shelves everywhere- so, I’m out. At least until next month, haha.

@Rick_M how can you identify the rare stuff, in advance of price hikes? Unless you’re like me and just happen to fall ass backwards into a few bottles hidden and forgotten, how do you know?

@LeeEvolved - The HP 40yo with buyers premium and exchange rate will sell close to $3k US. It’s doubled in price in 3 years. That’s why I always try to buy multiples with rare stuff. One to drink and one or more to make money on. :) @PBMichiganWolverine - Will do!

@LeeEvolved. I wish I was as emotionally detached to a few of my favorite whiskies as I am to my stock holdings. I’d sell it then in a heartbeat.

@PBMichiganWolverine - the current leading bid is $1712usd. That’s including the 10% buyers premium. There’s still 7 days left in the auction.

@Rick_M. If you’re tracking the General, let me know that final price. I’m curious to see where it tops. To think it was merely $100 when it came out...

@PBMichiganWolverine - I have switched my attention over to that HP 40 now. It will be mine, haha

@PBMichiganWolverine, @LeeEvolved - No, I don’t bid against friends. Also, my tolerance point would be about $1,000 all in, and as we speak. I’m surprised at that price with 7 days left. Usually, all the bidding takes place on the last 2 days.

@Rick_M. You still on that General bidding?!!?

@PBMichiganWolverine - congrats Rick, you successfully got me off of that bottle of The General on SWA. The leading bid is now over $1600usd. Too rich for my blood. Good luck, sir. Lol

@PBMichiganWolverine - How about I come over and buy all your rare ones at 25% off in anticipation of the crash? :)

Lord almighty, those are insane prices. I wish there was a way to short these...can’t sustain these prices too long

Holy crap, Rick! Stop running the price of my scotch up, haha.

@LeeEvolved - Be careful. That could be me you’re bidding against over there at Scotch Whisky Auctions. 😉

@PBMichiganWolverine - and my winning bid had to be bumped to $993. But I still haven’t won anything! Hahaha, damn I wished people would stop liking scotch...

@LeeEvolved @Rick_M I just did a quick search...The General was last sold for $2k in dec 2017. Lee—-if you get it for $775, that’s a whopping 250% discount. See...glass half full. 😀

@LeeEvolved - 🙂

That’s because LeeEvolved is first and foremost a problem solver. This is like the Ockham’s Razor of a scenario, too. The simplest solution is usually the best one. @PBMichiganWolverine has a bottle. He opens it. Success and much rejoicing!

@PBMichiganWolverine @LeeEvolved - I think Lee’s idea is a very reasonable solution to the problem. :)

@LeeEvolved #diageo #compassbox...the two of you companies need to have me on retainer 😀

@PBMichiganWolverine - and I blame you, Pranay. You could just save us all this financial debauchery and stress and open your bottle and distribute its contents. 🤣

Speaking of exchange rates, our interest rate policies recently combined with Trump’s tariffs will cause an increase in exchange rates

@LeeEvolved $775?!! Jesus.

That $775 is only the current winning bid, with 8 days left in the auction- I’m sure it won’t win, lol.

@LeeEvolved - Don’t forget the 1.4X exchange rate and the 15% buyers premium. Set your limit and don’t go a penny over.

Man, I just placed a bid on a bottle of The General. $775. I gotta stop hanging around with you crazy people.

@Slainte-Mhath - Thank you! I haven’t tried The General. It now sells at auction for over £1,000 typically. I would probably pay that price if I could find it locally.

@Slainte-Mhath the General is probably now rarer than a unicorn. I think you’re right...reputed to be their best

@SolanaRoots, @deuce26, @cascode, @Generously_Paul, @PBMichiganWolverine, @LeeEvolved: Thanks guys! @LeeEvolved - I can’t believe I stared at mine as long as I did. What a treat! Next up: 3yo Deluxe! :)

@Rick_M Great review. Did you ever had the chance to try The General? I heard that's even better than Flaming Heart.

Well now. It seems a challenge has been laid at the feet of This Is Not A Luxury Whisky (my fav non-peated CBW). Great review, Rick. I recently wiped the display box of my bottle of Circus and stared longingly at the label for a moment. Maybe I should... Great review. Good to know it’s as good as I’d hoped. Cheers.

@deuce26 - although I own a ton of Compass Box whiskies, the only one under $100 I’ve gotten to is the Peat Monster, which I rated at 4 stars. Not bad, but inferior to the CB No Name. The two in that price range I plan to open next are the Spice Tree Extravaganza and Hedonism. They seem to get great reviews.

@SolanaRoots - This would be my favorite non-smoky. No Name is my favorite smoky CB.

Will seek it out. Thanks @Generously_Paul and @cascode. I do like peat and have seen Peat Monster and Spice Tree for sure.

Will seek it out. Thanks @Generously_Paul!

@deuce26 that would be the Compass Box sampler pack. Not sure who compass bob is lol

Another one of CBs releases I never got b/c of that price tag. Great review. I might now just seek out a local store that has it and see if I can take it off his hands for a bit less on price

Fantastic review. It’s always a treat when you find the one. The one that redefines what a scotch can be @deuce26 seek out the compass bob sampler pack that contains their 5 core range expressions.

Great review! @deuce26 IMHO the standout in the standard Signature range is Spice Tree, no question, or Peat Monster if you are into smokies.

@Rick_M Sounds amazing. I need to try a Compass Box. What In there affordable range (I realize that’s relative so $100 or below) would you recommend?

Tremendous review. Your fave from Compass Box?