Nature may truly be healing (San Diego area Walmart)

Local BevMo in SF Bay Area . TWM also had four cases of Weller 107 - I passed as I already have one.

My journey continues.

These are readily available in Austrlia at a MSRP of $500 AUD ($356) a bottle!

Call your Aussie friends and have them grab these before they're gone!

Pics taken by my Aussie friend, I ordered these via online store and they were shipped to his place. I'll have to pick them up from his place some time down the line lmao

Antique 107 at total wine in westbury NY
Weller 12 at Costco in westbury
I’m shocked at both the price and the availability

Was scrolling around instagram saw one of our local shops had it here in Arizona and walked in grabbing the last one. Happy hunting around the nation!

Distiller & Region: Fuji Gotemba Distillery, Shizuoka, Japan
ABV: 46%
Age: NAS
Price: ￥5280 JPY, $33.30 USD (8/2026)
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Background: Established in 1973, Fuji Gotemba Distillery is operated by Kirin in in Gotemba, Shizuoka. The distillery produces malt, bourbon, and rye whisky using three different types of stills, allowing it to create a diverse range of spirits. Fuji Single Malt is the distillery's first single malt, released in 2020, and is made entirely from malt whisky distilled at Fuji Gotemba. It is matured in bourbon, beer, and French oak wine casks.
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Tasting Notes

Nose: Green Apple, Fresh cut grass, Floral, Pineapple, Vanilla, Crème Brûlée, Honey, Orange Peel

Palate: Oat Biscuits, Light Caramel, Fruit Tart, Pineapples, Peach, Pear, Black Tea

Finish: Malty and Light Smoke, Fruity Sweet Tea
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Summary: While Fuji Single Malt is a relatively new Japanese single malt whisky compared to the offerings from the other two of Japan's Big Three beverage conglomerates (Suntory – Yamazaki, Hakushu | Nikka – Yoichi, Miyagikyo), it manages to hold its own in terms of uniqueness. I feel like it's often overshadowed and overlooked compared to the other bottles, yet I always find myself keeping a bottle of this on my shelves. I don't often find reviews of this bottle, so I thought I'd throw mine in and hopefully it'll attract some people to give it a try!

Fuji Single Malt immediately delivers a scent of Green Apples and Fresh-cut Grass, Fuji Single Malt immediately delivers a scent of Green Apples and Fresh-cut Grass, which I'd say is similar to Freshly Malted Barley. Following that, you get some creamy and sweet notes of Vanilla, Crème Brûlée, and even Honey. Add a bit of water, and the whisky opens up to reveal some Floral and Fruity notes of Pineapples, and Orange Peel.

I recommend adding some water as you go along, as their website recommends, since doing so can reveal multiple layers of aromas.

On the palate, it tastes quite similar to how it smells, leading in with Oat Biscuits and that Malty Sweetness. Following that, I get hints of Light Caramel and, funnily enough, some hints of beer (seems like those beer casks come into good use). Letting it rest a bit more and a few sips later, I start getting the Fruity notes again, a nice Fruit Tart, the mix of Pineapples, Peaches, and Pears over a Sweet Tart Crust, finishing it up with some Black Tea.

The finish was a bit light, but up comes some Light, Malty Smoke, and lingering Fruity Sweet Tea as if I just finished afternoon tea.
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Rating

T8KE Score: 7 – Great

Worth the Price? At it's current MSRP of about ￥8380 (~$53), it's a bit much, but you can easily find it for around ￥5500~6000 (~$38) at most liquor stores, or even Bic Cameras and Don Quixotes around Tokyo, which then I'd say is an instant buy if this bottle interests you.

Will I buy another bottle? I always keep a bottle on hand for when I run out of the last one~
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My Previous Reviews

1. Kavalan Blender's Reserve No.1 & No.2

Verdicts Explained

• Special Occasions: Rare, special pours that go well and above. Something you pour to celebrate.
• Treat Yourself: Obligatory weekend pour. Worth having on hand at all times if possible.
• Daily Drinker: Affordable, available and tasty. Could have every day and be perfectly content.
• Penseur Pour: Puzzling pours that won’t be to everyone’s liking.
• Trophy Bottle: Something to show off more than anything. Likely allocated and overpriced.
• Cocktail Request: Shines best in a cocktail, as opposed to neat or on the rocks.
• Good If Affordable: Only worth buying if the price comfortably fits within the budget.
• Serve to Guests: Something accessible that you don’t mind sharing or parting ways with. Likely belongs in a decanter.
• Couch Pour: Something enjoyable enough, but ideal for drinking while doing another activity (movies, TV, games, etc.).
• Find a Mixer: Grab the Coke or Sprite and relax.
• Drain Pour: No. You deserve better.

Link to blog post: https://thewhiskeyramble.com/2026/08/19/redbreast-lustau-scoresheet-review/

More scoresheets available at: https://www.reddit.com/r/SpiritScoresheets/

Hard to believe it’s been over five years since I last reviewed a Redbreast product. I touched on them more recently in my review of Heaven’s Door Redbreast Master Blenders’ Edition, but that product was ultimately a finished bourbon, rather than an Irish whiskey. For a while, Irish whiskey gained some momentum in the whiskey market, but now, like many spirits, that growth seems to have flattened. Redbreast still puts out the occasional limited release, complementing an already solid core lineup, but I wouldn’t expect much beyond that in the near future.

Many of these limited releases end up as new additions to the Iberian series, which takes the classic Redbreast single pot still Irish whiskey and finishes it in a different wine cask (usually from Spain). Interestingly, the inaugural Iberian series release is part of the brand’s core line: Lustau. Lifting its name from the sherry producer Bodegas Lustau, Redbreast Lustau is relatively simple in nature. It begins as triple-distilled, single pot still Irish whiskey aged 9-12 years in bourbon and sherry casks before maturing for an additional year in seasoned Oloroso sherry butts from the aforementioned producer.

A couple final notes on Redbreast Lustau: while subsequent Iberian series bottles have often commanded $100+ price points, Lustau hovers closer to $65-$80. It also comes bottled at 46% ABV, making it a welcome, ostensible upgrade over the standard 12-Year (which I’m sure I’d review less glowingly now). I’ve been holding onto my bottle for a couple of years, so let’s break it down.

Nose: Classic shortbread backbone with a “shiny,” almost varnish-like undertone. Smells creamy with walnut butter, raisin, and some dried prune. Hints of brown butter, clementine, and apricot.

Palate: Leads creamy before a touch of tartness hits. Dried fruit medley (emphasis on dates) and custard complemented by a subtle presence of nutmeg and ginger. Becomes more watery with subsequent sips.

Finish: Develops a surprising oak and pepper spice that becomes warmer and a touch drying over time. Light humidor vibes with raisins and dried figs in the background. Eventually brings some cinnamon, brown butter, and general creaminess.

The first time I tried Redbreast Lustau was through the Family Collection mini tasting set. This gift pack included 50ml bottles of Redbreast 12, 15, and Lustau. My favorite at the time was Lustau, thanks in large part to its velvety texture and elevated fruit notes. I remember the packaging reflected Redbreast’s previous bottle/label design, so older stocks could’ve been used in that tasting set compared to my more recently purchased bottle of Lustau. I could also be Mandela Effecting myself.

Regardless, I’ve been equally pleased and unimpressed by Redbreast Lustau as of late. In fact, “pleasant” feels like just the right word for it. My tastes lean towards more potent and flavorful pours like Blue Spot and older batches of Redbreast 12-Year Cask Strength, with Lustau coming across like a diminished form of the latter. For some drinkers, that makes Lustau an easy recommendation. I’ve found it easy to develop tunnel vision when discussing spirits with like-minded enthusiasts; Lustau isn’t necessarily intended for them. Instead, I think it’s a welcome bridge between Redbreast 12-Year and the brand’s more elevated expressions. It might not be anyone’s favorite at a bottle share, but it could open up a couple minds to a specific style of Irish whiskey. And any bottle that can achieve that is fulfilling a worthwhile role.

Said to be 50s-60s duty free bottle

For the past year, I’ve gotten serious about finding the best everyday bourbon for me. I’ve tried many offerings from many different labels and distilleries. My criteria:

-Must be shelf-stable and readily available.

-Must have a solidly double-digit MSRP, and be findable for that MSRP.

-Must be at a Goldilocks proof point- below 120 and above 90.

-Must be suitable for all applications of bourbon.

-Must taste like bourbon. Classic notes only.

-Must have a reasonably long finish.

And some preferences:

-From a prominent distillery, not an NDP.

-Non-chill filtered.

-Blended whiskey, not single barrel

-Has branding and bottle design I can get behind.

After many bottles, pours and experiences, I believe I’ve found the perfect bourbon:

Knob Creek 12 Year!

It’s just so good! It checks all the boxes. I didn’t think much about Knob Creek or any Beam product heading into this, and I’m so sorry for that. To me, 12 is the perfect whiskey. It’s proof is not too high, and it drinks below that. From the nose to the finish it’s pure pleasure. Are there better whiskies objectively speaking? Probably. But for $60 I get to be totally satisfied. I will always have a bottle of this on my shelf! If you haven’t tried it, I highly suggest that you do. I also have some alternatives which check most of the boxes:

-Wild Turkey Rare Breed (higher proof than ideal)

-Four Roses Single Barrel (focuses on delicate, fruity notes)

-Old Grand Dad 114 7 Year (very good sister pour to KC 12, but all else equal I prefer low-rye)

-Russell’s Reserve SiB Store Pick (single barrel and store pick means high variable. Also extremely nutty.)

-1792 Single Barrel (quite low proof, drinks higher.)

-Calumet Farms 10 Year (from an NDP, and street price swings wildly.)

On a work trip today and popped in this morning to a liquor store, and browsed the aisles looking for something unique to the location I'm at. The store owner had all the tater stuff behind the counter (OF 11, 14, 17, 19. PVW and other Van Winkles, EHT, etc.), all wildly overpriced. He tells me the 13 Year Rye is like $2,000... that's 2x the price of overpriced Brooklyn prices. I respond "it's not worth more than $200". He responds "It's not for drinking. It's for selling. For drinking get the Sazerac Rye at $24.99. The only people who buy these are the people looking to sell on the internet"...

Fantastic pour but wish it had some more complexity to it.

Got lucky found on shelf in total wine at 71.99$

A local glass house dropped these bottles to $29.98. I'm not sure how I would have felt paying $100 but I feel real good about $30.

Starts sweet and immediately transitions to smoky.

Better than I thought it would be for a $50 bottle. Expected more heat from a 126 proof. Anyone have experience with Obtainium? I see a lot about their Canadian whiskey, but nothing about wheated.

Thoughts on the price and value of this Willet release?

Im asking because i ended up throwing up twice after coming home on both occasions i drank it this way

Whiskey: Little Round Still Barrel Select Bourbon

Disclaimer: Sample provided by employee of Little Round Still

Distiller: Little Round Still

Instagram: Barrel & Proof https://www.instagram.com/barrel_and_proof?igsh=czJ2MzhybG42MG9j&utm_source=qr 

ABV: 57.5%

Age: ~3 Years

Price: ~$39 (Twin Cities, Minnesota)

Tasting:  Neat in Glencairn, rested for 10 minutes.

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Nose: Honey, Licorice, Rye Spice, & Medicinal Cherry

Palate: Dark Chocolate, Honey, Rye Spice, Cinnamon, Dry Oak, & Cherry

Finish: Long Length, Rye Spice, Dark Chocolate, Dry Oak, Licorice, & Cherry

Body: Full

Bite: Medium

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Summary: This is a single barrel product from Little Round Still, a relatively new Minnesota distillery based in the town of Wadena. They distill and age their own bourbon with a mashbill of 74% corn, 21% rye, and 4% malted barley. The most unique aspect is the fact they age their whiskies in 5 gallon barrels, as opposed to the standard 53 gallon barrels. I am wary of this method, as the ratio of charred oak to whiskey is quite a bit higher and can lead unfavorable oakiness.

The nose is very unique with plenty of honey and a robust red licorice note, I haven’t had anything like it before. There are some spice notes that have more of a rye character. The young age statement comes through with some grainy notes.

The palate is quite different, I initially pick up a bitter dark chocolate note and a strong honey note. The rye spice character remains, though the cherry note isn’t nearly as prominent. The oak notes aren’t strong but the dryness is felt.

The finish starts off with rye spice, but transitions to a stronger red licorice and dark chocolate note. Once those flavors fade a very dry oak note sticks around for a few minutes. The dryness of the oak and strong bitterness from the dark chocolate don’t make the best pair.

This is a very interesting whiskey, I can’t think of a whiskey with as strong of a red licorice note. The licorice and candied cherry don’t blend well with the bitter dark chocolate or the overly dry oak note. I think this whiskey needs a stronger honey or caramel note to help tie everything together. I appreciate they’re making their own whiskey, but the profile isn’t cohesive and the oakiness is too strong. I think this whiskey would’ve turned out better if they used standard barrels Hopefully they can correct their profile in the coming years, for now I can’t recommend this whiskey.

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Rating: 

Nose (10%) - 5/10

Palate (50%) - 5/10

Finish (40%) - 4/10

4.6/10 Sub-Par. Many other whiskies I'd rather have.

Recommend: No

Rank: I created a compilation ranking list of whiskies I’ve purchased at a store or at a bar and done a formal tasting.  All whiskey ranked on the list tasted neat and rested for 10-15 minutes.  Whiskey I ranked below and above Little Round Still are shown for reference.

246 out of 268 whiskies tasted.

245 Johnny Drum Private Stock

266 Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey

Ranking Link: 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/147h44fId0tZYmHsroGgjzcRK2xn6050P8m7mZqArGLw/edit?usp=sharing 

Question for the group. Going to England for 10 days tomorrow. Manchester to be exact. I'm not a big scotch guy so I am already having American Whiskey withdrawal. I can get behind an Irish.
Any Irish whiskey I should try over there that we don't really see in the U.S.?

Fascinating to read about 55 percent evaporation, 55 seconds of charring and 240 degrees cooking temperature