Knifemaker, great resurrection of this thread.
Not much has changed in my opinions, except... Holy Smokes (pun intended)! McCallan's is now $85 a 750ml. I can't afford to drink it any more. I was buying at $47 dollars a 750 and complaining years ago. Buffalo Trace still my go to Bourbon. I still have a little 18 YO SM Kirkland scotch, excellent! I also had their 20 YO SM, but I liked the 18YO better. That was years ago, and now it's only blended scotch from Costco and I haven't tried it.
New note: Glenfiddich 14 YO SM scotch aged in bourbon barrels is also excellent and reasonably priced. Just enough peat to let you know you're drinking scotch.
Next time we'll have to start a gin thread, but that really doesn't go well with cigars...