4.12.10

The Rusty Gael

For someone who gave up drinking months ago, having one little drink is a lot.  I'm a bit rusty at holding my liquor.  Last night was a scotch tasting event in conjunction with the Christmas parade, which is today. 

At the event, distributors bring in several of their single malts.  Dewar's and Johnnie Walker were there as well, but moving on to the real scotch . . .  There was Aberfeldy, Balvenie, Glenmorangie, Macallan, Laphroaig, Craggenmore, Dalmore, Dalwhinnie, Glenfiddich, Talisker, Glenlivit, Highland Park, and a few more that I can't remember.  The tastes are served in thimble-sized plastic cups.  So not really enough to make a full drink. 

It's also used as a meet-and-greet by the local politicians.  The mayor, various city council members, school board members, muckity mucks, they were all on hand.  The food was, well, what's the word I'm looking for . . . forgettable.  Unfortunately in past years the heavy hors d'oeuvres were enough for a light supper. 

My usual ritual is to compare the less peaty ones as I work my way around the room.  Why I continue to this I do not know.  My favorites include everything from Glenkinchie to Dalwhinnie to Oban to Balvenie.  Never ever put a dram of Laphroaig or Ardbeg under my nose. 

After I determine my favorite of the evening, with two thimble fulls in hand, I make a beeline back to the Dewar's table that I purposefully skip.  In my opinion, blended scotch isn't scotch but a travesty.  At the Dewar's table, my request is simple -- two thimbles of Drambuie.  All four thimble are swirled together in a larger cup (that they have for water and sodas).  Four or five cubes of ice.  Perfection. 

That's it.  I'm done for.  Take me home, James.

11 comments:

  1. Long ago I was in Scotland on a school break while I was attending the LSE and one day I wonder past a bus that was getting read to leave on a tour. Much to my happiness it was a whiskey tour and they went to 6 or 7 scotch distilleries where the samples flowed freely. Of course I was unable to leave the hotel the next day but it was well worth it.

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  2. I'm already itchin' for that sip of the perfect "Scottish" Scotch, and my lord, it's only 8:30 in the morning. Gaelic, you are a terrible influence on me, lol ;)

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  3. ...but, it's tis the season, right?

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  4. @Duncan, Yes. Yum!

    @Laoch, This summer we did two - Ben Nevis and Oban. Those samples aren't served in thimble size cups.

    @Jenny, The guys at the parade today will be walking around with their flasks. Who says 8:30 is too early when it's this cold outside?

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  5. I stopped drinking 28 years ago except for a couple of drinks of sadiki in Saudi (that is the name given to home-distilled moonshine; sadiki means 'my friend') which I had with my friend Mustafa, simply because it was illegal. I also had a bit of hashish there, because it is a beheading offense, and it seemed cool at the time. But I didn't get beheaded, so there goes THAT tale. Never was much of a scotch drinker - still it sounds like a lot of fun.

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  6. You guys make me feel a bit of a hypocrite, here I am a full, true blooded Scot, and can't abide Scotch, in fact any spirits, I got plastered as a teenager a couple of times and was so sick it's put me off for life, Oh dear I can hardly hold my head up for the telling of that sorry tale, But Wifie you enjoy it, but I'll be honest a wee tate o' Drambuie goes doon like nectar. Slange !

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  7. @David, Sounds like you lived life on the edge. Do you still?

    @Arlene, Great story! My husband's ancestral castle is in Dollar. Of course that's just one line with more nationalities thrown in for good measure.

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  8. Scotch. Yech. Never acquired a taste for it. I guess I'm too redneck as I prefer Black Jack & Coke. Ha! Or beer. Mmmm. Best beer? Free and Ice Cold. Mmmmm...

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  9. Well..never had any Scotch. I haven't lived. ;-)

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  10. I've never tasted Scotch. Red table wine every now and then is enough for me.

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