Years ago in another life I started hitting the sauce pretty hard. I could identify most common single malts in blind taste tests and pick out the notes and flavours. I told myself I had a sophisticated palate but the truth was I had turned into something of a liquor pig. People turn to booze when they have problems they are too dumb or chicken to solve. But I digress.
Talisker is described charitably as an explosive single malt that deserves a place in every collection. My personal point of view was that this was the perfect gift for somebody you loathe. I recommend cutting it with hydraulic fluid or maybe spicing it with Winchester Red Dot. I would drink it if it was in the jerry can… but I refused to sing its praises. Cardhu, Highland Park, Dalemore and Craggenmore will blow the doors off it, and that’s just for starters. I am at a loss to explain why it became one of the six classic malts of Scotland… but whadda I know?
I haven’t had a drink since Christmas and I don’t miss the booze and hang overs one bit. I no longer have the nose or palate for such a habit… and I believe I am the better for it.
Laphroaig for me tastes like the smell when you piss out a campfire. I'm very partial to Lagavullin, and yet my friends insist it tastes and smells like Absorbine horse liniment.
ReplyDeleteYup. One man's tipple is another man's poison. I was not a fan of Lagavulin either, but Islays are an acquired taste. I used to prefer the makes from the northern highlands and struggled with the others.
DeleteLaphroaig was it. I enjoyed others but none approached Laphroaig. I didn't get over Scotch so much as it got over me. My body just wouldn't tolerate it any more. Mouth ulcers and gastritis. Miss it only on a cold night by a fire. Fortunately in South Texas there aren't any of those. Still love a vintage Port and Stilton though.
DeleteI just can not stand scotch ,I guess it goes back to a break up with my high school sweetheart, when I downed a quart of Cutty Sark. I about killed myself drinking a whole quart of booze in one sitting(more like falling repeatedly) Ahh well , the lessons we learn in our mis spent youth .
ReplyDeleteGood for you quitting the Hard stuff. I can't imbibe like I did in my younger days. I usually stick to a pint at the Pub across the street from my wife's shop when she closes up on Saturday. If we have a Smorgasbord I'll drink a Carlsberg and a shot of Danish Aquavit.
ReplyDeleteHighland Park is one of my favs!
ReplyDeleteThe Balvenie makes a few good ones, double wood is great.
Lately I have been supporting the more local crafters and taken a shine to Chattanooga Whiskey, they do a good job.
It took many years for me to grasp the true meaning of moderation. That's not to say I still don't overpartake from time to time. I still have a few demons that need repressing. Can't let them get out of the box...that would be bad.
ReplyDeleteOhio Guy