Friday May 16, 2008
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Witness to my life
Friday May 16, 2008 Cross posted at http://www.nomadicminds.org
Last year, I learned whiskey from the master. Still an apprentice, I searched every liquor store that came my way for those Crawford mentioned. Over this year, I have found (and drunk) all but Lagavulin, the Islay whiskey.
Of course, my primary search algorithm is to peruse the airport duty free stores. Last week, in San Francisco attending JavaOne, I walked past this store and, what the heck, let's take a look. Hey, on the bottom of the shelf stood this lonely bottle. I snatched it right away.
Wow! Smokey and peaty. This is supposed to be the most distinct one in the Islay category. I enjoyed it quite a lot so far. Honestly, I have only a faint memory on the differences between the 4 of them. I use MaCallan as the benchmark and try to tell the difference between them. I guess I need to hit the bottles now.
Crawford also told me this store to visit. Whoever happens to be at Taipei, do stop by Wonderful Wines and Spirits at 6F, No 200, Sung Chiang Rd (+886 2 2536.8261). Tell them Crawford sent you.
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Note that Scotch is "whisky", and the Irish stuff is "whiskey"...
Posted by Calum on May 16, 2008 at 01:23 AM CST #
Congratulations !!!
You found the holy land of whisky.
Lagavulin is of course a class of it's own. If you like it spicy i suggest The other Islay Whisky's too.
Caol Ila and (old) Ardbeg are real nice. Unfortunately the new owner of Ardbeg made the whisky softer, like the asian food in europe, which is not nearly as spicy as in the original country.
Have fun with them and try Talisker and Springbank. The Springbank prefereably bootled before 1990, since the younger Springbanks afterward seem to have lost some of the distinct flavour. The Talisker seems to have stayed the same like the Lagavulin.
Unfortunately single Malt whisky especially from Islay and Campbeltown matures fast in the open bootle, so drink it or share it with your friends, but don't expect it to taste the same in a year.
Have fun with it.
Posted by Knut Grunwald on May 16, 2008 at 06:12 PM CST #
Whiskey is the "Water of Life". Funny thing, so is Vodka. Curiously, most spirits names translate back to "Water of Life".
While one typically does not add ice to Whiskey, it is actually acceptable to add a splash of water to the water of life.
Try it both ways, before and after. See if water adds some life to the "water of life". :)
Posted by Rob on May 21, 2008 at 04:56 PM CST #
Next time you are in Shanghai, have a look for the Duty Free shop inside the airport. They have a very good selection of single malts.
Every time I have passed through there I have picked up a bottle or two for myself and my father since we both love the occasional dram.
Posted by Ben Boyter on June 05, 2008 at 06:47 AM CST #