Whisky

Posted on 2002/12/05 13:56:57 (December 2002) by john.

The water of life.

I've grown a real liking for whisky over the last few months. I don't really know why this change of heart has come about - a year ago, I wouldn't touch the stuff, but now, it is by far my favourite spirit. It is often said that no other spirit has the same depth of flavour and variation of character. Perhaps it is this variety, having tired of other drinks, which drew me to whisky.

I've been particularly enjoying island malts. Laphroaig is my firm favourite at the moment. It has this wonderful sweetness and aroma which the tasting notes describe as "phenolic", not a word I'd ever previously used, but absolutely spot on for this fantastic and unique flavour. The last time I bought a bottle of whisky though, I thought I'd better try something different and went for a bottle of Talisker instead. I'm still making my mind up about this one. I think the main thing that drew me to it was that the distillery was on Skye, very close to Eigg, an island I've visited several times and have a real soft spot for. Moreover, the founders of the distillery apparently were from Eigg itself. It has a sort of rougher more rascally taste to it in a way - perhaps I've just become very accustomed to Laphroaig. The hint of seaweed, a characteristic of both whiskies, is something I particularly enjoy, being also a big fan of Japanese food.

The great thing for me is, unlike wine and other objects of connoisseur's attention, I can actually notice the differences between whiskies. Wine, to my uneducated palette, is frustratingly similar - it's just either red or white and either good or bad. The vast pantheon of nuances that wine writers go on about seem to be totally lost on me. Whisky, however, seems to be a different issue. Even with my (so far) very limited experience of whisky I've already got strong opinions about what I do and don't like and the differences between them. I'd really like to try more whiskies, but the price is so inhibiting. Buying whisky in pubs is really extortionate, considering the size of the measures, and a bottle from an off license of anything decent is going to set you back at least 20 quid. It's irritating and quite rediculous that Scotch whisky is often cheaper abroad than in Scotland itself. Perhaps what is needed is some kind of whisking appreciation society or something like that...

Further to that, the Talisker is really growing on me.

Posted by John at 2002/12/05 22:08:18.

No shit John, look at this. http://www.twats.freeuk.com/

Posted by Karl at 2002/12/06 02:19:27.

...or on a more 'sober' note http://www.scotch-whisky.org.uk/

Posted by Karl at 2002/12/06 02:35:44.

...fuck, 2.30, I better go to bed!!!

Posted by Karl at 2002/12/06 02:36:18.

Glenfiddich any day. In fact, I think my bloody stream is 90% Glenfiddich.

Posted by Rob Lang at 2002/12/06 10:40:00.

Dear Aunty John, I drank whiskey last night and felt rough this morning. What am I doing wrong? Thanks, Hungover of Theale

Posted by rowanboy at 2002/12/07 02:24:46.

Errrr, did you drink only whisky? Or was it more like beer, wine, more beer, bit of left over wine, skol, skol, skol, skol then whisky...?

Posted by John at 2002/12/08 17:38:56.

Damned pesky skol!

Posted by rowanboy at 2002/12/09 09:46:13.

Jura is my favourite island malt - so far anyway...

Posted by Graf at 2002/12/18 11:06:30.

Yea, I've heard a lot of good things about Jura. I think I've tried it, but don't really remember. Mmmmmmm whisky....

Posted by John at 2002/12/19 12:05:44.

Glad you enjoyed my book! Email me at djstirk@hotmail.com

Posted by David Stirk at 2005/03/31 16:37:59.

Is there any particular size glass that is best for drinking whisky neat?

Posted by Whiksy at 2005/07/29 11:56:00.

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