BS: Question about Scotch

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Mar 12 - 09:27 PM

Is ginger beer a real beer? And does it have ginger flavor, or was it first brewed by a strawberry blond publican somewhere and get the name that way?

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: EBarnacle
Date: 07 Mar 12 - 10:47 PM

I'll have to check. Generally, I enjoy my Gosling's straight, a tiny sip at a time. In fact, the true test of a friend's character is how they a good drink. Really mature people savor the good stuff.

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: GUEST,Patsy
Date: 08 Mar 12 - 07:38 AM

We have Crabbies ginger beer in the UK which tastes not unlike like the soft drink ginger beer. But if I was going to have a couple of drinks the ginger taste would be too much. Here it is advertised on tv in an Enid Blyton way (Famous Five), which I find very off-putting for a start.

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: EBarnacle
Date: 08 Mar 12 - 11:30 AM

According to what I have found, ginger beer is a non-alcoholic infusion of fermented ginger, similar to birch beer or root beer.

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Manitas_at_home
Date: 08 Mar 12 - 11:33 AM

In the UK we have several ginger beers which are brewed and alcoholic. I remember one called Ginger Tom, a bitter beer brewed with ginger rather than adding the ginger after, which was quite strong and very moreish.

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: catspaw49
Date: 08 Mar 12 - 01:45 PM

When I can purchase fine Kentucky Bourbon or great Tennessee sippin' Whiskey or a kickass Jamaican Rum, why would I piss away my $$ on something as disgusting as Scotch......or Gin for that matter?   Gin stinks like a cheap French Toilette Water and I believe Scotch IS real Toilet water........completely disgusting.

I leave you all to it but many of you have shaken my confidence in your wisdom...........


Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Bill D
Date: 08 Mar 12 - 06:13 PM

Well, Spaw... when I was young, I used to say "Scotch tastes like hair tonic"...and I avoided it. (Someone had fed me Cutty Sark).

Then I went to the movies and saw "Mr. Roberts"... imagine my glee when they were trying to make scotch, and someone said..."Let's add a bit of hair tonic"? *grin* I laughed out loud in the theater.
In those days, I learned about GOOD Irish whisky, and spent several years inhaling Tullamore Dew.

Then, after moving to DC and Tullamore Dew was unavailable for a few years, someone offered me a shot of MacAllan. Ahh! You need to spend $$$ to get decent scotch! I tried Laphroig...but... couldn't take the heavy smoke.

Education is slow....

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Greg B
Date: 08 Mar 12 - 07:17 PM

Back when I used to fly to Mystic from California for a week and live in the Seaport helping with Sea Music Festival preparations (eat your heart out), I frequented the Seaman's Inne. This was before the Seaport bought it. In any case, one evening I noted a bottle of Laphroig on the top shelf and decided to treat myself. Imagine my delight when the very new and inexperienced bar-maid not only filled the extra space in the glass when I demurred on the soda, rocks, and water, but charged me for a Seagram's, Cutty Sark, or some other such drek. Made rather a dent in that bottle of Laphroig before the week was out.

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 08 Mar 12 - 08:00 PM

I'm sorry some of you don't get Scotch whisky, amd think its like hair oil.

Never tasted hair oil so I can't comment. The thing is that Scottish people - well its their thing. Its their culture. Even teetotaler Scots are really proud of Scotland's pre-eminence in this field of endeavour. Like Mecca does Islam, Russians do vodka, and irish folk do writers and Scotland....it does whisky. Its very famous for it, and the consensus is - no one does it better.

You gotta respect stuff like that - national identity - Dutch people and clogs and all that.

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Bill D
Date: 08 Mar 12 - 08:08 PM

I have only been to Mystic twice...and eaten in the INN once....How long since you did this?

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 09 Mar 12 - 09:15 AM

Ah Laphroaig, one of my favourites, it was the only Scotch whisky allowed into the USA during the prohibition, but you could only get it with a doctors prescription.

Dave H

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Mar 12 - 12:49 AM

After tucking the Johnny Walker Red into the back of the cupboard and trying Famous Grouse over the past few weeks, I tried a small glass of the Johnny Walker this evening. It still tastes way too smoky by contrast. Not appealing. The rest will stay in the cupboard until someone who likes it can take the bottle home with them.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: GUEST,Russ
Date: 27 Mar 12 - 07:58 AM

Single malts.

They're all different and they're all good.

Russ (Permanent GUEST)

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Mar 12 - 01:00 AM

The Walgreen pharmacy chain is very large in the US now, but it was mentioned prominently in the Ken Burns documentary Prohibition because it was one of those drug stores that filled doctor's prescriptions for alcohol. They grew a lot in those years.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 28 Mar 12 - 02:07 PM

They were handing out free samples of Bruichladdich 2001 at Celtic Connections in Glasgow this year, as well as it being the special "Festival malt" at the bars at the Concert Hall during CC. First "new" whisky to come from this distillery after a buy-out which saved it from closure. Very much to my taste as it's not too smoky/peaty, but if it's smoke/peat you like try their Port Charlotte.
Should I also mention the free samples of Auchentoshan at Edinburgh Airport at 11 am? Helps you deal with a "no frills" (or even no thrills) flight!

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: kendall
Date: 28 Mar 12 - 08:20 PM

Whenever I hear some poor clod say "I hate Scotch" I ask, have you tried all 200 kinds?
Spaw, try Aberlour, then get back to me.

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 28 Mar 12 - 08:31 PM

Only 200? Shairly mair than that!

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: EBarnacle
Date: 28 Mar 12 - 11:24 PM

Mayhap that's 200 available in commercial quantities.

The best of almost anything is worth savoring.

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: GUEST,Allan Conn
Date: 29 Mar 12 - 02:28 AM

There are over 100 distilleries currently in operation and some relatively recently fell silent. Some will make several products and of course there are all the various blends to consider too.

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 29 Mar 12 - 04:17 AM

The Wright Whisky Company in Skipton, North Yorkshire sell 700 different whiskies, some USA some Irish and some Japanese but mostly Scottish.

Dave H

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: kendall
Date: 29 Mar 12 - 07:45 PM

I remember when I didn't like Scotch. Being a county boy I had no clue about that or much of anything else. Then, Morticia gave me some Glen Morange and I found out that there is a difference depending on where it s distilled.Been drinking Glen Livet and Glen Fiddich up until Gordon brought a bottle of Aberlou, and that did it.
Old Maine saying, "When you are already there, there is no point in traveling."

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 29 Mar 12 - 08:11 PM

I was sort of hinting at what Allan Conn has just said: on holiday in Islay, the bar "menu" must have had about 100 whiskies on offer, with about 8 -10 varieties from each distillery on the island - differing in age, type of cask in which they were matured, etc. So e.g. Caol Ila is not just Caol Ila but a whole range.

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Allan C.
Date: 30 Mar 12 - 06:19 AM

I echo Kendall's former dislike for scotch, however, for me it is still in the present tense. I often think of former 'Catter, David C., who said, "If scotch were the only drink on earth, I wouldn't be an alcoholic!"

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: GUEST,kendall
Date: 30 Mar 12 - 07:21 PM

I had a sister who said she didn't like cheese. Never mind that there are dozens of kinds of cheese. There is only one that I like, Vermont sharp Cheddar.
Yes, I know that Cheddar originated in England,,,so did "American" cheese.

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Joe_F
Date: 30 Mar 12 - 08:23 PM

I always buy the kind that calls itself "seriously sharp". I would not want to put *frivolously* sharp cheddar on my chili.

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 31 Mar 12 - 04:07 AM

It's not call ' uisge beatha ' [ the water of life ] for nothing you know.

Dave H

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 Mar 12 - 02:28 PM

Kendall, if you buy a can of this heavenly sharp cheese you'll never find another one as good. My brother sent this a couple of years ago as a gift to my sister and I and we are instant converts. This is aged one year - now they have one aged 3 years. Mmmmmm!

I'll look for a single malt next time I'm in a liquor store with enough variety to spend time reading labels to choose.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: kendall
Date: 31 Mar 12 - 07:27 PM

SRS, never mind shopping. Take my advice and just pick up a bottle of Aberlour. :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Elmore
Date: 01 Apr 12 - 07:32 PM

If you drink blended scotch, try Passport. Trust me.

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Apr 12 - 07:44 PM

I haven't seen it at the stores I've been in, Kendall.

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: kendall
Date: 01 Apr 12 - 08:25 PM

If you can't find Aberlour, try Glen Livet or Glen Fiddich.
I just don't care for blended whiskeys. They may be ok with diet Pepsi! :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Apr 12 - 09:47 PM

I'll have to head to a liquor store on the posh side of town where I'll probably find several of the better brands discussed.

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Apr 12 - 12:34 AM

Kendall, I found a bottle of your Aberlour today when I stopped at the area "warehouse" liquor store. I like it a lot better than the smoky Scotch varieties out there, but I fear my palate isn't sensitive enough to the nuances (so far) to make buying a bottle this expensive something I'd do very often. I suspect I'm more in the Famous Grouse range, at least for now. This will be for special occasions. :-)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: GUEST,BigDaddy
Date: 15 Apr 12 - 03:30 AM

The fact that "Famous Grouse" is the best-selling Scotch in Scotland is apparently equivalent to the fact that the best-selling beer in the USA is Bud Light. I have waited twelve years for my bottle of Famous Grouse to either taste better, or for my taste buds to change. No more. It's going down the drain tonight and will be replaced by something I can actually stand to drink. Slainte!

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 15 Apr 12 - 05:32 PM

'I just don't care for blended whiskeys'

You know what they say about women, Kendall. There's no one quite like your old lady - but you really have to make sure.....'

And its the same with blended whisky, or even blended whiskey. You gotta make sure you're not missing anything.

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Apr 12 - 06:12 PM

Ah! When it comes to beer I've had more experience, and I don't drink Bud or Coors or a lot of the most popular ones. There are several of the German beers that I buy, and if I had to choose just one it would be from Mexico, Negra Modelo. I'm sure familiarity with the subject makes a difference. Beer is a lot more affordable for sampling than Scotch is. :)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Bill D
Date: 15 Apr 12 - 06:38 PM

Being from Texas, Stilly, you can easily get various types of Shiner... which is remarkably palatable for a 'normal' beer.. (especially the Bock)

Negra Modelo is what I'd choose from the Mexican ones also...

The first beer that made me say "Oh...beer can really be GOOD" was a German Double Bock ..Paulaner Salvator

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: kendall
Date: 15 Apr 12 - 07:10 PM

Beer? if you can't get Guinness, try Stella Artois.

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Apr 12 - 08:05 PM

Bill D, I like that Paulaner also. Some of the "Oktoberfest" ones are good also.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Bill D
Date: 16 Apr 12 - 11:00 AM

US brewer Samuel Adams makes an excellent Octoberfest beer.

And 3 weekends ago, I had a taste 'special' Glen Morangie "Nectar-D'or" that someone brought to a singing weekend. She had bought it in Scotland.

Matured first in regular Bouurbon casks, then finished in Sauterne casks.

It was one of the top 2-3 Scotches I ever tasted....yum!

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 16 Apr 12 - 09:11 PM

tonight some people came round for a drink and to watch a film on TV. They all wanted beer at room temperature out of the cupboard - rather out of the fridge.

I think maybe English people like their beer differently in this respect.

One asked for still cider - which i didn't have. Can anyone suggest a good non sparkling cider?

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Long Firm Freddie
Date: 17 Apr 12 - 09:18 AM

Hi Al

There's a one man cider review page here - the link is to a search on flat cider.

The first one mentioned is Henney's Vintage Cider from Herefordshire - just 6.5% and generally available from Sainsbury' at £2.09 a 500ml bottle - Tesco's are doing 3 bottles for £5.50.

Perhaps we need a separate cider thread!

Cheers

LFF

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Apr 12 - 04:59 PM

It doesn't hurt to compare notes on other drinks, we've done a pretty good job of drifting back to Scotch. Now if we got started on wine, a separate thread would be a good idea. There's probably already one extant but I found only song lyrics about wine.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Bill D
Date: 17 Apr 12 - 07:28 PM

Oh my...I don't dare begin to 'study' wine! I like decent wine, but beer & Scotch are quite enough!

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: GUEST,Kendall
Date: 17 Apr 12 - 07:33 PM

My dear old friend, Gordon came by yesterday, and he left a bottle of Aberlour. Great Scotch, great friend.

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 17 Apr 12 - 07:56 PM

Theres a cider museum just up the road from me in Overmoigne. The man there was very informative. I bought three samples - 3 litre portions at £3 a piece.

Mill house farm cider - one litre of sweet, one of dry. jack Ratt's Scrumpy cider -Red label sweet.

I'm going to invite my friend back, do a ploughman's lunch, and have a cider tasting evening.

Drinking a large Bells as I write - £15 a litre in Tesco. Quite pleasant. Peperry - finds the front of the tongue in the sfter taste.

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: GUEST,Patsy
Date: 18 Apr 12 - 08:05 AM

I find threads like this very informative, although I think I know what I am looking for it is good to refer to the different brands and recommendations before heading off to buy. At least I can appear to look as though I know what I am talking about - even if I don't.

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Will Fly
Date: 18 Apr 12 - 08:40 AM

The English Cider Centre is about 30 minutes drive from at Middle Farm, Firle, in East Sussex. A large barn - filled with bottled and cask ciders from all over England - little plastic cups for free tasting...

I love cider but can't really drink it as it upsets my stomach very quickly - alas. I sometimes have a glass of Norman or Breton cider (with a crepe or a galette) in France, and it's nice as part of a Kir, but that's about it.

Now, when it comes to malts (and wine), it's a different story...

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Jim McLean
Date: 18 Apr 12 - 02:43 PM

Remeber the old Gaeic saying, translated as 'chose your company before choosing your drink'.

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 18 Apr 12 - 07:24 PM

Remeber the old Gaeic saying, translated as 'chose your company before choosing your drink'.

Im not sure I ever knew it in the first place. What does it mean? lob a stink bomb in the pub to clear out any undesirables....?