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BS: Question about Scotch
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Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch From: Stilly River Sage Date: 18 Apr 13 - 12:37 AM I may have reversed the characteristics between the Sheildaig Highland and the Laphroaig. It may be the peat in the Sheildaig that tastes better than the smoke in the Laphroaig. According to this review (by an admitted novice.)
I realize there are several varieties of the various brands that people have talked about here. For example, the Aberlour that Kendall likes may not be the type that I bought. Could you give the full name on the labels of your favorites? For reference? |
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Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch From: Stilly River Sage Date: 18 Apr 13 - 12:08 AM About 18 months ago I started sipping my way through various types of Scotch. After this thread started I switched over to single malt, weaned myself from any ice. I have discovered over time that I prefer a stronger or richer variety. And have come to terms with the smoky flavor, now sampling my way into the highlands and the islays. A chain called Total Wine and Spirits (in the U.S. - it recently moved into Fort Worth) has a large selection, including a store label of "Shieldaig" bottled for them. I've tried a couple - my favorite of the whisky's so far is their finest old highland variety with a good smoky flavor. Here's a description of the label from the store web site: Shieldaig Whisky is produced by Ian Macleod Distillers, Ltd., one of the largest and most widely respected independent family companies within the spirit industry. The Shieldaig line of Scotch whiskies are carefully selected grain and single malts that the Shieldaig master blender has hand chosen in order to create the finest quality whiskies available in the market today. Each handcrafted bottling over delivers, offering exceptional and distinctive flavors usually only available in deluxe whiskies offered at twice the price. The bottle itself says it was bottled by William Maxwell & Co, Ltd. Having enjoyed this highland variety I thought I'd see how far I could push the smoke flavor. I've realized that if I'm going to drink Scotch I want it to give me more clues as to why it is special and a stand-alone drink - some of the milder ones like Aberlour and Bunnahabhain are delicate and don't stay on the palate as long as I like. This evening I hit what seems like an impenetrable wall - I brought home a bottle of Laphroaig. I poured a jigger and I can't finish it. When I've discussed smoke vs peat with people familiar with Scotch I've heard it described as "peat is more like earth or coal, smoke is more like a barbecue." Laphroaig seems to have a lot of peat. I'll wait and give it another try before I pronounce it undrinkable, but I plan to back off down the chart (see the whisky map) and over a bit to the right. I almost picked up a bottle of Bowmore this evening, and I looked at the Highland Park in passing. The research continues, slow and steady. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch From: GUEST,Eric the viking Date: 14 Jan 13 - 02:21 PM That last post was me....sorry was busy being interupted by Mrs Viking. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch From: GUEST Date: 14 Jan 13 - 02:20 PM My personal favourite is Glen Moray (Made just about 6 miles away) and Aberlour (Made about 12 miles away) Here is something about Caramel in wiskey. http://www.masterofmalt.com/blog/post/Can-you-taste-Caramel-(E150a)-in-Whisky.aspx If you are interested. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch From: Bill D Date: 13 Jan 13 - 02:27 PM Only about 5-6 times in my life have I ordered ANY hard liquor in a bar or restaurant. I suspect my Scots ancestry simply cannot comprehend why they need to ask $3-$12 for a shot when there are ... what..40? shots in a bottle. Because enough people will pay it, I suppose. (a couple of years ago, I was at a gathering for a friend and shots of decent Scotch were going for $3-4. They also had Connemara single malt Irish, a bottle of which I had been given as a present once.... so I thought I'd splurge.... after it was poured, they asked $8! I asked why...."Well, it's a 'special'... not common or easy to get, and more expensive." I went to a liquor store... yeah, it was maybe 10% higher than a vaguely similar bottle of Scotch... not 120%. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch From: Stilly River Sage Date: 13 Jan 13 - 01:25 PM Bourbon drinkers tip more. A recently released study is getting the attention of bartenders and wait staff, pointing to wine and beer drinkers typically leaving smaller tips than those drinking bourbon or other spirits. The study, conducted by Restaurant Sciences, looked at 4 million restaurant, nightclub and hotel guest checks to determine the average total bill amount per check, as well as the average tip left for wait staff. The study showed that patrons who drank bourbon left an average of a 22.69 percent tip, while those that ordered a blended whiskey were a close second, coming in at 22.67 percent. Rum drinkers were the lowest tippers, coming in at 19.66 percent. Others on the tip list were: Cider - 22.20 percent Gin - 21.67 percent Vodka - 21.27 percent Scotch - 20.12 percent Although scotch drinkers gave one of the lowest percentages in tips, their check total were higher, with an average of $69.14. Despite the lower tip percentage, wait staff of scotch drinkers typically earned an average of a $13.91 tip, while those serving bourbon drinkers averaged $9.60. According to The Spirits Business, spirit drinkers, those that drank bourbon, whiskey, scotch, etc., ran up a bill of $55.19 on average, whereas wine-only drinkers spent the most, coming in at $69.05. Beer drinkers were the most thrifty, spending $38.74 on average. Chuck Ellis, president of Restaurant Sciences, told Boston.com: "Whether consumers ordered beers, wine, or spirits, they generally tipped an above average amount of more than 20 percent per check." |
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Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch From: GUEST,Russ Date: 12 Jan 13 - 09:34 PM Been drinking single malt for quite a while. IMHO it is all different and all good. I try to keep a bit of a selection so that my scotch can fit my mood. Do I want a a big fat entree scotch, a dessert scotch, an appetizer scotch? I have noticed that the taste of scotch depends a lot on mouth and body chemistry. Probably even my state of mind. Russ (Permanent GUEST) |
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Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch From: Steve Shaw Date: 12 Jan 13 - 04:56 PM I gave up smoking suddenly at 8.05pm on February 21 1978. There were still 17 left in the packet. I still have bad dreams about me failing and smoking again. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch From: kendall Date: 12 Jan 13 - 04:26 PM I come from a long line of alcoholics, but thank providence I can take it or leave it.Most of the time I don'5t even want one drink. But, I don't dare smoke one cigarette, even after 16 years. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch From: Bill D Date: 12 Jan 13 - 01:17 PM Big Al... I count myself fortunate that I do NOT 'need' a 2nd, 3rd and 4th...etc... drams. It is not an accomplishment, just luck of the draw. My brother got the other end of the straw, and 24 years ago, after serious problems, had to give up ALL alcohol. 2-3 beers or 1-2 shots, sipped slowly, is my limit.... fortunately, as my tastes run to the GOOD stuff. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch From: GUEST,Allan Conn Date: 12 Jan 13 - 01:05 PM "Caramel addition is a very widespread practice." Apparently a majority of single malts have the addition and virtually all the blends do. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch From: GUEST,Big Al Whittle Date: 12 Jan 13 - 07:46 AM I'm better off without alcohol - though I have loved drinking it for forty odd years. I can no more have a wee dram and leave it at that, than I can run a four minute mile. Wonder if there are any other whisky and whiskey lovers in the same predicament. Bit of a bastard, isn't it? |
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Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch From: Steve Shaw Date: 12 Jan 13 - 07:06 AM Not true, Dave. Well, it's true for whisky sold in Germany or Denmark, but not in the UK. Caramel addition is a very widespread practice. It's certainly done for Talisker, and I've just examined a bottle thereof and there is no mention of caramel on the label. Trouble is, I could hardly put the damn thing down again, and it's only midday... |
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Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch From: Charmion Date: 11 Jan 13 - 08:51 PM That would be "brand of weasel piss". This iPad makes me fingers stutter. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch From: Charmion Date: 11 Jan 13 - 08:49 PM Kendall, what band if weasel piss do you favour? Just askin' ... ;-) |
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Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch From: kendall Date: 11 Jan 13 - 07:36 PM If I bought it,and I feel like adding a bit of water, brake fluid, or weasel piss,I will do so. Judge not....etc. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch From: Gallus Moll Date: 11 Jan 13 - 04:26 PM Check out 2012 movie 'The Angel's Share' for entertainment and information about whisky! The best - the only - way to learn about malts is to try them, and keep tasting notes (well, attempt to - - usually manage it for the first couple of drams -- -) There are so many ages and variations of malts (eg Caol Ila as Tattie Bogle pointed out) - and so many distillieries / malts in existence - that you will only manage to sample a small proportion of them in your life - and even once you decide on one or some favourite(s) they may taste different on separate occasions, according to the company / weather / your mood and many other factors! I would never put ice in whisky (or brandy. I 'nose' it first, for quite a while. I taste it neat. I might well then drink it neat. Or - I might sip (ice free) water in between. (Scottish tap water is usually fine, but if you are into spring water - surely that should be Scottish?) With certain malts I might decide to then add a splash of water - but with some that can spoil it so be careful! There are various whisky festivals and tastings that you can attend, and either free or for a small fee get to try a range of malts with advice from experts - - better still, go to an educational tasting where you have the opportunity to try (for example) 'Ancient and Rare Malts' - - wonderful! Personal favourites? Haven't found them all yet! -- After 40+ years of study I have a fair sized list of ones I really like (and medicinal smelling ones I don't even want to 'nose') Slainthe! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch From: Dave Hanson Date: 11 Jan 13 - 02:51 PM Not strictly true about the caramel, have a look at Ardbeg 10 year old, so pale it's almost colourless, but it tastes great. If there was caramel added, by law it would have to say so on the label. Dave H |
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Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch From: Tattie Bogle Date: 11 Jan 13 - 02:28 PM I did know that too, but the cask certainly contributes. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch From: Steve Shaw Date: 11 Jan 13 - 12:24 PM Tattie Bogle, I hate to tell you this, but the colour of malt whiskies is "harmonised" (in other words, standardised) using caramel, E150a. Producers can't rely on wooden casks to provide the consistency of colour that they imagine we consumers demand. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch From: Beer Date: 10 Jan 13 - 10:51 PM Never liked the Oak flavored scotch. Will not buy it but won't refuse it if offered. ad. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch From: Steve Shaw Date: 10 Jan 13 - 08:54 PM Sainsbury's sell, under their own label, an Irish single malt called Eire for an almost-affordable twenty quid(ish). It's a very respectable, enjoyable tipple, and I say that as a man of Talisker and Laphroaig (though it isn't like them). |
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Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch From: Tattie Bogle Date: 10 Jan 13 - 08:11 PM SRS mentions colour of whisky: no correlation with strength, or another popular myth is that it's the peat that gives whisky its colour. No, the distilled spirit is colourless: it's the cask it's matured in that gives it the colour, so those from sherry casks tend on the whole to be darker and deeper gold. That's not to say that peat does not colour the water in domestic supplies in rural areas after heavy rainfall! I'm not a great "smoky" fan, but I wouldn't say that the whiskies that I do like are in any way bland! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch From: Bill D Date: 10 Jan 13 - 01:09 PM Isn't it 'interesting' how our tastes differ? Some folks seem to prefer mildish, non-offensive flavors in beer, whiskey...etc. Thus, bland lager beers are so common. Others like something 'distinctive', but disagree on what distinctive flavors. Thus, my avoidance of Laphroig and Ardbeg and Lagavulin, while others seek them out... the more peat the better. Since I had a good craft season, I treated myself to a bottle of Glen Morangie Nectar D'or that I had previously had only a taste of. I even experimented by mixing (yes, I know...sacrilege) it with about 25% from the final ½ inch of my Springbank. Opinion? If they bottled that blend, I would buy it! The Glenmorangie is delicious and the Springbank adds just a touch of tang that *I* find great. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch From: Charmion Date: 10 Jan 13 - 10:59 AM Jura is nice, but a little peaty for my taste -- which is, I admit, a bit on the sissy side. My absolute fave whiskeys are Irish. The last time we crossed the border, we bought a jeezly big jug of The MacAllan, a delicious potion that goes down very well in January. Aberlour is also very, very tasty, especially in winter. I like whisk(e)y all the time, but Scotch seems more of a winter drink to me. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch From: kendall Date: 10 Jan 13 - 08:11 AM One of my Sons in law gave me a drink of JURA. Not bad, but, not Aberlour either. Jacqui's son in law gave me a bottle of McLellands from Waitros. Not bad at all. 9 pounds. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch From: Charmion Date: 10 Jan 13 - 08:05 AM I have tried Johnnie Walker Blue Label exactly once, and that not recently, so I can't offer tasting notes. I remember it as okay -- nice and drinkable; however, at that price it bloody wants to be. In my opinion, Scotland and Ireland are full of distillers who make just as good a drop, or better, at half the bite. And that's not even mentioning the up-and-coming competition in such far-flung jurisdictions as Wales, Japan and Cape Breton Island! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch From: Bert Date: 09 Jan 13 - 11:58 PM If you want smooth, dump the Scotch and get some Jim Beam. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch From: Beer Date: 09 Jan 13 - 11:36 PM Tried the Black Label but can't afford the Blue to try. Good ? Adrien |
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Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch From: Stilly River Sage Date: 09 Jan 13 - 09:32 PM My Secret Santa this year, Greg Stevens, sent a single-serving bottle of Ardbeg. Wow! Now that is smoky, but it is different than the Johnny Walker Red smoke flavor that I commented on above (I think I did, anyway, I didn't read back over the thread). The smell of it is smoke, the taste is catching up smoke. I searched on the name here at Mudcat and found John MacKenzie made remarks on a couple of threads - apparently you have some grocery stores that sell it under their own label. As I poured it I saw how light it was in color - and I noticed on one remark he talked about both how pale and how strong it is. Most scotch I find here is 40%, this is 46%. This is very strong smoke-wise, if I found a bottle it would have to be for very special occasions. :-) A while back I found a single malt in my price range called Glen Parker. I had a friend visiting who told me he likes scotch so I figured he'd enjoy it, but he ended up drinking the Famous Grouse blended scotch I'd bought for just-in-case. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch From: BrendanB Date: 15 May 12 - 07:34 AM Has anyone ever tried Johnny Walker Blue Label? I have only ever seen it for sale in duty free shops on cross channel ferries and the last time it was for sale for £105 a bottle (that's the duty free price!) It is a blended scotch but I would expect ambrosia to be blended with it at that price. Scottish ambrosia obviously. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch From: GUEST,kendall Date: 14 May 12 - 07:36 PM I had a drink of that last Saturday evening. Not sure I liked it, so, I had three more. Back to the Aberlour. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch From: Bill D Date: 14 May 12 - 05:32 PM Ahh.. Tullamore Dew is great stuff.... especially if you can get it in the little green crock. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch From: Jim Dixon Date: 14 May 12 - 04:26 PM My favorite distilled beverage these days is Irish whiskey, especially Tullamore Dew. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch From: kendall Date: 14 May 12 - 01:23 PM Aberfeldy is mentioned in the Loch Tay boat song. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch From: Bill D Date: 14 May 12 - 12:12 PM So many brands of Scotch... so little money. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch From: Stilly River Sage Date: 14 May 12 - 12:09 PM ♥ to those last two posts. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch From: kendall Date: 14 May 12 - 08:46 AM So many brands of scotch, so little time.. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch From: KHNic Date: 13 May 12 - 03:03 PM This is a useful site. Personally, I'd go for the Tyrconnell. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch From: Rusty Dobro Date: 12 May 12 - 07:03 PM I won a bottle of Bells in a raffle tonight! Good? Bad? Don't care! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch From: kendall Date: 11 May 12 - 10:26 PM There is a street in Charleston SC called ABERLOUR way. I wonder about the connection to Scotland and that brand of Scotch. |
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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....? |
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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'. |
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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... |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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! |
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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 |
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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 |
