Variable Whiskey

Subject: Variable Whiskey
From: GUEST,Enquiring mind.
Date: 06 Jan 07 - 11:10 AM

How come I feel drunk after about four 35ml measures of whiskey in a bar, but I can drink more than half of a 70cl bottle at home before I pass out? Mixed with ginger beer in both cases.

Subject: RE: Variable Whiskey
From: GUEST,the whisky bar kid
Date: 06 Jan 07 - 11:24 AM

this calls for some determined scientific research and 'experimentation'



yahoo!!!!

Subject: RE: Variable Whiskey
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 06 Jan 07 - 11:29 AM

It's cheaper at home?

Subject: RE: Variable Whiskey
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 06 Jan 07 - 11:32 AM

In the bar you measure your state by the way others are reacting to you, or by your ability to speak to them coherently.
At home you measure your condition by your continued ability to a) pour another drink, b) find the remote control for the TV.

you are not comparing like with like!

Subject: RE: Variable Whiskey
From: wysiwyg
Date: 06 Jan 07 - 11:32 AM

What/when you ate/didn't eat varied?

~S~

Subject: RE: Variable Whiskey
From: Leadfingers
Date: 06 Jan 07 - 11:33 AM

Is it WHISKY or WHISKEY you are drinking ? There IS a difference !

Subject: RE: Variable Whiskey
From: jeffp
Date: 06 Jan 07 - 11:44 AM

Are you drinking til you pass out at the bar? If not, you are using different criteria to judge drunkenness.

Subject: RE: Variable Whiskey
From: Rapparee
Date: 06 Jan 07 - 11:46 AM

This requires dedicated laboratory experimentation! Let's get a grant!

Subject: RE: Variable Whiskey
From: jeffp
Date: 06 Jan 07 - 11:59 AM

Of course, the experiment will have to have many test subjects and be replicated many times.

Subject: RE: Variable Whiskey
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 06 Jan 07 - 12:01 PM

At a bar, you're moving around and thus your blood is pumping harder, pushing the alcohol around quicker. At home you're lying on the sofa so your pulse rate is likely to be slower. That, and you're not being charged a small fortune at home, so it's less stressful.

LTS

Subject: RE: Variable Whiskey
From: Captain Ginger
Date: 06 Jan 07 - 12:10 PM

I think Nigel and Liz have established the two main reasons, but this surely does call for a prolonged and detailed programme of experimentation.
Before we start, could I just bags not being in the placebo/control group?
And whisky/whiskey; either's fine by me. As well as a Glenmorangie and some of the sweeter Speysides, I'm rather partial to a large Black Bush (as an ex will probably testify! Sorry - lowering the tone a tad)...

Subject: RE: Variable Whiskey
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 06 Jan 07 - 12:14 PM

I have started an experiment at home, under controlled conditions. I will let you know how soon the become 'Out of control' conditions.
G ¦¬]

Subject: RE: Variable Whiskey
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 06 Jan 07 - 12:14 PM

Typical bloody man... can't accept the truth from a woman, they have to go and find out for themselves, making themselves sick and poor, wasting money on pointless reasearch when it could go on shoes.... sorry, food for the poor.

LTS

Subject: RE: Variable Whiskey
From: Captain Ginger
Date: 06 Jan 07 - 12:16 PM

My dear girl, it was a woman what drove me to drink.
This year I really must look her up and thank her.

Subject: RE: Variable Whiskey
From: Leadfingers
Date: 06 Jan 07 - 01:12 PM

I would FAR rather be driven to drink than have to walk !!

Subject: RE: Variable Whiskey
From: number 6
Date: 06 Jan 07 - 01:55 PM

Who would mix ginger beer with whiskey? I pass out at the thought.

biLL

Subject: RE: Variable Whiskey
From: Slag
Date: 06 Jan 07 - 01:58 PM

Crawl to drink? If you're able!

AA has some answers. AAsk them.

Subject: RE: Variable Whiskey
From: Bill D
Date: 06 Jan 07 - 02:11 PM

There is a new club..AAA-AA....for people who are being driven to drink.

(Speysides are nice (I love Cragganmore)...but for daily consumption, let me have Highland Park from Orkney...and for special treat, please...an old Springbank from Campbeltown!)

Subject: RE: Variable Whiskey
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Jan 07 - 02:26 PM

You feel drunk on 140ml
You pass out after an excess of 350ml

Subject: RE: Variable Whiskey
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 06 Jan 07 - 02:47 PM

I must agree with "Number 6". Whiskey/whisky & Ginger Beer sounds really odd.
Whisky & Dry Ginger I would recognise (if not drink)
Whisky & Stones Ginger Wine (a.k.a. "Whisky Mac") is very acceptable as a 'Winter Warmer'

Cheers
Nigel

Subject: RE: Variable Whiskey
From: Rapparee
Date: 06 Jan 07 - 04:26 PM

Being driven to drink gives a whole new dimension to being a "designate driver."

As Dorothy Parker said, "One martini and I'm slightly under the weather. Two martinis and I'm under the table. Three martinis and I'm under my host."

Subject: RE: Variable Whiskey
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 07 Jan 07 - 04:23 AM

The only thing to put in a whisky ia another one, GINGER BEER in whisky, you must be insane, polluting the water of life is a mortal sin.

eric

Subject: RE: Variable Whiskey
From: DoctorJug
Date: 07 Jan 07 - 06:25 AM

I met a chap in a pub, he was complaining about his rotten hangover. He thought he'd drunk too much rum & blackcurrant the previous night. The barman came over and told him he hadn't had so many, as, seeing he'd had enough, he'd served him just blackcurrant later in the session. The effect was in his mind.

Subject: RE: Variable Whiskey
From: Cluin
Date: 07 Jan 07 - 02:22 PM

How did you guauge your drunkenness in the bar?

You were on the rye and took a swing at someone, didn't you?

Subject: RE: Variable Whiskey
From: Podger
Date: 07 Jan 07 - 05:54 PM

It's the ginger beer that's the variable.

Subject: RE: Variable Whiskey
From: Gurney
Date: 08 Jan 07 - 05:08 AM

It's the other way around with me. In a pub I don't get very drunk at all, but at home my conscience tells me that I'm drunk and makes me go to bed quite soon.









Her name is Judy.

Subject: RE: Variable Whiskey
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 08 Jan 07 - 05:21 AM

I've never really understood the difference between the majority of men and women in pubs (I choose to ignore the present culture of "ladettes" 18-28yr old girls getting blasted every night), where the women drink because they like the sociable setting and the taste of the drink, but men just want to get as much down their necks as possible.

I used to drink because I needed the effects and the way that alcohol made me feel. I now drink because I like the taste of the liquid I'm drinking. I know from experience when I've had enough to keep me happy but cogniscent. Why is it so hard for others (and they're usually men) to recognise this same limit?

And why must they drink a skinful at the pub and then come home reeling, straight into the whiskey bottle that just makes a bad situation worse?

LTS

Subject: RE: Variable Whiskey
From: David C. Carter
Date: 08 Jan 07 - 07:16 AM

Liz:To 'come home reeling'you got to find the house first!

Subject: RE: Variable Whiskey
From: Beer
Date: 08 Jan 07 - 07:50 AM

Ginger Beer in Whiskey?!?!?!?
I have to try it just to see. What part of the world you from? Ginger beer is drunk in the Eastern Provinces on Canada, including Quebec. But I have never heard of it mixed with Whiskey. When your at a bar, do you ask for ginger beer there as well?

Beer
aka (adrien)

Subject: RE: Variable Whiskey
From: Schantieman
Date: 08 Jan 07 - 08:08 AM

Ginger ALE, maybe. With brandy, it's a Horse's Neck.

Whisky is Scotch (along with salmon and mist - everthing else from that fine country is Scottish or Scots)
Whiskey is Irish

Prefer gin, myself.


Steve

Subject: RE: Variable Whiskey
From: Beer
Date: 08 Jan 07 - 08:44 AM

That is interesting Steve. Is that like Mc is Catholic and Mac is Protestant? Or maybe it is visa versa. Or maybe it's not true at all. However in checking the dictionary there is not mention of the word "Whisky" only "Whiskey". As well in my spell check there is no "Whisky".
Beer.
aka (adrien)

Subject: RE: Variable Whiskey
From: Captain Ginger
Date: 08 Jan 07 - 09:29 AM

As a general rule, Whisky is the Scottish (and New Zealand and Japanese) usage, while
Whiskey is the Irish (and American and Canadian) usage.
I like them both!

Subject: RE: Variable Whiskey
From: Jim McLean
Date: 08 Jan 07 - 04:27 PM

A wee bit of research ... Maclean's Miscellany of Whisky .. does wonders. It shows that the words whisky and whiskey were quite interchangable until recently when, possible blind drunk 'people' wanted to believe that one word meant Scottish and the other Irish and/or Scotch could only mean drink and not an adjective for other things unless it excluded people. If you are a serious whisk(e)y drinker you'll know that the best way to get the flavour is always to add a little water.
Slainte.

Subject: RE: Variable Whiskey
From: Beer
Date: 08 Jan 07 - 05:00 PM

Slainte. I agree with you on the little water. In a cheap scotch I will be a little more generous with the H2O. However in a very good Scotch I will just add an ice cube and make it float. I never but scotch in a bar. To damn expensive for the amount you get.   The other thing is make sure that if you make your own ice cubes (from the tap.) that it is made from good drinkable water otherwise you will spoil your scotch. Like Duh!! Well, I was visiting a friend who I hadn't seen in some time and he produced a bottle of MacCallan. As soon as I tasted it I knew something was wrong. To make a long story short, he had used ice cubes that he made from his well water that was so loaded with minerals that the scotch was terrible. After a few more drinks it didn't matter much any way.
Beer
aka (adrien)

Subject: RE: Variable Whiskey
From: Beer
Date: 08 Jan 07 - 05:01 PM

I mean Jim

Subject: RE: Variable Whiskey
From: GUEST,Doc Hollowlegs (of enquiring mind)
Date: 09 Jan 07 - 12:52 PM

Sorry, I meant ale.

Subject: RE: Variable Whiskey
From: Captain Ginger
Date: 09 Jan 07 - 01:11 PM

Ginger ale I can understand - done it myself even. When faced with a truly rank Scotch like Teachers and with no option but to grin and bear it, Canada Dry ginger ale does at least make it bearable, even if the resulting grin is a little forced.
In an ideal world I would like just a small jug of spring water with the whisk(e)y. Certainly not tap water - particularly if it was like some that was once served up at a Stoch whisky tasting at the British embassy in Tokyo. Whatever clot was in charge simply filled the jugs from the mains, and the water was so hideously chlorinated that it tainted everything it touched.
As a result the wondrous subtleties of the assorted Islays, Speysiders, Highlands and Islands were completely wasted. While in Japan, however, I did have the good fortune to encounter some cracking whiskies which would give the Scots a run for their money. I've also had an excellent New Zealand whisky.

Subject: RE: Variable Whiskey
From: Bill D
Date: 09 Jan 07 - 07:03 PM

I keep the water to an absolute minimum...a few drops can help release the flavor, but I don't want any ice, nor do I want any drink of spirits half-strength.

Old joke:

Two Scotsmen are talking. Giok has been to visit Andrew, and is about to leave.

Andrew- "So, Giok, my friend....would ye tak a dram afore ye go?"

Giok- "Och..and I don't mind if I do!"

Andrew gets a glass, pours some Scotch, and then adds some water and hands it to Giok, who sips at it.....then sips again, with a quizzical look on his face.

Andrew says, with a touch of pique.."Now, Giok, the whisky- it's not to your liking?"

"Oh, no...no....it's fine....I was wondering though..."

"Wondering? wondering about what?"

"Weel...when you poured it, did you add the water or the whisky first?"

"Ah, Giok..ye were right here...ye saw me do it! And I always put the whisky in first."

"Oh...right, right...of course! I'll be comin' to it, then!"

Subject: RE: Variable Whiskey
From: Cluin
Date: 09 Jan 07 - 07:07 PM

An oldie but a goodie, Bill.

Subject: RE: Variable Whiskey
From: bobad
Date: 09 Jan 07 - 07:32 PM

Hey Beer, I hope you're not referring to the glass of Macallans I served you at new years. I would never serve a good whisky with ice cubes - I have enough of that there savoir faire to know that quality whisky should be drunk at room temperature with just a splash of water to take the alcohol edge off to let you savour the taste and aroma of the smokiness of the peat and salt spray of Scotland.

Subject: RE: Variable Whiskey
From: Beer
Date: 09 Jan 07 - 08:13 PM

That my friend was the best drink I had in a very long time. The one I had with the bad ice cubes took place about 10 years ago. But it was with the same brand.
All is well Bobad.

Subject: RE: Variable Whiskey
From: Jim McLean
Date: 10 Jan 07 - 06:01 AM

Regarding the Mc and Mac question, I have a book printed in the mid 19th century which spells the same person's name in three ways, all on the same page, MacGibbons, M'Gibbons (not an apostrophe but an open quote) and McGibbons (the c , underlined, is placed half way up the line). It would appear that the open quote was eventually seen, incorrectly, as a c, hence the modern usage, as in my name, e.g. McLean.
Incidentally I have an uncle and nephew who use MacLean.

Subject: RE: Variable Whiskey
From: An Buachaill Caol Dubh
Date: 10 Jan 07 - 11:22 AM

Re Japanese spirits: I remember being suspicious of the wee submarines they sent to Loch Ness a few years back, supposedly seeking the Monster. What's the betting they were taking samples of peat &c; or has some overindulgence made me unduly paranoid?

Subject: RE: Variable Whiskey
From: An Buachaill Caol Dubh
Date: 10 Jan 07 - 11:23 AM

Old Scots saying: "Never drink Whisky without water; and never drink water without whisky..."

Subject: RE: Variable Whiskey
From: Leadfingers
Date: 10 Jan 07 - 12:31 PM

NEVER drink water - Look what fish do in it !

Subject: RE: Variable Whiskey
From: Bill D
Date: 10 Jan 07 - 12:39 PM

example of the sort of reasoning we often encounter:

"I was having problems with getting drunk....I tried Rye & water and got drunk, then Scotch & water, Bourbon & water, Irish & water....same result!

Conclusion...the common ingredient is water, so I think I'll give IT up."

Subject: RE: Variable Whiskey
From: Captain Ginger
Date: 10 Jan 07 - 12:43 PM

Many a true word said in jest, An Buachaill Caol Dubh. The Suntory company in Japan owes its success today to a remarkable piece of industrial espionage just after the Great War, when a young Japanese chemist, Masataka Taketsuru, came over to study at a Glasgow University summer school and started touring various distilleries.
He was taken on briefly by a couple as a chemist in the quality control department, and assuously noted everything needed for the production of good whisky, including the water hardness, the type of soils around there and the varieties of barley.
When he got back home (with a young Scottish wife in tow) he set about touring the highlands of Japan until he found a location which was as close as he could find to the Scottish distillery and there he set about producing the first Japanese 'Scotch' at the Yamazaki in 1923.

Subject: RE: Variable Whiskey
From: bobad
Date: 10 Jan 07 - 07:41 PM

"Glen Breton Rare Canadian Single Malt Whisky is the only single malt whisky produced in Canada. It is produced by the traditional copper pot stills method using only three ingredients: Barley, Yeast and Water.

It can not be called 'Scotch' unless it is produced in Scotland, hence, Canadian Single Malt Whisky.

Colour: Golden Amber

Nose: Butterscotch, heather, honey and ground ginger

Taste: Creamy with a good
flow of toasty wood, almond
and caramel

Finish: Rounded, lingering, faintly sweet, merest whisper
of peat"

http://www.glenoradistillery.com/

Subject: RE: Variable Whiskey
From: Jim Lad
Date: 10 Jan 07 - 08:13 PM

Strap your wristwatch to your forehead. That way you will know what time you passed out. Whisky is Scotch. Whiskey is all the other rubbish!

Subject: RE: Variable Whiskey
From: Jim Lad
Date: 10 Jan 07 - 08:18 PM

Sorry bobad! Didn't see your post there. I used to live just a few miles from Glenora Distillery. They are deliberately mis-spelling the "Whiskey" too.

Subject: RE: Variable Whiskey
From: kendall
Date: 10 Jan 07 - 08:41 PM

One tequela, two tequela, three tequela....floor.

Subject: RE: Variable Whiskey
From: GUEST,John Gray in Oz
Date: 10 Jan 07 - 09:02 PM

Liz - I used a tactic with my 3 sons to help them from over indulging on the booze and doing something stupid. Not long after boys discover the joys of sex they are legal to drink. ( 18 in Oz )
Starting with the first bloke I advised that the last thing a woman wants is to have a drunk flopping all over her trying to have sex. Very degrading. Therefore they don't like going home from the pub / party with a drunk.
So, wait around, let all your mates get pissed, and its a monty there
will be a girl to go home with. ( Sex has always been preferable to booze )
When it worked for the oldest he wised up his 2 brothers. They're now 24 to 28 and social/moderate drinkers.
Then there's strategy. The strategy was that they didn't drink my bloody Scotch.

JG / FME

Subject: RE: Variable Whiskey
From: Dazbo
Date: 11 Jan 07 - 06:45 AM

Stones Ginger Wine mixed with Stones bitter makes an nice drink, believe it or not.

Subject: RE: Variable Whiskey
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 11 Jan 07 - 09:19 AM

John Gray - good tactic!

Dazbo - would that be called a 'Rockery?'

I'm quite fond of Jamaican Macs - like whisky macs but with rum instead of whisky. Very warming on a cold winter's night.

LTS