BS: Sobering news for N.B. scotch connoisseurs

Subject: BS: Sobering news for N.B. scotch connoisseu
From: GUEST,Number 6
Date: 03 Nov 08 - 12:57 PM

This is ssshhocking (hiccup), shimply outrageoush ...

well, it's the sign of the times I guess.

http://www.cbc.ca/money/story/2008/11/03/nb-scotch-shortage.html


biLL

Subject: RE: BS: Sobering news for N.B. scotch connoisseu
From: gnu
Date: 03 Nov 08 - 02:39 PM

Johnnie's gonna walk? Oh my!

Subject: RE: BS: Sobering news for N.B. scotch connoisseu
From: Bill D
Date: 03 Nov 08 - 04:19 PM

Japan buys many items above the usual market price. This includes Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee, other liquors, various hardwoods, seafood and art objects. (They have even dabbled in making 'Scotch' themselves, though they are not allowed to call it that).

Money is money, and markets are what they are, but durn it, there needs to be a quota!

Subject: RE: BS: Sobering news for N.B. scotch connoisseu
From: Rapparee
Date: 03 Nov 08 - 04:22 PM

Scotch, Irish -- we got it in Idaho. Rent a car, drive over the border...heck, even Montana has some liquor.

This could be the start of a sort of reverse rum-running!

Subject: RE: BS: Sobering news for N.B. scotch connoisseu
From: Bill D
Date: 03 Nov 08 - 04:23 PM

(I was informed by a coffee dealer a couple years ago, that Japan has a standing contract for like...90% of Jamaican Blue Mountain. And I KNOW they buy most of the available Amboyna Burl wood to make veneer.)

Prices for what escapes them in these areas gets higher & higher.

Subject: RE: BS: Sobering news for N.B. scotch connoisseu
From: john f weldon
Date: 03 Nov 08 - 04:34 PM

Uh oh. I keep hearing about nuclear war & other dreadful things on the political threads, but this is far scarier!

Lagavulin is an important dietary supplement, essentially for an amiable disposition!

Subject: RE: BS: Sobering news for N.B. scotch connoisseu
From: Sorcha
Date: 03 Nov 08 - 04:54 PM

Turrible, just turrible!

Subject: RE: BS: Sobering news for N.B. scotch connoisseu
From: Beer
Date: 03 Nov 08 - 05:49 PM

I'd move out of New Brunswick if I were you.
My condolences.
Beer (adrien)

Subject: RE: BS: Sobering news for N.B. scotch connoisseu
From: Gurney
Date: 03 Nov 08 - 11:18 PM

You could import some water from a peat-bog, and add it to your Chivas Regal. Wouldn't taste that much different from some Single Malts. Tasted one last Hogmanay that even the three Scotsmen present thought was too peaty.
Wasn't too impressed with my last (Christmas) bottle of Famous Grouse, though. Tasted sharp and young.

Subject: RE: BS: Sobering news for N.B. scotch connoisseu
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 05:30 AM

If you lose Johnny Walker, and get Famous Grouse instead, you're ahead of the game. Not that I drink blended whiskies these days.
Pity about the Bell's though, quite an acceptable mixer, with Ginger Ale, or Ginger wine.
I mean you wouldn't adulterate a malt with such crap. would you?
Just a wee drappie o' watter, tae bring oot the flavour lads and lassies.

XG

Subject: RE: BS: Sobering news for N.B. scotch connoisseu
From: GUEST,number 6
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 07:46 AM

It is a pity about Bell's, John. I will miss it.

I would never, ever mix my Bell's with 'pop' ... but as you say 'just a wee drappie o' watter' will do just fine.

biLL

Subject: RE: BS: Sobering news for N.B. scotch connoisseu
From: Beer
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 07:59 AM

Never mix a Scotch with a soft drink, pop. However, I would like to take a chance and see how it tastes with one of my favoriate ginger ale I have ever tastes fron N.B. Sussex Ginger Ale.
Adrien

Subject: RE: BS: Sobering news for N.B. scotch connoisseu
From: gnu
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 08:13 AM

Sussex Ginger Ale... heartburn in a bottle... even if you watch someone else drink it.

Subject: RE: BS: Sobering news for N.B. scotch connoisseu
From: Beer
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 08:37 AM

Goes well with a Whisky though.

Subject: RE: BS: Sobering news for N.B. scotch connoisseu
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 08:50 AM

Last weekend, Famous Grouse £11.00 a litre at Morrisons, I bought a few.

Laphroaig is the most peaty malt you can get, grand.

eric

Subject: RE: BS: Sobering news for N.B. scotch connoisseu
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 08:52 AM

Incidently, never mind Japan, the USA imports 99% of the Chablis production.

eric

Subject: RE: BS: Sobering news for N.B. scotch connoisseu
From: GUEST,number 6
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 09:08 AM

Now here is a Scot who is guilty of mixing Sussex Ginger Ale with Bell's.

BTW .... it's my wife Ann

Sussex Beverages

biLL

Subject: RE: BS: Sobering news for N.B. scotch connoisseu
From: Beer
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 09:24 AM

My God! I remember that Sussex sign.
Six,Gnu, the last time I tried Sussex (which was 2 years ago.) I didn't much care for it. Before that it probably was 5/10 years. Is it possible they have changed the flavoring? I seem to remember that there was no comparison with Canada Dry. You could almost taste and smell the ginger.
Just wondering.
Adrien

Subject: RE: BS: Sobering news for N.B. scotch connoisseu
From: GUEST,number 6
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 09:39 AM

I don't mind Sussex at all Adrien .... I prefer it over Canada Dry any day (which I find a bit too bitter).

BTW ... the building which that sign is on is an old General Store that has been in operation since around 1800 ... Kingston, New Brunswick.

biLL

Subject: RE: BS: Sobering news for N.B. scotch connoisseu
From: gnu
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 10:08 AM

"You could almost taste and smell the ginger." Yup. Fer days.

Mind you, it does not have that effect on everyone, obviously. If you like strong ginger ale, you'll like Sussex Golden. I prefer Schweppes (spg?). Of course, I used to prefer Canuck Whiskey... Gibson's Finest, 12 year old... smoooooth... on ice or with a drappie.

Subject: RE: BS: Sobering news for N.B. scotch connoisseu
From: GUEST,number 6
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 11:54 AM

Rapaire .... re: 'This could be the start of a sort of reverse rum-running'

Now that is something to think about :)

biLL

Subject: RE: BS: Sobering news for N.B. scotch connoisseu
From: Beer
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 12:05 PM

Hay! They do it with cigarettes. Why not good scotch and make a few bucks at it as well. In the late 50ties my older brother decided to bootleg beer at a cent cheaper than what the other bootleggers were selling for. He survived but by the looks of him I don't know how.

Subject: RE: BS: Sobering news for N.B. scotch connoisseu
From: GUEST,number 6
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 12:11 PM

An old late friend of mine paid his way through University booze running .. sailing the contraband (cigarettes and booze) across Lake Ontario from New York State to Toronto Island.

biLL

Subject: RE: BS: Sobering news for N.B. scotch connoisseu
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 12:51 PM

Never drink blended neat or watered, can't drink it without 'pop', I have even been known to put coke in it.

Sinfully yours

XG

Subject: RE: BS: Sobering news for N.B. scotch connoisseurs
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 02:17 PM

yeh its been whisky wars this last few weeks.

whyte and MacKay - £10 a klitre in Tesco
replaced by Bells 20 quid for two litres, s cos they sold out so quick.
a week ago I thought £13 a litre was a bargain Sainsburys for Bells.

Since then theres been the famous Grouse deal.

you have the feeling these deals won't be around at Christmas.

at ten quid a litre they make quite an acceptable Xmas present.

haven't seen any SPECTACULAR reductions on single malts.

Subject: RE: BS: Sobering news for N.B. scotch connoisseurs
From: GUEST,number 6
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 02:50 PM

Looks like you guys are paying roughly the same amount as we are over here .... never did notice any Grouse deals.

Anxious to see what is available after these brands of scotch whisky leave town. I shudder to even thinka bout it.

It's an outright shame. I'll remember this when the next provincial elections roll around ... the N.B. government could have thrown a few $million$ to save our scotch.

biLL

Subject: RE: BS: Sobering news for N.B. scotch connoisseurs
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 05 Nov 08 - 02:21 PM

I only drink single malts. Highland Park is high on my list. Strange to think it costs £26.00 a bottle here where it's created and yet is only half the price in Gibralter. Something wrong somewhere.

Subject: RE: BS: Sobering news for N.B. scotch connoisseurs
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 05 Nov 08 - 02:29 PM

Twelve And A Tanner A Bottle

    * (MacKenzie / Will Fyffe)

      Chorus:
      It's twelve and a tanner a bottle
      That's what it's costin' today
      Twelve and a tanner a bottle
      Man it tak's a' your pleasure away
      Afore ye can hae a wee drappie
      You have to spend a' that you've got
      How can a fella be happy
      When happiness costs such a lot

      It's really high time something is done
      To alter the way the country is run
      They're no daein' things the way that they should
      Just take for instance the price of the food

      There's taxes on this, taxes on that
      While the people grow lean, the officials grow fat
      You have to admit it's a bit underhand
      Puttin' a tax on the breath of the land

      I used to meet old pals o' mine
      When whisky was cheap, went doon like wine
      Noo I don't see them I'm sorry to tell
      I slip roon' the corner and drink by masel'

      (as sung by Hamish Imlach)

I first heard this as a Harry Lauder song, but I don't know exactly how old it is.

XG

Subject: RE: BS: Sobering news for N.B. scotch connoisseurs
From: GUEST,number 6
Date: 05 Nov 08 - 04:20 PM

Beautiful song John ..... I especially like the last line ... so true, sadly so true   *LOL*

biLL

Subject: RE: BS: Sobering news for N.B. scotch connoisseurs
From: Beer
Date: 05 Nov 08 - 07:07 PM

Good song John.
Adrien

Subject: RE: BS: Sobering news for N.B. scotch connoisseurs
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 06 Nov 08 - 06:51 PM

And in other "sobering" news:

Brits, Europeans are drinking less beer

Economy blamed for consumption decreasing across the continent

The Associated Press
updated 6:13 p.m. CT, Mon., Oct. 27, 2008

LONDON - Britons may be reeling from the international financial crisis, but few are crying into their beer.

Beer sales are falling as the economy worsens, defying predictions in some quarters that consumers would buy their brew at supermarkets to escape higher prices at pubs.

The British Beer and Pub Association reported Monday that total beer sales fell about 7 percent in the third quarter — the equivalent of 161 million fewer pints compared with the same period in 2007.
Sales of the iconic British pint in pubs have been in decline for years, leading to the closure of thousands of hostelries around the country.

Now the association's Quarterly Beer Barometer reveals that the downturn has broadened to supermarket sales.

"The accelerating decline in beer sales is a clear sign of a worsening economy, worried households and weakening spending," said Rob Hayward, the association's chief executive.

Supermarket and liquor store sales fell 6 percent between July and September compared with the same period last year, slightly behind the 8.1 percent drop recorded for pubs, bars and restaurants.

From the sidewalk cafes of Paris to the beer cellars of Berlin, there are signs Europeans are drinking less.

[end quote]

Extrapolating the current decline, experts estimate that by no later than 2024 "at least a few dozen" Brits may spend entire weekends completely sober. No estimate is given for the Irish, other than "it may take a little longer."

John