(no subject)

[tree_and_leaf]

Yesterday - celebrating getting the paper down to time - I went out with a friend to drink whisky, from the excellent selection in Schlappen, Freiburg.

I started off with the Mannochmore South African sherry finish, which wasn't bad - a bit thinner than I was really in the mood for, but nice notes of vanilla and a bit of fruit (pear, probably). Would make a good aperitif. L, who has only just started drinking whisky, was very enthusiastic about the 10 y.o. Balvennie, which is a nice drink, with an awful lot of honey and flowers on the nose, and a bit of body towards the finish. We then moved away from the highlands - I had Jura, which I haven't had for ages, and surprised me by the burnt toast in the finish - and persuaded L to try Highland Park (oddly enough, it seemed to be my description of the scene in Dalziel and Pascoe where poor Novello is persuaded to substitute Glennfiddich for Highland Park that did it. That got an absolutely priceless reaction - very dubious face when she sniffed it, and a slightly bemused/ repelled reaction to the peat in the first mouthful. Followed by sudden enthusiasm at the second. "It just gets better and better the more you drink it!" Followed by the judgement that the Balvennie smelled more interesting, but the Highland Park was more interesting to drink.

I had considered trying the Loch Dhu black whisky, but after reading the review I'm rather glad I didn't - though a certain amount of (morbid) curiosity remains...

Comments

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

Half-way through reading your post, the Glenfiddich / Highland Park came to my mind as well.

What was it?

"That's not Highland Park."

"No, the barman said he'd run out, and this was Glen-something - Glenfiddich? He said you wouldn't notice."

"Of course I know it's Glenfiddich - that's how I know it's not Highland Park!"

[tree_and_leaf]

:)

That's right - poor old Ivor!

[beard5.livejournal.com]

The Glenmorangie Sherry finish wasn't bad when I tried it. Regarding Loch Dhu, I wish I were able to find it again over here, it's an interesting flavor. In some ways it reminds me of tequila, like some of the Islay single malts. It has (if my memory is true) a strong peat-y flavor. I enjoyed it, but not for the same reason that I like a more traditional Scotch. If it helps with deciding, I generally like a bit of bitter/medicinal type flavors.

[tree_and_leaf]

Yeah, I've had the Glenmorangie Sherry finish and quite liked it, though I think the Madeira finish is the most successful of that series (haven't tried the Burgundy, though). Maybe I'll pluck up my courage and try the Loch Dhu, but though I like peat, I can't stand herbal liquers, which is what your reference to medicine suggest. Hmm...

[anna-in-the-sky.livejournal.com]

Ach, der Schlappen. Das waren noch Zeiten ;-)

I'd love to go and drink whisky with you sometime - I'm sure it would be very educational! The only whisky I know (and occasionally enjoy, too) is Chivas Regal.

Now, if you wanna talk wine, I'm your girl.

[tree_and_leaf]

Well, if you're ever at a loose end in Freiburg ;)

I must admit I've never drunk Chivas, but I don't really know my way round the blends (and a lot of them only go for export, anyway - I'm not sure if you can even get Chivas in the UK).

I like wine, but I know far too little about it. Even living in a wine-growing area, as I am now!