The Balvenie tasting

Now since the Shepard’s pie is simmering I can drop a line about our latest whisky experience.

It was supposed to be a whisky blending experience, first a tasting of 5 drams and then a blending exercise with a winner announced at the end. However, upon our arrival it was announced that the original line-up was changed completely.  Nevertheless, my missus put her foot down and insisted on attending the event (I know... lucky me...). After a tough working day she was looking for something what can be qualified as a reward and I have to agree I filed no complaints from my side whatsoever !!! The Balvenie isn't something we would consider for consumption on a regular night out. However, somehow there was this mutual gut feeling that we'd rather go for it.

Back to business. Few whiskies were lined up including a new spirit. Here I have to highlight that I appreciate these new spirits a lot when it comes to tasting them in small quantities. At the end of the day it is the material what whisky is coming from. However, then distilleries start selling them for mass consumption, it looks like people care more about quick quid rather than a good whisky. To be honest I know some brrriliant providers of quality moonshine and it doesn’t taste any worse than most of these new spirits. What matters more is the transformation of this spirit into the whisky.

Sunday trip to Porty

Scottish summer is about to finish. Hurray..? Yes!!! This means lots of entertainment indoors ;) We've got plenty of that today. Quite a few football games were on telly (missed them) and F1 Grand Prix in Belgium (sort of missed that too). Lewis has done some interesting moves on the track and was gone. For good ;) However, that was not the highlight of the afternoon :) So let’s start from the beginning.

We've promised to visit our friends in Porty. Due to the typical autumnish Scottish weather we've been quite temped to stay indoors. However, being old fashioned (i.e. keeping to our promises) we managed to get there just before the first rain drops landed on our 'waterproof' jackets. Got the right place to hide from the rain, although not from the first attempt I have to admit...Apparently some places are not open till 1PM and we had to get somewhere else until it opens. We managed to find a place opened early on a Sunday morning. There were so many TV screens for footy fans and a single screen for F1 viewers. And no sound. One pint and we were off to our primary destination hoping its warm embrace was waiting to welcome us.

And it was!!! What I was interested in, was the content of the top shelve. Wide choice. So wide that another visit or more have been already planned to this place. You think 5 years is enough to get familiar with local pubs. Well... not in Edinburgh though. We still find some places with plenty of character and brilllllliant menu (whisky and ale menu to be more precise). It was quite a challenge to choose this time I have to admit. Luckily we had Darren with us, who is always a good company to have a dram with.

At this point, I must thank for your patience. And if you managed to remain reading that far- here’s your reward :)

bowmore night at whisky shop

Islay is a holy grail for me and my girlfriend. She likes whisky (I know...lucky me !!!). So going for themed Bowmore tasting we knew more or less what to expect. Tempest (10 yo), 12, 15, 18 and 25 yo whiskys were lined up. The host usually is Darren, who manages the shop, but yesterday we had a pal from the distillery. Nice pal with a lot of stories. If you are going to visit distilleries, get prepared for this :) Pint or two before does the job. And prepares your pallet (nb - this is author's opinion. You do not have to agree :).
We started with 10 yo which was a good aperitif. Give some time to warm it up and let breath a bit. IT was quite smoky and i'd say peppery. . But strong ! Hey, its 56 % in alcohol. A bit of water does the job and makes it more enjoyable. The bourbon cask maturation allows hints of citrus and some honey to come through. Good whisky for a start.
12 yo Bowmore. I thought 2 years isn't a lot. But it does the difference.