30 years ago, while on a business trip, my friend, E. E. (Ted) Baker and I bought a jug of W & M to sip in the evenings. Shortly after we returned home, he died.
For 29 years, I've had a wee dram every year on the anniversary of his death. Now, finally, it, too, is gone. Although I had waxed the seal after pouring each year, it slowly developed a ruddy hue, probably from oxidation. Although the nose seemed to soften with time, the flavor if anything intensified and sweetened, while the finish seemed to linger more. Perhaps it's just the nostalgia.
I don't why I wrote this, but I feel a bit better for it. If it's an inappropriate post in this NG, I apologise.
It was a beautiful post, and though you described the change in the whisky especially well, that is not that change that made it such a beautiful post.
Tnx, Lew. Funny how after so many decades his memory is still so strong. Nice to see we have another area of commonality, too. CU in Q! Don't drink & fly (a broomstick) ;~D
Well, I'm trying, but I must admit, I haven't a clue. I've been a heavy drinker for most of my 68 years, but have yet to develop a palate. I basically just sip rum and Coke, vodka and coffee or an occasional Martini all day, perhaps a pint a day. I do, however, enjoy dry red Italian wines and a hearty brew, as well.
I now have before me a glass of the Glenlivet, 12yo. I nosed it, could smell something beyond the alcohol, but can't identify it. I sipped it, could taste something, perhaps slightly musty (?), but essentially the same. Added some water . . . same thing. The finish seems to me to be but a slight tingling inside my cheeks. Maybe I'm just too burned out.
I'm now repeating the test with Old Forester, a Kentucky Straight Bourbon whisky. Basically the same, I think.
How might I find a whiskey tasting group in the Los Angeles area, where I might discover something beyond the buzz? Or must I make a pilgrimage to Scotland? Of course I'd have to play some golf there, just to justify the trip to my dear wife!
essentially the same. Added some water . . . same thing. The finish seems to me to be but a slight tingling inside my cheeks. Maybe I'm just too burned out. I'm now repeating the test with Old Forester, a Kentucky Straight Bourbon whisky. Basically the same, I think.
Nose is everything (or, at least, a LOT). You might try an alternate "taste" test: flowers. If you go to a florist, and everything smells the same, or smells like nothing at all, then it might be worth looking into what is happening up that old olfactory bulb.
I have a friend who was born with NO sense of smell, but still enjoys everything he tastes, adn is a dedicated connoiseur, in a relative sense!
It's worth pursuing all manner of taste (tongue: sweet, sour, salt, bitter) and olfactory comparisons to see what registers best and most enjoyably. My father, who is 81, still adores doppelbocks and Belgian brews--but a year ago he stopped being able to taste coffee at all. And he can't stand pale ales, IPA's, and any other hop-centered beers, no matter how spectacular they are (for me). I think it's because certain aspects of 'nose' or tongue are "outside the pale" for himnow--but others still give him immense pleasure. So I have to tailor the brews I bring him to suit.
Douglas, First, I want to thank you for your kind patience in sticking with me. I continued my 'test' after I had made the last post. Yes. I can tell the difference between the Bourbon and the Scotch, the Bourbon seems more aromatic, with a stronger taste, but there is something about the Scotch that's nice, although I can't put my finger on it (yet).[]
Being of Sicilian heritage and married to a Thai chef for 14 years, I do like foods that are a rich balance of all four of the above. ;~)
As do I. Belgium certainly produces some fine brews!
I'm so sorry to hear that. Espresso Coffee is my main food group.
Well, I can't stand 'Light' beer, although I still like a strong hopsy one. Other than that, I hope your father is in good health. May I ask what general part of the world you're in (other than directly over the center of the Earth)?
If there's a FAQ for the group, or if you know of an ongoing or recent thread that my be helpful to me in my new quest, please let me know. Semper Fi,
Bourbon seems more aromatic, with a stronger taste, but there is something about the Scotch that's nice, although I can't put my finger on it (yet).
I kind of like bourbon, but it's pretty "in your face" for me. There are big scotch whiskies and ultra-delicate scotch whiskies, but I've never had an ultra-delicate bourbon.
Espresso is my main food group till dinner time. The bean I keep buying is the Intelligentsia Black Cat blend (roasted in Chicago; available at WholeFoods here in Wisconsin, but also available online where it is mailed on the day it is roasted)--it is immensely huge and robust. There are others that are nice, but this one is the cat's meow.
thread that my be helpful to me in my new quest, please let me know.
I don't know if a FAQ will do any good, but searching at:
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for topics of interest is always useful. You can limit your search at that page to alt.drinks.scotch-whisky and just pick a few keywords that you think might be frootful. There's another great list of whisky links at this nice whisky site:
A long time friend told me, "to learn about Bourbon, start with the best. To learn about Scotch, start with Dewars."
Before I retired, I worked with a guy who, with his brother, had a coffee plantation on Kona. They had an espresso roast that was roasted 'til just before the oil started exuding . . . awesome. I'll check my local Whole Foods to see if they have Black Cat and give it a try. Ah, that first cup in the morning, generously laced with grappa.
KEWL. I'll go through it. Tomorrow I'm off to find a set of matched tasting glasses. Can't learn much about the nose with a mixed set of jelly jars, tumblers, highball glasses, etc. ;~)
True, true. But I'd like to use ONE shape for all spirits during each session. I Googled Scotch tasting glass and downloaded 4 or 5 shapes which I'll look for tomorrow at Crate & Barrel, the retirees Mikasa.
I just read this post or I would have responded sooner.
It's a beautiful story, and reminds me of my own dear friends lost. I don't think it's inappropriate. Whisky is such a link between people - an occasion for sharing conversation and friendship. And a fitting way to remember someone as well. Tonight I'll toast your health and his memory.
. . . and the reason Ted suggested W & M was that he knew that I wasn't a Scotch drinker and said I would find it 'tolerable'.
Funny, all those years, I only used it as a memorial, never got into experiencing the taste. Now I want to discover what Ted enjoyed so much about it and perhaps occasionally why another departed old friend, Jack MacPherson, who referred to me as 'a bloody heathen', used to drink a half pint for lunch everyday.
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