Whisky

[Montreal Wanderer]

Cheers, Spotto. Someone once gave me a swig of something that had been made in Ireland from potato peel. My breathing has never fully recovered!

That would be poteen, Bruce. Perhaps fortunately I've never had the pleasure.

[Montreal Wanderer]

Bruce 100 degrees proof is equivalent to 57% ethanol by volume. 200 degrees proof is pure alcohol more or less - white lightning probably having ~0.5% impurities.

Monty, I think the difference between white bourbons and white lightning is not the legality but the strength. Twas my understanding the white bourbons compete illegally with the licensed whiskys on price (less tax) but do not differ to the usual 40abv or so. I might, of course, have misunderstood the locals. The other big difference was the white bourbon was dispensed in bottles whereas the white lightning came in gallon jugs.

I suppose white bourbon can be illegally produced but there are also legal versions. Even Tesco's sells Bean's White Bourbon. It is a good idea to avoid the illicit stuff as the 0.5% impurities often come from lead or radiator fluid as the moonshiners tend use old car radiators for their stills.

[Bruce Rioja]

Cheers, Spotto. Someone once gave me a swig of something that had been made in Ireland from potato peel. My breathing has never fully recovered!

That would be poteen, Bruce. Perhaps fortunately I've never had the pleasure.

Let me assure you, my friend, that there is no pleasure to be had there whatsoever. I've taken one for the team there, believe me!

[clapton is god]

Just picked a bottle of The Singleton ('Spey Cascade') at Tesco and taken the top inch off to make sure it's not off. You have to. It's the law.

[Lost Leopard Spot]

short day at work, and now sitting around with a friend 'watching' the unfolding comet story (one tweet every hour... ) so we've cracked open his whisky.
Tangle Ridge double-casked (whatever the feck that means) 10 yr old - from Canada don't you know.
Don't all rush out at once to buy it. In fact don't even meander about for years and years before buying it. Just don't buy it. Supposedly the best stuff Canada produces - it's fecking evil stuff. Tastes like petrol with high notes of tarmacadam and a lingering aftertaste of brine.
I've emigrated onto the vodka, and I don't even like vodka, just to wash my mouth out.

[Lost Leopard Spot]

short day at work, and now sitting around with a friend 'watching' the unfolding comet story (one tweet every hour... ) so we've cracked open his whisky.
Tangle Ridge double-casked (whatever the feck that means) 10 yr old - from Canada don't you know.
Don't all rush out at once to buy it. In fact don't even meander about for years and years before buying it. Just don't buy it. Supposedly the best stuff Canada produces - it's fecking evil stuff. Tastes like petrol with high notes of tarmacadam and a lingering aftertaste of brine.
I've emigrated onto the vodka, and I don't even like vodka, just to wash my mouth out.

Just when I thought the worst was over... In tribute to the successful landing of Philae I've persuaded Mike to crack open his bestest bottle. I've been eyeing it for a couple of years now:
Glen Garioch, 27 year old single malt, Distilled 29/June/1970, cask 376
talk about disappointing, never have I been so let down, ordinary ordinary ordinary. It's not bad, it's just not anywhere near expectations...

[jaffka]

After an afternoon on the piss your taste buds will be shot. You should on the cheap blends now.

[Lost Leopard Spot]

After an afternoon on the piss your taste buds will be shot. You should on the cheap blends now.

You're probably right, but now we've opened his best I'm struggling to find reasons not to open mine... But your post will help, it's evidence no.1 in the defence which I'm about to present to the court (me n'Mike's been joined by Gobby and Malcolm who aren't bouche jaded and may see reason too).

[Lost Leopard Spot]

Oh boy. First whisky headache ever. I don't want another in my lifetime. Throbdom.

[Lost Leopard Spot]

Oh boy. First whisky headache ever. I don't want another in my lifetime. Throbdom.

Let me reiterate this... I'm having a whisker of the dog (that is, a beer). I've had to take the day off work to do this. Ow, my fecking head. I don't feel sick or spinning or anything, just poundationated, thudderated, massivefistthumpated. I have to keep my head gyroscopically aligned to one vector and move my neck in tiny increments just so as not to set of seismic ache waves of MASSIVE proportions. Fecking whisky.

[jaffka]

I end up super pissed off whisky and can still taste it the next day.

That's why I try and avoid it.

[Bruce Rioja]

I've a mate stopping over this weekend who's going through a protracted pretty shit time. I think I can safely say that the unopened bottle of Ledaig that I received in July's days are numbered.

[Bruce Rioja]

I've just had a sample of, and subsequently bought a bottle of one I've never heard of before. Teeling Single Malt Irish Whiskey. Very, very nice. First time I've really come across Irish single malt.

[Lost Leopard Spot]

About to try an Ardbeg Uigeadail...the ultimate Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky. That's what it says on the label.

[Lost Leopard Spot]

King of Soho. It's not whisky, it's a gin. But I'm not starting a gin thread. Sublime, best gin ever. New brand, I've started in on it after the sun's sunk beneath the yardarm... I need to stop but it's drawing me in, the tasty little beggar.

[clapton is god]

I've never liked gin. Although, having said that, since I was about 12 and sneaked some of my mums straight from the bottle, I've never really sat down and tried it. Always thought it was a bit perfumy. Perhaps I should give it a try.

[Bruce Rioja]

King of Soho. It's not whisky, it's a gin. But I'm not starting a gin thread. Sublime, best gin ever. New brand, I've started in on it after the sun's sunk beneath the yardarm... I need to stop but it's drawing me in, the tasty little beggar.

Interesting. My favourite two are Martin Millers and Sipsmith's. I'm keen to test King of Soho, now. In which ways do you find it superior to the two I mention?

[LeverEnd]

King of Soho. It's not whisky, it's a gin. But I'm not starting a gin thread. Sublime, best gin ever. New brand, I've started in on it after the sun's sunk beneath the yardarm... I need to stop but it's drawing me in, the tasty little beggar.

Interesting. My favourite two are Martin Millers and Sipsmith's. I'm keen to test King of Soho, now. In which ways do you find it superior to the two I mention?

I've always enjoyed a G&T , but never ventured beyond Gordon's and Beefeater. Got a bottle of Sipsmith's for my 40th though and it's clearly superior. Going to try some others as well, any suggestions?

[Worthy4England]

Tanqueray. Think it's got a great flavour along with the juniper...

[William the White]

Tanqueray. Think it's got a great flavour along with the juniper...

Good shout