Anyone else enjoy a nip o' the barley?

[fljoe0]

About 15 years ago I became allergic to beer. A fate worse than death?

How horrible. I didn't even know that was possible. It sends shivers through my body just hearing of such a thing.

 

[doowopgirl]

When I was young, I considered scotch an old man's drink. Well, now I'm old, and maybe I was right.

A couple decades ago, a wonderful friend, soccer teammate, decided to introduce me and a few others to the wonders of single malts. We met close to Robert Burns' birthday, and we've met once a year ever since, now for over 20 years. During that time, there have been kids, grandkids, divorces, remarriages, other invitees that just didn't quite fit in, and a couple near deaths. But the gathering remains.

We all get our food assignments (this is a dinner thing), and we all bring one single malt. We have to be sure to get a Highlands, a Lowlands, a Speyside, and an Islay, and one mystery scotch in the mix.

You'd think a bunch of guys getting together to drink would be raucous. Actually, it's pretty refined. Sometimes we have silly little mind games, we shoot pool, we read poetry (I was a hit one year when I found Robert Burns' "Cock Up Your Beaver," which of course was advice to a lad about wearing his headgear in a jaunty manner)(seriously!), and have a quiet even of camaraderie.

And the scotches. One of the guys confessed that it took him about three or four years to warm up to them, because up to that time, it was like sipping gasoline. But over the years, I've arrived at a few conclusions.

1) You can't go wrong with Macallan. Someone wants you to bring a single-malt scotch, you don't know what to do, grab a Macallan.

2) Lagavulin is sublime, and my favorite, but you have to like some bite of smoke and iodine. And apparently, I do.

3) Some "lighter" scotches of Knockandoo and Craggenmore are very, very pleasing.

4) Some scotches are overrated. There's nothing wrong with Glenlivet, but it doesn't live up to its price.

5) Some scotches punch above their weight. Highland Park and Balvenie Double Wood are great examples of this, and sure, go ahead and make up dirty jokes about the Balvenie. Hey, I already introduced the Burns poem.

Does anyone else like this stuff? Or is the newbie oldster standing along in this puddle of specialized yeast excrement? (And thank you, Kurt Vonnegut, for placing that term for alcohol in my head for the rest of my life.)

I'm more of a bourbon drinker myself, but on a trip to Scotland a few years ago we found the Edradour (sp?) distillery. Wonderful drink. Really the only one I can take to.

 

[Grandpa]

...I am a barbarian...I only enjoy bourbon...

I guess I'm part barbarian. I enjoy bourbon too. Pretty much, whiskeys in general.

(I'm trying to fix the quote, but I'm on my phone, and if this doesn't work, so it goes.)

... Scotch has become my preferred devil’s brew. On my bar sits Johnnie Walker Black Label, Red Label, J&B, Clan MacGregor, and Inver House. I savor them all... the good, the bad and the ugly. And none gather dust. The Morrissey men have never been known as a refined lot. But I prefer my scotch on the rocks with lemon soda. A sin worthy of flogging to the aficionados, but I make no apologies or excuses. In the words of that celebrated musical ensemble KC & The Sunshine Band, "That's the way, uh-huh uh-huh, I like it, uh-huh, uh-huh."

I wouldn't cast aspersions. ESPECIALLY with Clan McGregor. That stuff BEGS for a mix.

Scotch isn't a religion or some higher truth or a sacred cow. It's stuff, like a lot of other stuff that we enjoy to varying degrees. Whatever makes someone happy with their particular stuff, that's what they should do.

I enjoy your posts as well! We need some nice story-telling around here again.

The Famous Grouse got my taste.

1) Be careful what you wish for.

2) I like Famous Grouse. I like its cousin, Black Grouse, even more. A good family of birds there.

I was given a bottle of Clynelish for an editing job. Bottled in 1992. It's in the cupboard between the Bell's (blended whisky/mixer stuff) and Jack Daniels, just along the way from a couple of bottles of Southern Comfort and one of Russian Standard vodka.
My gf's dad's the real whisky connoisseur. I've lost count of the number of single malts he's given me to try. Laphroaig and Glenmorangie are definitely two, though.
Is it an old man's drink? No, I don't think so. Either that or I've been an old man since 1991, when I was but 18. Back then, I used to neck it, neat, John Wayne/Clint Eastwood Western-stylee. Didn't much matter what it was.

I have not had Clynelish. Now I'm forced to research it.

By the way, scotch enjoyers, if you like Johnny Walker, you'll probably like Talisker. My sources tell me that's what JW is, mostly.

I don't often drink liquor, but when I do, I prefer Captain Morgan's Private Stock.
Much better than the regular stuff...

Grandma's and my preferred home recreational beverage is rum. We're partial to a more pedestrian choice, Bacardi Select.

I keep talking about all this alcohol and start to wonder if there's a meeting in my future.

 

[nate_watkins]

How horrible. I didn't even know that was possible. It sends shivers through my body just hearing of such a thing.

I'm not sure what DiO'Bolic's allergy is, but people who are gluten intolerant can't drink beer. But they do make gluten free beers. There are even gluten free beers made from barley where they somehow remove most of the gluten.



"Omission beers are brewed just like other great craft beers, with malted barley, hops, water, and yeast. Once the beers are ready for the fermentation tanks, we add a brewing enzyme called Brewers Clarex™ which breaks apart and detoxifies the gluten protein chains. The beers are then packaged in a closed environment to eliminate any cross contamination risk." - Quoted from their website.

 

[DiO'Bolic]

I'm not sure what DiO'Bolic's allergy is, but people who are gluten intolerant can't drink beer. But they do make gluten free beers. There are even gluten free beers made from barley where they somehow remove most of the gluten.


View attachment 1463
"Omission beers are brewed just like other great craft beers, with malted barley, hops, water, and yeast. Once the beers are ready for the fermentation tanks, we add a brewing enzyme called Brewers Clarex™ which breaks apart and detoxifies the gluten protein chains. The beers are then packaged in a closed environment to eliminate any cross contamination risk." - Quoted from their website.

I haven’t tried Omisson but I have tried Budweiser’s gluten-free beer Redbridge. No go! I can’t even drink beer coolers like Zima or Mikes. My throat swells to the point I can’t talk, then my breathing becomes labored, then I die (but I haven’t let it get that far ) And now it has been so long that the smell of beer is kind of a turn-off. But I did like my Guinness back in the day.

 

[nate_watkins]

I haven’t tried Omisson but I have tried Budweiser’s gluten-free beer Redbridge. No go! I can’t even drink beer coolers like Zima or Mikes. My throat swells to the point I can’t talk, then my breathing becomes labored, then I die (but I haven’t let it get that far ) And now it has been so long that the smell of beer is kind of a turn-off. But I did like my Guinness back in the day.

Then I wouldn't recommend Omission (which I haven't tried), because it does still contain gluten. Although it's less than 20 parts per million.
Apparently Redbridge doesn't contain gluten.

 

[skimom2]

My current favorites are the High West whiskeys--the double rye is a revelation
Nate, I'm partial to the Captain, too

 

[Bryan James]

I'm an alkie, but I hate the stuff. I only drink enough to avoid physical withdrawals. Or more when I need to breakdance at a hip-hop club. Or take a UFC fight on short notice.

Everything you've seen in most movies about withdrawals? Multiply tenfold. They are horrendous. You don't just wish you were dead, but they feel so bad that even the hardest-core atheist would believe in HELL...and that they had arrived.

There was a smoked peat "black" scotch I used to sell in college (night job at a big joint) called...Loch Du? It was pretty good.

I was also once an oenophile for a few years. Now I drink boxed Chardonnay crap. I'm a hobo whino, and I look like I am the next star on 'Duck Dynasty.'

Moderation, folks. Just say "No" to ducks.

Also, I have a maxxed character on RuneScape. I believe I once stayed at a Holiday Inn Express, so I still gots some residual smarts.

 

[MadamMack]

You really are an amazing storyteller. Your posts are always so interesting! You could probably write about your trip to the grocery store and make it sound like an adventure lol

I love reading his posts . . .there's a calmness in his writing that I appreciate and enjoy.

Gramps, I read all your posts. I bet you could make a trip to the toilet sound interesting~

 

[MadamMack]

I'm an alkie, but I hate the stuff. I only drink enough to avoid physical withdrawals. Or more when I need to breakdance at a hip-hop club. Or take a UFC fight on short notice.

Everything you've seen in most movies about withdrawals? Multiply tenfold. They are horrendous. You don't just wish you were dead, but they feel so bad that even the hardest-core atheist would believe in HELL...and that they had arrived.

There was a smoked peat "black" scotch I used to sell in college (night job at a big joint) called...Loch Du? It was pretty good.

I was also once an oenophile for a few years. Now I drink boxed Chardonnay crap. I'm a hobo whino, and I look like I am the next star on 'Duck Dynasty.'

Moderation, folks. Just say "No" to ducks.

Also, I have a maxxed character on RuneScape. I believe I once stayed at a Holiday Inn Express, so I still gots some residual smarts.

It's good to see yo crazy-azz 'round again. Watch out for falling arc sodium lights~

 

[Neesy]

When I was young, I considered scotch an old man's drink. Well, now I'm old, and maybe I was right.

A couple decades ago, a wonderful friend, soccer teammate, decided to introduce me and a few others to the wonders of single malts. We met close to Robert Burns' birthday, and we've met once a year ever since, now for over 20 years. During that time, there have been kids, grandkids, divorces, remarriages, other invitees that just didn't quite fit in, and a couple near deaths. But the gathering remains.

We all get our food assignments (this is a dinner thing), and we all bring one single malt. We have to be sure to get a Highlands, a Lowlands, a Speyside, and an Islay, and one mystery scotch in the mix.

You'd think a bunch of guys getting together to drink would be raucous. Actually, it's pretty refined. Sometimes we have silly little mind games, we shoot pool, we read poetry (I was a hit one year when I found Robert Burns' "Cock Up Your Beaver," which of course was advice to a lad about wearing his headgear in a jaunty manner)(seriously!), and have a quiet even of camaraderie.

And the scotches. One of the guys confessed that it took him about three or four years to warm up to them, because up to that time, it was like sipping gasoline. But over the years, I've arrived at a few conclusions.

1) You can't go wrong with Macallan. Someone wants you to bring a single-malt scotch, you don't know what to do, grab a Macallan.

2) Lagavulin is sublime, and my favorite, but you have to like some bite of smoke and iodine. And apparently, I do.

3) Some "lighter" scotches of Knockandoo and Craggenmore are very, very pleasing.

4) Some scotches are overrated. There's nothing wrong with Glenlivet, but it doesn't live up to its price.

5) Some scotches punch above their weight. Highland Park and Balvenie Double Wood are great examples of this, and sure, go ahead and make up dirty jokes about the Balvenie. Hey, I already introduced the Burns poem.

Does anyone else like this stuff? Or is the newbie oldster standing along in this puddle of specialized yeast excrement? (And thank you, Kurt Vonnegut, for placing that term for alcohol in my head for the rest of my life.)

Yes and yes - Andy came over here to Canada to visit (in 2004) and brought a few bottles of Scotch with him (um - well I guess he probably smuggled them in, in his luggage?)

The one I could not drink without holding my nose was very peaty - oh yes, it was called "Jura". He watched me take a sip and told me
"You looked like you were going to boak" - Scottish word for "barf" or vomit.

You should try the Isle of Arran Single Malt - that is the island we got married on and every year we get a bottle of their Scotch to celebrate!


Nothing wrong with a wee dram now and again!

 

[Neesy]

What a charming thread . . . "Cock Up Your Beaver" will have me googling!

Be careful what you Google...

This is as bad as it gets! (but you would think with words like that you would be asking for trouble when Googling)

 

[Grandpa]

I love reading his posts . . .there's a calmness in his writing that I appreciate and enjoy.

Gramps, I read all your posts. I bet you could make a trip to the toilet sound interesting~

Look, I crave affirmation like any other psychotically insecure person, but if I get it, then I get all arrogant and self-delusional. It's best to let my ego just stew away on its own and keep it undernourished.

With that aside, thank you!

The trip to the toilet would be Emesis Story No. 2. I can't vouch that it's interesting.

 

[Grandpa]

You should try the Isle of Arran Single Malt - that is the island we got married on and every year we get a bottle of their Scotch to celebrate!

I typically like island malts because of the seaweed. I will try it. I think I already have, but no harm in sipping again!

That looks to be a light-colored cask strength. Interesting. I had a Macallan cask strength, and it was pretty dark. And pretty darn tasty. Not for the faint of heart. There was no wimpiness to it.

 

[Neesy]

I typically like island malts because of the seaweed. I will try it. I think I already have, but no harm in sipping again!

That looks to be a light-colored cask strength. Interesting. I had a Macallan cask strength, and it was pretty dark. And pretty darn tasty. Not for the faint of heart. There was no wimpiness to it.

The distillery only opened in 1995 - yikes - I know! So in 2005 they could finally sell 10 year old whiskey. We took a tour of the distillery because even though Andy lived in Lamlash I wanted to play the tourist (being from Canada).

At the end of the tour they offer you a wee dram. Of course I had to say that over in Canada we like to serve whiskey over ice as in "Scotch on the rocks". I am pretty sure one of the Scottish women gasped, as if what I had just said was sacrilege .

Hey by the way Grandpa - what every one else says - we enjoy your stories! I went looking for that urologist named Peter and it got me thinking. At the hospital we have a urologist named Brian Peters and when looking up urologists, many did have the first name of Peter

Think I will sign off now - I've been on here too long!

 

[The Nameless]

Don't like whisky in any shape or form, I drink southern comfort - which oddly enough if you get the UK brewed so.co, it's actually not based on bourbon anymore, but a whisky flavoured spirit. I also like ammaretto.

Here's an excellent song about whisky. Skip to 2 minutes for the song to begin or just enjoy rich hall at his best.

 

[Shoesalesman]

I used to drink Smirnoff vodka by the spittoonful in my early 20s, but not so keen on the hard stuff anymore. Stomach can't handle it, feet get all trippy. I stick to Molson Canadian and Moosehead beer these days.

 

[ghost19]

If by "nip o' the barley" you mean getting piss drunk on Glenlivet, Glen and I have been well met on the path a few times and also not well met once or twice.

 

[Neesy]

If by "nip o' the barley" you mean getting piss drunk on Glenlivet, Glen and I have been well met on the path a few times and also not well met once or twice.

Reading this thread makes me want some booze!

 

[Sigmund]

When I was young, I considered scotch an old man's drink. Well, now I'm old, and maybe I was right.

A couple decades ago, a wonderful friend, soccer teammate, decided to introduce me and a few others to the wonders of single malts. We met close to Robert Burns' birthday, and we've met once a year ever since, now for over 20 years. During that time, there have been kids, grandkids, divorces, remarriages, other invitees that just didn't quite fit in, and a couple near deaths. But the gathering remains.

We all get our food assignments (this is a dinner thing), and we all bring one single malt. We have to be sure to get a Highlands, a Lowlands, a Speyside, and an Islay, and one mystery scotch in the mix.

You'd think a bunch of guys getting together to drink would be raucous. Actually, it's pretty refined. Sometimes we have silly little mind games, we shoot pool, we read poetry (I was a hit one year when I found Robert Burns' "Cock Up Your Beaver," which of course was advice to a lad about wearing his headgear in a jaunty manner)(seriously!), and have a quiet even of camaraderie.

And the scotches. One of the guys confessed that it took him about three or four years to warm up to them, because up to that time, it was like sipping gasoline. But over the years, I've arrived at a few conclusions.

1) You can't go wrong with Macallan. Someone wants you to bring a single-malt scotch, you don't know what to do, grab a Macallan.

2) Lagavulin is sublime, and my favorite, but you have to like some bite of smoke and iodine. And apparently, I do.

3) Some "lighter" scotches of Knockandoo and Craggenmore are very, very pleasing.

4) Some scotches are overrated. There's nothing wrong with Glenlivet, but it doesn't live up to its price.

5) Some scotches punch above their weight. Highland Park and Balvenie Double Wood are great examples of this, and sure, go ahead and make up dirty jokes about the Balvenie. Hey, I already introduced the Burns poem.

Does anyone else like this stuff? Or is the newbie oldster standing along in this puddle of specialized yeast excrement? (And thank you, Kurt Vonnegut, for placing that term for alcohol in my head for the rest of my life.)

Good evening.

Nice thread.

May I tell you a story, please?

I was 18 years old when I landed my first, full-time job. It was a liquor distributor and I was the *receptionist, messenger, file clerk etc. ( BTW-they required I sign a contract stating I WOULD NOT sue the company if I became an alcoholic. Ha! I did not drink so...no problem.)

Long story short (too late) I was introduced to a wide variety of potent potables. And I succumbed.

My preferences are Scotch, Brandy or ...frick...what's that other one? Ha!

To have a good liquor in a balloon glass and warm it with your hand and ...sip...ahhhh! If you have a really good liquor...it just....evaporates in your mouth. Makes your tummy warm and spreads out. Totally spreads through out the the body and relaxes you. Cool, huh? (That's just me.)

Peace.