Talking about Whisky

[johnb]

There is a BBC Scotland series of three programmes called "Scotch! The Story of Whisky". As far as I know it was broadcast on BBC Two in Scotland, but not in England. However, all three episodes are available on iPlayer:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07zk5cx/episodes/player

[Dave2002]

There is a BBC Scotland series of three programmes called "Scotch! The Story of Whisky". As far as I know it was broadcast on BBC Two in Scotland, but not in England. However, all three episodes are available on iPlayer:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07z...pisodes/player

Around 12 days left to watch these. Hopefully I'll get around to them.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Brave words! (You're talkin' to an Irishman ) I'm not familiar with Red Breast, but the odd tincture of standard Jameson's is hard to beat imo. Bushmills or (worse) Black Bush is very highly thought of round these parts, though I for one find it most unpalatable. Harsh and boke-inducing.

Mary McDiarmid (b Cavan, 1893)'s grandson replies :

I'm glad you've said that about Bushmill, Taps - a distinctly unpleasant experience for me, too. I like Jameson's though - a lovely almondy aftertaste - and whilst I prefer many of the Scottish Malts (and, indeed, the rather splendid Welsh Penderyn) I could spend many a happy evening in the company of a bottle of Jameson's.

[Tapiola]

Mary McDiarmid (b Cavan, 1893)'s grandson replies :

I'm glad you've said that about Bushmill, Taps - a distinctly unpleasant experience for me, too. I like Jameson's though - a lovely almondy aftertaste - and whilst I prefer many of the Scottish Malts (and, indeed, the rather splendid Welsh Penderyn) I could spend many a happy evening in the company of a bottle of Jameson's.

Aah, so there's some Ulster blood coursing through those veins, fhg

Yes, I have indeed spent the odd very pleasant evening with 'Jemmy', but not for many years. I'm a complete rookie when it comes to Scotch though.

[BBMmk2]

I can't wait till I can have another dram! I haven't been able or choose not to, have any whisky until my treatment is well and truly finished. How I miss the drink?! :(

I hope the two bottles I've started won't deteriorate!

[Barbirollians]

There is a BBC Scotland series of three programmes called "Scotch! The Story of Whisky". As far as I know it was broadcast on BBC Two in Scotland, but not in England. However, all three episodes are available on iPlayer:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07z...pisodes/player

I found the first episode very interesting but it was rather like a long advert for Springbank !

[johnb]

They did include a section filmed at one of Diageo's plants but I guess the reason they chose Springbank for an extensive section was that they are a family owned business, all the processes are carried out onsite and they have a very traditional approach with very little mechanisation. It encouraged me to try their whisky.

The second episode devotes a considerable chunk to Islay. Very enjoyable but you don't learn a great deal.

[Dave2002]

I hope the two bottles I've started won't deteriorate!

I think we decided some time ago - http://www.for3.org/forums/showthrea...ight=alcoholic - that it's unlikely that any strong spirits will go off.

[pastoralguy]

I recently tried Marks and Spencer's own brand which I thought very good value for money.

[Barbirollians]

They did include a section filmed at one of Diageo's plants but I guess the reason they chose Springbank for an extensive section was that they are a family owned business, all the processes are carried out onsite and they have a very traditional approach with very little mechanisation. It encouraged me to try their whisky.

The second episode devotes a considerable chunk to Islay. Very enjoyable but you don't learn a great deal.

Yes that is what I meant- it was like a terrific advert for them - they must have been thrilled when they saw it . I have always struggled with Scotch . The standard branded whiskies I really disliked and although I have enjoyed the odd glass of single malt that has come my way I would always much rather have drunk cognac or armagnac although I also have a sneaking liking for Jamesons .

[johnb]

I think we decided some time ago - http://www.for3.org/forums/showthrea...ight=alcoholic - that it's unlikely that any strong spirits will go off.

Spirits that are unopened can last decades if the bottles are stored upright (unlike wine bottles of spirits shouldn't be stored horizontally as the high alcohol level attacks the cork).

I understand that once opened there can be gradual changes depending on the amount of air in the bottle.

[Dave2002]

I understand that once opened there can be gradual changes depending on the amount of air in the bottle.

Possibly, but if you keep drinking you probably won't notice!

You'd need a lot of bottles - some opened - some unopened - in order to test this with anything like scientific rigour .....

[umslopogaas]

There is a fundamental problem with this experiment - which I would very much like to study - which is that the more rigorous your tasting is, the less rigorous the results are likely to be ...

[Vox Humana]

Possibly, but I remember once ordering a dram of Lagavulin 16 year-old in The Mermaid, Hugh Town, Scilly. It turned out to be the very last of the bottle and it was a very old bottle at that (it didn't have the ship at the top of the label, but (I think) a bell). It must have been open a long time because the whisky tasted very "stale" compared to the normal 16 year-old. Not undrinkable, but not very pleasant.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

There is a fundamental problem with this experiment - which I would very much like to study - which is that the more rigorous your tasting is, the less rigorous the results are likely to be ...

tEssd ,,, nbut sit' trmmndoiss bn (£bn"> ddi Is ay £bn? o ment "dun"!Q!( fondng out!!"!!

Uyor'e my bestst maet, ummmsloppioppyglasss ,,, veI ever tild uyo thqt>