At the time of writing this I may just become more than Scottish. But, also a Scotchman. How did I get to this Stage?. By drinking Irish whiskey obviously!. The famous Jameson to be specific.
Younger years
In the younger years, running around streets , parks, hills and alleys. From 12-18 I would drink anything I got my hands on – usually via the man who went into the shop for you and your cronies. Cheap wine and beers , fake cider flavoured alcohol and dingy nail polish vodka. If you can think of them in your head your not far from one of the many Glaswegian themed estates with a main Street. Now proudly nationwide though. And a unique claim of young and bold to near hospital visit came to me when I was under the age of 5. My papa (grandad) would drink all kinds of whisky like water. But ironically didn’t drink it even with water. He liked a good bet on the dogs or horses and a whisky. Thats what was done in the times, today’s era would try litter them with labels and problems. But I digress. He used to put some on his finger and let me taste, this was to deter me from it and put me off. Safe to say this didn’t as soon as his head was turned . Bang, bosh eweee. I had tanned a triple Highland whisky that was sitting by his table side next to his fax machine (lol). They call whisky a spirit. And definitely was possessed that night let me tell you that for the least of it.
Whisky tried calling. I hung up.
After the age of 20, when I was in college and then went on to university. I decided that I never gave Whisky a good go. Never a real burrel. So after each Academic year I would get a bottle to celebrate. Prior to this I had obviously been out more then a handful so thought Jack Dee’s was the biz for years. Had a few Drambuies as well, and Glavas but then moved into wines and gins. But actual whisky I thought I had tried one I had tried them all. And the answer was always nope. I had bought during this time 3/4 Glenfiddichs can’t remember the ages and 2 Isle of Duras. Sip sip sip. Took me literally months to force finish a bottle. As I was told anything other then drinking it straight was wrong. But I wanted to finish my tradition.
Whisky cravings
So this brings me to this stage. I randomly had cravings for whisky. But for the money it’s daunting. There is so many . So, so, so, many. Especially in Scotland’s stores. But with it being 21st century I used the internet and looked through lists . In real life asked people and came to the conclusion that easy drinking whisky’s are Irish Whiskeys and especially Jameson’s. Even at this easy choice I ran into a problem, having it straight was ok but not that nice. But there’s a group on YouTube called whiskey tribe. There motto is drink what you like and the way you like it. So I then tried it with ice and the difference was unbelievable for me , much much better ! Then also tried what would be classified as cocktail in Scotland. Whiskey, ginger ale and ice. And this was absolutely beautiful. After I discovered this a 70cl bottle vanished quickly. I then bought another Jameson. This time I followed whiskey tribes steps.
- Pour the whiskey
- Smell it 3-4 different times and access it. Breath in to the glass and out when away.
- Sip and coat your tonge and mouth
- Repeat once more then try to drink it. Or drink it your way you like.
So like I said this actually did help me appreciate the whiskey more. Because I could go back to whiskey straight and or with ice for a bit then put in some ginger ale and then just have it as a drink . Sippping is for a whiskey journey. All I wanted was my man feeling back. So the next stopped from this is to get a Scotch since I’m Scottish.
Scotch whisky
There are main 4 Scottish whisky regions. (There is more)
- Speyside
- Highland
- Lowland
- Islays
So they all have different characteristics. And I can explore that another time. Including barrel age and malts etc. But ironically after standing looking in awe at all the whisky’s and trying to remember the whiskey tribes words I was lost. The ironic part was me buying Bunnahabbain – Islay whisky but it’s nothing like Islay whisky’s it’s more fruity, sweet and vanilla like so it’s more like a Highland whisky. Where as Islay’s are more peat, smokey, leatherey, earthy.
Future
The future is simple for me. I want to explore whisk(e)y’s. I’m not short of options tho I’m short on cash for them all !. Next stop is Monkey Shoulder. Both will be reviewed.
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