an evening of single malts

[ellen_datlow]

Yesterday evening, Mary Robinette Kowal -master puppet maker, artist, and writer--came over to sample my single malts. Until I took them all out, I had no idea how many I actually had on-hand...TWELVE different ones (two of the same brand, aged 12 years and 18 years respectively).

Two were only little bottles left over from the road trip Eileen Gunn and I had made post-Glasgow Worldcon when we bought every sample bottle that looked pretty and/or we'd never heard of--there were many. Eileen and I only sampled about four because she was driving. So we split the rest of them and each took some home.

Mary brought some lovely blue cheese and a fantastic fig bread and two delicious lavender shortbread cookies from Silver Moon on the upper west side and I had some cheddar, mimolette, and mozzarella.

We tried all (I think) the Islays except for Lagavulin (my personal favorite). We rated them...Now although Mary is knowledgable about wine and how to judge it, neither of us knew the correct descriptions for single malt scotch, so we improvised.

We only got through six (we started by finishing off a little sample bottle that we didn't realize till after we drank it was NOT a scotch--horrors--it was an Irish whiskey with the name Te Bheag--don't know where that one came from). We decided we liked the Bowmore Enigma the best (Mary, take note--I just checked that that's what it's called).

By the time Mary left (around 10pm, I think) even though we had very little of each scotch, we were both a bit sloshed --at least I know I was.

Comments

[neile.livejournal.com]

Lagavulin is my favourite, too. I have a couple of others and nothing compares, despite the expert at the shop telling me I'd like Arbeg just as much.

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

Oh noooo. Ardbeg is nothing like it. But the Bowmore actually did seem closer.

[neile.livejournal.com]

I've tasted a Bowmore a few years back, but I'm pretty sure it wasn't Bowmore Enigma, and now I can't remember what it tasted like. Damn.

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

I would never expect you to remember what a specific drink tastes like a few years later...I only know Lagavulin because that's the one I drink most and so compare everything else to that. I don't like the lighter scotches but love most of the peaty/smoky-Islay ones. I remember someone recommended Highland Park several years ago and when I tasted it (I think it was that one) I hated it. A lightweight.

[neile.livejournal.com]

Yes! Someone gave me a bottle of Highland Park knowing I like Lagavulin, but it doesn't do much for me. As a matter of fact, I took it over to Leslie's about six months ago to share with John Crowley since he also likes single malts. I left it there in case he wanted more, but haven't bothered to get the rest of the bottle back (Leslie doesn't drink scotch so doesn't particularly want to keep it).

Notice that I didn't bring my bottle of Lagavulin, even for John. Please don't tell him.

Now that I know you especially like Lagavulin, though, I will share next time you're in town. :)

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

You know, he may read here--if so, you're sunk! ;-)

That would be lovely--and the same invite goes for you, should you come to NYC.

[neile.livejournal.com]

CYA (or is that CMA): I did quiz him about his preferences, and he said he liked the peaty ones but also other ones just as well. That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.

[baldanders.livejournal.com]

Wow. Highland Park 18 is my favorite affordable Scotch. I love peaty Islay Scotches, but Highland Park is far from a lightweight. It doesn't have the immediate attack of an Islay, but it spreads around the mouth beautifully.

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

I can't swear that it was Highland Park I didn't care for but I THINK it was.

[baldanders.livejournal.com]

Of course, when I say "it's not a lightweight", what I mean is "It sure doesn't seem that way to me!" I don't mean it couldn't seem that way to you, especially if you're really fond of peaty Scotches.

Scotch makes me excitable.