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Outing a bogus structural Engineer

Ah, if only there had been. Only one, that is.

I'm still learning the ropes up here myself; moved from Doon Sooth 6 months or so ago.
 
Back on topic, for what its worth: Architect, did you get to post on that Urban75 board?
 
Yea, but they're all flaming each other so I've not got very far yet.
 
I only drink Whisky (remember, never called Scotch in Scotland) when social occasion absolutely demands it, because I dinnae like the taste (how embaressing is that for a Gael, eh?)

Anyway my father says that the problem is that you have to take a long, well-planned run at Whisky if you're to like it. Start with some of the very gentle blends, but of water with it, and then gradually work your way through to the much stronger tastes such as the peatier Speyside or Islay malts.

I'm told that some of the Skye Whiskies such as Te Beag are rather nice for beginners). But maybe I just like the Gaelic language branding....

In my brief time at the Civil Service, I counted Dallas Dhu amongst my charges (fire action plan, don't ye know). And I used to live in Kilmarnock, from whence hails Johnnie Walkers.
 
Architect said:
I only drink Whisky (remember, never called Scotch in Scotland) when social occasion absolutely demands it, because I dinnae like the taste (how embaressing is that for a Gael, eh?)

Anyway my father says that the problem is that you have to take a long, well-planned run at Whisky if you're to like it. Start with some of the very gentle blends, but of water with it, and then gradually work your way through to the much stronger tastes such as the peatier Speyside or Islay malts.

I'm told that some of the Skye Whiskies such as Te Beag are rather nice for beginners). But maybe I just like the Gaelic language branding....

In my brief time at the Civil Service, I counted Dallas Dhu amongst my charges (fire action plan, don't ye know). And I used to live in Kilmarnock, from whence hails Johnnie Walkers.
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Though not experienced in whisky I've got a pretty good palate:
Dahlwhinnie
Grey Goose
Belvedere
Chopin
Glacier
Beam
Jack
Drambuie
more beer and wine than I can possibly name. So, I don't worry too much that any particular beer or fine spirit will be to "advanced" for me.
 
Architect said:
Anyway my father says that the problem is that you have to take a long, well-planned run at Whisky if you're to like it. Start with some of the very gentle blends, but of water with it, and then gradually work your way through to the much stronger tastes such as the peatier Speyside or Islay malts.

I'm told that some of the Skye Whiskies such as Te Beag are rather nice for beginners). But maybe I just like the Gaelic language branding....

In my brief time at the Civil Service, I counted Dallas Dhu amongst my charges (fire action plan, don't ye know). And I used to live in Kilmarnock, from whence hails Johnnie Walkers.
Click to expand...
Listen to this man, he is wise.

Don't start with Lagavulin or Laphroaig, whatever you do. You won't appreciate them until you have a frame of reference.

My favorites run between the two poles of Islays and Speysides, never cared so much for straight Highland or Lowland whisky. Coel Ila and Balvenie are good representatives that aren't too hard to find, too expensive, or difficult to drink.

The Aberlour A'bunadh, available in the US at about $70 a bottle, is a full cask-strength (60% alcohol) whisky that is surprisingly easy to drink. Even first-timers to hard liquor of any kind seem to like it. It's a fairly one-note, honey flavoured whisky, but quite a revelation in terms of what whisky can do. Worth trying.

Last year I was privileged to visit bonnie Scotland. Cadenhead's in Edinburgh set me up with a cask-strength Mortlach that would knock your socks off. Not for beginners, but it's come out on top in several impromptu blind tasting sessions... ah, to visit the Highlands again.

(from an official Fake ScotsmanTM)
 
My favorites run between the two poles of Islays and Speysides, never cared so much for straight Highland or Lowland whisky. Coel Ila and Balvenie are good representatives that aren't too hard to find, too expensive, or difficult to drink.
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It might just just be the way you phrased that, but Speyside is in the Highlands!

What do you mean straight?! The only thing that should ever be mixed with Whisky in polite company is water (incl. ice). Adding coke is the only remaining capital offence in Scotland. :) Which is a shame, because I thought that blends were okay with Irn Bru.

Edinburgh is okay - sort of Scotland Lite and full of Englishmen - and there are a number of pubs with microbreweries doing really good beers. 90 Shilling and so on.
 
Architect said:
It might just just be the way you phrased that, but Speyside is in the Highlands!

What do you mean straight?! The only thing that should ever be mixed with Whisky in polite company is water (incl. ice). Adding coke is the only remaining capital offence in Scotland. :) Which is a shame, because I thought that blends were okay with Irn Bru.
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You are correct, of course. The boundaries for what's considered "Highland Whisky" always seemed a bit arbitrary to me. That's all I meant by "straight." I strictly take it neat, personally.

Architect said:
Edinburgh is okay - sort of Scotland Lite and full of Englishmen - and there are a number of pubs with microbreweries doing really good beers. 90 Shilling and so on.
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We were there for Hogmanay. Made some brief forays out to Killin, Doune, around Loch Tay, etc but certainly would like to see more. The pubs, though, quite excellent in Edinburgh.
 
One of the best things about Edinburgh is the pubs, Rose Street and perhaps the Grassmarket aside. Great atmosphere in almost any pub you go to. Glasgow is more hit and miss, but if you find a good pub then they tend to be a lot frendlier. And cheaper!


You know I laugh when I see some of the whiskies from Scotland's equivalents of the Ruhr valley, complete with mythical pretyt pictures of the distillery. Glen Catrine, for example. Johnnie Walker of course just avoiuds mentioning Kilmarnock!

Please tell me you tried proper Scottish beer when you were over....Tennents, 90 Shilling, Caledonian, Gillespies, Deuchers.......(sigh)
 
Architect said:
Please tell me you tried proper Scottish beer when you were over....Tennents, 90 Shilling, Caledonian, Gillespies, Deuchers.......(sigh)
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Absolutely. All of those and a few others... Arran and Belhaven Best I remember for sure, rather liked the Caledonian and 90 Shilling. Probably more. We must have spent a couple of days cumulative in the pubs...
 
Some of the Arran ones are rather nice, I must admit. Rare to see it in pubs. I've been at the brewery a few times, returning on the ferry rather loaded down.


We must have spent a couple of days cumulative in the pub
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You say that like its a bad thing!
 
My mother, God rest her soul, managed a liquor store here in the States for many years. The only thing she would ever touch herself was Courvoisier Grande Fine. $100 a bottle in 1980's money, but when I became of age to try it, I could see why. I only wish I could afford to indulge my taste for it... *wistful sigh*
 
Architect said:
Edinburgh is okay - sort of Scotland Lite and full of Englishmen
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Including yours truly, I'm afraid to say. Well, I work there, anyway. I hide in the surrounding countryside otherwise, stockpiling Tunnocks. Mmmmm....Tunnocks...
 
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