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Malty versus Blend (honest)
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guitarbuddha
Posts: 2970
Joined: Jan. 4 2007
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 Malty versus Blend (honest)
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Hi everyone and Merry christmas.
But already the new year seems close. In scotland that means that it is time for .........more alcohol,, much more.
New here is a question for everyone ( and, as a fellow Scot, maybe to Ron in particular).
For me a malt whisky is a special thing. Now I don't like them all but those which I love I feel really need my attention. They really suit the American term ' Sippin' Whiskey '. The flavours are intense and unique, but somehow they can easily pass you. So you really need to be paying attention to appreciate them. For me they are best enjoyed on their own alone or with intimate company. At the end of a party in a moment of group reflection and calm ( just before everyone falls over ) then one, or at the very most two, fine malts (in measures sensable enough to encourage you to savour them) can be a very fine thing and at least if not everyone enjoys a malt at this point they tend to have the grace to shut up about it.
That being said during the main body of the party I like to drink wine. Wine not too expensive not too subtle but not too poor. But as I branch out I start to see that there can be something really fine about a beer. I have even discovered that beer can be (when produced with intergrity) EXCELLENT a possibility which I had simply not considered. I now really appreciate bavarian wheat beer (I love Wienhenstepan ) and yet though I know it is fine indeed feel no sense of improprietry as I guzzle it.
At a push though if I start to feel bloated, or the beer is bland, or we run out of wine, there is the possibility of having a blended whisky. Now what is a blended whisky of not two or more inferior malts which did not have the character to 'go it alone' ? Well ....... certainly a blend can be BAD which is never a good thing but also there can be selections which (served with just a spot of water and absolutely no ice) really enjoyable. Certainly they don't often warrant the rapt attention that say a ten year old Ardbeg deserves but that is not to say that they cannot be a fine fine drink which will occasionally grasp your attention.
So THERE IS (in my humble opioion) a time for a malt and a time for a blend. I can think of nothing worse than sitting watching strangers guzzle my fine malts without paying the least bit of attention.
Now there comes the final point. What about the introduction of .................................................................................................................................................... a carbonated mixer. Well here I feel I become much less reasonable. Soda water has never been to my taste but I respect that there may be some value in it. However Irn Bru (local Scottish strong tasting caffeinated spicy gingery ultra sugar drink) must be strongly discouraged in all but the very youngest of whisky beginners. Finally there is Coca Cola the all encompassing seductive corporate american world conquering flavour standard.
If anyone at a party of mine is seen pouring coca cola into a spirit which is not clear then let me tell you .............there will be consequences.
D
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Date Dec. 27 2008 8:03:33
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gj Michelob
Posts: 1531
Joined: Nov. 7 2008
From: New York City/San Francisco
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RE: Malty versus Blend (honest) (in reply to guitarbuddha)
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Interesting subject, Guitarbuddha, in the Season’s “Spirit”;
it does tie-in with flamenco and music if one were to ask what is it you “sip” while you listen to your favorite music?
After a few years of dedicated tasting of fine malts, I took a rather proletarian turn and now enjoy a “Jack Daniels” on a few rocks, while I listen to solo guitar such as Tomatito’s “Porque Tu Lo Vales” [Aguadulce] or Amigo’s “Morente” sitting by the fire place (and become immediately eager to pick up my guitar). ’hate blends, just because, I suppose.
At dinner, it ought to be red wine for me, and strictly form Cally if I have my choice and way. But also a fine glass of Cabernet will go well with Ricardo’s “Madera Sonora” or Nunez’ “Jucal”. Beer is a healthy and nutritious choice, I often replace dinner with. I associate a good German brew with Paco de Lucia, although I am very fond of Chin Tao, the ever so lightly spiced Chinese beer, originally established by a German colony dating back before the two WW. This fine libation, however, I associate with Diego el Cigala, for no rational reason but the simple fact I had one in my hand when I first listened to El Cigala.
On coca cola mixed with spirit, please have mercy, but I must confess that when I rarely –nowadays - find myself at a party or bar where wine stinks, choice of beer is a watery Bud, and all are getting stoned on well stirred Martinis, I’d rather evoke the high school days in Brighton Beach, when I would send a friend “of age” to the club’s bar to (unlawfully) get me a “Coke and Rum” and felt really cool. I waste some Jack on a coke, but get to keep my brain functioning well and avoid the many awkward situations alcohol has often rewarded me with.
_____________________________
gj Michelob
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Date Dec. 27 2008 9:00:54
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cathulu
Posts: 950
Joined: Dec. 15 2006
From: Vancouver, Canukistan
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RE: Malty versus Blend (honest) (in reply to gj Michelob)
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Well, I love beer, and there are many fine ales, lagers and malts now to choose from. When I was started it was Labatts Blue or Export "Eh" or Molson Canadian out of the old stubby, drinking creekside. Things have changed quite a bit since then with so many wonderful micro brewers. But alas, as I get older my stomach for beer had not matched my taste and I partake now rarely.
So on to wine, and the fun part about that is trying to find a cheap bottle that is punching over its weight. But nowadays I must admit I try and find bottles in the 88 to 91 point range which suits my price range - red in fall and winter and whites in the spring and summer. Rather Cali, why not try Australia and the Barrosa wine region? There are some fine wines coming out of SA and I had a very nice one a couple of nights ago at a party, out of a big magnum. Had to be decanted and was well in the mid 90's me thinks.
And as to old Jack, there are some fine bourbons that you should try - I had one quite recently and it was sublime - can't remember the name unfortunately.
Cheers all!
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Date Dec. 27 2008 10:50:21
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srshea
Posts: 833
Joined: Oct. 29 2006
From: Olympia, WA in the Great Pacific Northwest
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RE: Malty versus Blend (honest) (in reply to guitarbuddha)
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I’m with you on the malt/blend issue, and I think it’s unfortunate to what extent spirit-snobbery can sometimes rob us of the potential to enjoy a good drink. Sure, single-malts are “better” than blends on all accounts, but they’re really both so different, and each has its own job to perform, so it’s kind of pointless to directly compare them, especially when the result is an outright and wholesale dismissal of blended scotch as inferior.
Bottom line: good booze is good booze; a good beer is better than a bad wine; good bourbon is better than lousy scotch; etc. I have my own tastes and preferences, but on the whole I tend to like it all, so long as it’s the good stuff.
Regarding mixing: eh. I really don’t care for sweetness in alcohol and even tend to shy away from the stuff that’s already sweet on its own without the addition of additional fluids. So, straight-up for me.
I recently got in touch with an old friend who has gotten into wine making. I helped him out with his most recent syrah project, assisting with the sorting, de-stemming, pressing and such. It was a really interesting and enjoyable hands-on experience, and renewed my interest in wine after a summer of beer drinking. What was really cool was that shortly after this I bought a bottle syrah and I could immediately recognize so many of the specific aromatic and taste-related qualities from having just worked with the same grape. An interesting exercise in experiential learning.
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Date Dec. 27 2008 11:36:26
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Ron.M
Posts: 7051
Joined: Jul. 7 2003
From: Scotland
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RE: Malty versus Blend (honest) (in reply to Exitao)
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quote:
And while we're on the topic of Scotland, WTF is a "naif"? (e.g. "What? That wee naif?")
Hi Exitao,
Pronounced "nyaff" (or "ñaff"  ) I've heard it used in a few contexts, the main one being somebody who has a jumped-up sense of self-importance, but is clearly a "tit" to everybody else. Practically every workplace has one.
The main cost of spirits in the UK is tax, the cost of production + profit being small in comparison, so the cost in the International market would vary greatly I would think, the final cost being dependent on the level of tax each country imposes. Whether you imported it or bought it retail, this tax would still be payable.
In Scotland it is traditional to have a small jug of water on the bar for adding to the whisky, although younger folk will often have mixers and cocktails made with the less expensive blends and with ice, especially in clubs/discos etc.
"Southern Comfort" is also popular, or at least was when I was young.
To be honest, I've never tasted a bad blend in Scotland. Some, of course are better than others, or have different characteristics such as "smoothness" or "peaty-ness" etc.
Irish whiskey (spelt with an "e") is also highly rated.
I had a taste of some foreign made whisky that someone brought back from Thailand or somewhere and it was absolutely disgusting. Best avoided.
Irn Bru is that indescribable soft drink which is loved by kids and adults alike (who drink it as a "hangover" cure!)
It's quite expensive to buy in cans, but a lot cheaper to buy in 2 and 5 litre plastic bottles, so look around for a Canadian importer of those.
Again, watch out for duty payable if you import it.
cheers,
Ron
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Date Dec. 28 2008 5:58:10
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Guest
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RE: Malty versus Blend (honest) (in reply to Ron.M)
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Hola Ron
I am not a whisky drinker either but I always like to have a bottle of whiskey in my house for visitors, preferably Black Bush or Jameson Redbreast. If I can't find them, I have Macallans, which is not bad
Here is a great recipe: in Ireland we use Powers, but in Scotland a good blend would do: a good shot of whisk(e)y, a spoonful of honey, a few (4 or 5 cloves) recently boiled water to taste. Leave the honey spoon in the glass, so that it does not crack with the hot water. Some people add a slice of lemon. Stir and sip. Cures colds. (If not, have another one and forget the cold!)
Suerte
Sean
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Date Dec. 28 2008 9:46:06
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Exitao
Posts: 907
Joined: Mar. 13 2006
From: Vancouver, Canada
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RE: Malty versus Blend (honest) (in reply to Ron.M)
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Ron.M
quote:
And while we're on the topic of Scotland, WTF is a "naif"? (e.g. "What? That wee naif?")
Hi Exitao,
Pronounced "nyaff" (or "ñaff" ) I've heard it used in a few contexts, the main one being somebody who has a jumped-up sense of self-importance, but is clearly a "tit" to everybody else. Practically every workplace has one.
The main cost of spirits in the UK is tax, the cost of production + profit being small in comparison, so the cost in the International market would vary greatly I would think, the final cost being dependent on the level of tax each country imposes. Whether you imported it or bought it retail, this tax would still be payable.
In Scotland it is traditional to have a small jug of water on the bar for adding to the whisky, although younger folk will often have mixers and cocktails made with the less expensive blends and with ice, especially in clubs/discos etc.
"Southern Comfort" is also popular, or at least was when I was young.
To be honest, I've never tasted a bad blend in Scotland. Some, of course are better than others, or have different characteristics such as "smoothness" or "peaty-ness" etc.
Irish whiskey (spelt with an "e") is also highly rated.
I had a taste of some foreign made whisky that someone brought back from Thailand or somewhere and it was absolutely disgusting. Best avoided.
Irn Bru is that indescribable soft drink which is loved by kids and adults alike (who drink it as a "hangover" cure!)
It's quite expensive to buy in cans, but a lot cheaper to buy in 2 and 5 litre plastic bottles, so look around for a Canadian importer of those.
Again, watch out for duty payable if you import it.
cheers,
Ron
Thanks for the pronunciation guide and explanation. I've read most of Ian Rank's books and that was the only thing I didn't understand. I imagine that's because he writes in English for the most part ;-)
I went to a local "Highland Games" in the summer (people trying not to lose all sense of culture in a land where white European culture is the only culture that isn't vigorously safeguarded) and the concessions all had Irn Bru. I had my first sip and I thought, "Oh no, this is bad" because knew I was addicted. I think it might be the quinine, because it's something I'd never tasted before.
Hot Toddies have made it over here. I remember having tasted one as a child. But I doubt many people would know how to make one off hand. I'd have to ask someone's grandma... or Google. Google is very wise.
_____________________________
Callidus et iracundus.
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Date Dec. 28 2008 18:26:00
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Champagne I try to stay away from if I can help it, but sometimes it is rude to not have at least a glass. 
