Scotch

[twips182]

Don't blaspheme Argy you can never know too much about scotch!

[twips182]

Hey scotch fans! Today we'll be taking a look at Highland Park. The bottle I have is a 12 year old but you can get it older if you want to spend the money. I have tried the 18 year old and find that it's a little bit smoother. Highland park is a great all around scotch. This scotch has something for everyone.

HP has a nice light gold color and a pleasant floral smell with some fresh cut grass in there as well. The first sip is hard to nail down. It has some mild fruit tones with a touch of sweetness but also some smoke in the background.

The finish is long with a fair amount of peat that sneaks up on you at the end.

This is a fantastic scotch that has enough flavors that it would appeal to most scotch drinkers of various flavor profiles. If you want to keep a bottle of scotch in the house for guests that won't break the bank this is the one I would grab.

As always we thank our friends at Argy's Lounge for hosting us.

[ArgyrosfeniX]

twips?

How much is a bottle of the 12 year Highland Park running?

[twips182]

Argy for a 750 ml bottle your looking at anywhere from 36 to 46 dollars. The company runs promotions through the various outlets all the time so don't pay more then that. Also I'm not sure what kind of taxes your state has on alcohol so consider that as well. Here in Texas It was right at 37 dollars. Some people think that's a lot.. some others like myself think it's a great price for a high quality single malt scotch. Considering that Lagavulin will run you around 90 and Talisker around 60 this is a same ballpark quality scotch for a much cheaper price. It may be the best price point scotch out there. For the amount that I drink the bottle will last me almost a month.

PS...Remote to be undisclosed sources claim that Highland Park is also great for concussions and general car accident injuries...just saying

[twips182]

One thing that came to me as I was writing the last post was that although we have spoken a lot about the various scotches here on the forum we haven't spent any time on how to drink scotch. This is mostly for the new scotch drinkers as you veterans already have your methods down.

Scotch is not soda pop folks. If you try to drink it like a coke you won't like it because it's not meant to be drank that way. If your smiling as you are reading that last line because it's your method... a step program could be good for you. Remember the staff at Argy's will always arrange for you to get a ride home if you have had too much.

Ok here's the way I enjoy a good single malt scotch. Put about two fingers (same as laying two fingers beside the glass) (Umm you big burly construction types might want to go one finger to start) in a squat bar glass. Put a couple drops of water in it (causes a chemical reaction releasing the aroma)(some people argue this but I stand by the statement.) Let it sit a few moments and then smell the scotch to enjoy the fragrance. Pour some of the scotch into your mouth but don't swallow right away. Let all the subtle tastes come out. After you swallow the scotch wait again for whats called the "finish" which will usually have some new tastes.

So..The smell is called the "Nose". The taste is called the "Palate" and the end is called the "Finish". (Be sure to take notes..test later)

To make yourself a true scotch snob be aware of the following.

Ice is for cheaper blended scotch. Snobs consider ice to have who knows what in it and think that it compromises the flavor.
Single malt scotch should be 10 years old or better.
Scotch is clear when it's made and gets it's gold color from the barrels it ages in. That doesn't mean that scotch is better if its darker. It just means that a different type of barrel was used.
Scotch has to be minimum of 80 proof.
Scotch is one of ..if not the most heavily regulated alcohol in the world. (They have rules for almost every part of the making and selling of scotch)

Ok friends we are out of time for now...keep the letters and emails coming we will be getting to them shortly!

[Ronald Dukarski]

Hey Twips, if I'm investing in a relatively expensive scotch, I should know how to keep it and serve it. Shelve life, serving temp, long term storage, etc. Any help there?

[twips182]

Hi Ron if the bottle is sealed as far as I know it should pretty much last forever. If it's opened and not sealed well evaporation of the alcohol can change the taste of the scotch. Also the air will cause oxidation so it's best to keep it sealed until ready to use. Scotch should be stored in a cool dark place as most scotch is in clear bottles and the light can effect it. The same thing happens with beer (thus the dark bottles and to a greater extent) but scotch can be effected as well. Something also to note is that scotch unlike wine will not continue to age in the bottle. I would think that even an open bottle that's closed and not left in direct sunlight or high heat will last for months..perhaps up to a year. It won't hurt you to drink it after that but it will most likely taste off. Serve scotch at room temps.

On a side note I read a article once on canned food that was recovered from a sunk civil war ship. A university tested the food and found that it was fine to eat but had lost some of it's nutrients. So alcohol which is a natural preservative should do even better. I mean they sell bottles of wine found on the bottom of the ocean from sunk ships for thousands of dollars a bottle. Hmm could be a task for the FART squad to recover some of this high dollar wine and add to our holdings. I think Big Jim can hold his breath a pretty long time....Ill get back to you on that.

[twips182]

Got a couple emails regarding my 100 year old canned food comments above. Friends I'm not telling you to eat food that's been in your pantry for 100 years. The comment was just to point out that things that are sealed stay fresh for a long time. Please use your own good judgement on what you eat and what you don't eat. Oh and for the skeptic the info follows.

Steamboat Bertrand.
Sunk in 1865 on the Missouri river near Omaha Nebraska.
Canned food recovered and tested by NFPA (National Food Processors Association) In 1974.

Oh sorry forgot one question.. Twips are screen independent units to ensure that the proportion of screen elements are the same on all displays systems. A twip is defined as 1/1440 of an inch. The 182 I borrowed from a band I liked in the 90s "Blink 182". The band wasn't afraid to make fun of themselves and laugh at the whole rock star status thing.


As always your comments are welcome and wanted...well mostly

[twips182]

Greetings scotch fans! I'm currently enjoying some of the Laphroaig that Ron's daughter recommended to us. I've had a little more then I usually have and I feel emboldened. Friends it's time for Dale to start working on the new YA book. Yes Yes I know it's Dale's work and he should be able to do it as he sees fit. However I submit to you scotch fans that it's our duty and obligation to encourage Dale to write the book that a weary nation needs. I enjoy all Dale's books but I have a hankering (picked that up living in the south..plus it makes me laugh) for some YA. Head over to the YA forum and voice your opinion under the New YA Book topic. Power (c what I did there) to the people. In closing friends I want you to enjoy what I was forced to endure every Saturday night at 6 as a child while staying with my grandmother. Hee Haw!

Where O where are you tonight..why did you leave me here all alone...I searched the world over and thought I found true love..You met another and pfft you were gone!

[Ronald Dukarski]

Umm we may have to ask the f.a.r.t. squad to help Twips home. You ok buddy? I know it's been rough lately, but I'm sure Dale is working as fast as possible on his schedule. I'd like to see a YA book soon as well but this isn't gonna help. We need you to be strong. It'll be ok, you'll see.