The Caffeinated Penguin

Posted By matt on November 4, 2007

Simon, Simon's housemate Dan, and Mike came up for the weekend. Much amusement, imbibing, and eating of food was had. Some thoughts:
- Kittens make everything better. They make drinking quite superlative.
- Drinking with friends is better than drinking alone.
- Ribs and wings are better with friends and beer.
- A house doesn't become a home until you fill it with the laughter of friends and family.
- Whiskey tastings are fun.

On spirits (the kind you drink, not the kind which scare you):

Beer:
- The Sam Adams Oktoberfest isn't as good this year as it has been previous years.
- Brewery Ommegang's ales are quite good and varied. I knew this, but it was agreed upon by the group. Their Rare Vos, Three Philosophers and Hennepin were the real standouts as far as interesting complexity of flavor. “I like this one. I can taste all the stuff in it.” says Mike of the Rare Vos.
- Augustinerbrau Munchen is a wonderful beer. Dan contributed this one. It is wonderfully rich and malty, thick on the tongue and quite alcoholic.

Scotch and Whisk(e)y:
- Johnnie Walker Blue Label is a wonderfully fine blended Scotch Whisky. It is smooth, complex, interesting, and sophisticated. At $180 a bottle, it is also not worth the money. I've had more interesting blends for less money.
- Jameson's in the UK is not the same as Jameson's in the US. The UK label reads “Product of Ireland” and is 700ml. The US label states “Imported” and is 750ml. The UK version is vastly superior – much smoother, with less of a “hot bite”.

Of course, we also tasted my normal fare – Balvenie 15 year old (the 10 is better), Macallan cask strength, Red Breast, etc. We skipped the Kentucky bourbons and the Islay Scotches, as the smokiness of the Islays tends to kill the palette for most other things and the Kentucky bourbons aren't from that part of the world.

Good times.

Category: LJ Import
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