General Chat

............ 100 bottles of wine, 125 kinds of whisk(e)y

What a weekend!

I don't drink, but we went to a Toast for a friend (let's call him Daniel)

Daniel died a few weeks ago, and his wife arranged a Toast for Daniel for Saturday afternoon .................. over 75 people turned up :-D

Two golden eagles flew lazily around overhead, playing on the air currents.

The rain and drizzle stopped.

The sun came out ........ and their garden looked beautiful.


Daniel collected wine, and the idea was to help his wife get rid of some of the 100+ bottles of wine that were in the wine cabinets that filled one wall of his house.

In a little over 2 hours, plus a follow-up dinner for 10 close friends, about 20 bottles of wine were emptied ...................... surprisingly the majority of people drank only a couple of glasses. Others, like myself, stuck to juice and water.

No-one got smashed.

Everyone had a great time ............... and Daniel was well and truly remembered with love and laughter.

We were really glad that we had managed to get there to say goodbye to our friend of over 40 years.

We left home at 9am on Saturday morning, had a 2 hour ferry ride, and checked into the hotel at 1 pm ........... they let us have our room even though we were 2 hours early for check-in.

Dan's wife had asked us to arrive early, to help with set-up ............... OH was to give tours of part of the garden if anyone wanted to see it. Most people arrived and left more or less on time .............. but it was about 9 pm before the ones asked to stay on for dinner finally left.

That's when we decided to try the "Whisk(e)y Bar" in our hotel ................ they advertised that they now had 125 varieties of whisk(e)y, from all around the world.

Did you know there is a whisk(e)y from Wales????????????

Penderyn Distillery, Rhondda, produces a single malt whisky .......................... unfortunately OH didn't see that until after he'd ordered a double Laphroaig from Scotland :-)

Apparently he wants us to stay at the same hotel on another trip in the near future, so he can try Penderyn Whisky :-D

The listing of whiskies was just incredible. I was amazed at the number of countries that were represented ...... although I probably should not have been.

Of course, my erstwhile-favourite drink, Kentucky Bourbon, was represented by several makers.

.............. but a very large cranberry juice had to suffice :-(

This morning ................ a good Canadian breakfast (ie, our version of the "Full English"), a drive in pouring rain, a great soy latte, and another ferry ride home.

We got home in the late afternoon, after a relaxing and enjoyable time.



I finally looked on GR about 3 hours ago .................... and thought how much I had enjoyed my weekend away, with absolutely no computer contact since Friday night my time.


It was NOT a sad event ................ but a lovely way to say goodbye to a longtime, dearly loved friend, on a sunny afternoon, in his garden which was at its very best.

What more could anyone ask????

You couldn't have asked for more Sylvia...Perfect <3

It reminded me of the morning my dear mother died.

I saw a wedged tail eagle flying high overhead, amazing sight :-)

Carole xx

Carole ....................

It was a perfect "send-off"


how wonderful for you to see that eagle!

They are such magnificent birds!



s
xx

How lovely I bet your friend would have enjoyed himself I'm sure he would be there in spirit too (no pun intended) I remember at my mothers wake a cousin came up and said "I know it sounds bad but I have really enjoyed myself, meeting up with relatives and friends I've not met in years" and I thought my Mother would have loved the gathering and what a shame it is that it takes a funeral to get all family and friends together.
Go back and try the Welsh whisky, I have nearly had a fit being a Scot and all that ..... however they do say copying is the best form of flattery (hope that's the right saying lol!) :-)

OH just has to try that Welsh whisky .......... he's half Welsh himself :-D

just for a laugh .............. here is part of the listings


SCOTLAND

ISLAY
Ardbeg 10 year
Ardbeg “Uigeadail”
Ardbeg “Alligator”
Bruichladdich “Golder Still”
Bruichladdich “The Organic”
Bruichladdich “Octomore 4.1” 5yr
Bruichladdich “Port Charlotte 7”
Bruichladdich “Resurrection”
Isle of Jura- Superstition
Lagavulin 12 year (Limited)
Lagavulin 16 year
Laphroig 10 year
Laphroig 18 year
Laphroig “Cairdeas”

SPEYSIDE
Aberlour A’Bunadh
A.D.Rattray “Longmorn 14 year”
A.D.Rattray “Macallan 15 year”
Glenfiddich 12 year
Glenfiddich 15 year
Glenfiddich 18 year
Glenlivet 12 year
Glenlivet Nadurra 16 year
Glenlivet Archive 21 year
Longmorn 16 year
Macallan 12 year
Macallan 18 year
Macallan 25 year
The Balvenie 12 year
The Coopers Choice

HIGHLAND
Dalwhinnie 15 year
Edradour “Bordeaux Cask”
Edradour “Chardonnay Cask”
Edradour “Sauterne Cask”
Edradour “Chateau Neuf du Pape”
Glenmorangie “The Original”
Glenmorangie “Quinta Ruban”
Glenmorangie “Nectar D’Or”
Mackinlay Shackleton Rare Old
Oak Cross by Compass Box
The Spice Tree by Compass Box
Tullibardine 1988 Vintage
Tullibardine 1993 Vintage
Tullibardine “Sauterne”
Tullibardine “Aged Oak”

ORKNEY
Highland Park 30 year
Highland Park 18 year
Highland Park 16 year “Celebration”

LOWLAND
Auchentoshan “Classic”

SKYE
Talisker 10 year
CAMPBELTOWN
Kilkerran “Work in Progress”
Springbank 15 year

ARRAN
The Arran 10 year

IRELAND
Connemara Peated
Bushmills 16 year
Jameson Irish whiskey
.
WALES
Penderyn “Aur Cymru”
.
ENGLAND
The English Whisk(e)y Co. (Ch.9)
.
AUSTRALIA
Sullivans Cove Bourbon & Port Oak
.
JAPAN
Nikka “From the Barrel”
Nikka 21 year “Taketsuru”
Nikka Pure Malt “White”
Nikka Pure Malt “Black”
Yamazaki 12 year
.
INDIA
Amrut “Fusion”
Amrut Single Malt
Amrut “Intermediate Sherry”
Amrut “Peated”
.
BLENDS
Chivas Regal 12 year
Johnnie Walker Red Label
Johnnie Walker Black Label
Johnnie Walker Green Label
Johnnie Walker Gold Label
Johnnie Walker Blue Label
Wemyss “Smooth Gentleman”
.
CANADA
Alberta Premium-100% Rye
Canadian Club-Rye
Centennial Ltd Edition-Rye
Collingwood
Crown Royal-Rye
White Owl
.
KENTUCKY & TENNESSEE
Baker’s 7 year
Basil Hayden’s
Blanton’s “Gold Edition”
Blanton’s “Original”
Booker’s (63.4%)
Buffalo Trace
Elijah Craig 12 year
Hancock’s President’s Reserve
Jack Daniel’s
Jim Beam
Maker’s Mark
Pappy Van Winkle 12 year
Sazerac 18 year
Wild Turkey “Rare Breed”
Wild Turkey 101 (50.5%)
Woodford Reserve

I think your friend would be very proud of the way you all toasted him, what a lovely memory for everyone, Sylvia. Not sure he would be resting in peace to know so many bottles of his wine were opened at one sitting lol

I am glad you enjoyed the weekend trip and hope you will indeed return to the hotel so your hubby can try the Welsh whisky.

It is a shame that so many families only get together at funerals, but it's good to know people make the effort, altho would be better to make the effort and get together for no particular reason except to introduce families to one another, often cousins don't know their cousins and/or cousin's children because of distance or circumstance and the only time they meet is at funerals.



Here's one of your kind of tipple for you to try Sylvia, with my name to boot! (and my brother's Christian name Graham linked to it as well)


Woodford Reserve

Of the handful of Kentucky bourbon distilleries, Woodford Reserve is one of the oldest. A distiller named Elijah Pepper began producing small amounts of whiskey in 1797 in his little set up, just behind the Woodford County Courthouse in Versailles, Kentucky. His product was popular and it was not long before he required a more substantial premises. Elijah founded his new distillery in 1812, on Grassy Springs in Glenn’s Creek, not far outside of Versailles. Following Elijah’s death in 1831, his son Oscar Pepper hired Dr James Crow as the head distiller. Crow was a Scotsman and both physician and chemist. It seems he was also an innovator for he is credited with championing sour mash fermentation, a key process with regards to the consistency of bourbon. The distillery was then producing whiskey of wide acclaim and noteworthy devotees were the Kentucky statesman Henry Clay and the renowned author and illustrious stogieman Mark Twain. Oscar Pepper died in 1865 and in 1878 the distillery was acquired by whiskey broker, Leopold Labrot and his partner, the merchant James Graham, both hailed from Kentucky. Labrot and Graham extended the facilities and ran their business under the name The Old Oscar Pepper Distillery.

Save for closure during Prohibition, Labrot and Graham ran the distillery until 1940 when it was acquired by Brown-Forman Corp of Louisville. The distillery was intended to help the brand cope with the surge in demand following the abolition of Prohibition. Sadly, the Old Oscar Pepper Distillery fell into disuse shortly after, when smaller, artisan-style distilleries were deemed too costly and inefficient. It was not until 1994 that Brown-Forman repurchased the distillery; their dream now was to sell a handcrafted whiskey at the distillery credited with championing the spirit. They renamed it The Woodford Reserve Distillery in 2003 and credit Labrot and Graham on their bottles. There has been a long association with horseracing; Woodford Reserve is the official bourbon of both the Breeder’s Cup and the Kentucky Derby.


Cheers!

Lizxx

Hi Liz

I hadn't heard of that bourbon ............... although I've had most of them in the days when I could drink! Unfortunately, I can no longer take more than a couple of small sips of any alcohol :-(

My favourites were Jack Daniels and Jim Beam.


The interesting thing about this couple is that there were NO family members there.

She has one older brother who lives in the US.

They did not marry until later in life, both for the first time, and have no children.

It was all friends and colleagues.

I wonder if anyone has tried them all................

I wonder that as well

:-D :-D :-D


There was one, I think it was a Scottish one, that was $113 for a double ......... that would be around £50 or so

Oh the one I mentioned is at the bottom of your list Sylvia.

My Dad liked whisky and o.h.'s Dad likes it too, he has a bottle for Father's Day, another for his birthday and another at Christmas, so with everyone buying him a bottle, he is well stocked up, he has a glass every night to help him sleep lol

I drank whisky when I was about 20 but found I put on weight so changed to vodka. I like vodka and kahlua (black russian) and also local ciders or a spritzer but don't drink that much any more, a few glasses of wine and I am giggling like an idiot lol

My son likes Jack Daniels.

Lizx

<3

R.I.P. your friend; and mine whom you know about; your Toast for a friend .................. has given me a smile through the dark cloud, thank you.

That sounds like a very nice day Sylvia, it is a good thing to be able to celebrate someone's life like that

I can't stand whiskey, but my son in law likes it. For presents we often buy him a selection from a whisky tasting club. It comprises of half a dozen small bottles all chosen to have something in common. They come with tasting notes to describe where they were made, the age, the flavours etc. He seems to really enjoy them

What a lovely idea...toast a friend.....a lovely time seems to be had by all too :-)

Sylvia what a lovely way to say goodbye to a friend.

Glad there was a good turnout it must have been lovely for his wife to have so many people there.

My Dad always liked his whisky. He liked his Glenlivet and also one which I think was called Monkey's paw (will have to ask my sis if that's correct)

Sylvia, what a splendid wake :-)

Whisky is distilled in the most unlikely places.

Here is a link to a distiller in Albany, Western Australia.

Their wares are very expensive (starting at about $200.00 a bottle) but grace the tables of many prominent people including the Governor of WA

http://www.limeburners.com.au/the-distillery/our-single-malts.html

Good reminder that although we mourn the death of someone it's just as (if not more so) important to celebrate their life and the memories we have of them.

Have tasted quite a few of the malts (And enjoyed them) will retain the list for future reference.Hic. :-D

BRILLIANT SEND OFF FOR YOUR FRIEND,HE COLLECTED
IT FOR A SPECIAL EVENT TO SHARE WITH THOSE HE CARED FOR AND YOU SHARED THE FINAL GOODBYE
WITH AFFECTION AND MEMORIES,
RIP DANIEL THEY ENJOYED YOUR DAY

Thank you, everyone

We did enjoy the day ................ and so did his wife, which was very important.


I thought people on here would also enjoy reading about it.


"Dan" would have loved to see people drinking the wine ............... he collected it because he loved wines, and he loved sharing his "finds". His wife just couldn't stop him buying it by the case, even after they had stopped doing a lot of entertaining or having a glass at dinner even when by themselves.

I was a great disappointment to him when I had to stop having even half a glass!


There is probably going to be a much more formal Celebration of Life in the next couple of months ........... he was very well-known around the world in his field of expertise, and such an event will be expected.


But this is the Celebration that I will remember


It was so very "Dan". :-D :-D :-D :-D

Allan ................

thank you for that tip about the Albany distiller


Merlin ............

OH is also going to be trying more on that list!


Linda in HC ..................

that sounds like a great gift for your son-i-l ................. especially if he is like my s-i-l ................... we never ever know what to buy him :-)


Linda ............

my dad liked his little tot as well.


In fact, OH likes to have a small drink and some cheese before going to bed. He says it helps him to sleep. I was always told cheese gave you nightmares ................ but it does seem to help him.

His "little drink" can be whisky, port, sherry, drambuie ................. in other words, whatever catches his eye, or his fancy, when he opens the liquour cupboard door!


Joy .............

glad it gave you a small smile <3 <3 <3 <3