[MM-MALTS-L] Helloooo There!

[cdaniels]

Hi Ralph

 

I'm still engaged, just don't have much to say these days.  I like the way
e-mails just turn up - I don't like logging on to fora either.

 

I've been working my way through the Laphroaig Quartercask as I managed to
pick it up for A$85 which is good buying (and I'm a big fan) (Score 86/100)
and a Hart Brothers Bowmore 10 yo 46% Distilled April 1998 bottled June 2008
for $60 (Score 80/100). It's on the raw side (maybe from refill bourbon) but
it has some interesting baked apple and smoked apple-wood cheese aromas.
More tarry peat and more aggressive than the OB. Reminds me of the OB Cask
Strength as much as anything.

 

I've also tried the first release of Limeburners from Great Southern
Distillery in Western Australia. Pretty good for a young whisky, (Score
81/100) but I think there were less than 300 bottles, so too small a run to
make the export market. It was finished in a brandy cask and the grape
spirit takes a while to reveal itself, but it's there after about 20
minutes.

 

I keep a Glenlivet 12 as my house malt these days.  I reckon it's got better
over the last six or seven years; has some evident sherry along with the
malt and liquorice which I like. It's definitely in better wood these days
than around 2000.

 

Cheers

 

 

 

Craig Daniels

Chairman

Malt Whisky Society of Australia

Organisers of Australia's Fourth Malt Whisky Convention Hobart 28-30 August
2009 

 

  _____  

From: mm-malts-l-bounces at grsnet.net [mailto:mm-malts-l-bounces at grsnet.net]
On Behalf Of Ralph Katzenell
Sent: Saturday, 27 September 2008 4:00 AM
To: MaltManiacs operated former 'MALT-L' Whisky List
Subject: Re: [MM-MALTS-L] Helloooo There!

 

Hello All.

Thank you for your thoughtful responses.

I too have kept away from the community sites. At first I thought they were
grand, but after a while membership and signing in became tedious. There are
now so many of them.
Also I felt uncomfortable about leaving such a strong trail of electronic
fairy dust behind me.
MALTS-L discussion and points were so informative and knowledgeable, and as
Alex says, just popped onto the screen,
no hassles.

Yes, I wear my "En Fuskie es nane Saat ava" proudly, at folk music
gatherings and at Burns Suppers. Goodness me, I even looked up Doric on the
web and learnt what a rich history it has.

Here in Israel the whisky scene has undergone a revolution, and good quality
malt is available in fine selection
in every town at almost reasonable prices. There are some bars with really
good choices, not restricted to the common everyday malts we see in duty
free. The "Dov" in Haifa being typical of local excellence.

I no longer travel for my company, the overseas system maintenance work
having been taken over by a younger generation, but I still import. Perhaps
about 8 - 12 bottles a year, though my consumption is going down. 
I have to report that Alex Bruce of Adelphi has been a true and constant
connection. With nearly every purchase, he pops in a 100 ml sample.So
recently I got good tasters of Springbank 1969 35 yo at 58.5%, and a Glen
Grant 1985 22 yo at 62.1%. Simply my own wee private pleasure. Wonderful.
Charlie Maclean's tasting notes border on the ridiculous, but what the hell!

I act as central drinking point for a small group of friends who have come
to appreciate fine malts. We sit out on the deck of a weekend, gaze at the
stars, (sometimes through my 8 inch Dobsonian telescope), and scoff our way
through razor-thin onion and tomato, with local cheeses and black Russian
bread, and discuss the problems of a crazy world.
Whisky (in slow, thoughtful moderation) is such a friendly drink. The
bullshitting days are over, perhaps age is telling its story.

Some of my choices don't make the grade, and no one can be fooled. I no
longer horde these. They just get chucked,
and I put it down to experience, and water under the bridge.
I opened up a 1984 CC 18 yo at 40% abv Caol Ila recently. It had been on
display as one of my prize classic possessions. Dreadful sour stuff.
Undrinkable. Out it went on the spot.
To be contrasted as night with day with the 7th edition Port Ellen at
58.something%. Fabulous. People have been talking about it for weeks. I got
a phone call from one mate who got home, got into bed with his snoring
missus, ands then called me to say it was the best experience he had for
months!

The folk music scene here has also moved up several notches in quality. To
see some of the work, search YouTube for Shay Tuchner (sometimes Shai
Tuchner) and Lilach Sheer.

I'm glad your still out there.

Respect.

Granpa Ralph

 

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