Remember a while back I wrote the 4 steps to finding the right whisk(e)y?
Basically, you:
- Discover. Figure out the traits that you want in “the one.”
- Explore. Check out a few different types that exhibit those traits.
- Experience. Get to know one type intimately.
- Fall in love. Realize you found “the one.”
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Well, I forgot to add in a 5th step that is highly taboo in the real world but more than welcome in the whiskey world.
The 5th step is: Have a love affair.
Before you begin to judge me for what seems like a snub on my own Whiskey Love (Lagavulin 16), let me explain.
Yes, finding the right whiskey is definitely like falling in love… but only because the emotions you attribute to that particular whiskey at that particular time follows you forever. Just like when you love any object, loving a whiskey is very much the same.
Now, that being said, sometimes, when you love something, you want to continue to discover and explore. Nothing wrong with that, especially when it comes to tasting whiskey. As I had mentioned before, there are so many whiskey flavors and nuances to those flavors that you never know when you’ll discover another whiskey that you love, but love in a different manner.
In my case, my whiskey love affair was with the infamous Abelour A’bunadh.
I still remember how it happened: I was at Highlands in West Village with my good friend (and whiskey enthusiast) Will. The server asked me what I wanted. All I wanted in my head was a Lagavulin 16, but at that time, Highlands was out of it. I thought about getting an Oban 14 or even my other go-to Bulleit Bourbon, but I wanted something with a bit more bite… something that would rile me up for the rest of the night.
The server came back with a dram of Abelour A’bunadh, a ~60% abv malt whisky.
The first sip struck me immediately. “Fiery and fierce” was the only words flashing through my head. I felt like there was a ball of life growing in my belly and with every sip it was about to explode out of me. It was a rush, a high, a desire that I hadn’t felt in a long time. And, I couldn’t wait to paint the down red. (Read more here.)
After that night, every time I was out and wanted something to excite me, I would have a glass of A’bunadh. Suddenly, I found myself in a love affair with a new whiskey. Don’t get me wrong, I still wanted my Lagavulin 16—it is still the only one I curl up with before bed—but when I wanted to go out OUT, I wanted A’bunadh. Before I knew it, it became my not-so-secret love affair.
With which whisk(e)y do you have a love affair?
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Signing out now. In the meantime, keep it whisk(e)y!
Scotch Rose
bobstroup
Reblogged this on Bob's Backyard Budget Beverages.