Brigid just did a post regarding an educated view of distilled spirits, especially Scotch. I was immediately brought back to my history with spirits, sadly much less educated.
I hail from Irish and German stock, both (in)famous for their (mis)adventures with alcohol. My own father having his issues with it didn’t stop me from wanting to ‘be a man’ and ‘learn how to drink’. And what.
A friend’s older brother procured for us a bottle of Scotch (so it read on the label) from a local discount store. We were in high school. We enjoyed it, but didn’t have anything with which to compare it. Ummm – good turpentine!
Years later, I was celebrating at my bachelor party, and feeling no pain. I began drinking from a Haig Pinch bottle I’d received for my birthday a month earlier, then got the bright idea I should drink my Michelob beer and chase it with said Scotch. I was nervous – after all, I was getting married in four days! While the quality of the alcohol had improved, my desire for subtlety had not, and I went from euphoric to ill in short order. It’s a good thing I wasn’t getting married the next day. I was unable to stand up.
I was well into my forties when I developed a taste for finer liquors. And the ability to afford them, occasionally. I also began to develop appreciation for the sublime, the subtle. Not just the buzz. Bourbon and tequila became interesting. Not together.
And now? A good microbrew, maybe a Margarita? An occasional dram of bourbon or blended whiskey. Not always drinking to excess, but sometimes as a supplement to lessen my chronic pain. And, appreciating it for what it is.
Not always while watching Moonshiners on satellite, though…
My two cents’ worth, as a Reverend? If it helps, and you’re not drinking to excess, then there’s nothing wrong with it. I know, I know: a lot of Christians say you MUSTN’T drink, but Jesus’ first miracle was turning water into wine at a wedding party. If imbibing were sinful, He wouldn’t have done it! Even that other Paul (you know, the Apostle one) wrote to Timothy that he should drink “a little wine” for stomach troubles.
Posted by Rev. Paul | February 13, 2013, 11:36 amWell, it sometimes does help, thanks. The big question (of course) is how does one define excess? Not unlike using a feather is kinky, the whole chicken, perverse!
Posted by guffaw1952 | February 13, 2013, 1:04 pm+1 on Rev…
Posted by Old NFO | February 13, 2013, 3:38 pmThanks
Posted by guffaw1952 | February 13, 2013, 4:54 pmI heard some sad news today : due to an unexpected increase in sales, the makers of Maker’s Mark are not able to keep up with demand, so they are going to have water down existing stock to make it go farther, so, instead of it being 48% alcohol, it will be reduced to 42% alcohol, and from 90 something proof to 80 something proof. I doubt if I would even notice the difference. Keep in mind that forecasting future sales is a tricky business, since it takes six years to bring a batch to market.
Posted by gfrancisbrown | February 14, 2013, 9:25 pmYes. I heard that a few days ago. I’ve about two good belts of MM left – cannot afford more right now.
I suspect, like ammo, it won’t get any more economical or available.
Posted by guffaw1952 | February 14, 2013, 11:13 pm