I wonder how much previous exposure influences your brain. I hope it isn’t this much. Are we really just puppets? Elpeebee had commented that Laphroaig was much like drinking a glove. The menu had medicinal in the first word. Is that why my review is as it is? Maybe the menu, Elpeebee, and I are all just correct simultaneously. For example, I knew it was complete rubbish when people were saying the Bengals were good last year.
Laphroaig 10yr
Islay
40% abv
Color: like a gold coin, oily, spots of darkness and spots that look clear, changing.
Nose: smells like a campfire by the ocean. Seriously. It smells like smoky salt water.
Palate: initially, it’s like cough syrup from the ‘80s. Remember when Nyquil wasn’t flavored, the green one?
Finish: splash of sweetness followed by a strong, hot aftertaste. Waxy and oily but not too oily. The aftertaste lingers, because, well, the beverage lingers.
Overall: so it’s way better than Nyquil, but I really thought of that when I first drank it. It’s fine. If I was given the choice between Laphroaig 10yr and Wild Turkey, I’d take the Laphroaig, but this is certainly in last place amongst the Islay malts I’ve ever had: Lagavulin, Bowmore, Ardbeg.
Tuesday 27 April 2010
Monday 19 April 2010
Three Whiskies at Once
There was a math conference in Edinburgh the week after Easter. In my field, there were a few big names in town. They’re big names in mathematics so if I told you their names you wouldn’t know the difference. Nonetheless, I went to dinner with some of them the first night as the fill in host since the actual host, Jared, was ill. The next night, I went to dinner with two of them as I had promised we would then go drink some single malts at Leslies! One actually bailed to do math, but Jared fought his illness to enjoy some fun times at Leslies. So I couldn’t take notes and can’t exactly tell you the appropriate categories and all. But, as I’ve mentioned in the past, that isn’t so useful anyway. Instead, I’ll tell you what I drank, my recollection (the night after) of my impression, and if I recommend that you give it a try.
These are presented in the order they were consumed. This matters in that by number three, I might have liked straight vodka, who knows. I had read that Gelnfarclas was fantastic and better than the Balvenie Doublewood. I went there first. Then I went with a selection made by our guest, Joel. Finally, as you always should, I journeyed to Islay to try Caol Ila.
Glenfarcas 10yr, Speyside, 40% – surprisingly stern, intense alcohol, substantial finish. I have to say I didn’t love it. Smelled more like alcohol than anything. If stuck in a closet and the only way to get out was to drink Glenfarcas, don’t worry about me, I’ll make it out. However, given a selection I’m not ordering this. If I were you, I wouldn’t either unless you feel the rest of my single malt reviews are way off base.
Clynelish 14yr, Highland, 40% – this was lovely, but remember that it came after something I didn’t like. I think the amount that I liked this may have been overstated due to the meany above. Anyway, it was soft and fruity, finished nicely, and had a nice scent. It was lovely to drink.
Caol Ila 18yr, Islay, 43% – ummmm, amazing! Smells very very smoky, almost as smokey as Lagavulin (they guy next to me let me smell his Lagauvulin when I thought he had incorrectly given me Lagavulin) . This is fun to smell. The taste is substantial, but here’s the amazing part: the finish is instantaneous. It was phenomenally smooth. Here I warn that this was the ml 71-105 of single malt, but I am quite confident that this finish was authentic. Granted, I drank a bit of whisky before this one, but nothing could have over amplified the finish to make it so smooth. If I wanted a smoky Islay that was super easy to drink, I’d order this.
These are presented in the order they were consumed. This matters in that by number three, I might have liked straight vodka, who knows. I had read that Gelnfarclas was fantastic and better than the Balvenie Doublewood. I went there first. Then I went with a selection made by our guest, Joel. Finally, as you always should, I journeyed to Islay to try Caol Ila.
Glenfarcas 10yr, Speyside, 40% – surprisingly stern, intense alcohol, substantial finish. I have to say I didn’t love it. Smelled more like alcohol than anything. If stuck in a closet and the only way to get out was to drink Glenfarcas, don’t worry about me, I’ll make it out. However, given a selection I’m not ordering this. If I were you, I wouldn’t either unless you feel the rest of my single malt reviews are way off base.
Clynelish 14yr, Highland, 40% – this was lovely, but remember that it came after something I didn’t like. I think the amount that I liked this may have been overstated due to the meany above. Anyway, it was soft and fruity, finished nicely, and had a nice scent. It was lovely to drink.
Caol Ila 18yr, Islay, 43% – ummmm, amazing! Smells very very smoky, almost as smokey as Lagavulin (they guy next to me let me smell his Lagauvulin when I thought he had incorrectly given me Lagavulin) . This is fun to smell. The taste is substantial, but here’s the amazing part: the finish is instantaneous. It was phenomenally smooth. Here I warn that this was the ml 71-105 of single malt, but I am quite confident that this finish was authentic. Granted, I drank a bit of whisky before this one, but nothing could have over amplified the finish to make it so smooth. If I wanted a smoky Islay that was super easy to drink, I’d order this.
Sunday 11 April 2010
A-bel is better than No-bel!
On March 31, I got up early, walked in a snowstorm to Bubaccar’s flat and waited outside. Together we road a bus to Heriot-Watt University. It was funny to hear the University of Edinburgh students describe the remoteness of Harriot Watt, a university of seven thousand students on the edge of Edinburgh. I invited them to Grinnell. Anyway, Bubaccar is a Ph.D. student and helped organize the Edinburgh Student Chapter of SIAM (Society of Industrial and Applied Mathematics). He then also helped organize a one day conference. They had two wonderful keynote speakers. One is so good at math, he was knighted. Sir David Wallace is the director of the Newton Institute at Cambridge. The Institute serves as a host for six-month themed research programs and amazing results have been formulated and announced there. For example, when Wiles announce his proof of Fermat’s Last Theorem, it was at the Newton Institute. Sir David said "...after three days of lectures, he looked at the board and said, 'I think I'll stop there.' There was a second of silence and then an explosion of applause!"
Later that day, I went to a talk by Jean-Pierre Serre, a very famous number theorist. He was introduced by Sir Michael Atiyah. Obviously, Sir Michael is also so good at math that he was knighted. In fact, very recently his knighthood was promoted. However, the impressive part of this duo is that they are two of the three people who have won both the Fields Medal and the Abel Prize. These two prizes are considered roughly equivalent to the Nobel Prize for which mathematics is not a prize category. The Fields Medal is for amazing singular accomplishments (a la the Nobel) but pays very little. The Abel prize is also awarded by the King of Norway and pays roughly $900,000 (a la the Nobel). So, winning both of these awards is just plain amazing. To be in the room two of the three who have done this, that was a rare thing and very cool.
A comment about Europe and science: in Europe, science is appreciated in a different manner than in the USA. Strangely, with all of our innovation, we seem to think of science as “hard” or “nerdy” rather than challenging and beautiful. Should it be so shocking that the average American student isn’t exceptionally proficient in the sciences? Which model do you think promotes a career in science better: the Presidential Medal of Science or Knighthood? Seriously, most of you just thought, “We have a Presidential Medal of Science?” But Sir David and Sir Michael are often invited to State affairs because of the status in society which was given to them because of their contributions to science. We can’t fix science education in the USA with a cool prize, but we could certainly make strides toward promoting science in a more positive, inviting fashion.
PS: I have only five more years of eligibility for a Fields Medal. I really think I could have won it this year if I hadn’t spent so much time writing this blog and doing push-ups.
PSS: Today’s title must be attributed to my Ph.D. advisor, Guido Weiss who is a master of awful jokes. He busted this awful joke out when introducing Sir Michael at a public lecture in St. Louis a few years ago.
Later that day, I went to a talk by Jean-Pierre Serre, a very famous number theorist. He was introduced by Sir Michael Atiyah. Obviously, Sir Michael is also so good at math that he was knighted. In fact, very recently his knighthood was promoted. However, the impressive part of this duo is that they are two of the three people who have won both the Fields Medal and the Abel Prize. These two prizes are considered roughly equivalent to the Nobel Prize for which mathematics is not a prize category. The Fields Medal is for amazing singular accomplishments (a la the Nobel) but pays very little. The Abel prize is also awarded by the King of Norway and pays roughly $900,000 (a la the Nobel). So, winning both of these awards is just plain amazing. To be in the room two of the three who have done this, that was a rare thing and very cool.
A comment about Europe and science: in Europe, science is appreciated in a different manner than in the USA. Strangely, with all of our innovation, we seem to think of science as “hard” or “nerdy” rather than challenging and beautiful. Should it be so shocking that the average American student isn’t exceptionally proficient in the sciences? Which model do you think promotes a career in science better: the Presidential Medal of Science or Knighthood? Seriously, most of you just thought, “We have a Presidential Medal of Science?” But Sir David and Sir Michael are often invited to State affairs because of the status in society which was given to them because of their contributions to science. We can’t fix science education in the USA with a cool prize, but we could certainly make strides toward promoting science in a more positive, inviting fashion.
PS: I have only five more years of eligibility for a Fields Medal. I really think I could have won it this year if I hadn’t spent so much time writing this blog and doing push-ups.
PSS: Today’s title must be attributed to my Ph.D. advisor, Guido Weiss who is a master of awful jokes. He busted this awful joke out when introducing Sir Michael at a public lecture in St. Louis a few years ago.
Thursday 8 April 2010
Bowmore Darkest, Islay
I’ve never had a Bowmore. I tried to buy a set of 3 20cl Bowmore’s in the airport, but the lovely chap reminded me that when I got to Chicago, I’d have to check the liquid since you must reclear security. Next time I fly home, there will be room in my luggage. I decided that my first Bowmore will be one that is not in that trifecta. I understand that Bowmore is the mildest of the Islay (by the way, this is pronounced (eye-lah) whiskies.
Bowmore Darkest
Islay
43% abv
Color: Wow, it’s really dark; a cherry wood finish.
Nose: salty and full bodied, smoky, felt in the sinus. The smell says, “I dare you to taste me.” (After a few sips: fun to smell, smells sweeter.)
Palate: wow, incredibly smooth, a bit sour, not as smoky as it smells.
Finish: building smoke, lingers while tasty, extremely pleasant.
Overall: confirms what I heard about Bowmore: the gentle one from Islay. It was great and very complex. It made me say wow twice. I liked it a lot. (Trend Alert: I haven’t disliked a whisky yet.)
Bowmore Darkest
Islay
43% abv
Color: Wow, it’s really dark; a cherry wood finish.
Nose: salty and full bodied, smoky, felt in the sinus. The smell says, “I dare you to taste me.” (After a few sips: fun to smell, smells sweeter.)
Palate: wow, incredibly smooth, a bit sour, not as smoky as it smells.
Finish: building smoke, lingers while tasty, extremely pleasant.
Overall: confirms what I heard about Bowmore: the gentle one from Islay. It was great and very complex. It made me say wow twice. I liked it a lot. (Trend Alert: I haven’t disliked a whisky yet.)
Tuesday 6 April 2010
Easter Feast @ the Heatherlea
About ten days ago, someone put a paper plate on the kitchen table which read, “Easter Sunday Dinner, tons of meat, donations welcome: more money = more meat.” Someone else found a lovely chalice in which to deposit the donations. The first person dumped in £5, so 4 others (me included) followed like lemmings. The £25 was down payment on the £38 = $60 worth of lamb and pork that was purchased on Saturday. Lena cooked it all. Others (not me) had promised to help, but then volunteered to work for time and a half. I figured it would be nice to bring some wine and got some on the way home from my 90 minute Easter Sunday run. This was unoriginal as there were then 4 bottles of wine for dinner. The food was quite good; all the meat and all the wine were consumed. It was also Al’s birthday earlier in the week, so the dinner ended with two different cakes.
On Thursday past, I received a package from Amy. It contained a card with the message, “It wouldn’t feel like Easter without some Peeps!” I have a deep and complicated love-hate relationship with peeps. Anyway, I introduced global representatives to peeps.
Here is Lena pointing out how she used the peeps wisely as decoration.
Here’s the Heatherlea crew. I start with the guy closest to the camera. This is Richard. He was a guest. Counterclockwise we have Jenny (Korea), Al (Scotland, Heatherlea Chief), Lena (Germany), Claire (England), Kat (Australia), Edit (Hungary), my empty seat, and Yoomi (Korea). Absent were Chica (Japan) and Essam (Egypt/UK) and the two Aussies from the basement flat.
PS: With the four bottles of wine, I decided it was unwise to head out for some whisky tasting as promised. I do however have two in the bag and will post Bowmore Darkest later this week.
On Thursday past, I received a package from Amy. It contained a card with the message, “It wouldn’t feel like Easter without some Peeps!” I have a deep and complicated love-hate relationship with peeps. Anyway, I introduced global representatives to peeps.
Here is Lena pointing out how she used the peeps wisely as decoration.
Here’s the Heatherlea crew. I start with the guy closest to the camera. This is Richard. He was a guest. Counterclockwise we have Jenny (Korea), Al (Scotland, Heatherlea Chief), Lena (Germany), Claire (England), Kat (Australia), Edit (Hungary), my empty seat, and Yoomi (Korea). Absent were Chica (Japan) and Essam (Egypt/UK) and the two Aussies from the basement flat.
PS: With the four bottles of wine, I decided it was unwise to head out for some whisky tasting as promised. I do however have two in the bag and will post Bowmore Darkest later this week.
Sunday 4 April 2010
Happy Easter
Happy Easter! It’s freezing. I want to go for a run, but it shouldn’t be this cold.
It’s Easter and in Scotland, just as in the USA, this means a lot of people made it to church today. Unfortunately, if you hadn’t been to church since Christmas, then you didn’t know that St. Columba’s was holding mass three doors down in the Parish Hall while the church is renovated. More unfortunate for those hoping to go unnoticed, was that you could see all the people pulling on the locked church door from the parish hall. I felt bad for them, even if it was moderately amusing.
(I have fair bit of respect for the often ridiculed “two-timers” whom I have heard called out during these solemn masses (“We do this every week”). Think of the courage it takes to go to Church on a day when you know that a large portion of the church is going to resent that you are there. There seemed to be none of that at Columba’s this morning, but I know from experience that somewhere a reasonably courageous attendee felt alienated rather than welcomed. I'd love it if I heard something like "We're so happy to have all of you here with us to celebrate Easter, and we invite you to celebrate the Resurrection with us as often as you can.")
On Friday, Edit (a Heatherlea resident from Hungary) went through great pains to explain a bizarre Easter tradition in Hungary. She said that on Easter, her, mother, sister and she would try to leave early in the morning to get out of the city and spent the day hiking in mountains. She described it as sneaking out of the city. Why? Because in Hungary, men douse the women with very cold water, or worse, perfume. I didn't fully understand her explanation, but I found one here. Edit says the custom has roots in a traditional story that the women at the tomb were doused with water by guards to make them leave and also that this represents a kind of re-baptism. Anyway, it's interesting albeit odd.
Last night I stayed up late watching the Final Four. There are only two legitimate reasons for not wanting Butler to win on Monday: 1) you have a direct affiliation with Duke, 2) you have no idea what I am talking about. Other than that, Butler winning the national championship would be the most awesome thing in college sports since I started paying attention, roughly a quarter of a century ago. (See what I did there…like a sportscaster I made it seem like a long time!)
I watched the games, and the first four rounds, on the CBS March Madness on Demand free online game player. During the first four rounds, the MMOD (as it’s called) had its own half-time show. For the semi-finals, it was the real thing. First of all, it was very funny that the three talking heads did not know that they were live on MMOD for about five minutes before they started their half time show. But more importantly, did you watch President Obama shoot hoops? That was really impressive and fun to watch. If you’ve ever spent endless hours playing horse or 21, then you understood how real that interaction was and how solid his long range set shot is. If you missed it, I attached it below.
Regardless of your political persuasion, this was just a genuine 48-year-old man draining long-range threes like a 28 year old. I like the end where he acknowledges the reality of his victory, both in that Kellogg gave him a little, and that this was a bad idea. For sure, the best comment is when he tells Kellogg, "I've a got a few other things on my mind." Well, actually, the best part is the back to back threes from three feet behind the bonus stripe.
I encourage you to watch this if you haven't seen it. If you don't have 4:48 skip to the 2:00 minute mark. If you don't have 2:48, skip to the final minute.
Watch CBS News Videos Online
PS: In March I did 1420 push-ups. In April I will shoot for 2000.
PSS: The wanderers of the Heatherlea are having a meal together this evening. It should be a hoot!
PSSS: If I find an open pub, I'll do some whisky tasting later tonight!
It’s Easter and in Scotland, just as in the USA, this means a lot of people made it to church today. Unfortunately, if you hadn’t been to church since Christmas, then you didn’t know that St. Columba’s was holding mass three doors down in the Parish Hall while the church is renovated. More unfortunate for those hoping to go unnoticed, was that you could see all the people pulling on the locked church door from the parish hall. I felt bad for them, even if it was moderately amusing.
(I have fair bit of respect for the often ridiculed “two-timers” whom I have heard called out during these solemn masses (“We do this every week”). Think of the courage it takes to go to Church on a day when you know that a large portion of the church is going to resent that you are there. There seemed to be none of that at Columba’s this morning, but I know from experience that somewhere a reasonably courageous attendee felt alienated rather than welcomed. I'd love it if I heard something like "We're so happy to have all of you here with us to celebrate Easter, and we invite you to celebrate the Resurrection with us as often as you can.")
On Friday, Edit (a Heatherlea resident from Hungary) went through great pains to explain a bizarre Easter tradition in Hungary. She said that on Easter, her, mother, sister and she would try to leave early in the morning to get out of the city and spent the day hiking in mountains. She described it as sneaking out of the city. Why? Because in Hungary, men douse the women with very cold water, or worse, perfume. I didn't fully understand her explanation, but I found one here. Edit says the custom has roots in a traditional story that the women at the tomb were doused with water by guards to make them leave and also that this represents a kind of re-baptism. Anyway, it's interesting albeit odd.
Last night I stayed up late watching the Final Four. There are only two legitimate reasons for not wanting Butler to win on Monday: 1) you have a direct affiliation with Duke, 2) you have no idea what I am talking about. Other than that, Butler winning the national championship would be the most awesome thing in college sports since I started paying attention, roughly a quarter of a century ago. (See what I did there…like a sportscaster I made it seem like a long time!)
I watched the games, and the first four rounds, on the CBS March Madness on Demand free online game player. During the first four rounds, the MMOD (as it’s called) had its own half-time show. For the semi-finals, it was the real thing. First of all, it was very funny that the three talking heads did not know that they were live on MMOD for about five minutes before they started their half time show. But more importantly, did you watch President Obama shoot hoops? That was really impressive and fun to watch. If you’ve ever spent endless hours playing horse or 21, then you understood how real that interaction was and how solid his long range set shot is. If you missed it, I attached it below.
Regardless of your political persuasion, this was just a genuine 48-year-old man draining long-range threes like a 28 year old. I like the end where he acknowledges the reality of his victory, both in that Kellogg gave him a little, and that this was a bad idea. For sure, the best comment is when he tells Kellogg, "I've a got a few other things on my mind." Well, actually, the best part is the back to back threes from three feet behind the bonus stripe.
I encourage you to watch this if you haven't seen it. If you don't have 4:48 skip to the 2:00 minute mark. If you don't have 2:48, skip to the final minute.
Watch CBS News Videos Online
PS: In March I did 1420 push-ups. In April I will shoot for 2000.
PSS: The wanderers of the Heatherlea are having a meal together this evening. It should be a hoot!
PSSS: If I find an open pub, I'll do some whisky tasting later tonight!
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