Keith Devens .com

How come I haven't seen you online in a while?

I know you're into whisky, but don't overlook brandies and armagnacs. I have tried some of the best whiskies out there, and, as a matter of personal preference, I've always returned to superb brandies and armagnacs. In general, I find them much easier to drink. Even my Wall St. whisky-drinking friends have been shocked.

For the past couple of years, I've been slowly drinking a bottle of 1979 Patriarch Special Family Reserve Brandy, and it's a killer. More recently I've been into the newer Duc de Loussac XO Bas Armagnac. Both of these bottles are in the $50 range, and are rated among the top spirits on the market. Check 'em out.

Might I recommend the 10 year cask strength?

Also, a good 16 year Lagavulin is always something of beauty.

Don't religions frown on drinking?

Well, wine IS part of the Eucharist, after all.

Some religions ban alcohol, some frown upon it, but it's definitely not universal.

Awesome, thanks for the recommendations you two. Keep 'em coming! As for overlooking other types of alcohol, I'm really new at this. Scotch is basically the first kind of liquor that I really liked, but I haven't even tried most others, including brandy and armagnacs (which I haven't even heard of).

What's nice about me liking scotch now is that other types of liquor are cheap in comparison! So I won't be reluctant to go out and buy a bottle even if maybe I hadn't tried it before.

How come I haven't seen you online in a while?

Bunch of reasons, including that I've been busy with school, I've installed Linux (so, whenever I've been using it I haven't used IM... I'll probably have to bite the bullet and use Gaim), and I got myself a membership to the Internet Chess Club, so I've been playing a lot of chess, and when I play chess I don't have IM on. I've been on IM a little, but not much.

Well, wine IS part of the Eucharist, after all.

Yeah, but that's part of a ceremony. People don't drink it in large quanitites for pleasure.

You may be interested in Drinking With Calvin and Luther!: A History of Alcohol in the Church.

I'm glad to see you're still enjoying the scotch tour. I hope you get the chance to try the Oban or maybe already have. Thanks to your other commenters, as well, they've reminded me of some of the single malts I haven't tried and some I hadn't heard of before. I don't have any problem praising God for the gift of fermentation, for the senses that appreciate its products, and for the modicum of wisdom I have to do so in moderation. Best regards.

I like Ben Franklin's quote: "Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy."

By the same logic, couldn't the same things be said about marijuana, cocaine, heroin, et al?

One more comment about whisky, which is obvious: most women won't touch the stuff. If you're going to be entertaining a lady-friend, make sure you have something (anything!) else to drink.

I usually drink the 10 year old Laphroaig and just saw that the local store had a 15 year old for $81. I wondered if it was worth the splurge. If you have had the 10 year could I get your comparison. I drink famous grouse when I feel like a blended whiskey. It is a less of strain on the wallet.

Thanks.

If you're going to be entertaining a lady-friend, make sure you have something (anything!) else...

Thanks for the tip!

If you have had the 10 year could I get your comparison.

Sorry, I haven't had the 10 year.

"most women won't touch the stuff"

It's true. Suggestion: Rum or Amerretto for mixing with Dr. Pepper or Coke.

I love amaretto myself so I'll definitely have some on hand. I don't think I've ever had rum though. More for me to try when I get my own liquor cabinet when I get my own place

When I have friends over, I find that people tend to stick to beer or wine, and skip the mixed drinks. That leaves me with unopened bottles of vodka/gin/bourbon. I always try to find out beforehand what people like. That way I know if I'm dealing with someone who only drinks gin & tonic, or scotch (maybe because of its favor in Atkins circles).

If you hang with an older crowd, it's good to also have wine and perhaps J&B scotch, which can be mixed with soda and a twist. If you hang with college crowd, I guess you should swap the J&B with a bottle of tequila. In my area (NJ), rum is more for frozen drinks, but there are interesting specialty rums that are becoming available, and these are pretty good for sipping. Here's a list of top spirits from the Wine Enthusiast magazine:

http://www.thefiftybest.com/wine_enthusiast/2004spirits01.htm

If you're with someone who you just met, beer is probably your best common denominator. Your girlfriend might enjoy amaretto or frangelico, but most early-dating scenarios involve more conservative choices.

...i think my dad owns a square foot plot of the island where they make laphroaig...