Whiskies

 One night we were having dinner at the Koboses, that is Gerry and Debbie's house in Sugarland. Gerry brought out a bottle of whisky green in color named Laphroiag. We tasted the content and agreed that it was horrible. It tasted like turpentine to me. So we desist in drinking it any further. On the way home Gerry gave me the bottle. That was Sunday night. The next day Monday I took a jigger of the Laphroaig and it really tasted horrible. I did this every evening for four nights and everytime it tasted horrible. On Friday I did it again. But this time when I had a sip it taste great! Is it the same bottle? Yes indeed it is the same bottle. Laphroiag a single malt scotch whisky made from Scotland in the Island of Islay. I realized it is an acquired taste and now I love it. That started my love for single malt whisky. 

I learned a lot about whiskies from reading books upon books. The island of Islay is unique because that small island have about ten or so whisky distilleries. And all of them are my favorite such as Lagavulin, Bowmore, Ardbeg, Laphroaig, Caol Ila, Bunnahabhain, Bruickladdich, Octomore, Kilchoman, Port Ellen.

My favorite are Lagavulin and Ardbeg the former I consider the best single malt whisky in all of Scotland. But at first and until now my favorite drinking whisky is Ardbeg. I joined the Single Malt Society of the US but I find their selection lacking and the price too high. For a time I was importing whiskies directly from stores in Scotland. Now I have a small collection at home. My prize possession are four bottles: Bowmore Sea Dragon 30 years old that I bought in Houston, my first whisky for collection; Ardbeg 1977; Ardbeg Mhor 4.5liters; Ardbeg OMC 1967 32 years. I don't know when I will open these bottles. Maybe Omar and Raymond will inherit them. The prize keep on going up, the Sea Dragon is about $7,000. 

For everyday drinking I like any of the ordinary release single malts and Johnny Walker Black Label. Raymond seem to prefer the cheaper Red Label. Omar has varied taste. I also like to have Chardonnay for everyday drinking. My favorite is the box-type made by Francia. Cheap but taste good. 

At one time I was into aging whisky in oak barrels. Yes I bought

smaller version of oak cask, filled it up with cheap whisky and let it age for various period of time. The most change I've seen is the color the whisky turning from white to red-brown just like the one you buy. As for the taste I couldn't detect any change. I even bottled them with my own labels.