Week 1 in The Year of Drinking Adventurously. Scots Whiskey. (Find all 52 weeks here.)

While the rest of you all are hitting the gym, drinking barley grass smoothies for breakfast and giving up refined flour and sugar, I am starting the new year by flying in the face of convention. This is the year of drinking adventurously!  (All things in moderation, dear friends.  I am not advocating overindulgence.)

Based on Jeff Cioletti’s book of the same title, my adventure will take me (figuratively) around the globe to sample the potent potables of the world.   (And possibly go broke – life’s too short to drink cheap booze, after all.)  Each week, I’ll let you know how I enjoyed the beverage of choice and hopefully find a way to tie it into writing.  This is a writing blog, remember?

I’m joining my friend Lula on this tour.  You can see how she traveled the globe here.  And follow Jeff’s blog, here.

Week one:  Scots whiskey

I do enjoy my whiskey.  Especially in the winter when comforting heat can be had in a glass.  I’m not above drinking a blended whiskey but prefer the single malt.

There are differences among the regional varieties that I won’t go into here.  If you want to know, Jeff’s book has a nice overview.

My liquor cabinet currently holds Dalwhinnie Highland Malt Scotch Whiskey.

 

 

 

The Laphroaig is one of my favorites but I know it’s not for everyone. I grimaced at my first sip of Laphroaig.  But I fell in love after the second.  Jeff’s book compares it to “kissing a supermodel who smokes.”

 

Or if you prefer, kissing Aidan Turner:

Sorry, I’ve been looking for an excuse to post a photo of Aidan Turner.  Anyway…  I take my Scotch neat or with just one ice cube.  I’ve never had a Scotch cocktail; not even the classic Rob Roy or Rusty Nail.  Why mess with a good thing?

At the end of the day, whether it be a day I spent in practice or a day spent writing and editing, it is a joy to savor that glass of liquid smoke.  Sometimes there is a flash of inspiration in that last sip – one that has me pulling out my notebook and pen, scribbling furiously while the words roll off the tongue of the invisible narrator.  So fill your glass with a dram of good Scots whiskey.  And find a beautiful companion to share it with! (Here’s more Aidan.  Sorry, couldn’t help myself.  Wait.  Why am I apologizing?!?)