Friday, February 17, 2012

I love scotch. Scotchy, scotch, scotch.

Last night, we channeled our inner Ron Burgundy and attended a scotch tasting at P Brennan's. I've never  been a scotch fan, but mostly because I don't know anything about it. I've started to realize that it's like wine: people who are alcoholics enthusiasts genuinely enjoy drinking it for the taste, not just because it takes you from zero to sixty in 1 glass {that's just an added bonus}. I figured this was a great excuse for a  "proper introduction" so that I can enjoy or dislike the drink for a reason.

Just like the other tastings we've done, we sampled 4 top tier brands while listening to the scotch master himself, Mr. Eoghain Clavin, ramble explain the drink's back story, how it's made, the differences between the 4 brands, how to properly taste them, what flavors to expect, and a bunch of other things I can't remember b/c I blacked out circa 9:00 pm. {Ok not really... but close}.
Glenmorangi LaSanta, Macallan 15, Laphroaig, Glenkinchie
Map of where the Scotch Whiskey comes from- 4 regions in Scotland 
Here it goes down, down into my belly...  

Zeke's Baltimore co-workers who are fond of Scotchy Scotch Scotch came to visit.
Cute old man. With 6 inch ears.
Dinner menu: Scotch Eggs, Forfar Bridies (Scottish meat pastry), Smoked Salmon Sushi Roll,
and apple turnover + bonus scotch for dessert
Real bagpiper!
Trouble
Napkin race- loser buys shots! 
I was the loser. I paid for these smiles.
Here's what I learned from the whole ordeal:
- Scotch tastes a lot like whiskey. Because it IS whiskey. 
- 1 ice cube makes a huge difference in the taste.
- Don't drink it like a shot or you will die.
- Glenmorangi is dangerously delicious. 
- If someone tells you a scotch tastes "peaty", it means it tastes like your clothes smell after you stand by a campfire. It's actually really bizarre.
-  Don't ever, under any circumstances, drink 5 pours of scotch Thursday night. Unless you don't have anything to do on Friday {like work}.
- Making bets are fun until you lose and wake up with a receipt in your purse for 7 Jameson shots that you don't remember.
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It's a quiet Friday night around the Smith casa. I'm about to hit the hay.... Zeke is at the Big Gigantic concert at the 930 club in DC with the boys, and I have to be up at 6:00 am for a 7 mile run with my newly formed running trio. It's supposed to be 55 and sunny tomorrow {thank you baby Jesus}, so I'm excited to enjoy the weather, soak up some gorgeous DC scenery, and pretend that I'm not panicking about the half marathon that's one month from today.

Have a great weekend and happy President's Day!