What I'm Drinking: The Balvenie Caribbean Cask - Aged 14 Years

It's been two long years since my studies began on what I'll call The Art of Single Malt Scotch Whisky.  And all this time, I haven't purchased one bottle of the stuff. 

Until last weekend.

A close friend and neighbor of mine and I went to Total Wine, here in Charleston.  If you've never ventured into a Total Wine you're missing out.  It should be called Total Worth the Trip in Here.  And what I picked up was a bottle of white Bordeaux for the wife (which was aweful and don't recommend) and this:

My years of studies took me through the regions of Scotland where Scotch Whisky is produced, the various flavor profiles of the regions, and the best methods of tasting and enjoying.  But most of all, my studies taught me that this is the most misunderstood alcoholic beverage on the market.  Everywhere I go, I see men drinking it the totally incorrect way and even bartenders serving it incorrectly. 

This is what I'll call the idiots way of drinking it:





And the correct way:

The difference?  Shape and what's floating in it.  The proper Scotch Whisky glass is bell shaped like a tulip.  The Scotch Whisky sits in the bottom of the bell and as it's swirled, the nose (aroma) of the liquid is concentrated at the top of the glass.  From here, the die hards take a sip and enjoy while the majority of drinkers add a few drops of cool water.  NO FLIPPIN' ICE.  The water technically dilutes the scotch, but it also opens it up to allow the drinker to pick up the vast aroma and flavor profiles in each bottle.

So the bottle I purchased was aged in Caribbean Rum barrels instead of the traditional Oak and Sherry casks.  The sweet rum flavor and aroma is definitely noticeable.  The Balvenie is a Speyside (region of Scotland) distillery and as such doesn't contain a hint of peat, or rather smokey smell/taste.  The professional tasting notes suggest that I should pick up vanilla, toffee, dried spice and tropical fruit on the finish.  I must say that my palate is still so young that I can't pick up these flavors yet....maybe a little vanilla, but none of the others.  

My first rule of thumb when choosing a bottle is to read about it first here.  If I like the different flavors the Pros are saying are in it, then I know I'll like it.

Oh and for you ice nazi's - leave the frozen stuff for the blends - Dewars, Johnnie Walker, Bourdon.  And don't order a Single Malt on the rocks....you may impress the stewardess, but won't impress anyone who has a clue.

Enjoy!

My First Post...and Why?

My wife blogs. My wifes' friends blog. Their friends blog. And I READ THEM! So many blogs about decor, food, clothing, shopping, weddings, chic this, luxe that, domestic diva, aprons.....

I was beginning to feel a little girly -or- rather less-than-manly. Kinda like this...

So I'm snapping out of it and starting my own blog with the hopes that those who I read will read mine. And not because I want to be famous or want people to care about what I do with my life.

Not that at all.

It's because I want others to see how I view life from both sides of the wedding isle. I'm a Marine. I love my wife, classic cars, cleaning the house, drinking wine, smoking cigars, champagne, and our doggies' pink leash.

You'll read about the manly stuff and the girly stuff - but most importantly, what you'll read is the complete unedited truth about what it's like to be a real man in a world that tries to define what a real man is.

Enjoy!