We would like to thank everyone for coming over and cooking and sharing in the feast. Todd made some of his shortbread, with and without butterscotch, and Irish potatoes, with and without meat. Greg brought a soda bread that is-soon to be was-excellent. Pattie, one of our first time Whisky Club attendees, brought a plate that would appear to have been empty about ten minutes into the eating part of the meeting had we not seen and inhaled the pastries. She also had her son help us with the bottle of Paddy Irish Whisky that he brought directly from Ireland. Tonya's dip only lacked more bread. It tasted so good we broke out more slices after eating to get more of it. And a special thank to Tonya for her math skills. I am sitting here at my desk with the international thank you gesture. Or is it the opposite gesture?
Lesley and Nic were also new attendees, bringing with them chocolates and shortbread and, most cleverly, an authentic Irish Potcheen. Apparently this item was packed away in some luggage and is now in the IMWC collection. Thanks Nic and Leslie!
John was also attending his first meeting with us. Hopefully we have not scared him away forever. I had a nice conversation with him later in the evening. Todd spoke with him for some time also. It seems that John enjoyed himself and I certainly hope to see more of him at later meetings. He's got my vote, Todd!
The highlight of Chico's evening (our dog) was the return of Drew. He and Rebecca made it for this meeting which was a pleasant surprise. I did forget to compliment Drew on his kilt.
Another surprise of the evening, for us and not Chico, was the appearance of Terry. He cruised up on his motorcycle with a bag of wrenches being drug behind him. Oh that was the engine of his Ducati. It is always nice to see him.
Now to the whisky! Being our St Patty's Day meeting, we taste some fine, and sometimes not so fine, Irish, triple distilled whisky (or swill). The evening's selection included the Paddy Centenary, Tullamore Dew Phoenix, Teeling and the Irish Potcheen. My sinuses were packed so full from allergies I was afraid of what I might not taste that evening. The proper nasal decongestant and some Vicks opened them up enough for me to taste something.
*Paddy Centenary 7yr Blend 43%ABV
-smelled sweet cereal grain with citrus
-tasted oak with sweet in the middle
-trailed bitter oak
-with water smelled fruity with oak
-tasted very peppery oak!
Water ruined this! All the sweetness went away.
*Tullamore Dew Phoenix (finished in Olorosso cask) 55%ABV
-smelled sweet dessert
-tasted warmed, burnt dough
-trailed oak
-with water smelled slight caramel
-tasted oak pepper - bitter!
-slight sweet in the middle
-faded quickly to bitter oak
Water took away some of the sweetness.
*Teeling Whisky (finished 6 months in rum casks) 46%ABV
-smelled sweet citrus
-tasted oak with citrus sweet, almost lemon
-trailed very little oak and sweet at the end
-with water smelled weak oak
-tasted bitter at first then went to sweet
-faded quickly
Water did not ruin this. It does take the sweet punch away from the taste.
*Potcheen (Irish unaged spirit)
-smelled sweet corn
-tasted corn and wheat with a silty feeling in the mouth
-with water the burn was cut down and had very little to smell
-the silty, wheat taste was less sweet and faded quickly
Water did not ruin this at all. The alcohol content was not as high as I though it would be. At least the burn was not. It reminded me of some wheat whiskies I have tried.