On the First of May, well actually the evening before, my brother and I set off on a road trip to New Jersey. It was the second consecutive weekend wedding for me to attend.
I must admit that sixteen hours in the car crushes mind, body and spirit. Dinner and a nap became the plan upon arrival. We set foot in the driveway of my brother's friend in the early afternoon. So lunch and short naps were in order. At least that is what I did. My brother ran off for wedding clothing fitting, etc.
Drinking ensued throughout the afternoon. Vacation is good. Early evening coffee came next. Can't go to bed at 7 o'clock! Late dinner. Food coma. Bed calling me. Pajamas.... sleepy time.....Pub. What? It's 10:30 at night. We are going to a pub now?
Just down the road we were shuttled to this must-see pub run by a guy named John. He had whisky there too. In fact there were four that I tried.
Here they are:
*Glen Garioch 1797 Founders Reserve 48% ABV
-smelled light wood with honey and raisin (1 st time ever!)
-tasted light peppery oak with raisin
-trailed bitter oak
-with water smelled sweet raisin
-tasted raisin bread/bitter oak
First time I have ever tasted raisin in a whisky.
*Ardmore Traditional Cask 46% ABV
-smelled mossy/leathery with light sweetness
-tasted amazingly sweet on the tongue
-slight peppermint
-trailed wood
-with water smelled like leather-less sweet
-tasted slightly bitter oak
Water ruined this!
*Auchentoshan Springwood 40% ABV
-smelled light bourbon
-tasted sweet at first
-went quickly to oak, peppery finish
-with water smelled lighter oak and bourbon
-tasted chalky, bitter wood - quickly went to sour
Water ruined this as well.
*Usquaebach 15 yr 43% ABV
-smelled peppery cinnamon bun
-tasted chalky, peppery, sweet oak
-with water - flattened sweetness, light oak
-tasted lighter, sweet oak
Water made this easier to drink without killing the flavor and sweetness.
I must admit that sixteen hours in the car crushes mind, body and spirit. Dinner and a nap became the plan upon arrival. We set foot in the driveway of my brother's friend in the early afternoon. So lunch and short naps were in order. At least that is what I did. My brother ran off for wedding clothing fitting, etc.
Drinking ensued throughout the afternoon. Vacation is good. Early evening coffee came next. Can't go to bed at 7 o'clock! Late dinner. Food coma. Bed calling me. Pajamas.... sleepy time.....Pub. What? It's 10:30 at night. We are going to a pub now?
Just down the road we were shuttled to this must-see pub run by a guy named John. He had whisky there too. In fact there were four that I tried.
Here they are:
*Glen Garioch 1797 Founders Reserve 48% ABV
-smelled light wood with honey and raisin (1 st time ever!)
-tasted light peppery oak with raisin
-trailed bitter oak
-with water smelled sweet raisin
-tasted raisin bread/bitter oak
First time I have ever tasted raisin in a whisky.
*Ardmore Traditional Cask 46% ABV
-smelled mossy/leathery with light sweetness
-tasted amazingly sweet on the tongue
-slight peppermint
-trailed wood
-with water smelled like leather-less sweet
-tasted slightly bitter oak
Water ruined this!
*Auchentoshan Springwood 40% ABV
-smelled light bourbon
-tasted sweet at first
-went quickly to oak, peppery finish
-with water smelled lighter oak and bourbon
-tasted chalky, bitter wood - quickly went to sour
Water ruined this as well.
*Usquaebach 15 yr 43% ABV
-smelled peppery cinnamon bun
-tasted chalky, peppery, sweet oak
-with water - flattened sweetness, light oak
-tasted lighter, sweet oak
Water made this easier to drink without killing the flavor and sweetness.
I know what you are thinking about the Lesstrees Pub. "Yeah. So what? Clean bathrooms, uncrowded bar. Late night drink with the owner. Why all the fuss?" I will tell you.
THIS PUB IS 100% INSIDE JOHN'S BASEMENT! YEP. THE ENTIRE THING IS IN PART (yes his basement is bigger than this) OF THE BASEMENT OF HIS HOUSE. You can go back and look at the pictures again now...............It now makes sense why I took a picture of a urinal in a pub bathroom.
That was a once in a lifetime experience. Thank you, John. Thank you Chad. Thanks for bringing me along, Sean.
THIS PUB IS 100% INSIDE JOHN'S BASEMENT! YEP. THE ENTIRE THING IS IN PART (yes his basement is bigger than this) OF THE BASEMENT OF HIS HOUSE. You can go back and look at the pictures again now...............It now makes sense why I took a picture of a urinal in a pub bathroom.
That was a once in a lifetime experience. Thank you, John. Thank you Chad. Thanks for bringing me along, Sean.
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