I'm so happy.
There's something I've been looking for for ages, and yesterday I found it.
Every Winter I buy myself just one bottle of really good and expensive Single Malt Whisky. This year's bottle comes from the small distillery of Aerstone, and as I have yet to broach it, I have great hopes.
The best Whiskies require a really good glass, something that compliments it perfectly. Whisky glasses come in all shapes and sizes, but the very best must be the heavy antique Scottish crystal glasses in the form of a Thistle. They simply feel 'correct'.
I'd looked on various web sites, but nothing quite came up to scratch, or they were sold in sets. Some were wildly expensive antiques, and beyond my set limit.
Brighton's 'Snoopers Paradise' antique market in Kensington Gardens, is awash with interesting things, as are all such shops the world over. You can imagine my delight when I spotted exactly what I'd been looking for, and at the right price; which so rarely happens.
Anyway, here it is, and on account of a very small chip, it cost me just £6. I shall treasure it, and use it, every Winter from henceforth.
Oh! Enjoy, Cro!
ReplyDeleteHappy Solstice to you and your family.
I will indeed. Thank you.
DeleteOh wow, that's beautiful Cro, what a bargain, it was obviously just waiting for you to come along! It'll make your whisky all the more enjoyable. Happy Xmas Cro and all your family, have a good one.
ReplyDeleteIt really will, I can hardly wait to use it. It's such a good feeling to find exactly what one's been hunting for.
DeleteJust bought a new bottle of this.... a very tasty drop! Not as keen on the Sea one... even though I like Talisker!
ReplyDeleteAnd a crystal Thistle, even with a chip.... very nice. You can probably get it polished out, too...
One thing about living in France... every supermarket is a branch of Whisky World.... the French love their whisky!!
Found a single malt called Glen Grant... dead cheap, so decided to try it knowing I could cook with it. Very smooth and tasty... it has gone up a bit since Brexit... but still very good value for money.
Enjoy your thistle-do tipples!
NB: Glen Grant doesn't come from William... it's another mob!
DeleteMost of my really good single malts have been bought in France, and all around the E20-22 mark. I have had some beauties.
DeleteI can't drink whiskey ..... I got very drunk a couple of times in my 20's, once with Glenfiddich and another time with Southern Comfort .... so drunk that I was carried out of the pub !!!!! I was wondering, and it matters not a jot, but could that ' glass ' be a bud glass for a single flower specimen ? It doesn't matter though as it's perfect for a wee dram. XXXX
ReplyDeleteLady M said to me this morning that it looks like a vase! No, it really is a classic Edinburgh Whiskey glass. With single malt, I more enjoy the aroma. The taste is wonderful too, but it's that smell of the peat, etc, that I really love.
DeleteWell done that man!
ReplyDeleteHappy me!
Delete"Chestnuts roasting on an open fire..." and Father Christmas sitting in an armchair savouring an Ayrshire single malt before carrying on with his rounds.
ReplyDeleteSounds perfect. Now, where's my red suit?
DeleteI had you down as a straight out of the bottle man, behind a gravestone.
ReplyDeleteActually I'm a tiny, thimble-full, drinker of Whiskey. On a cold night I like the flavour of a good single malt on my tongue before bed! Sweet dreams are guaranteed.
DeleteI have much more than that! Not very often. The great thing about single malt is that it does not make you drunk - until you try to stand up - then you just fall over.
DeleteIf you want to get more, head for Sainsbugs...on offer for about £25...both the sea and the land.
ReplyDeleteWe tried the Aerstone this time..quite pleasant 🙂
One bottle per annum is usually enough but maybe this year.....
DeletePirate likes a dram with a dash of water before supper..but this is Scotland!
DeleteI always drink mine neat, but my late father always added half a drop of water.
DeleteA wise man your father..just that wee drop just releases the aroma and flavours
DeleteI agree with Lady M, as I used to have one ( when I collected cut crystal). It will be nice to hold though....easier than the straight sided ones. Think they were made so you can put ice cubes in. Enjoy your whiskey anyway!
ReplyDeleteI've looked online, and it certainly seems to be a whiskey glass. It wouldn't hold many flowers; daisies maybe.
DeleteThese little pleasures of life are so important and wise.
ReplyDeleteEssential even.
DeleteGlenfiddich is my favourite.
ReplyDeleteIn France I used to buy Singleton, which was very good.
DeleteUgh, I hate Scotch, but love Irish Whiskey, especially Redbreast 15 year old single still!
ReplyDeleteAfter Christmas lunch, when by family tradition, the men are clearing away, I love to sit, feet up, with a glass of Redbreast, with just the tiniest drop of water added!
I shall definitely be doing that this year, as daughter-in-law is cooking lunch, (apart from my legendary sausage, chestnut and cranberry stuffing loaf, which will have been made on Christmas eve and taken there with us), so it will be a relaxed day for me, for the first time in thirty eight years!!! X
I seem to have been given no duties at all. I shall probably make some canapés, just to be awkward, but otherwise it'll be my day off.
DeleteSorry, forgot to say that I'm with Lady M on the subject of the glass, I think it's a bud vase too.
ReplyDeleteA 'thistle' glass would be shorter and wider at the base! X
Well, you could both be right, but for me it's definitely a wee dram glass, in the Scottish style.
DeleteIf that small chip is on the rim, you may be able to smooth it with Ruby cloth. Found near the sandpapers in my hardware store.
ReplyDeleteIt is quite near the rim but not near enough to be annoying.
DeleteThe right glass does make a difference, aesthetically if not otherwise.
ReplyDeleteIn France I commissioned a set of dark green plates from a pottery in Provence. Eating from them makes all the difference to a meal. I'm hoping the glass will do the same for my wee dram.
DeleteChristmas is the time to indulge in something special and your (to be) cherished whisky glass makes it even more enjoyable. I heartedly approve. Cheers BigEars
ReplyDeleteThat's we say that too; big ears!!! I'm looking forward to using it, which may be about a week away.
DeleteYou will enjoy your whiskey even more using your new heavy whiskey glass. It seems this glass was just waiting for you. I have a set of Waterford whiskey glasses but your glass looks both heavier and more cut. Nice find. Happy Christmas.
ReplyDeleteThat's true, I will enjoy my 'dram' more than if I used a more basic glass. I can't wait!
DeleteIf I had seen the glass without your apt description I wouldn't have known it's solitary use.
ReplyDeleteThey're very distinctive, but only amongst the cognoscenti.
DeleteI hope I've helped with the recognition.
Yes, I shall recognize it forevermore.
DeleteHa ha.
DeleteThe glass is lovely
ReplyDeleteIt is, isn't it. I'm really pleased with it.
DeleteI have never seen a thistle shaped glass before, it's lovely. Most people on TV drink from ordinary shaped cut glass (crystal?) glasses so that's all I know.
ReplyDeleteIf you look online under 'Thistle shaped whiskey glasses' you'll see lots of them, and some of the prices are eyewatering.
Delete