This is the strange tasting Whisky that I bought before Christmas; the one that tasted of Tar.
I've written previously about how I trained myself to like Pastis (you can't not like Pastis, living in France), and I was eventually successful.
Recently I've been trying to train myself to like this strange tar-tasting 'Aerstone' Whisky, and I think I'm almost getting there. I'm beginning to 'tolerate' it.
I certainly wasn't going to throw it away, and the tar flavour rules-out using it in cooking, so I simply had to drink it. I am now getting used to the flavour, although I can't really claim to like it. It has one heck of a bite.
Just a tiny drop each evening before bed, and I shall probably finish it before investing in my next Winter bottle of Single Malt, next December.
I shan't buy Aerstone again; I shall stick with the more well-known brands, they're probably less expensive too.
And then there is the question whether it's Whiskey or Whisky. Don't ask me. In the immortal words of hapless Manuel, the Spanish waiter in Fawlty Towers: I know nothing.
ReplyDeleteI do admire your heroic efforts to down stuff you don't even like - in order to finish the bottle. What's the sink for if not to discard that which isn't to your taste? Mind you, you could always water your thimble down with, well, water. A bit like Pernod. Pastis, incidentally, a summer drink I adore. One measure and a jar of ice cold water (replaced at regular intervals) for topping up will last your forever. And, yes, Aniseed is my thing. Which reminds me: Have you ever grown fennel?
U
No I've never grown Fennel, nor have I ever bought any. It's not really my taste. With Pastis it was essential to train myself, but I draw a line. I could never bring myself to pour Single Malt down the drain (even though it would probably make a good drain cleaner), I shall continue to suffer for the sake of my purse!
DeleteA bit like the old retsina here. That first glass was rough but the more you drank the better it got.
ReplyDeleteYes, I think I had to train myself to like Retsina too. Now, of course, I love it.
DeletePerhaps it's distilled for Whiskey drinkers rather than those who prefer Whisky.
ReplyDeleteYears ago I trained myself to drink and enjoy draught Guiness - I loved the cute half pint mug glasses that were then available.
I've always love Draught Guinness. When I was a student I used to drink it 50/50 with cider; I must have ben crazy.
DeleteMany others being crazy with you.
DeleteSnakebite was a very popular drink in the 1970s. I was working in pubs at the time and it took a fair amount of skill to pour a good Snakebite. It was also made with Guinness and Lager. Guinness and blackcurrant was also popular.
The very idea of it these days makes me shudder! Today my Guinness comes neat.
DeleteAerstone Land Cask is an excellent Islay malt... I love it... the peatiness cuts through grease.
ReplyDeleteAerstone Sea Cask is nice, but I find Talisker [from Skye] far nicer.
I was taught to drink whisky watered... two fingers whisky, one finger water... as it brings out the esters that are hidden.
The head brewer at Adnams in Suffolk was also a blender for Distillers Co. and gave us Sixth Formers a wonderful lecture after our A-Levels [with tastings - we were almost 18 after all!!].... we were able to taste all the regions and for me, it was the Islay malts that stuck... downstairs I have bottles of all but Lagavulin [bottle just finished, 86€ to replace.... it will be... but at that price, not yet!!]
That is followed by the other Isles [Jura, Skye, etc] and the West Highland malts.... the whiskies from Central and Lowland Scotland are a bit too bland for me... drinkable, but meh!
The wonderful Welsh Penderyn Distillery creates a superb range of flavours and, crossing the channel, Eddu [who do a wonderful buckwheat whisky, "Silver"] and Amorik distill excellent whisky.... there is also a Basque region one, Haran, that is very pleasant, better than many average Scotch malts.
I think my current favourites are Singleton and Aberlour, which are both very smooth, and delicious. The Balvenie my son gave me for Christmas '23 was superb also. There are so many I need to try.
DeleteTry the Japanese ones.... excellent.... the distiller learnt his trade in Scotland... working for twenty years in a number of distilleries around the country.
DeleteI was given one called Taketsuru. It was superb.
DeleteAerstone whisky is a Speyside style whisky, made and matured near Girvan in Ayrshire by Grants
DeleteAnd yes.... there are far too many to try in a dozen lifetimes!!
ReplyDeleteAnd I don't have too many Christmases left!
DeleteThere is not much that I don't like when it comes to food and drink but, whiskey is a no no as I don't think it likes me and, I would not be accepted in France as I don't like that aniseed taste ! I can't do coriander either as it tastes of soap .... I read somewhere it has something to do with some peoples saliva and taste buds ! XXXX
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about Coriander; too much of it and tastes exactly like soap.
DeleteI have a few bottles, I will probably never finish.
ReplyDeleteI bought a bottle of Armagnac last November; it remains unopened.
Deletei would have poured that bottle down the drain. Drinking something that vile on a daily basis has to be awful. Consider every other day, if you must. I still like the drain solution...
ReplyDeleteI'm getting used to it, but I can't yet say I'm enjoying it. I'm hoping that by the time I finish it, it'll be my favourite Whisky! Some hope!
DeleteI suspect there is a mis-spelling on the label. It should read "Arsetone".
ReplyDeleteThat certainly goes better with the taste!
DeleteTaking notes here. :)
ReplyDeleteI hope it's good advice!
Delete