Eleven ABBA members met on the evening of October 15th at the Jackson’s to play games of Cribbage, Rummikub and Chinese Checkers.  Much chatter and some friendly rivalry made for a fun evening.

Submitted by Sharon Jackson

Only a few members were able to come to our October meeting but as always, very interesting discussions from the books read.

Lyn reported on the women from the USA that were in Vietnam…especially a young woman who lost her much loved brother in that war.  We discussed the protests occurring during that era.  The dynamics of this girl’s family were very much part of her story.  Her Father never recognized her efforts to remember her brother’s life!  She became a nurse and went to work in Vietnam during the war.

Kathy is reading Nexus!  We, as usual, got into some interesting discussions!  We discussed how the workplace has changed over the years and how it will be affected in the future.  We questioned how the media will change and wonder where will we get information that is TRUE.  We will definitely see changes in politics.  We will, hopefully, see advances in science and research!  How will our personal lives be affected?

Toine read  The Tennis Player.  That was an appropriate book for Toine.  It is a true story about a relationship that develops between a surgeon and a young intern who is going through drug addiction.  We were interested in the fact that it was written by Abraham Verghese!

The book Dolores read  is The Little Drummer Girl.  It is the story of a young British actress who gets recruited to work as a spy by the Isrealis.  John Le Carré, the author, was a spy for Britain during the Cold War …so he writes from experience!  Since he was a spy in real life, he had to use a pen name.  He really develops the characters the the first half of the book.  It depicts the grief of people involved in the Israeli/ Palestinian conflict … and the toll it takes on this young woman who gets involved as a spy.  This book was made into a movie.

Submitted by Jo Graham

8 Weedrammers gathered at Ron W’s on October 1 for our “September” get-together.  COVID played a role in our meeting this month, delaying things from our original September date.  All’s well that ends well however and the group was able to enjoy another couple of drams and each other’s company for a fun fall evening.

This time, we turned to Gordon and McPhail to provide the drams (No’s 178 and 179).  G&M is a well-known independent bottler and distributor of Scotch Whisky with a long history (since 1895) of providing an extensive range of single malts from various distilleries (they don’t produce their own whisky but rather purchase casks from other distilleries and then matures, bottles and labels them under their own name).  Gordon and McPhail have established a solid reputation among enthusiasts and collectors.

On this occasion, Ron turned to the Discovery range from G&M.  Two drams, Tormore 13 yr old and Mortlach 15 year old were on tap. Both are from Speyside; both are very pleasant.

Our first dram, the Tormore 13 year old comes from an obscure distillery started in the 1950’s.  The distillery is not open to the public and tends to sell its product to companies such as Gordon and McPhail for distribution.  A quick summary describes the Tormore 13 this way:

• Appearance: typically has a bright, golden amber hue. Its color reflects a nice level of maturation, suggesting a well-balanced interaction with the cask.
• Nose: a pleasant mix of fresh fruit notes, such as ripe apples and pears. There may also be hints of honey, vanilla, and subtle maltiness. Sometimes, you might pick up a touch of floral or herbal undertones, which add complexity.
• Palate: often mirrors the nose, with a continuation of fruity notes—perhaps a bit more pronounced. Expect flavors like juicy orchard fruits, sweet malt, and a gentle spiciness. The oak influence is usually present but well-integrated, providing a smooth, creamy texture without overwhelming the primary flavors.
• Finish: clean and moderately long, with lingering fruit and malt notes. You might also notice a hint of spice or oak that gives the whisky a bit of warmth and depth as it fades.

The Tormore 13 Year Old is a well-rounded Speyside whisky. It offers a balanced profile with a good mix of fruitiness, sweetness, and subtle spice. It’s approachable for those new to single malts but also nuanced enough for seasoned whisky enthusiasts.

43% ABV; Available at ‘The Landing in Nanaimo and priced at $105.75 before taxes

Second up was the Mortlach 15.  This was certainly the ‘winner’ for this evening! 

Mortlach distillery is a distiller of Scotch whisky in Dufftown, Moray, Scotland. Founded in 1823, and after many years in the portfolio of Johnny Walker, the distillery is currently owned by Diageo. The whisky is a key component in several Johnnie Walker bottlings, and Diageo also markets four Mortlach single malts.

Mortlach 15 Distiller’s Edition from Gordon and McPhail is a special release. The “Distiller’s Edition” typically refers to a special bottling that is curated with particular attention to quality and often involves unique cask selections or finishes.  Here’s what you might expect from this expression:

• Nose: Rich and aromatic, with hints of dark fruits, spices, and possibly a touch of sherry sweetness.
• Palate: Full-bodied and complex, featuring flavors of dried fruit, baking spices, and a bit of oak or leather.
• Finish: Long and warming, with lingering notes of fruit and spice.

The Mortlach 15 Distiller’s Edition offers depth and complexity that reflects both the distillery’s character and the expertise of the independent bottler.

46% ABV; Available at ‘The Landing in Nanaimo and priced at $141.56 before taxes

As usual, a selection of appies accompanied the drams.  On this occasion, cold meats, lox and cream cheese, a selection of cheeses (Soft blue, Manchego and Brie), BBQ tenderloin with Major Grey Chutney and sweet pickles and the obligatory dark chocolate were served.

Our next tasting will be hosted by Bill H on October 22nd.

On Wednesday, September 25^th, seven members and one guest took part in a painting class at the Oceanside Art Studio in Qualicum Beach.  With wine and snacks we were able to stimulate our creative juices and produce some colourful works of art.  A great way to spend a rainy afternoon. 

submitted by Wendy Hayes

A  group of us enjoyed a leisurely lunch at Piper’s Pub in Nanaimo, which has reopened under new management with a new menu. Good company and service with delicious food made for a very enjoyable couple of hours.

submitted by Heather Utley, photos by Ethel Vincent Lambert

ABBA is back after a summer hiatus, with 10 members enjoying a fun evening this past Tuesday at the Sali’s, refreshing their “A” games, learning new tricks and strategies, and catching up on the summer adventures of their fellow members.

Submitted by Sharon Jackson

For August, the Weedrammers (all 10 of us) were treated to a special evening hosted by Bo H. at his new digs in Berwick Parksville. A beautiful meeting space was provide for the gathering complete with a wonderful selection of appies specially prepared for our event.

To top it off, Bo was able to secure two new whiskies.  Neither were familiar to the group; both are available from our local BCLB stores.

On this evening Bo started with the Glasgow 1770, a Lowland single malt produced by The Glasgow Distillery Company (established in 2014 in a city dating back to 1770 and much earlier). A relatively new but ambitious player in the world of Scotch whisky, the Glasgow Distillery Company aims to revive Glasgow’s whisky heritage. Their vision is to create a modern whisky that honours traditional craftsmanship.  The whisky is crafted using traditional methods but also incorporates some modern techniques. It’s made from malted barley and aged in a combination of American oak and sherry casks, giving it a distinctive profile.

Tasting notes for this dram are nicely summarized on the BCLB website:  “The palate is well balanced and smooth with vibrant vanilla, soft caramel and double cream opening up to succulent orchard fruits and berries followed by delicate floral notes alongside a sweet almond nuttiness.”

Glasgow 1770 is available at BCLB and is priced at $104.00 ABV is46%

Bo’s second selection was Mossburn – Torabhaig Allt Gleann a single malt Scotch whisky produced by Mossburn Distillers, another relatively new but notable player in the whisky industry. Established in 2011 Mossburn Distillers was founded with the intention of creating high-quality whiskies while paying homage to traditional Scottish methods.  Torabhaig is located on the Isle of Skye, Scotland. The distillery was founded in 2017 and is one of the newest distilleries on the island.  It reflects a commitment to producing high-quality Scotch whisky with a distinct regional character. The whisky is made from 100% malted barley and is aged in a combination of ex-bourbon and sherry casks. The use of both types of casks helps to create a complex flavour profile.

Tasting notes for this dram are nicely summarized on the BCLB website: 

“95 Points, Whisky Advocate, “Salt air, light smoke, chocolate, ginger and earthy notes on the nose. A fruity palate, fresh raspberries, vanilla and aged oak. The peat is beautifully interwoven, with a balance of berries and light smoke, followed by a long, fruity, flavourful finish. Gentle yet complex.” March 2024”

Available at local BCLB stores, the dram is priced at $124.99 ABV 46% Isle of Skye

The folks at Berwick prepared a wonderful sample of appies at Bo’s request.  Meats, cheeses, crackers, fruits plus incredible chocolate (prepared in-house) accompanied Bo’s selections to a ‘t’!  The images below tell the story.

Another very successful tasting!  Numbers 176 and 177 are in the books!  Thanks Bo!

On August 7th, eleven members of Les Petits Wineaux came together for tastings at Alderlea and Blue Grouse wineries to sample their award winning wines, and learn about their wine making practices, processes and history.  

Our tasting at Alderlea was led by talented and knowledgeable winemakers and owners, Julie Powell and Zachery Brown.  Their wines were top performers at this year’s All Canadian Wine Championship, scoring a Double Gold, Gold, Silver and Bronze.  

Blue Grouse’s Pinot Noir won Gold at the Wine Align Competition.  

The day ended with a lovely early dinner and catch-up at Unsworth, another award winning Cowichan Valley winery.

Submitted by Sharon Jackson