Seven members of the Wee Drammers gathered at Bill H.’s home on “twosday” – 22-02-22, a palindromic number since it reads the same backward and forward. Some believe a palindrome number can represent a choice where both outcomes can teach a valuable lesson. So, did the Wee Drammers learn any valuable lessons on this weird but special day? Likely!
First we now know that Bill H. is a great host and sets an example for whisky selection and food pairings.
Second, we know that to have missed the evening was likely not a great choice (however unavoidable the absenteeism was – sunning oneself down south, skiing up a storm in the mountains or having eye surgery).
Third, the choice of whiskies were superb! Buy them if you can find them.
First up was the surprisingly complex and very smooth Glenrothes Discovery, an 11 yr. old Speyside gem. “This is a wonderful sherried whisky, packed full of fruity and chocolatey notes.” The folks at Master of Malt offer these tasting notes:
- Nose: Cinnamon butter, chocolate covered toffee and toasted malt, with sherried dried fruit and more baking spices.
- Palate: Forest fruit jam on fresh toast, perhaps slightly burnt, with stewed orchard fruit and more cinnamon.
- Finish: Orange peel, a hint of raisin and melted dark chocolate.
It’s available at Hammond Bay Liquor and is priced at $97.00
Bill’s second selection was Glen Garioch (pronounced “geerey”) Renaissance, a non chill filtered 18 yr. old
Highland. Deemed to exhibit unique nose, taste and finish, it was wonderful. “The dram offers a great, well aged iteration of Glen Garioch’s robust house style, which has emerged over the last 20 odd years. This bottling serves up notes of dark honey, red apples, strawberries with a little balsamic, underripe bananas and bright oak, sherried dried fruits, meaty malt, caramel, sherbet, some drying spicy black pepper, beeswax, vanilla and sandalwood.”
Bottled at a cask strength of 50.2% ABV and without chill filtration, this is a fully flavoured whisky, packed with character.
It has been described as “one of the best bottlings of Glen Garioch around” and has been a runaway success.
Also available at Hammond Bay Liquor, the Glen Garioch Renaissance is priced at $133.00
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A usual but delicious array of appies accompanied the whisky. Lox, cheeses crackers, smoked oysters, olives, meat balls, prosciutto wrapped asparagus, crab with red and green peppers on toast, salami slices, and mixed nuts all had a place in the evening. And the almost forgotten sea salt dark chocolate sat a little longer on the table as all were seated and absorbed in very interesting discussions. It did eventually disappear!
Some valuable lessons on this weird but special Twosday version of the Wee Drammers monthly get-togethers! Well done Bill!
