Mark Thorson wrote:
> Sqwertz wrote:
>> So what do you buy that would change our indifference toward a
>> certain food/drink?
>
> Crown Royal Special Reserve. This is a Canadian whiskey,
> which are mostly known for being smooth. I find Scotch
> whiskies to be harsh. Regular Crown Royal is not a bad
> Canadian whisky, but once you get used to drinking
> Crown Royal Special Reserve, you can detect certain
> paint-like flavors (or should I say "flavours") in the
> regular stuff. I've since decided not to drink any
> other whiskey.

I don't think that you can compare Canadian (Rye) whiskey to Scotch.
Personally, I find even the best Rye to be harsher tasting than decent
Scotch. I like scotch neat or with just a little ice or water, but I
cannot drink Rye like that. Nor do I like it with mix like ginger ale or
coke, the most popular Rye mixers. That being said, I confess that i
drink more Rye than another other liquor. I love Manhattans, two parts
Rye one part sweet vermouth, dash of bitters, twist of lemon and a cherry.

> Actually, I've decided not to drink any alcohol more
> concentrated than beer (my upcoming long airline trip
> notwithstanding). But if I were to drink a distilled
> spirit again, it would be Crown Royal Special Reserve.
> And of course, I'd drink it straight.

The trick to drinking liquor is not to drink it like beer. You have to
buy good liquor and savour it, and remember that it is strong stuff, not
to be consumed in volume. I limit myself to two Manhattans. As much as
I like them, I cut myself off after two because I know I will get drunk,
and I do not like to get drunk.



> I saw a TV show
> which had a segment on the fine whiskies of Scotland,
> and they interviewed an "expert" who said that whiskey
> should always be diluted with water to appreciate it.
> I don't understand that. If it were more desirable
> when diluted, why would it not be made that way in
> the first place? I think a good whiskey should be
> sipped in tiny amounts and savored (or should that
> be "savoured").

The best advice I ever heard about drinking Scotch was on the Mary Tyler
Moore Show. Lou Grant told Mary that you get a nice bottle of Scotch,
pour a good shot of it into a nice glass and add a little ice. Swirl it
around and take a sip, then do that a few times until it is just right
and knock it back.