Beseech thy lord

[Orodrist]

Is a Jaguar XJ8 too geriatric for a guy my age?

[ArchAngel]

Depends on the year, and while some of them feel pretty old, I'm a firm believer that one can make a car work for them so long as they like it.

[Orodrist]

It's an '05, long wheelbase model. I do like it but tbh it's my attempt to try to find a more...mature, vehicle, without sacrificing masculinity or having to pay the insurance on a coupe of some kind.


What do you think of Manhattans?

I had a terrible one a couple days ago. Literally Jim Beam and sweet vermouth on the rocks, screw the bitters. I went out tonight to a more classy place that had an in house variation with Grand Marnier instead of vermouth and made with High West double rye. Perhaps a tad on the sweet side for my palate but I enjoyed it a lot.

On a side note/anecdote, this is also the only bar (to be fair, bar isn't a fair term. It's more of a whiskey lounge) I haven't been carded at. Probably because when someone walks in and orders a Laphroaig with confidence, it's pretty unlikely they're underage. I've been twice and both times the owner has personally poured for me and complimented my taste. Tonight she greeted me rather warmly and took the time to invite me in next month to try the bottle of Pappy Van Winkle (at $75 a drink that's not gonna happen, but I can dream) that's coming in and told me she had whiskey stones and proper snifters on the way. Is this pretty par for higher end places?

[ArchAngel]

An 05 Jag is pretty sweet.

Never had a manhattan, so I can't say. I'm rarely drinking cocktails. The furthest I go is usually a Gin and Tonic or a Moscow Mule. Now, I do love me some Moscow Mules. Even got me dem copper cups. People seemed to like the ones I made, too.

Haha, and that's true: when a man asks for Laphroaig, he knows what he wants. Speaking of which, I need to get me some.

As for what high end places are like, I'm pretty ignorant of it. I generally don't like the bar scene, and I don't want to spend the money for a high end one. If I go, it's usually a quick stop with a friend before we move on to somewhere else.

[Orodrist]

Yeah I feel you on spending money at bars. Last time I went out with friends, four of us spent maybe $300 between us. And that was a cheap bar. If I'm out on my own I easily spend $40 in a couple hours.

How's Cali these days?

[ArchAngel]

Califoria's been alright. Raining lately, which is good in light of the drought we've been having. Never really gets cold here. Other than that, same old.

[Orodrist]

Go to imperial stout? It's the time of year for dark heavy beer, methinks. I've been drinking Old Rasputin and Weyerbacher Heresy mostly.


Also, are you on Untappd?

[ArchAngel]

I am not, but I might have to check that out.

Um, go to Imperial Stout. Big Bad Baptist is a pretty great coffee/chocolate imperial stout. A little harder to find, but then, I'm not frequently doing the stout thing.

[Orodrist]

Tried the Dogfish Head/Sierra Nevada IPA glass? I just got one, I kinda love it.

[ArchAngel]

Nice! Going to have to pick myself up some Glencairn glasses first, but I'm going to have to consider getting some.

[Orodrist]

It's not a terribly dramatic difference but it is a noticeable improvement in the head and hop aromas. I need some Glencairns myself but I'm not officially allowed to have anything distilled in the house after my stash was discovered. I mean I have an insulated compartment under my backseat with a Laphroaig 10 in it but I can't be seen drinking it.


Why is it people frown on drinking in public anyway?

[ArchAngel]

Seems to be some Temperance Society remnants. Depending on your state or county, seems like a lot of people still live prohibition era.

I mean, I get it. Partially. Alcohol is dangerous. There are health hazards, addiction issues, and even greater dangers with behavior and driving. Public drunkenness is certainly an issue.

I think though, that we all could do with a socially responsible view towards it. A couple casual drinks, and understand it for what it is: something relaxing and to be enjoyed. Italy starts drinking early in the family, but it has one of the lowest incidences of drunkenness.

[Orodrist]

Yeah no one around me seems to understand th econcept of drinking for any reason other than getting drunk.


Ever seen someone puke from sipping on an islay malt? It was rather funny. I passed around my Laphroaig at a dinner party tonight and the reactions just from the smell ranged from BBQ to toliet bowl. I laughed.

[ArchAngel]

Haha, can't say I have. Uncultured philistines, lol. The peaty islay malts are wonderfully smokey and earthy.

That being said, it's not necessarily an acquired taste, but it does seem to be for a particular crowd.
You know. Real men.

[Orodrist]

You ever have one of those dreams after you've partied all night where you wake up and all of your expensive scotch is drank up?

Also, do you find the smell of peat smoke extremely lingering? I can still get a whiff of it in the air and it's been a few hours.