What is in your cup?

[cromag]

A late first mug of tea for the day.

[poohbear_nc]

In honor of the 4th of July, I splurged on a bottle of Laphroaig Triple Wood, which is Laphroaig Quarter Cask aged in 3 different barrels (first oak/ex-bourbon barrels, then small 19th Century style Quarter Casks, and finished in large European oak, Oloroso Sherry Casks). Adding a touch of water is supposed to bring out the peat smoke palate. I'll open it tonight!

[CRussel]

A splurge indeed. But oh so lovely, I'm sure.

For me, tonight, a bit of Talisker 10Yr.

[Quelch]

I too, here in Australia, celebrate the American 'Fourth of July' with a bottle of fine Shiraz
Here's to the freedom of the American people from those naughty British, hic !

[BenG]

Cheerwine

[cromag]

Water.

[cromag]

And now that the lawn has been mowed, my first tea of the day.

[CRussel]

A diet coke -- weird, since I haven't had one in months. But I bought it to get some hydration going on a longish car trip.

Switching to cranberry juice -- my hotel when I come in to the office always has it sitting in my room, waiting. It's a small thing, but then it's the small things that build loyalty.

[poohbear_nc]

After lawn mow Gatorade ... orange ...

[CRussel]

So, poohbear_nc, I've been asked/tasked with finding out exactly how you make an Ardbeg slushie. Apparently my local single malt guru had never heard of such a thing and was mightily intrigued.

[poohbear_nc]

Originally Posted by CRussel

So, poohbear_nc, I've been asked/tasked with finding out exactly how you make an Ardbeg slushie. Apparently my local single malt guru had never heard of such a thing and was mightily intrigued.

It's my own home recipe born during a very hot summer:
1. Fill a tulip glass with pieces of cracked ice - not crushed ice or small ice chips - you want them to melt very slowly.
2. Add 1 or 2 fingers of Ardbeg.
3. Add a splash of water or club soda (I use Perrier myself)
4. Swirl.
5. Enjoy slow sips.

6. Repeat steps 2 & 3 as needed to recharge your glass.

I find it quite refreshing to sip on summer nights.

I have also created Laphroaig slushies too .... [don't hate me]

[CRussel]

I will pass this on to Farmer John. His preferred single-malts are all Islay, and his preferred Islay is Ardbeg. He runs the whisky tasting for the Provincial Highland Games every summer, besides being my favourite local organic farmer.

[poohbear_nc]

Originally Posted by poohbear_nc

In honor of the 4th of July, I splurged on a bottle of Laphroaig Triple Wood, which is Laphroaig Quarter Cask aged in 3 different barrels (first oak/ex-bourbon barrels, then small 19th Century style Quarter Casks, and finished in large European oak, Oloroso Sherry Casks). Adding a touch of water is supposed to bring out the peat smoke palate. I'll open it tonight!

A VERY intriguing discovery! Triple Wood tastes like a smooth, more refined, lighter Lagavulin!

Your first sip of Lagavulin explodes in your mouth - with lots of peaty/woodsy/earthy tones -- throughout your mouth and tongue - with a strong lingering back of the tongue peaty taste.

Triple Wood begins with the familiar Laphroaig peat (but milder - like the 15 years or older varieties) and then .... the woodsy/peaty/earthy notes appear as you let it rest on the tongue ... with a very pronounced peaty finish ... but much milder (or lighter) than with Lagavulin.
Hence, a 'refined' Lagavulin taste palate enclosed within the trademark Laphroaig peaty goodness. Very nice indeed.

Charlie - what does your guru think of Triple Wood?

[CRussel]

I'll have to ask him. But maybe I'll buy a bottle one of these days as well. It's cheaper than Lagavulin, certainly.

Meanwhile, Lion Mountain Keemun tea in my cup. Which is a really nice thing to have...

[cromag]

Third mug of tea on a day that can't decide whether it wants to be clear or cloudy.