Random Play by Graham Reid

Amusingly they might know a lot about whisky but are unimaginative when it comes to naming their sons: there was John the founder then his son George and his son George and his son George and his son John and now his son George. Or something like that.

Still, maybe it is a Scottish thing: I was born in Edinburgh and my Dad was a Graham and so was his father.

It's that famous Scottish stinginess. They can only afford two names, so they have to alternate.

(I understand that early UNIX suffered from a similar thing with its commands :)

Because I am a word nerd, I love the title of this piece.

I picked up the DomPost yesterday and there was a story about Whisky Galore, the tasting, by the reporter who went along to the Wellington tasting.

BASTARD.

Today I picked up the Herald: there was antoher story, about Whisky Galore, the tasting, by the reporter who went along to the Auckland tasting.

BASTARD!

Now I switch on the Powerbook, log on the the blogs, and read this.

WHY IS THE WORLD PERSECUTING ME LIKE THIS??? WHY DON'T I GET INVITED TO TASTINGS LIKE THIs??

Oh, thats, right I get to go along to all those great talkfests about the economy, and superannuation, and tax. Which I really love...well, like. Kind of..., but just once, JUST for F+++ing ONCE, I'd like to get invited along to something which involves drinking Lagavulin or another Islay malt... or any single malt, within reason....

(I'll go and crack open my own Lagavulin now....)

I think my luckiest whiskey score came when I was working in a bar in Pitlochry in the Scottish Highlands about 10 years ago.

There was a regular called Callum who came in most nights after work. He was a pleasant chap, middle-aged, and always good for a yarn. Anyway one night I finally got round to asking him what he did for a living. Turns out he was a senior distiller for Bells which was based just down the road.

He became a very handy man to know (though my liver may beg to differ)

heh heh ... I have zero interest in Whiskey, so when that bit started I started scrolling ... I thought you might let us know how the Tenancy Tribunal thingy ended!! (next blog perhaps?)

I thought I'd look the part: dark trousers, dark shirt, dark jacket, vivid blue tie -- I looked like I was Someone Serious.

What about the hair Graham, the hair? Did you tie it back tightly in a ponytail, or let it run wild and free?

every now and then one of the lecturers at uni say something extremely inspirational about how journalists can change the world, and I think 'yeah i'm gonna report on wars and politics and other major world events one day.'

and then I read something like this and I'm like 'SCREW WORLD EVENTS, i wanna be graham.'

life is confusing.

WHY IS THE WORLD PERSECUTING ME LIKE THIS??? WHY DON'T I GET INVITED TO TASTINGS LIKE THIs??

Calm down, Rob: all things are possible. It was actually a public tasting, albeit quite good value (as whisky tastings usually are) for $50. (I was exhausted, needing to spend some time with my family and a bit gouty, so Graham got to go.)

Consult whiskygalore.co.nz, and I'll if you email me I'll send you the PR person's contacts. And when you're next in ChCh, put aside some time to visit the shop for a chat and a dram. They're good people.

Rob, you might also try the tastings at Regional Wines. They had a great one last week and are planning a 2007 "best of the best" in November (not advertised yet). As a special treat they provided jugs of Emerson's Bookbinder from the keg downstairs as a palate cleanser between drams.

<em>WHY IS THE WORLD PERSECUTING ME LIKE THIS??? WHY DON'T I GET INVITED TO TASTINGS LIKE THIs??</em>
Rob, you might also try the tastings at Regional Wines.

Or you could keep an eye on the Wellingtonista, we wrote about a whiskey tasting aaaaaaaaages ago...

As a special treat they provided jugs of Emerson's Bookbinder from the keg downstairs as a palate cleanser between drams.

Christ, screw whatever they're trying to sell. Emerson's Bookbinder is like nectar from heaven. Heaven I tell ya.

KM: "Emerson's Bookbinder is like nectar from heaven."

Yes, I also like Old 95 with blue cheese and water crackers. Mmmm. Six weeks ago a friend shared with me his last remaining bottle of Taieri George, hidden since they sold out in March. I had heard of it but never seen or tasted it. (We had a couple of drams of a cask strength Islay sm afterwards.) These are things that make winter a pleasure.

Coupla resposnes:

Firstly, Ta Russell and Jason for the tips. Last post was partly prompted by frustrations caused by, in a wild moment, volunteering to help someone with a submission to a govt dept. It has turned out far more complicated and lengthy than i thought it would be (and its all voluntary)..

Will check out whisky galore next time I'm in Chch - probably in January. Also the Wn Regional Wines, which I know fairly well (first wine shop I discoverd when I moved here in Sept '95 and its still the best in town.

Guanny L: I suspect I know your lecturer. He sounds like a mate of mine who's lecturing journalism at AUT at the moment.

Wellington whisky drinkers may be interested in a sampling of Whisky Galore imports at Regional Wines on 24 and 29 October. They include Edradour 1993 (59.8%), Port Ellen Provenance 23yr old, Benriach 16 yr old, Ben Nevis 10yr old, Laphroaig 17yr old rum finish, Duncan Taylor Highland Park 1984 (56.6%) and the Signatory Bunnahabhain Peated 1997.

Sorry if this sounds like an ad but I figured given the sponsorship of the rugby threads it would be acceptable. I have no commercial relationships with whisky merchants besides being a customer.

Sorry if this sounds like an ad but I figured given the sponsorship of the rugby threads it would be acceptable. I have no commercial relationships with whisky merchants besides being a customer.

No problem. I only know the BenRiach, but that sounds like a nice tasting.