Wobbleydon aftermath.

Well here we are again. My local pub and hang out haunt CHRISTIES PUB, PERTH. This wee criak is all about a session we had in July, just after Big Andy was sadly beaten by the Swiss guy at tennis, wobbleydon. After some hard touring I just needed to chill and break out a wee bit. The usual suspects were up for it of course, I would like to say “long suffering Karen” served us, but – Karen usually gives better than we give her, have been told off for a wee dribble left in my favourite bottle – Black Bush, she just picks up the bottle and waggles it at me, giving me those telling off eyes only your mother could do! Been told off for not shaving, Bob gets her “look” often and she is fast on the returned remark, we know who she likes and who she doesnee like serving (no names mentioned) but we do love her all the same.

Bob and Dave are suppin Belhaven Black, or is it Dark Island? I take my usual, Black Bush. Waiting on a couple to join us before starting. Lizzie and Kevin arrive. They have a drink to settle in before we start whiskying. First dram is one I have brought in myself (sorry Billy – pub owner) – a dram from Finland; Teerenpeli single malt. This is distilled and bottled at Teerenpeli Distillery Lahti, Finland. 43% volume, 8 years old from oak cask. To be honest Bob likes most things and he liked this. The name Teerenpeli means ‘flirtation’ or ‘dalliance’. We tried this and were surprised how balanced and tasty it was, usual vanilla, flowery niffs, wee bit nutty, all in all, a good start, not peaty which helps, a good Finnish we thought. Thanks Mika. Moving on, “new glasses please Karen”… a pub dram; Glenmorangie Original… fruity, notes of lemon and apple, vanilla, toffee, malty and very fruity (have said that eh). A 10 year old perfected by the sixteen men of Tain no less! Lizzie liked this one, well she would be, originally from Tain hersel’. Talking of Lizzie, she (the queen) was here in Perth recently, she didnee call into the pub though, what a shame eh? After a break for a glass of irn bru, water, juice (we all have different tastes) even a Dark Island, we set out on the long road again, this time calling into Glengoyne for a nice easy 10 year old… big bourbon taste, fruity. Barley rich, more bourbon influence. Nae smoke or peat here either, funny wee thing this, the distillery is Highland, the warehouses and car park is Lowland! So what are we? Kev (Aberdeenshire), Lizzie (Tain), Paul (Connel) are Highlanders, Bob and Dave from Scone so borderland highland/central.

Back to the water of life; new glasses please! What is that racket goin on in the pub! a nice lookin Bowmore 12 year old was looking at us. Age is going up as we go on, well, we are all getting older as we sip. A 12 year old, a whiff of grass. Peaty, smokiness wafts of seaweed. Some sherry. Lots of salt! Ah a peaty dram to end on, er no – I had another up my sleeve; Lagavulin 16 yo. Sorry Billy (again), brought this with me from a recent trip to Islay (eye la) massive peat/smoke – one of the smokiest from Islay. It’s big, niffs of iodine, spices, vanilla, a mouthful of malt and sherry but sweetness, spicy finish, figs, dates, vanilla.

This ends our tasting for today (well it doesn’t but my mum may be reading this, who knows?), well done Andy from Dunblane (no far from where we are sittin), sadly no distillery there but, the lad has a long finish, outstanding nose, good right arm, can play on peat we hear, or grass, tried a seaweed finish one day, slipped up there son! Well you have to celebrate getting to the final, only two did and a Scot was one! At the end of the day, Andy Murray. He has balls.

Written by Paul McLean, of Angels & MCLEANSCOTLAND fame. Fame? He’s a legend in his own lunchtime. www.angelswhiskyclub.com  www.mcleanscotland.com