Smokes and Booze: October 2012

Friday, October 26, 2012

Worlds Biggest Whiskey Bottle

I’ve been holding off posting until after the election, that way I keep the political out of my posts….but this one was to good to pass up.

Cheers -

Biggest whisky bottle on display in Edinburgh

The world's largest bottle of single malt Scotch whisky has gone on display in Edinburgh.

Standing at 4ft 9ins, the giant bottle of Tomintoul 14-year-old single malt contains 105.3 litres and would serve up 5,250 drams.

The record-breaking tipple is on view to visitors at the Scotch Whisky Experience in Edinburgh until April next year.

The specially-commissioned bottle holds 150 bottles and is worth about £5,000.

It has a gigantic cork and oversized label, and required a team of 14 people to fill and close it.

The bottle left its birthplace in the Highland village of Tomintoul for the first time since it was created in 2009, arriving at the visitor attraction on Thursday.

Susan Morrison, director of the Scotch Whisky Experience, said: "We are already home to the world's largest collection of Scotch whisky, so it seemed perfectly fitting that we host this record-breaking bottle for its first appearance in the capital.

"It makes an ideal addition to the existing elements of the attraction and we expect that it will be a very popular photo opportunity with visitors."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-20085980

Monday, October 15, 2012

Quote of the Day–Just for Mike

Benjamin Franklin - "In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is Freedom, in water there is bacteria."

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Americans

I don’t think I make it much of a secret that I am a Conservative and that I look forward to a change in the Whitehouse this election.

What is a little less known is that one of best friends (so much that I named my son after him) teeters on his political/environmental views in a different direction than me. At times, so much so that I’m sure that people wonder how we can be friends at all.

I’ll tell you how – we were Soldiers together, lived together and even chewed the same dirt. We have had ups and downs, and I like to think I would do anything for him….just as he would for me.

We are respectful of each other’s differences in beliefs, and even periodically sway the other to those beliefs.

He and I have often talked about how funny it is that we can disagree so much – but still have a drink and be friends afterwards…and I think that does stem from that respect.

When I saw this video today, Alby was the first person I thought of – as two polar opposites come together (naturally in a bar) and actually after a moment of silence to fallen soldiers, drink a toast to freedom.

With all the vileness going around this election – lets all not lose sight on that fact, that we as Americans have a freedoms that other countries can only dream about.

We can all agree to disagree, but we do not have to act like animals and treat each other with such disdain that we ignore deep down, that we are all linked by a bond that makes us special – We are Americans.

It would be great if everyone could step back, reflect for a minute and then meet up in a bar….be respectful and have honest discourse. Then we let it play out in the Vote – in a Democratic way.

When it is all said and done, we ALL then focus on doing what is right – getting this country back on its feet again…because you cant keep US down.

Also, when you are at that bar – think of the fallen Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines. Those brave Men and Women who have made sacrifices both great and small. They are the true heroes of our country.

And finally – those of you who know me on a personal level, I want you to imagine Swells as the Jamaican Girl with the pot leafs on her shirt…..because that is how we roll. Smile