Whisk(e)y

[Arkaeon]

There are tons of bison left. After nearly going extinct, they were rebred from remaining wild stocks and now are even ranched for meat (often hybrids with domestic cows for meat). Actual bison are into several hundred thousand again.

One of the more important "sanctuaries" where bison were rebred and restocked was the Fermilab nuclear accelerator grounds near Batavia, Illinois (which at one point I think had the biggest herd in the world). There was this empty field above the collider ring, so some well-to-do fellow ran a herd program there.

Bison meat is a bit gamier than beef, but less than most deer, and typically leaner/firmer. Bison require less feed per pound of meat produced than cows, but it's a bit tough, so usually sold ground or mixed with beef hamburger grind.

Wild populations are expanding again as well (many re=seeded from protected stocks like the Fermilab herd) since there are few predators that can challenge them.

Beer for my bison; whisky for my men!

[black bart]

I was on the Laphroaig again last night...mouth like the inside of an Arab's shoe.

[Arkaeon]

I found Laphroaig to be an acquired taste (which I didn't). It's one of those offerings like the better Belgian ales and IPA's where I thought, "Hey, that's a really great example of its kind. Those guys really know what they're doing. It's too bad I just don't like it."

That's why there are different varieties for different tastes, eh?

[daftbeaker]

There's still about 200ml left in the bottle on my desk that's been tempting me for the last five weeks

[Arkaeon]

...and you haven't had any for 5 weeks because...?

You don't have to drink it all in one session, eh? Good whisky is like fine cigars, etc, best enjoyed at a slow pace and limited amounts at a time. Savor it drop by drop, when you haven't had anything else to drink that would numb your taste buds.

In my opinion, if you are throwing back fast shots of whisky to get drunk, then either you and/or the guy who made it don't know what you're doing. It's a waste of the good stuff, and a last resort for disposing of the bad.

Or are you just on a diet regime or something? I am, so no booze for me until I burn off the stuff I drank in the past.

[black bart]

I have but one (generous) glass left in my whisky bottle...perhaps I'll get a new one for valentines day...

[daftbeaker]

...and you haven't had any for 5 weeks because...?

I don't like to drink for six weeks after operations

[Arkaeon]

Completely legitimate reason. Heal up first :)

Fringe benefit of periods of abstinence: your alcohol tolerance tends to fall off, so you can drink less and enjoy the psychological benefits (i.e. relaxation and pain relief) more efficiently. Of course, you have to plan for that or you get a big nasty surprise on your first guzzling. As someone who suffers from fast-escalating tolerance, I find it useful to engage in extended periods of abstinence for that purpose specifically.

[black bart]

My colleague has been seeing his doctor because he has High Blood Pressure. They had a chat about alcohol consumption and my pal mentioned he likes a drop of whisky...the doc said that he goes through two bottles of whisky a week!!!!

That's the sort of doctor you want.

[Ubi Dubius]

Why would I want a doctor who went through my whisky?

[black bart]

Why would I want a doctor who went through my whisky?

[Arkaeon]

A couple bottles a week? That's about 2 proper drinks a day. I'd call that therapeutic.

[daftbeaker]

Glenfiddich is really quite nice. It's much more gentle than Laphroaig but still has some taste and bite. Shame it's normally so expensive, I only buy whisky when it's on sale.

Speaking of which, does anyone have any experience with Glenlivet? Yay or nay?

[Arkaeon]

Glenlivit is okay. It's like a half-castrated Glenfiddich, taste-wise. Easygoing, I would call it. Soft-ish for a scotch. I haven't had any for years, so I'll take corrections from those who have had it more recently.

BY THE WAY I went ahead and started the "Beer Volcano" thread in "Rant, Rave, and Misbehave" section, where kids will theoretically not be reading it and getting any explosive ideas. I'll put my basic mead procedure in there next. All lovers of the Beer Volcano are welcome to join in on the fun.

[daftbeaker]

Glenlivit is okay. It's like a half-castrated Glenfiddich, taste-wise. Easygoing, I would call it. Soft-ish for a scotch. I haven't had any for years, so I'll take corrections from those who have had it more recently.

Ah, never mind then. I like my whisky to have quite a bit of bite, I have cider for other situations.

BY THE WAY I went ahead and started the "Beer Volcano" thread in "Rant, Rave, and Misbehave" section, where kids will theoretically not be reading it and getting any explosive ideas. I'll put my basic mead procedure in there next. All lovers of the Beer Volcano are welcome to join in on the fun.