I rarely indulge, but will keep this in mind during flu season: Apparently the Russians visiting Wales for some soccer tournament or another (sorry, soccer fans) were told “to drink a lot of Welsh whisky as a form of disinfection” against swine flu.
Is there swine flu in Wales, one wonders, or is it just as good an excuse as any?
After all, must one have a reason for indulging on 30 year old Glenfiddich?
No, I don’t feel like posting on politics, American or Latin American, right now. Thanks for asking.
Since your thoughts are in GB now, you might want to post on who owns haggis. Apparently, someone found that the English were eating it long before the Scots. Could we have the makings of a new Braveheart? Over haggis?
Fausta, I don’t blame you–I’d rather talk about Glenfiddich than the state of politics right now too. As for Haggis…I don’t care who claims it as long as I don’t have to drink it! I’ll go with the Glenfiddich on this one!
;))
My granddad, a Scot, used to tell me that haggis was forced upon the Scots by the English because they were jealous that the Scots made stew not just out of potatos but turnips as well. As to the Russians, the last time I visited, if anything pre-1989 could be called a visit, I learned at least three things that the Russians believed. That the moon landings were fake, cement was made with beets and potatos and that the French were to blame for HIV/AIDS because they had sex with monkeys. Usually I stood or sat in stunned silence and tried to keep my head from exploding.
Sex with monkeys? You’ve got to be kidding!
And the Russians had government healthcare, too!
When much younger, I had an aunt that would give us brandy when we had flu symptoms. Although I never got the flu again, I sure learned to fake the symptoms.
When it was translated for me the translator hesitated a few seconds before telling me what the official had said. But they were very nice in explaining that even though Americans ate babies and starved to proletariat it was the French who couldn’t be trusted. I have to admit the one thing I thought of was advising people to lock up the monkeys because the French were in town.
I admire the Russians’ choice of whisky.
Please note that WELSH whisky was the preferred tipple, not Scotch or Irish. I have tried whisky from the only Welsh distillery (Penderyn) and it lived up to its description:
” … one of the finest and most delicate malt whiskies in the world.”
“Absolutely staggering arrival on the palate of malt, landing with almost snowflake delicateness. Immediately a second movement, this time of bitter-sweet fruit, blood orange included, sweeps down over the startled taste buds. Astonishing stuff.” – Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible.
http://www.welsh-whisky.co.uk/home.html
I am impressed by the high level of appreciation shown by the Russian authorities. They are probably aware that the Penderyn distillery also makes excellent vodka. Presumably that is what will be on the minds of the organisers.
If they want something with a medicinal effect and flavour they should try Laphroaig whisky from the Scottish island of Islay. The taste of the whisky is described (perhaps unkindly) by some as rather like sucking medicinal gauze …
That reminds me of the whiskey cure for a cold: take a glass or two or whiskey and stay in bed for a week. One reason that our ancestors drank alcoholic beverages was to have a supply of potable water. Check out The Alcoholic Republic by W. J. Rorabaugh.