ardbeg 10 years

Islay (pronounced "I-luh") is a Scottish island made popular by some of the more famous single malt distilleries in the world - Lagavulin, Laphroig, Ardbeg and Bowmore. All of these whiskys share a common thread - the presence of a wonderful peat in each and every one of their whisky expressions. Peat is formed from decay of vegetation (and perhaps murdered humans) and forms regularly in wetland bogs, marshes, swamp forests and the like. Coincidentally, those locations are also perfect places to hide murdered humans.

Why is it important in whisky production? Well, peat is often used as a source of heat and fuel and distilleries burn it to dry the malted barley. The Islay distilleries in particular use quite a bit more than the average single malt maker and basically hit you over the head with the wonderful peatiness of their drams.

It's not a taste that's enjoyed by all and certainly not by a novice whisky drinker. It can generally be described as smokey, salty and briny. I definitely enjoy it.

A couple of months ago, the Mustard Clan gave me a bottle of Ardbeg 10 years. My Ear, Nose, Throat picks up a subtle sweetness, a meaty BBQ smoke, in addition to what I can only describe as a spearmint finish before that hearty campfire smoke lingers on your throat and tongue for a long time. The smoke is very impressive, if you return to your empty glass the next day, the smoke is still very prominent. Actually, that's what I hear happens because I'm not one to leave dirty dishes in the sink, that's not me. It's just not. So I've only heard that. What I have experienced firsthand is the smallest of pours filling up a room with a wonderful peat aroma.

The one element of this whisky that perplexes me is the spearmint finish. I've read some other resources that describe it as more of a citrus (lemon) note - it's an interesting contrast to the brine, and I'm looking forward to tasting some of the other Ardbeg expressions.

Thanks to the Mustards, and thanks for stopping by.

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changes

Changes. Not so much about the big sweeping changes that are taking place, but little details during the wedding ceremony and reception are on my mind today. It's like a move re-shoot - when you are able to see disparate pieces come together for the whole, sometimes they complement each other perfectly, sometimes not so much. I'm sure this will be a key component of the remaining pieces of our planning over the next, ahem, 29 days.

My thought du jour has been all about the wedding recessional song, the rousing number that will take our wedding party back down the aisle with Emmelle and me following closely behind as husband and wife. Our music team, especially Wonq, has quietly suffered through my wild aspirations of closing with a Beatles medley.

I don't think it's going to work.

So my new thought that we will attempt to bring to fruition:



Can this work?!?!?!

While we are here, I should mention the following as well:

Bridal party entrance: I Want You Back
Bride and groom entrance: Dope Nose

(I haven't been able to get Emmelle to approve a more suitable Groom's March as of yet).

Thanks for stopping by.

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negative one month wedding anniversary

It’s April 20, 2011.

According to my math, Emmelle and I are 31 days removed from our blessed union (I actually just counted off the days in my Outlook calendar). We've fallen into a predictable ritual over the last week – come home from work, cook and eat, execute on some wedding logistics, sleep – which will remain our routine for the next month.

I feel calm and steady, probably because I’m having a difficult time grasping that this significant event will finally come to fruition shortly. I also feel a sense of relief; I can’t help but feel that we are in a state of limbo, removed slightly from reality until we return from our honeymoon. Some examples: all of the exorbitant spending, the gifts being shipped to my office on a daily basis. There will definitely be some sort of consumer withdrawal when this is all over. As much as I look forward to the wedding ceremony and reception, I’m looking forward to building a home, saving, focusing on my career, diverting my consumer spending habits to critical items such as cuff links and time pieces (ahem, that’s plural).

And Emmelle? She is nothing short of amazing. Emmelle is dug in deep into her fox hole and completing all necessary tasks with proficiency and efficiency, really in a way that only she can. I have read and heard from multiple sources the meltdowns that some prospective brides experience leading up to the big day. Not this girl. She’s a machine and potentially going through a trial run for a career change to event planning/wedding coordination. Her even-keel nature has shone brightly through during this entire process.

What else? Hhhmmm. My hair is probably longer than it’s ever been in my adult life…Emmelle has received a series of facials recently…I’m still a shirt and tie short of a wedding day ensemble…I’m also a whole suit away from a wardrobe change…we’ve gone on some neighborhood jogs for minutes at a time (I don’t see a difference in my body, however)…

…

There’s 31 days left and there will surely be plenty of documentation on that day. But I’d like to remember the next 30 days as well, all of the details that we need to complete, any disagreements, any overwhelming emotions that linger, let’s use this as a keepsake just like all of the photographs and wedding day material.

More (frequent) updates to come in the coming days and weeks.

Thanks for stopping by.

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