What's It All About, eh?

Cape Breton evokes deep memories and strong emotions for me as well as a deep appreciation for the beauty of my adopted island. My hopes are that you too might find the photos evocative - maybe a view you've not enjoyed before, or an 'Oh I've been there', or if from away that you may be encouraged to visit this fair isle so that you might come to love and breathe Cape Breton as I do. One word about place names that I use - some are completely local usage while others are from maps of Cape Breton that I've purchased over the years. I frequently post travel and other photos that are of interest to me - and hopefully you.

On the right hand side bar find my take on Single Malt whiskey - from how to best enjoy this noble drink to reviews (in a most non-professional manner) of ones that I have tried and liked - or not. Also musings, mine and others, on life in general.

Photographs are roughly 98%+ my own and copy-righted. For the occasional photo that is borrowed, credit is given where possible - recently I have started posting unusual net photographs that seem unique. Feel free to borrow any of my photos for non-commercial use, otherwise contact me. Starting late in 2013 I have tried to be consistent in identifying my photographs using ©smck on all out of camera photos I personally captured - (I often do minor computer changes such as 'crop' or 'shadow' etc but usually nothing major), and using ©norvellhimself on all photos that I have played around with in case it might not be obvious. Lately I have dropped the ©smck and have watermarked them with the blog name.

COMMENTS are appreciated as feedback is the driving energy of blogging - And if you like this site please pass it along to a friend. Thanks!

NOTE: TO ENLARGE PHOTO, CLICK ON SAME - If using Firefox also click f11 - photos will fill the screen ...... ----------------------------------- ......TRANSLATION BUTTON AT TOP OF LEFT COLUMN!

THE GLENLIVET 12 year old

© March '12  photo by smck


Glenfiddich is one of the worlds most popular single malt Scotch Whiskys but early on in my hobby I read that The Glenlivet is a much better drink and usually somewhat less expensive. (Although now The Glenlivet is the best selling brand in the U.S.).  So what is a good Scot to do eh?  Well I have yet to drink a Glenfiddich not because I have any inkling that it's terrible but simply because I like The Glenlivet and there are so many good to great unsampled Scotch Single Malts of more distinct character available in a price range that I can handle (even if I do think they are overpriced).  In my mind The Glenlivet is a good single malt to start out with if you're new to the game - enough bite and flavor to let you know that singles are serious whiskys but mild enough in the way of single malts to avoid putting you off the game before it has even begun.  I like The Glenlivet and usually replace the bottle when it is depleted.  In the photograph you will see my personal stemless goblet for my sipping pleasure.  (you can buy expensive stemmed ware that will work no better - in fact I like my stemless goblet best because my hand warms the whisky slightly, enhancing the smell and the taste AND because I got 11 of them at a jumble sale for fifty cents apiece.)  Always use a curved glass to concentrate the aroma for your nose - shot glasses are for tossing back cheap grain whiskey.

The Glenlivet 12 year old, 40% Alc/Vol
Michael Jackson's Complete Guide to Single Malt Scotch comments:
House Style - Malty, creamy, fruity, after dinner
COLOUR     - Pale Gold
NOSE           - Remarkably flowery, clean and soft.
BODY           - Light to Medium. Firm, smooth.
PALATE      - Flowery, peachy, notes of vanilla. A delicate balance.
FINISH        - Restrained, long, and gently warming.
Score 85

Michael Jackson's Complete Guide to Single Malt Scotch rates Glenfiddich 12 from 77 to 82 (on a scale of 1 to 100) and the Glenlivet 12 from 83-85 so they are quite comparable in ranking really.  And just like wine, a given variety of whisky can vary a lot from year to year, so don't worry too much about a small variation in rank between two or more different brands.  I'm sure that if I had tried the Glenfiddich first, it would now be The Glenlivet that would be untasted (but you have to love the capital T in The Glenlivet, eh?)

My take - a very good malt for both the newcomer to single malts and for the serious collector.   A smooth well flavored drink that does not take your breath away, it can readily be shared with one and all.  And the price is decent.

And tonight, 07 June 2012, about 1030 pm in eastern North America I am enjoying the last of my bottle of Glenlivet 12 and perusing my comments on same.  Right on, I'd say, at least for me - and yes I will replace this soon.  Try your own and enjoy.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)