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.

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REDBREAST, 12 year old - Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey

© June '12    photo by sm
REDBREAST Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey (note the 'e') from Middleton Distillery - aged 12 years in oaken casks and bottled at 40% Alc/vol.

No peat and fire here - just deep smoothness - so if you don't particularly want to try another fiery draught then read on and take heart that yes there are smooth Gaelic unblended whiskeys that are utterly delightful.  And I must note here that smooth does not imply bland - not at all.  This is a great easy to sip whiskey, yet there is still a depth and complexity of background flavors as in the best of Scotch single malts. I just finished at least two or three fingers of Redbreast, which is my third sampling in as many nights.  Once again it was so pleasant to drink that I quickly lost track of all the great things about it that I was going to put to paper for this posting - so for the time being let me borrow a few quotes from other devotees.  


"Scotland and Kentucky get the glory, but Ireland is no slouch when it comes to crafting fine, sippable whiskey. For potent proof, try an unblended whiskey like the oh-so-smooth Redbreast 12 Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey ($45). Like single-malt Scotch, this Irish whiskey is aged — 12 years, in this case — in a single batch, not blended. But that's where the similarities with smoky Scotch end, because the flavor leans much closer to caramely bourbon" - YUMSUGAR blog


"Single Pot Still Whiskey:
It is unique to Ireland in general and to the Midleton Distillery, Co Cork, in particular, and is regarded as the quintessential style of Irish whiskey. Made from a mash of malted and unmalted barley and then triple distilled in traditional copper pot stills. Pot Still whiskeys are characterized by full, complex flavors and a wonderful creamy mouthfeel." -  WEINQUELLE .com 

"Color   Amber lager
 Nose   Ethanol, vanilla, maple sugar
 Body   Mildly syrupy
 Palate  Scotch followed by a wonderful praline, vanilla, maple syrup, gingerbread cookies
 Finish   Sweet, maple syrup, vanilla, bug spray
This is my favorite Irish whiskey. It has a Scotch-like complexity followed by a wonderful maple syrup-like sweetness. Not cloying like a bourbon, but sweet like a gingerbread cookie. A great dessert whiskey. Highly Recommended!   95"       MISTERBORK on FORPEATSAKE.com

I'm not sure where the 'bug spray' came from in this last one but everyone has there take, eh?  All in all a really fine (and award winning)  poteen - which Himself would give at least an 89.

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