For Theresa

Tomorrow is my work's Christmas party. I purchased a brand new suit from The Bay last week, and I won't say how much I spent on it. The pretty woman from Montreal (MaryAnne) told me I looked great in it. She was married, so that was a dead full stop. I still flirted a little bit with her, saying in a teasing way "If you hurry, maybe you can get back to Montreal before Quebec bans all Albertans from immigration".

 My goal, therefore, is to drink as much top shelf variety as I can find at the bar.

This is my cheat sheet for tomorrow:

[Whisky/Whiskey]

Johnnie Walker Blue Label

Where to start but a good old Scotch. Possibly the most famous premium blend there is, and for a reason. The Johnnie Walker name is hallowed and Blue Label is the finest in their range: made up of the finest old-aged malt and grain whiskies, it’s the crème de la crème of the blended whisky world. It’s silky down the gullet and the multi-layered body is a treat for the tastebuds. This is a must drink, especially neat with some ice cold water beforehand to cleanse the palate.
Johnnie Walker blue label - the gentlemans journal
Kavalan Solist Bourbon Cask 2009

Joining the Scotch on our list is a world whisky from Taiwanese distillery Kavalan. The Solist line is a range of single cask, cast strength liquids aged in different woods: this particular highlight of the range is matured in an ex-Bourbon barrel. A pale gold colour precursors a vanilla sweet note that sits all the way through. Overall, it’s a rich and fruity dram which also carries a woody, spicy aroma.

Kavalan Solist Bourbon Cask 2009 - the gentlemans journal


[Vodka]


Beluga Gold Line

Vodka is, all too often, just vodka. There’s often little appreciation for anything above a certain threshold. Whilst we all stopped drinking paint stripper aping stuff in our teens, first steps into premium vodka remain rare, and are all too often mixed with a soft drink. Gold Line is a luxurious take from Beluga that is superbly smooth to sip and crisp in flavour, not one to be wasted in a glass half full of Coke. Each bottle also comes with a a small hammer and brush to cleanly remove the wax seal.

Beluga gold line - the gentlemans journal


[Gin]

Williams Chase Elegant Crisp Gin

British gins are having a moment, and for good reason. Leading the pack is Williams Chase, widely regarded as a newcomer that has swept the industry and surpassed an existing offering. The innovative distillery has also made waves for its potato vodka, but their gin is a real prize, distilled from their own organically grown apples and packaged with delightfully British verve. Juniper, elderflower and apple flavours suitably upgrade a G&T to a new level.

Williams Chase elegant crisp gin - the gentlemans journal

[Cognac]

--->> martel cordon bleu cognac
-->> courvoisier xo cognac
->> chateu montifaud xo cognac




Hennessy XO Cognac

Hennessy remains one of the world’s oldest Cognac producers, having been first distilled by eponymous founder Richard in 1765. A recognisable name and huge market share doesn’t detract from the quality, certainly not where the XO is concerned. First bottled in in 1870 by Maurice Hennessy, the leathery tobacco notes and its underlying spice are something to experience indeed.

Hennessy XO Cognac - the gentlemans journal

[Tequila]

-->>> don Julio 1942 tequila



Gran Patron Platinum Tequila

The connotations and stigma are there. Patron has been tarnished by rappers, Beverly Hills rich kids and reality stars for years on end. The product however, remains markedly top shelf and exceedingly excellent. The first ultra-premium blanco tequila in the world, Gran Patron is triple-distilled and aged. Doing shots with it is a sheer waste; it’s there to savoured, delighted in and measured to toast success in a more refined manner — rather than emptying the glass as quick as possible and hoping it doesn’t burn the throat on the way down.

Gran Patron Platinum Tequila - the gentlemans journal


[Rum]

----->>flor de cana 25 yr
---->>ron zacapa 23 yr



Mount Gay 1703

The molasses rum is not one for cocktails, but a sipper that goes down great with a hearty cigar. This special edition bottle celebrates the year the distillery was started and is blended by Allen Smith, master distiller, using rums aged between 10 and 30 years old. A treat for sure from one of the world’s oldest surviving distilleries.

[Scotch]

----->> macallan sienna, speyside
---->> johnnie walker platinum blend
--->> macallan 12 yr old double cask, speyside
-->>glenfarclas, 21 yr speyside

Wish me luck.

If you've come this far, it shows true dedication to the task at hand. Here is your reward. The photo above is Theresa's make up and stuff. I put it downstairs so someone could take it or pick through it. It took me a week to mull over doing that.