Try the 92 per cent weapons-grade whisky that will take your breath away. Literally

The London Times ^ | February 27, 2006 | David Lister

[Jhohanna]

single malts putting water or ice in glen fiddich

That's Sacrilege!!!!

[AnAmericanMother]

I've actually read Martin Martin's book, written in the 17th c. It was the equivalent of going into the Unknown Continent at the time . . .

He was exaggerating a little for the benefit of the naifs down in London. Leig d' anail . . . take a breath!

It was a hard-drinking age, and a couple of spoonfuls wouldn't even make those old boys blink (Englishmen of that day thought nothing of polishing off a couple of bottles of port at a meal - that's 40 proof.)

[Spruce]

Had a bottle of Everclear eat through the thread of a perfectly good bota bag. It soaked into all of our equipment on the way into Boundary Waters. Most of our clothing was QUITE flammable until we rinsed it out.

I always preferred the Jameson's Irish Whiskey.

[Dead Corpse]

It is seeking to establish itself as one of a small number of privately run distilleries.

I'd be more than willin' ta' help the lads out. But they gotta sell more of their stuff to us thirsty folk in the US of A. Their webstore doesn't allow us to order much of anything...

[Doc91678]

As an ex-medic I used to drink ethanol 95% pure with grapefruit juice or orange juice. Great stuff. There again I was the life of any party I went to. One pint in the puch bowl and the party came to life.

[Dr._Joseph_Warren]

Years ago, I was an intern at Caterpillar in Peoria. I commuted with several other interns who were engineers from the University of Missouri - Rolla.

The last fellow we would pick up was a chemical engineering student who worked in the research labs.

One time, after waiting an extra 15 minutes for him to exit the building, this guy finally wandered out carrying a paper cup. It was obvious that he was plastered big time.

He claimed that the boss was away so the engineers decided to get out the near 200 proof alcohol they use for experiments. This stuff is apparently extremely expensive. They had mixed it with Coke from the vending machine and we each had a little taste from the cup he brought to the car.

Most potent, kick-in-the-pants sip of Coke I have ever experienced.

[WestVirginiaRebel]

Feh. Pan-Galactic Gargle Blasters, anyone?

[Mr. Blonde]

In my opinion, Everclear isn't that enjoyable mixed.

[savedbygrace]

“usquebaugh-baul” translates to: "keep the route to the toilet clear for me, mates."

[Mr Ramsbotham]

Why would 2 tablespoons of 92% whiskey kill you, but 4 tablespoons of 46% whiskey wouldn't?

I think that's just an unjustified inference, based on the testimony that it would take one's breath away.

[Lovely-Day-For-A-Guinness]

I will admit to a fondness for one particular product from the Isle of Islay. That's Talisker. It's by far and away one of the finest single malt Scotch Whiskeys I've ever tried.

Talisker is from Skye, farther north than Islay.

I died and went to Heaven, actually Islay, last September, and toured several of my favorite distilleries there.

The island is rather small, but has eight distilleries on it! The whiskies are all characterized by their smokey flavor, which often pleasantly surprises those who claim not to like whisky.

Each of the distilleries is situated right on the ocean, at the mouth of a stream. Islay is covered in peat, and as the water percolates through it, it takes on the dark color of that material. When you first see it, you might think the water looks polluted.

The distillery with one of the most stunning views anywhere is Coal Ila. It sits right across from Jura, with three 2500' mountains (the Paps of Jura) that rise right out of the ocean across the sound between Islay and Jura. If I ever win Powerball, I'm buying the place, and the drinks will be on me.

You can only get to Islay via a ferry or by air. If you're into remote, unspoiled areas, like your whisky, into Celtic culture, and enjoy 12 mile long beaches with not a sole to be seen anywhere, you should make it a stop next time you're globetrotting.

[Lovely-Day-For-A-Guinness]

Scotch doesn't get its taste from herbs. It absorbs colors and chemicals while aging inside charred barrels.

While that's true, the final product is determined by other things, like the water, the presence of peat, the rye, the malting, the time in the barrel, the number of times the barrel has been used, and even the air in the cellar.

It's illegal for distilleries in the US to re-use barrels, so they go dismantled to Scotland where they are reassembled and then used roughly five more times. After that, they are chipped and used to smoke salmon, cheese, etc. Those frugal Scots don't let anything go to waste.

[COBOL2Java]

“Two spoonfuls of this last liquor is a sufficient dose; if any man should exceed this, it would presently stop his breath, and endanger his life.”

Sounds like a step up from K'Tesh...

[buccaneer81]

Kinda like Newfy Screech, super potent and taste horrible.

Damn. I forgot about Screech. I went to university in New Brunswick and the boys from St. John's would bring it every once in a while.

[Lovely-Day-For-A-Guinness]

I forgot to mention that those who like Laphoaig (and I do) can go to their web page, www.lahproaig.com, and become a Friend of Laphroaig. For this, you get a square foot of land (swampy, of course) on Islay that allows you to collect rent whenever you visit the distillery during your lifetime. Normally, the rent is a dram, but when I collected last year they had ran out of those small bottles so instead was treated with a 500ml bottle.

[Stoat]

I forgot to mention that those who like Laphoaig (and I do) can go to their web page, www.lahproaig.com, and become a Friend of Laphroaig. For this, you get a square foot of land (swampy, of course) on Islay that allows you to collect rent whenever you visit the distillery during your lifetime. Normally, the rent is a dram, but when I collected last year they had ran out of those small bottles so instead was treated with a 500ml bottle.

I hate to venture into the realm where there is a chance of being labeled a 'spell-check Nazi' , but due to a VERY slight typo there is a chance that fellow aficionados of the Water of Life may be momentarily misled.  I refer to your spelling of Laphroaig in the URL, which includes an errant "h".  Future Friends of Laphroaig may wish to head towards

Laphroaig - the maker of the World's favourite Islay single malt scotch whisky.

in order to provide support for our Scottish Friends and to enhance their own bookmark lists   :-)

[edcoil]

As an ex-submarine sailor, we used to drink everclear - no contest

[edcoil]

Only his friends do that and they call him John Daniels.

John can drink alone.

[null and void]

The guys name is David Lister? Dave Lister??!!

Where's Rimmer, the Cat, Holly, and Kryten?

Don't ask!

[null and void]

There are a few of us...