My co-worker looked at me in disbelief and then asked " are you really going to drink that?" I replied affirmatively and then took a sip of my Maker's Mark, neat. Still staring he said, " I thought women only drank wines, and fruity drinks". I wanted to tell him to expand his horizons, but decided to take another sip of the Maker's Mark in hopes of starting a new conversation when I put the glass down.
Wikipedia has a fairly extensive page concerning whisky/whiskey- it's history, the distillations process and the countries that produce the water of life - whisky/whiskey.
The question I'm usually asked is, "when you begin drinking whiskey/whisky'? The answer: by embarrassing myself in a restaurant. One of my first job's after college was at a bank. One evening after work I decided to celebrate a task I had accomplished. I left the bank and crossed the street to a recently opened restaurant. I made my way to the bar and took a seat. The bartender, an older gentleman, walked over and asked me what I would like to drink. In a room a full stocked bar, I elected to have Scotch. He asked which and whether I wanted it neat, or on the rocks. I replied, neat (that sounded good)- I don't recall which Scotch I requested. The bartender returned with my order. Feeling jubilant that my order was in front of me( and I was there to celebrate my accomplishment), I picked up the glass and swallowed the amber liquid.
I felt heat building in my in my stomach, esophagus and throat. The bartender must have seen it coming. I began to cough loudly. The bartender brought a a tall glass of water with ice and told me to have a sip of water. Fortunately the bar was nearly empty. The bartender then suggested that I sip the remaining scotch or add water to the scotch. I followed the recommendation, paid the bill and went home. At home, I shared told my parents about the misadventure. When their laughter finally died down, my father explained Scotch ,whiskey/whisky, and bourbon should be sipped and then gave me a primer on what neat (spirit only) , on the rocks (spirit with ice), chaser (beverage to drink after the spirit), splash ( a drop or two of another liquid added to the spirit), and side (similar to chaser) meant and what an appropriate pour was. I was all set! Then I avoided drinking any whisky/whiskey for a while.
Several years ago, D introduced me to bourbon, specifically Maker's Mark. He drank it with coke (too sweet for me ). During a trip to visit me, my mother was introduced to Maker's Mark by D. At one point Jack Daniel's in jeopardy of being replaced by Maker's Mark in the family bar. These days, D and I compare notes about whiskies, especially small batch whiskies. My pal Glenda also keeps me apprised of notable whiskies as well.
Recently, I received an email from Debbie, a fairly new pal. She asked if I'd like to go bourbon tasting with her. Let the adventure begin!
Belated National Whisky/Whiskey Day!
Be well,
Technicolor girl
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