The annual Member's Choice meeting of The Cabinet took place two weeks ago. Two weeks ago and I'm only now updating the blog? You are outraged. I understand. But I beg forgiveness as the intervening two weeks were exceptionally lively, especially with Christmas and the arrival of a new puppy a couple days later. Excuses, excuses. Those are mine. I'm sure you have yours for your own multiple failings.
It was an unusual Member's Choice night for two reasons. The first was that one of the members scheduled to make a choice became unavailable. The other reason was that we had three guests, which is a record number. The second reason compensated for the first to some extent as one of the guests brought a bottle. This is never expected of guests, but if it happens occasionally, we will not refuse. We are discerning, but in all honesty, not that discerning. The full extent of this weak discernment will become evident by the end of this post.
To the choices and the tasting then.
The first was a surprise. The member was at pains to emphasize that it was not his "choice" within the context of Member's Choice, but rather just a bottle that he had been given by a neighbour and wanted to donate to The Cabinet. The bottle in question was a never before seen (or even heard of) "Rampur Double Cask" from India. It was simultaneously terrible and terrific. It was terrible because it tasted terrible, but terrific, because the label was terrifically entertaining. You can see it below, but the key part is the red stamp stating "Possession by persons other than Defence personnel is strictly prohibited. For Defence Services only canteen Services. For sale in Himachal Pradesh only." Clearly, the member will have questions for his neighbour. In case you are unaware, Himachal Pradesh is a state in the Indian Himalayas, whose border is disputed by China. Armed skirmishes have occurred. So we were drinking serious stuff from a serious place. Too bad it wasn't tastier. But I suppose that's a secondary consideration when you are being sent to your death on a glacier.
Next up was the Auchentoshan 12. It is a highly inoffensive whisky. If this be faint praise and that constitute damnation, then so be it. Regardless, it was nice to see that an aggressively middle brow scotch blows the Rampur away. Good thing the Indian Army isn't facing the Scots across the Line of Control.
Third was a long-standing favourite, the Oban 14. I believe that every time this member has the option, he chooses the Oban. And everyone could see why. It has been extensively described elsewhere in this blog, and is familiar to most scotch drinkers, so I won't go on about it. Besides, I'm already two weeks late.
Fourth, and sort of finally, we had the guest's Glendronach 2011. Here's where the two week interval of feasting, drinking, and puppy poop really makes itself felt: I don't remember a thing about the Glendronach. Not a thing. This means it wasn't hideous enough to make an impression, but sadly also not delightful enough. So. Somewhere between hideous and delightful. I'll be generous and say, probably closer to delightful.
What followed was hideous though. For amusement purposes, the same guest also brought a Hungarian aperitif that tasted like cough medicine. Buckley's, to be specific. I suppose we were amused, but we couldn't finish the year with that lingering on our palates, so we enjoyed quarter pours of the Ardbeg Wee Beastie. This is an almost universal antidote.
Slainte!
p.s. Looking through the photos, you will note that one of the guests is an artist. This is what is called a blind contour drawing.
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