Today’s post is going to be different from my other posts in two ways: firstly, you may have noticed it is in English! Secondly, prepare to read about something other than habits, learning styles and strategies because this post is about How I developed a liking for WHISKEY! Or WHISKY? Well, we shall get there…
This is Part 1 - my personal story about whiskey. Soon I will share Part 2 - a factual exploration of this Gaelic alcohol.
Before I say anything else, I shall state that I am NOT an alcohol fan. If I couldn’t have alcohol for the rest of my life, I wouldn’t mind. It is not something I would have cravings for and I do not particularly enjoy the taste. In fact, when socialising I prefer not to drink alcohol. At least this was the case until recently!
Something quite peculiar happened to me about a month ago, when I was at home with covid. Physically I didn’t feel well, but I had a great need to socialise in a way that I normally do not, i.e. going to a bar, having a drink and chatting with a stranger. I dreamt about a whiskey bar somewhere in Ireland or Scotland as I wanted that conversation to be in English. (By the way, in Scotland it would be a whiskey bar, without the E. So the first question of this post is answered.)
You know, I was once in a whiskey bar in Killarney, Ireland. Never before had I seen so much whiskey in one place! It was the end of winter, a perfect time to be in a bar like that one. That was the first time I tasted whiskey. Frankly, I wasn’t impressed; I found Bushmills too strong for my unaccustomed palate. However, my companion and the whole experience were so enjoyable that the moment left a lasting impression. So it turns out that my desire to experience something similar again was about the sentiment, not the drink as such.
Since I work in a school and have no choice in picking my days off, this dream of going to a bar full of English speakers hasn’t come true yet. However, I spotted a discounted bottle of Tullamore Dew in a local supermarket. Yes, you are right in guessing that I took it home (after I paid, of course!). Remember my reluctant relationship to alcohol? So, I put it into a cabinet and nothing happened for 10 days.
It was a Wednesday evening and I felt unmotivated to prepare for my lessons the following day. I also felt peckish…but there was nothing in the cupboard that I fancied…so I thought “maybe it’s time I tasted that whiskey!” I should have known better! It did not satisfy my peckishness, it actually enhanced my appetite and I ended up eating the chips I had reserved for my sister’s visits (well, she hardly ever stops by anyway). By the way, there is another thing you should know about me - I eat chips no more than once a year. Hehe, that evening I wasn’t quite myself!
The spontaneous idea was to plan my lessons with style, accompanied by whiskey. Instead I ate the chips, found cashew nuts (they go very well with Tullamore Dew) and felt merry, playful and inspired, but not inspired to work! Well, a lesson learnt. There is actually another thing I learnt that night - I really like the taste of Tullamore Dew!
So it happened that today, exactly a week after my merry evening with Tullamore Dew, I bought a different brand of whiskey and am waiting for the right moment to open it. One could think that the stylish thing would be to write this post with its taste in the mouth, but that would be “a lesson not learnt” from last Wednesday, wouldn’t it?
I’m drinking water instead. Oh, did you know that whisk(e)y in Old Gaelic meant “water of life”?
Well, on that topic next time. We shall look into its history, types, basic characteristics and whatever else I find interesting during my research… Until then, be well. And if you, too, enjoy a sip of whiskey, let me know which affordable brands you recommend. I am a curious beginner now, and appreciate a good whiskey recommendation.
Comments