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Post by 1955nyyfan on Oct 3, 2024 14:27:10 GMT -5
And on the subject of Scotch -- my thanks to 1955nyyfan for bringing up Aberlour. We just visited the distillery today and had a wonderful (and generous) tasting. What an idyllic setting. The town of Aberlour itself is charming like most of the Speyside region, which has the highest concentration of distilleries in Scotland. Aberlour is also the headquarters of Walker's Shortbread, so after our tasting we went there and consumed some product to cleanse our palates before heading to Glenlivet. There are basically two kinds of properties in Scotland -- distilleries and golf courses -- and there seems to be a lot of interaction between them. Sounds like youy had a great time. Can't recall if you are a golfer but do wonder if you had a chance to play a round? Been to Scotlnad once on a business trip. Unfortunately it was almost all work with little time for play. We were on the coast at a bulk station near the North Sea. During our final day we made our presentation at a late afternoon meeting. Afterwards, our hosts asked us to go to Church with them. We figured "when in Rome.....". Turns out the Church had been converted into a nice pub and we were able to have an enjoyable evening before catching a red eye. One thing I notice and I wonder if it has changed, the young Scots were heavy smokers and they like American beer. |
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Post by 1955nyyfan on Oct 3, 2024 14:29:37 GMT -5
A quick note to rizzuto because I know he loves golf history -- stop whatever you are doing and get to St. Andrews. Golf Heaven in ways I couldn't have imagined. I'll have more to say after we get back, but we were about ready to move there after the first few hours. Beautiful, historic, bursting with great pubs and shops -- no wonder everyone loves it, even people who have no interest in golf. It's amazing how accessible The Old Course is to the public. In fact it's a public park, and other than during the Open and a few other exceptions, there is no golf on Sunday (Tom Morris rule) and anyone is free to walk the course, bring your dogs, etc. It felt a bit unreal being there. Sort of similar arrangement at Carnoustie as well. I feel so fortunate to have finally gotten to these places. More later, but we're having a ridiculously good time here. Several buddies have played the Old Course. I've been told you need to have a certain handicap to be allowed access. They really take pace of play seriously and high handicappers need not apply. |
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Post by pippsheadache on Oct 3, 2024 14:43:48 GMT -5
A quick note to rizzuto because I know he loves golf history -- stop whatever you are doing and get to St. Andrews. Golf Heaven in ways I couldn't have imagined. I'll have more to say after we get back, but we were about ready to move there after the first few hours. Beautiful, historic, bursting with great pubs and shops -- no wonder everyone loves it, even people who have no interest in golf. It's amazing how accessible The Old Course is to the public. In fact it's a public park, and other than during the Open and a few other exceptions, there is no golf on Sunday (Tom Morris rule) and anyone is free to walk the course, bring your dogs, etc. It felt a bit unreal being there. Sort of similar arrangement at Carnoustie as well. I feel so fortunate to have finally gotten to these places. More later, but we're having a ridiculously good time here. Glad you're having a wonderful time pipps! We miss you! Thanks Kaybli. I love this forum and I have checked in but missed a few days. This is the first night I've had a little time to write. But yeah it's been full tilt! I noticed you had your latest Michelin-star experience! We're doing mostly pub grub here, but it’s generally been good. They do love their Cullen Skink here -- essentially a fish chowder. It seems to be on the menu in every restaurant. Also steak and kidney pies. I tried Haggis after a long absence -- either my standards are lower or my palate is more generous, but I found it to be okay. Not great by any means, but edible. But more after we get back for sure. |
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Post by pippsheadache on Oct 3, 2024 14:51:35 GMT -5
And on the subject of Scotch -- my thanks to 1955nyyfan for bringing up Aberlour. We just visited the distillery today and had a wonderful (and generous) tasting. What an idyllic setting. The town of Aberlour itself is charming like most of the Speyside region, which has the highest concentration of distilleries in Scotland. Aberlour is also the headquarters of Walker's Shortbread, so after our tasting we went there and consumed some product to cleanse our palates before heading to Glenlivet. There are basically two kinds of properties in Scotland -- distilleries and golf courses -- and there seems to be a lot of interaction between them. Sounds like youy had a great time. Can't recall if you are a golfer but do wonder if you had a chance to play a round? Been to Scotlnad once on a business trip. Unfortunately it was almost all work with little time for play. We were on the coast at a bulk station near the North Sea. During our final day we made our presentation at a late afternoon meeting. Afterwards, our hosts asked us to go to Church with them. We figured "when in Rome.....". Turns out the Church had been converted into a nice pub and we were able to have an enjoyable evening before catching a red eye. One thing I notice and I wonder if it has changed, the young Scots were heavy smokers and they like American beer. Hey 55, my golf career ended awhile ago, but I still love the game and it's history. To play a round on the Old Course you either pony up over $400 months in advance, or for $200 you can enter a lottery for the exact day you will be there and get something like 20 minutes notice on that day that you were accepted. Love your church/pub story. Praying and drinking are closely linked here (except for some of the stricter Presbyterians.) Scotland now has smoking regulations similar to the US, so there's none even in pubs. If anything there seems to be more vaping here. |
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Post by kaybli on Oct 3, 2024 15:13:14 GMT -5
Glad you're having a wonderful time pipps! We miss you! Thanks Kaybli. I love this forum and I have checked in but missed a few days. This is the first night I've had a little time to write. But yeah it's been full tilt! I noticed you had your latest Michelin-star experience! We're doing mostly pub grub here, but it’s generally been good. They do love their Cullen Skink here -- essentially a fish chowder. It seems to be on the menu in every restaurant. Also steak and kidney pies. I tried Haggis after a long absence -- either my standards are lower or my palate is more generous, but I found it to be okay. Not great by any means, but edible. But more after we get back for sure. Yes I went to one my favorite Peter Lugers and to this Michelin Star French restaurant Le Coucou while I am staying at a friends place. Peter Lugers was great like usual and we overate like usual. Lecoucou was also very good. I enjoyed their fois gras and pike mousse with lobster sauce and had their duck as entrée. I have not had Cullen Skink or Haggas. Something to try for sure! Glad you are enjoying the food in Scotland! |
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Post by desousa on Oct 4, 2024 7:14:57 GMT -5
My motto used to be, "why would I marry someone who would marry me?". Well, after being together 18 years, Gloria and I decided to tie the knot next year. We are going on our honeymoon first as we just booked 6 weeks in Lisbon, Portugal starting in January. Whoa pardner, that's wonderful news. I'm just seeing this on account of we've been in Scotland for the past week and a half, so sorry for the delay. It's never too late to play the Newlywed Game! I'm very happy for both of you for a marriage that you already know will work out beautifully. And six weeks in Portugal! Sweet deal. BTW, inspired by you mentioning the subject a few weeks ago, I had a Rusty Nail a few days ago at Dunvegan's Pub in St. Andrews. One of the world's great golf pubs, one block away from the first tee at The Old Course, a favorite of Arnie and Jack and Tiger and pretty much all of them over the last half century. What a great smooth drink -- I went with a 12-year old Balvenie partnering with the Drambuie, reasonably priced and it was liquid gold. Never would have thought of mixing the Scotch without you mentioning it. I owe you for that one. But not even a good cocktail can beat a good marriage. Sincere congratulations to you and Gloria, Matt. Thanks for your kind words, pipps. Always great to have you back on the forum. Happy you had Rusty Nail. Now, I'll have to order one next time I'm out. I love 12-year-old Balvenie. It's like drinking scotch and smoking a cigar at the same time. |
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Post by 1955nyyfan on Oct 4, 2024 9:28:50 GMT -5
Whoa pardner, that's wonderful news. I'm just seeing this on account of we've been in Scotland for the past week and a half, so sorry for the delay. It's never too late to play the Newlywed Game! I'm very happy for both of you for a marriage that you already know will work out beautifully. And six weeks in Portugal! Sweet deal. BTW, inspired by you mentioning the subject a few weeks ago, I had a Rusty Nail a few days ago at Dunvegan's Pub in St. Andrews. One of the world's great golf pubs, one block away from the first tee at The Old Course, a favorite of Arnie and Jack and Tiger and pretty much all of them over the last half century. What a great smooth drink -- I went with a 12-year old Balvenie partnering with the Drambuie, reasonably priced and it was liquid gold. Never would have thought of mixing the Scotch without you mentioning it. I owe you for that one. But not even a good cocktail can beat a good marriage. Sincere congratulations to you and Gloria, Matt. Thanks for your kind words, pipps. Always great to have you back on the forum. Happy you had Rusty Nail. Now, I'll have to order one next time I'm out. I love 12-year-old Balvenie. It's like drinking scotch and smoking a cigar at the same time. Matt, I enjoy a cigar from time to time. Do you have a favorite? I enjoy a nice Oliva or Leaf by Oscar. |
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Post by bomberhojoe on Oct 4, 2024 10:42:39 GMT -5
Thanks for your kind words, pipps. Always great to have you back on the forum. Happy you had Rusty Nail. Now, I'll have to order one next time I'm out. I love 12-year-old Balvenie. It's like drinking scotch and smoking a cigar at the same time. Matt, I enjoy a cigar from time to time. Do you have a favorite? I enjoy a nice Oliva or Leaf by Oscar. I am a fan of Perdomo and Alec Bradley! They go particularly well with a glass of port. |
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Post by 1955nyyfan on Oct 4, 2024 11:09:35 GMT -5
Matt, I enjoy a cigar from time to time. Do you have a favorite? I enjoy a nice Oliva or Leaf by Oscar. I am a fan of Perdomo and Alec Bradley! They go particularly well with a glass of port. Awhile back I googled what kind of cigar did Columbo smoke. It was a really cheap one that you could buy at the time in most mom and pop grocery stores. He felt it went along with the image he was trying to create. |
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Post by bomberhojoe on Oct 4, 2024 13:25:36 GMT -5
I am a fan of Perdomo and Alec Bradley! They go particularly well with a glass of port. Awhile back I googled what kind of cigar did Columbo smoke. It was a really cheap one that you could buy at the time in most mom and pop grocery stores. He felt it went along with the image he was trying to create. Columbo often, but not always, smoked green (probably candela) cigars. They are my least favorite. He said, he bought them cheap at the supermarket. ![]() ![]()  |
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Post by rizzuto on Oct 4, 2024 15:54:18 GMT -5
Matt, I enjoy a cigar from time to time. Do you have a favorite? I enjoy a nice Oliva or Leaf by Oscar. I am a fan of Perdomo and Alec Bradley! They go particularly well with a glass of port. Though not a smoker, any time I am near salt water, an urge for a cigar emerges. While not a connoisseur, I have a preference for those from the Dominican Republic. Any time I have had a Cuban cigar - several occasions - they were too tightly wrapped to get a proper draw. I reckoned the Castro boys kept the best for themselves and cronies. |
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Post by azbob643 on Oct 4, 2024 16:06:24 GMT -5
I am a fan of Perdomo and Alec Bradley! They go particularly well with a glass of port. Though not a smoker, any time I am near salt water, an urge for a cigar emerges. While not a connoisseur, I have a preference for those from the Dominican Republic. Any time I have had a Cuban cigar - several occasions - they were too tightly wrapped to get a proper draw. I reckoned the Castro boys kept the best for themselves and cronies. Had an acquaintance who smoked Tiparillos like a cigarette. Got a kick out of the old Italians smoking little cigars that looked like they'd been chewed up and left to dry in the sun. Toscano?? |
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Post by bomberhojoe on Oct 4, 2024 17:47:49 GMT -5
I am a fan of Perdomo and Alec Bradley! They go particularly well with a glass of port. Though not a smoker, any time I am near salt water, an urge for a cigar emerges. While not a connoisseur, I have a preference for those from the Dominican Republic. Any time I have had a Cuban cigar - several occasions - they were too tightly wrapped to get a proper draw. I reckoned the Castro boys kept the best for themselves and cronies. I'm a fan of cigars from the DR as well. But I have had many good Nicaraguans and Hondurans. Similar climates which is very important. Cuba has better public relations. |
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Post by Max on Oct 5, 2024 10:02:00 GMT -5
Though not a smoker, any time I am near salt water, an urge for a cigar emerges. While not a connoisseur, I have a preference for those from the Dominican Republic. Any time I have had a Cuban cigar - several occasions - they were too tightly wrapped to get a proper draw. I reckoned the Castro boys kept the best for themselves and cronies. Had an acquaintance who smoked Tiparillos like a cigarette. Got a kick out of the old Italians smoking little cigars that looked like they'd been chewed up and left to dry in the sun. Toscano?? Some of the people in the old neighborhood had a nickname for the small thin cigars that some older Italians would smoke. The nickname was guinea stinker. As an Italian American that's not a word that I use nor like. So no one is offended, I was just wondering if that's what they were called in Bob's old neighborhood. I remember a family friend would smoke them, the cigars he smoked were called "De Nobili popular" they came in a blue and yellow box.
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Post by azbob643 on Oct 5, 2024 10:19:59 GMT -5
Had an acquaintance who smoked Tiparillos like a cigarette. Got a kick out of the old Italians smoking little cigars that looked like they'd been chewed up and left to dry in the sun. Toscano?? Some of the people in the old neighborhood had a nickname for the small thin cigars that some older Italians would smoke. The nickname was guinea stinker. As an Italian American that's not a word that I use nor like. So no one is offended, I was just wondering if that's what they were called in Bob's old neighborhood. I remember a family friend would smoke them, the cigars he smoked were called "De Nobili popular" they came in a blue and yellow box.
Yes...I'm well aware of the nickname, and that's what they were called in my neighborhood. I didn't use it because I didn't want to offend anyone, although I don't find it offensive, and neither did the people I grew up with. It's funny...and, IMO, appropriate. And yes..."De Nobili". |
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