Feb
11
Luxury is Relative
A female friend made a quick visit to my studio this morning, and she kindly brought over a sweet gift…
And no, they weren’t these flowers. Though flowers are nice too.
She’s known me for about 3-4 years now, and knows my alcohol preferences to a tee.
…Which leads me to the next photo…
What my friend didn’t know is that I’ve already put myself on a whiskey ban..but I was deeply moved by her gift. She just didn’t know, what can you do? This little box was a rare find for her, which is why she decided to get it for me. She knows I like small things, and she knows my favorite whiskey is Johnnie Blue, so basically it’s the most thoughtful gift ever. Made me incredibly happy. This small bottle is extremely seductive, the proportions just look better than the normal sized ones. This little bottle also set her back $65. Of course I have to post about things that get me excited! Love receiving the best gifts like this.
Whiskey in a coffin, like a dead corpse. Is Johnnie Walker trying to send me a message? Maybe.
I actually know very little about whiskey, how it’s made, flavors, etc., but the main reason why I like Johnnie Blue
And you know the story about Koreans and Johnnie Walker right? Similar to the story of Spam and Koreans. There’s a reason why Koreans are partial to Johnnie Walker, and it’s not necessarily because of quality or taste.. During the war when the American Army was in Korea protecting us they brought over Johnnie (Red Label) which is actually the cheapest kind you could get, bottom of the bottom but it’s what the men in the army were drinking at the time. Back then, Korea had nothing. We had Soju but nothing that was being widely distributed or marketed, because the country was poor. People made Soju in their backyard basically. Americans realized we had very little, and that this Whiskey would seem magical to the people in our country. The soldiers started selling Johnnie Red to Koreans (black market style) and this dirt cheap whiskey became such a valuable form of alcohol, not because it was great quality but #1 it is strong alcohol (cuts to the chase) And Koreans had never tried Whiskey before. Same thing happened to SPAM, even though this cheap luncheon meat held very little value over here in the states, in Korea during that time, it was like caviar, and the American army brought it over too and started selling it through the black market. Spam still feels like caviar to me, very luxurious, I like to eat it with piping hot rice. We also put it in our stews, we have this thing called ARMY stew which uses a good dosage of spam, sad story actually because imagine how poor your country has to be for Spam to be considered so valuable. Back then, for Koreans, if you had Johnnie Red and a cupboard full of Spam, you’ve arrived. Baller status. I know that it may gross some of you out, but I can’t help it if I’m a creature of habit/culture/geography. I am Korean, after all. Luxury has nothing to do with money, at least for me.
Anyways, I did pick up this random wine magazine, but this month they are focusing on Whiskey…Right now I’m not drinking whiskey but as an indirect source of pleasure I just want to know everything about Whiskey. I want to make my own whiskey..Luxirare Whiskey…I don’t know if it will work but I WILL do my research, mark my words, and there might be a good chance I do a post on this, and you know how I get when I get obsessed with something, I just have to know everything and then do my own version, don’t know if I will have the final product ready though as it will take a while for it to age. I had no idea that there is a whole Whiskey World out there, whiskey fanatics, kind of like that guy from the movie SIDEWAYS (one of my favorite movies by the way) with Paul Giamatti (one of my favorite actors). Anyway if you haven’t seen the movie he plays a wine fanatic and just knows everything about wine because he loves it, but apparently there are people who feel this way about whiskey too, I found his character very attractive because he just knew everything about wine, he was so passionate about it. Experts are scary though, you can’t fake anything around them. I would like to meet a whiskey expert, I need some education. Any interesting facts you can leave about whiskey in the comments section are welcome….Photo below.. Whiskey trails in Kentucky… this sounds very tempting to me. I will have to go when I decide to put myself off this ban, which will be in a while…but doesn’t that sound so fun to go on a Whiskey trail and learn about it all? The process and everything…I have also never been to Kentucky, so that state itself is enticing to me at this point…but..Kentucky bourbon festival?! I guess any of you who live in Kentucky are lucky…Any Kentucky residents who read this blog, hello!
In this magazine there are at least 4-5 pages of whiskeys and their reviews, prices, etc. I circled the ones I’ve tried, very dorky, but I like to do things like this, this way I can see which ones I haven’t tried for future reference and look for them.
I really really really like Wild Turkey, it is possibly my second favorite to Johnny Blue. Also a favorite of Hunter S. Thompson.
So many different kinds of whiskey, but I’ve only tried the tip of the iceberg…Jim Beam, Jack Daniels, Knob, Makers.. Makers, again, a little too sweet, but decent.
Now what I need to know, is it ‘Whiskey’ or ‘Whisky’? Spelling confusion.
Fashion posts coming soon, thanks for reading.
What a marvelous post! I too love whiskey and would love to know more. I have never heard of Blue Label, so thank you. My father drank bourbon whiskey and all I have to do is open the bottle to have wonderful memories of him come flooding back. My favorite right now is Labrot & Graham Woodford Reserve. I drop 3 morello cherries into the bottom of the glass. Perhaps add to your list when the ban is lifted. Salute!
Ahhh army stew. It’s been far too long since I’ve even laid my eyes on a pot of that. I grew up with SPAM too. As for whisky, I love it, but I haven’t had it for many years.
I love whisky too! I haven’t tried Johnnie Walker Blue, but I love Johhnie Black and Red. I really haven’t tasted a lot of whisky (or scotch) and I really ought to. Maybe you’ve inspired me? I’ve been sort of obsessing about vodka for the past few years.
The spelling depends on where you are, really. In America, its whiskey. In Ireland, it’s whisky! (I just use a lot of UK spelling, but I’m from America.)
Cool. People are always afraid to say they drink or enjoy alcohol, like it makes the an alcoholic or something. Thanks for sharing. I enjoy relatively clean tasting liquor such as tequila and vodka.
I’ve actually had that problem, myself. I’ll talk about how much I love to go out and try different alcohols or that I like to have a drink with dinner and then people start referring me to the AA or telling me that I MUST have a problem. It’s extremely annoying.
I love vodka. I’m sort of known as the vodka connoisseur with my friends because I have rather high tastes in what I drink. (My favourite is Jewel of Russia, but for every day business, I enjoy Russian Standard.) People think I’m crazy, but I feel like there’s so much of a subtle difference.
Well, I do live in Kentucky and always take visitors to the various distilleries. There is also an overnight team run called the Bourbon Chase that is quite fun. The latest craze is selling unaged bourbon – called white dog. That and rye made in bourbon barrels.
Kentucky is pretty beautiful – you should come check it out.
I love whisky; my usual is Laphroaig which is splendidly peaty and smoky, or when I’m in a bourbon mood, Woodford Reserve. It’s so nice to have thoughtful friends!
laphroaig is my boyfriend’s choice, too. I sometimes feel ignorant for not liking whiskey (and this is one of those moments). can’t help it, I’m a red wine person.
I’m from Scotland, so Whisky is pretty popular around here and everywhere you go there are distilleries nearby. Smoky whiskies are my preference especially Ardbeg and Laphroaig, probably due to my parents drinking it as a child. I would love to know more about the differences between the different types, I often mean to visit the distillaries, but never get round to it.
Also, I love that little jar the flowers are in. So pretty!
I live in Nashville, TN, the Jack Daniels distillery is close by. It’s a worthwhile visit…Lovely post by the way.
If you go on the Bourbon trail, make note that many of the distilleries are in dry counties (Bourbon County for example) and do not allow samples. Woodford Reserve (Woodford County- not dry) is definitely worth it. The $5 tour I took a few year ago has by now turned into hundreds because frankly…nothing else compares. The only triple distilled bourbon in the world, tastes like pure heaven.
So interesting to hear that Johnnie Walker backstory! Mysteries revealed.
Thanks for the nice insight you gave about red label and spam in korea. It’s nice hearing about this. Enlightening really.
Yet to try the army stew. Mom isn’t huge on SPAM/ Luncheon meat (She ate a lot of that because her family was poor). So…
My husband loves Whiskey, I cannot stomach the taste. On a side note I wrote Whisky and the auto correct highlighted the word in red so maybe it’s Whiskey lol.
Whiskey and whisky are both right, but some regions prefer one or the other. In Spanish it’s spelled Uisque because the letter W is used so rarely.
Oh I love Whisky, I mean scotch, because I’m European, even when living in the US I have to drink scotch. Single malt only. That’s all, and it’s very expensive. I recently stopped buying it so I don’t drink alcohol so much. My favorite are Talisker, Lagavulin, Glenlivet and Maccallan. I also like Irish whisky like Bushmills.
For me right now, luxury has nothing to do with owning expensive stuff….
The New York Times had a handy article about whiskey vs. whiskey: http://dinersjournal.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/12/04/whiskey-versus-whisky/ Some people feel strongly about the spelling!
I’ve tried blue and it’s great but not my taste. I love Oban and Talisker malts from Scotland. Try them whenever you have a chance dear, and ALWAYS without ice or water.
xoxoxo
Luxirare Whiskey! Hahah that would be awesome. An old friend of mine knows a LOT about whiskey and I got him a very special whiskey for his birthday. I on the other hand, know nothing about it and am a total wuss because I can not keep it down:( Also, Sideways is one of my favourite movies too! I might watch it now haha!
Nice friend! I love the idea of drinking whisky though, try as I have, I’ve never acquired a taste for it. The closest I get is Glayva, which is a whisky liqueur. It’s hard to get here but when I find it I’m happy.
Loulou Downtown
That really IS the most thoughtful gift ever. I just went to the old Jameson distillery in Dublin, and during the after-tour taste test was the only one honest enough to say I liked the Johnny Walker over the Jameson. No historical backstory behind my decisions though, just taste preferences.
Step into Estherina’s World
WHOA. I love the little history lesson. I didn’t know there was a real history behind Koreans and Spam! Just when I thought I couldn’t love you more. . .
A girls guide to Whiskey right here:
http://tomboystyle.blogspot.com/2011/11/guru-heather-john-on-whiskey.html
whiskey makes me a little too brave…must stay away!
nataliya
sewniice.blogspot.com
The tip of the iceberg indeed Luxirare! I’m a whiskey fanatic, (more bourbon and domestic stuff). Some of my favorites that are mentioned in that mag are High West, Bulliet, Jefferson Reserve, Hirsch, Blanton’s, the list goes on…
I don’t drink very much Scotch, but I do love this particular Belgian distiller who uses old sherry casks and then ages it in Burgundian caves for 12 years. Michel Couvreur. Snatch a bottle of that immediately.
Astor Wines of course has an amazing selection of these boutique whiskies. I do love September Wines though on Stanton/Ludlow. Much smaller selection but picked extremely well and the staff knows their stuff.
The Tuthilltown Hudson Whiskey tour might be a quick fix for you instead of traveling down to Kentucky. It’s only an hour or so out of the city. The distillery has surged in popularity recently, so I found it really interesting to see how innovative they’ve had to become to keep up.
Happy drinking.
Heston Blumenthal has a great Whisk(e)y Gum recipe in both the Big Fat Duck Cookbook and Heston at Home — it’s a lot of fun because 1) tiny bottles! whiskey gummy bears! and 2) the alcohol evaporates in the making of the jellies, so you can make several different kinds and really taste the differences in flavour between variants.
Always leant that “whiskey” is Irish and “whisky” is Scottish spelling. And I think it means a great deal to the people over there on the islands and they each try to keep their particular ways of spelling the word.
Cheers from Denmark and thank you for a marvellous blog!
I, too, appreciate a good whiskey. I’m partial to bourbon and scotch. As a Cincinnatian, I’ve visited a couple of the distilleries in KY. Buffalo Trace is worth a visit, and a sip! You won’t miss the “angel’s share” if you decide to take a tour. Oh, that smell! Divine. My favorite bourbon is probably Woodford Reserve, and Lagavulin is a wonderful smoky scotch. Cheers!
Someone posted the wrong answer about the whiskey/whisky spelling, I don’t know if it’s already been corrected but I thought I would answer in case it hasn’t. Whiskey is the word for the Irish or American versions, whisky is the word for Scottish versions and all otheres. So, American or Irish brands you would refer to them at whiskey, all other brands as whisky. You can’t correctly use them interchangeably, like if you are American you can’t call them all whiskey just because that’s the American version.
I think when you are done with your ban it will be a lot of fun for you. My boyfriend really likes Laphroaig and Talisker, he likes to eat peanuts when he drinks it.
Try Whistlepig, a bourbon, sometime. It is dry with a big warming glow down the esophagus. I had it only once at breakfast with grits and bacon. Yum. Wild Turkey, Rare Breed is also delicious.
“Jim Beam, Jack Daniels, Knob” in Scotland those are considered to be the lowest quality, most popular though. It’s the whiskey students drink and not for the taste. If you really want to get into whisky then try single malts, it’s the only way. Get yourself to Scotland, that’s where all the magic happens.
I believe “Whisky” is the Scottish spelling and “Whiskey” is the Irish and American spelling.
If you like Bourbon Whisky then sometime you should try Pappy Van Winkle, if you can get ahold of it, Tough to get you usually have to be on a list and there are 3 different types that have been aged for different periods of time.
http://oldripvanwinkle.com/
love the post!
btw those flowers are BEAUTIFUL <3
what are they?
I didn’t like whisky that much until very recently I tried the Glenfiddich 18 yr. Definitely not a connoisseur, and I agree that in many cases luxury doesn’t necessarily equate with expensive, but when it comes to alcohol you get what you pay for. I can enjoy the cheaper variety in cocktails but would rather have something of better quality for sec drinks. Major difference for me is what you mentioned: waking up the next morning clean.
It’s been a while since I’ve stopped by your site… you cut your hair!!! (sobs)
If you like it peaty: Ardbeg Very Young, Ardbeg Uigeadail, Ardbeg Corryvreckan, Laphroaig Cask Strength, Bruicch Laddich Moine Mhor . . . if you want something not too peaty Laphroaig Triple Wood, Bruicch Laddich Yellow Submarine . . . being that you like bourbon though, you’d probably prefer a highland or speyside — I’d suggest Macallan French Oak, Oban (it’s considered peaty but it’s really not at all), Nikka (Japanese) or even Suntory — or perhaps just stick with some good bourbon’s you might not have tried out yet (though, likely you have) like:
Michter’s, Noah Mills, Pappy Van Winkle, Black Maple Hill, Eagle Rare . . . I gifted all these to my friend who is a bourbon aficionado and his favorite is the Michter’s or the Noah — good luck and enjoy! Though, honestly, the ban is good for you. Keep it up.
oh, another epic post! I love scotch and I love Johnnie Walker too! Never tried blue. But black label is incredibly good choice for the money, and even red label has quite unique and great taste. My favorite brand in price-don’t-matter category is Glenmorangie, and in the cheapest-premium-whiskey is Suntory Yamazaki. For $38 in some japanese stores it’s quite close to pure heaven.
Can’t say I love bourbons though. I have a friend who is a big fan, and he wants to bring me to the dark side, and keeps presenting me with some nice and fancy bourbons now and then, but I find them all a little too… cologne-smelling for the lack of the better word. Not that I ever turned down a gift or any of it got wasted
But it’s not something I’d buy when have a choice.
beautiful imagery as usual. I love getting insight into peoples childhoods and learning why they are inclined a certain way. so fascinating
my most recently finished bottle is four roses small batch which i liked a lot but i think is also on the sweeter side. my next bottle is yamazaki 12 year (suntory) which i tried once when i was drunk and loved. except i was already drunk and possibly don’t remember it correctly. all i know is that i usually need to drink whiskey over ice to cut the burn but the yamazaki was good straight up!
Last year, my mom and I took a road trip to Nashville and took a detour through bourbon country on our way home. You’ll love the bourbon trail. I highly, highly recommend the Makers Mark tour. Loretto is a charming little hamlet, and when you roll down the windows of your car driving through, the whole town smells like bourbon! And dipping my own bottles was a real treat!
Now, that’s a friend! Johnny Blue is the best Scotch, hands down…
Although I have to admit that the Green isn’t too bad, and the Gold is pretty solid. Have you ever tried Johnny Walker Swing? Been wondering if the flavour is any different from the others, or if the novelty of it rests only with the bottle…
Fabulous imagery, as always!
AH! I’m such a rye/whiskey girl. My drink of choice anywhere is a rye and ginger, with a wedge of lemon of course. You must try Jamesons. It’s by far the most popular Irish whiskey, and one of the few I can drink straight. Other favorites are Canadian Club and Wisers (although I don’t know how readily available they are in the states). You should also try to find some whisky rocks, they are freezable rocks that you put in your glass instead of ice so as not to water down the flavor.
As others have hinted, the usual spelling is “whiskey,” though if it’s Scotch or Japanese or Canadian it’s “whisky.” And Japanese whisky has more in common with Scotch whisky than with other kinds; they even import peat from Scotland into Japan, though Japanese whisky has its own merits and fans. And my friend from Kentucky would scold me if I didn’t mention that bourbon comes from Kentucky *only*.
I hope you’ve had whisk(e)y with ice and water; it’s fascinating how the flavor changes as the ice melts and the water/liquor ratio and temperature change. Of course, an aficionado would probably faint if you did this with Blue or even at a whiskey bar, but it’s a good experiment for the Maker’s at home.
I think that is really interesting the history about the wishky in Corea, I haven’t idea before,and is a good idea investigate all about things that we’ve some interest, I do the same whit music, artists, writers,when I like it I want to know everything about them, so I hope you really found all the information abaut Whisky, and I stayed intrigued now, I have test the whiskey Johnny Walker Blue label.
P.S. I investigated,
Whisky (Scottish English) or whiskey (Irish English and American English)
Kentucky, especially the area around Lexington, is one of the most magical places to live. You can attend the races at Keeneland if you visit in the spring or the fall. And you can’t miss out on taking a country drive so you can visit all of the wonderful small towns in central Kentucky and the beautiful horse farms.
Ah I am from Woodford County, the seat of bourbondom. You must do the bourbon/ thoroughbred tour, preferably during the Keeneland meet! There are some amazing restaurants as well. My boyfriend was a chef at Holly Hill Inn and bourbon is a BIG deal there (the owner is also Woodford Reserve’s chef).
Also, you should try the James Beard award winning Pappy Van Winkle from Louisville (once the ban subsides, of course)
Hi!
Whiskey/whisky is not actually just dialects and spellings, like gray/grey, I’m pretty sure it is actually a difference in how they are made, malts, etc. I don’t know much about it all either, but I am from Ky, from smack dab in the middle of bourbon country, and some knowledge you just sort of pick up. Also, I’ve heard that “bourbon” is a specific way of making whiskey, but that it can only be called “Bourbon” whiskey properly if it was made in Kentucky. So, Jack Daniels, being from Tennessee, cannot be labeled bourbon, even if it’s basically the same process.
Finally, Im happy to see you like Wild Turkey, I like it too! You should try Evan Williams as well. And, if you do make it to Kentucky for the Bourbon Trail, I suggest staying in Louisville (Ky’s largest and most, erm, forward-looking city), and dine/drink at a wonderful restaurant there called simply, “Bourbon’s”. It’s great. And if you have a few days, you might really enjoy Louisville. The food culture there has really been on the upswing, with national features and a lot of really exciting things happening. But, you’re still in Kentucky, so everything is SUPER affordable! I’m out of the country now, but it’s always such a treat to come home and visit. Just to tempt you: the “Elvis”, a peanut butter, banana, and mascarpone cheese-stuffed brioche french toast, served with honey and maple syrup at a place called Toast (also, endless coffee).
I hope you enjoy, I’m excited to see what comes of this project!
DYING to know where you purchased the skull oil lamp? I’ve googled and searched everywhere but came up with nothing. Please share?
i’ve been a whiskey fan since way back. i love to drink it straight up or with some spicy high quality ginger ale. bulleit is my fave and is smoother than makers. i just recently discovered bulleit rye which is even smoother and cleaner tasting than the regular bulleit. i also appreciate a nice carmelly single malt scotch. my husband and i are contemplating a scotch distillery tour sometime this year, though i think he’d enjoy it more than i as i am not a fan of smoky peaty scotches.
Chelsea Wine Vault has a Whiskey 101 class every so often…They have one March 2nd. Maybe you’d be interested?
To answer your question of “whiskey” versus “whisky”:
The spelling “whiskey” hails from America, while “whisky” is primarily Scottish, although I believe it is common in some parts of England, as well. It’s sort of a “tomAto/toMAHto” thing.
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