Not a shark, but a Volkswagon Polo that bit me

It has been some time since my last confession, forgive me. I have been “recuperating” after a weird collision with a car.

Some of you may know that aside from my love of whisky, I am partial to the odd spot of cycling. Well, those of you who know me better would say the bike always comes first.

Whisky is a passion that I have developed in later life, whilst my cycling is something that has been a lifelong companion. I have owned something in the region of 20 bikes, mostly all road racing but the odd mountain bike crept in there. I have raced for my country (that’s Scotland that is) been national junior triathlon champion and completed two Ironman Triathlon (Lanzarote- the toughest) and pottered about building the odd steed.

But last weeks incident was far removed from 4 hrs at 80klm an hour, or slick bunch racing- I was actually on my way back from buying a bottle of wine from the corner shop when a car reversed out of its driveway and hit me. Once I had removed it’s rear windscreen with my elbow and hip, it decided to slice my side open. Needless to say, I was in a touch of pain for the last two weeks- not least when the nurse removed the twelve stitches that had so neatly pulled the skin around hip back into place.

Funny thing is, the next day I had a tasting to host in London but had thankfully been given the type of painkillers that stop a train full of elephants!

I dont remember that much about it, the crowd were sympathetic as I felt it only polite to warn them in case I blacked out at some stage, perhaps mid pour which would have been such a waste.

But one thing I do remember, is the rather splendid bottle given to me earlier fromas well as a membership (thanks guys). The society is famed for its vast collection and releases to members of selected cask strength single malts, normally all single cask to boot. Once a member, you have access to not only a superb private bar above the Bleeding Heart pub in Farringdon, but also the chance to buy some brilliant select relaeses throughout the year. The other thing I love about the society is it’s no nonsesne tasting notes. Normally bringing a smile to the face, but deffinately hitting the mark.

Salty toffee or a carpenters workbench

My particular bottle (they are only ever numbered) was 19.49 and had in bold writing the top note of “Salty toffee on a carpenters workbench” the tasting note goes on to mention such delights as Chestnuts, liquorice, barley sugar and wood glue! brilliant. Being 1 of only 264 bottles it was a delight to open and share around the “blurry” room of atendees.

With a little bit of research, you can normall find out what the whiksy inside the uniform greem glass bottles is. on this occassion, mine was a 21 yr old Glen Garioch and by gings, it went down well!