It seems that everyone has a tequila story. They may not want to share it because there may be big gaps in their memory, but anyone who’s ever had a drink has one. Tequila is for vacations in warm places with pools and beaches and food you’re worried about eating. Places where those big gaps in memory will make for a great story when you get back to work.
And vodka? Giving orange juice a reason to exist. And putting a kick into an otherwise boring party. Or creating a froofy cocktail that tastes like something innocent, and you say, “I can hardly taste the likker.”
And a lot of cocktails are exotic and beautiful and come on menus in the types of fancy bars that have menus and may even have photos that make them look more like parade floats than something you want to drink.
But Scotch Whisky…
Scotch Whisky is something different.
Scotch Whisky is for stories. Scotch is for an old friend you hadn’t seen in a while. Scotch is to be savored and enjoyed, a sip at a time. Scotch brings back memories as opposed to losing them, because, if you’re a proper human being, you’ll find a comfortable chair with a good view and a nice glass and settle in for some time off.
Scotch is for solving the world’s problems. Nobody ever solved the great inequities of human existence, or dove into the Roman Empire, or figured out how many angels can dance on the head of a pin with a Double Dirty Chocolate Monkey.
But with a fine glass of well-aged Scotch in your hand, now there’s something to fuel an evening’s discussion.
You might even want to step up your game.
Have a salon.
Typical weekend BBQs are fine and all, but seriously Bucky, how many times can you talk about football scores or cars or dogs before your eyes roll back in your head.
A salon is different. I’ve been to them and hosted them.
A salon is an evening of somewhat curated discussions with interesting people. It’s not an AA meeting with hellomynameisjoeblahblahblah.
It’s an evening real discussion.
Dialog.
Listening.
Not what I call “enough about me, what about me” kind of blather.
For a great salon, there has to be a bit of an unspoken rule that one can’t just hear someone speak and leap off to only talk about themselves. Listen and discuss. Like volleyball, volley back and forth a bit. Spike when you’re really old and about to die, or too young and clueless.
And have a sip of fine Scotch Whisky.
Sounds pretty simple don’t it.
I’ve been in Scotland for a week now, staying with Peter and Matt, the wise proprietors of Fort Glen Whisky.
We’ve had plenty of great discussions about life, politics, and, of course, what makes a great Scotch Whisky. I’ve asked a lot of questions and, of course, listened, much with a glass of Fort Glen Scotch Whisky.
Go wipe out brain cells in Cabo with tequila shots or do a Sunday morning brunch with that screwdriver or harass the pool boy with that Daiquiri…
But when it’s time to hear and tell stories, to solve the problems of the universe and cherish a great friendship…
Great Scotch Whisky, a glass, a comfy chair, some good friends, and some precious time.
And make that Scotch Whisky a bit of Fort Glen. It’s not easy to find, but it’s worth it.
