NEW SUMMER MENU
Some things just get better with age
The other night a good friend and I polished off a bottle of Ardbeg Uigeadail. The bottle was a good two years old and the remains had sat in the cupboard for at least six months. Now this particular whisky is a peaty monster. You either love the smoky notes and pungent taste or you hate it. However, this particular dram tasted slightly different, definitely coarser and considerably harsher than I remembered. This leads us to the sobering question. Does whisky go bad after you have opened the bottle?
I can see everybody looking in horror at the opened bottles on the sideboard and weighing up the cost of the declining spirit! Before you consign the collection to the bin there are some key points to consider. As soon as the bottle is opened oxidation will begin, how much depends on the air / liquid ratio. So in my case where there was a lot of air and not much whisky things will happen. If the bottle is say, half full, then the effects will be less. It’ s further complicated by the fact that the less whisky there is in a bottle the more seems to
To market to market...
Don’ t forget to make a trip down to Eccleshall’ s monthly Farmer’ s Market which makes a welcome return to the town on Saturday 24th August.
Held under the arches of the Royal Oak pub between 9am and 1pm there is lots of produce for sale from around the local area.
While nearby the next two Sugnall Farmers Markets will take place on Sunday 11th August and Sunday 15th September.
Held at Home farm, Sugnall, between 10am and 2pm there will be a mouth watering array of locally made food, together with a wide range of handcrafted products and gifts, not to be missed.
LAST ORDERS disappear through evaporation, either that or I have a resident population of very happy mice!
How long do we have to enjoy whiskies at their prime. The answer seems to be it all depends on the whisky. Younger whiskies may last longer than older whiskies that’ s right the more expensive the whisky the less time to enjoy it – it all seems to be a bit unfair but then that’ s physics for you! In any case research seems to indicate an optimum time of 6 – 12 months from opening.
Looking at the sideboard I can see several old favourites that are considerably older than this recommendation. Am I going to throw them away on the basis that they may not be up to scratch. Definitely not, just be mindful that just like us they are getting older too!
Whisky expert Dave Pickard of Old School Wines, Tittensor. T. 01782 372888
The George & Dragon
at Meaford
NEW SUMMER MENU
2 for £ 10
SPECIAL DRINK OFFERS
Bottle of wine £ 7.99 Lager or Bitter
Monday-Friday 12noon-5pm
Special offers all week from 5pm
• Monday- GRILL NIGHT- 2-for-1 on steaks
• Wednesday- CURRY NIGHT- Curry with a free drink £ 6.95
• Thursday- FREE BOTTLE OF WINE with two main meals
• Friday- FISH NIGHT- Free drink with every fish main meal
• SUNDAY LUNCH- 12 noon- 9pm with free dessert £ 10.25
£ 2.50 a pint
Meaford Road, Stone, ST15 0PX Tel: 01785 748787 www. georgedragonmeaford. com
Open 7 days 12 noon- 11pm Food served everyday 12noon- 9pm
Function room available
Please ask for details
August / September 2013 25