Stone Life December 2013/January 2014 | Page 29

LAST ORDERS The countdown to Christmas will never be the same again! I t’s that time of year again, how time flies. The age old problem of what to buy loved ones for Christmas is guaranteed to raise furrowed brows. However, for whisky enthusiasts the outlook is looking encouraging. You can even have your wildest dreams satisfied well before the magic day itself. Advent calendars will never be the same again. Masters of Malt have released a whisky advent calendar that gives you a 3cl sample of a different whisky for each day leading up to the 25th. Now these are not just any old whiskies but a selection from around the world and of varying age culminating in a 40 year old Glenfarclas which I assume will be the delightful tipple for Christmas day. If I explain that a 75cl bottle of the Glenfarclas can be yours for just under£300 you may imagine that the cost of this calendar will not be near the more traditional chocolate offerings from Poundland. I think this present is for someone very special or a bit of self-indulgence if you feel you’ve been very good this year. On a more down to earth note I have always been interested in the connection between beer and whisky. There are many examples over the ages of brewers releasing both beer and whisky products. This list is about to be added to by one of my favourite brews in an exciting development happening again in East Anglia. I was lucky enough to live for seven years in rural north Suffolk in the late seventies early eighties came to fall in love with Adnam’s ales. Now the brewery is launching it’s own whisky on December 5th. Two expressions, Single malt whisky no. 1 and Triple grain whisky no. 2 . Both spirits have reached the statutory 3 years one maturing in French Oak the other in American Oak. They are sure to be in demand so without further ado let me take this opportunity to wish you all a happy Christmas and a prosperous new year. Now where did I put my pen and paper as I must drop Santa a note about this just in case he forgets!! Whisky expert Dave Pickard of Old School Wines, Tittensor. T. 01782 372888 THE GEORGE & DRAGON AT MEAFORD Christmas Fayre bookings now being taken NEW WINTER 2 for £10 Mon-Fri 12noon-5pm MENU HOUSE WINE £8.75 PER BOTTLE LAGER & BITTER £2.50 PER PINT • GUEST ALES 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 - Pasta Night Free drink with every pasta dish • Sunday Lunch - 12 noon - 9pm with free dessert £10.25 Function room available Please ask for details MEAFORD ROAD, STONE, ST15 0PX T. 01785 748787 www.georgedragonmeaford.com Open 7 days 12 noon - 11pm Food served everyday 12noon - 9pm December 2013/ January 2014 29