Stone Life June July 2014 | Page 33

LAST ORDERS EVEN THE THOUGHT OF A GOOD WHISKY CAN BE HEART WARMING as anybody tried downsizing? Sounds great in theory but in practice maybe it’s not quite so good. We have just downsized and I am surrounded by boxes with no room to move and worrying because I can’t find my last two bottles of Rosebank 12 year old. They’re in a box somewhere they may be in the garage or they might be in the dining room. It’s raining outside and somehow life doesn’t seem to be a bed of roses! Then the phone rings – it’s our son Dan. “Hi dad how are you?”. “Fine” I reply thinking the exact opposite. “I’m in Campbeltown on business.” he adds “I’m staying at The hotel, you know the one with 400 malts on the bar.” “Sounds great”, I add trying not to sound too jealous. “ And dad I’ve just bought the most amazing bottle – it’s probably the best whisky I’ve ever tasted.” Knowing Daniel’s tastes and that he has had excellent tuition in the art of whisky tasting I’m intrigued. “It’s the Kilchoman sherried cask special edition bottle no.33 from 310. I thought I’d save opening it until you’ve finished your treatment.” This particular expression is a collector’s edition for a very well known Scottish outlet and my first H reaction is that it should be put to the back of the cupboard and its increasing value watched with interest. However, that would not be in the spirit of the moment and I resist the fatherly advice. “You know that trip you always wanted to do I’ve got it all sorted” adds Daniel, “we’ll fly to Glasgow, hire a car and visit Campbeltown then up the coast and the ferry to Jura and Islay. How does that sound?” There you are, the boxes fade into the distance I haven’t had a drop to savour but once again whisky has done the trick and I’m feeling much better. Incidentally, the Kichoman collector’s edition is now on limited distribution but Kilchoman Loch Gorm sherry cask is available and as usual for a whisky from this distillery, although young, is proving very popular and with good reason. Whisky expert Dave Pickard of Old School Wines, Tittensor. T. 01782 372888 Fabulous food at The Fitz! l s o c TEA AT THE FITZ Oouornn-ecwhetecak roouotmuwr iflabeeboopoeknpage 28 DAY MATURED STEAKS THAT MELT IN THE MOUTH 10oz RUMP £9.95, 8oz SIRLOIN £13.95, 16oz T-BONE £16.95 AND OF COURSE OUR FAMOUS MIXED GRILL £16.95 SUNDAY LUNCH (3 COURSE) £12 PLUS OUR USUAL MENU - SEE ALL OUR MENUS ON Summer salads available now Come and enjoy a lunch and drink in our new garden area TheWFitzherbert ORA Arms S YNNERTON, ST15 TEL: 01782 796513 Ramblers & their dogs welcome June/July 2014 33