Whiskers on Kittens - by H

Dear Blog… I’ve missed you. I know that sounds ironic coming from me, because I am the one who’s neglected you over the past few weeks. I vowed when I first got hooked on you that this wouldn’t happen, but here I am, feeling shameful.

Boy and I have had a very busy month. November often is. I suppose it’s the last surge of craziness before the December period, with so much work needing to get finalised before people go on leave, and the whole of Cape Town (save the retail stores) goes into holiday mode.

On a personal level, I’ve had an interesting month. As often happens to me, it is in the maddest moments that I become my musiest and most introspective. Those who know me best but love me anyway call this my ostrich-type head in the sand moments- but they also know that while I look like I’ve “checked out” or hidden away, there is often way too much going on beneath the surface.

But this post is not about that. As much as written words help me put my often jumbled thoughts into perspective, tonight I’d like a break from those thoughts all together. Boy will wonder what on earth’s got into me ;)

Amidst all the blur of a manic month, some truly lovely things have happened. Most lovely of all is that Mowgli and Logan, our gorgeous kitten boys, have come home, and stolen our hearts. I suppose from the outside looking in, we are absolutely ridiculous with them. From the baby talk, to the way Boy and I refer to one another as “mommy” and “daddy” when speaking in their presence- I can safely say we’ve lost it. But it’s a great feeling.

 


Logan

Mowgli

Taking a little nap...

Boys being boys!

I also, somehow, was brave enough this month to try to re-create one of Boy’s dishes. This NEVER happens. Usually, it is Boy re-creating MY dishes- putting some fancy spin on them and completely annoying me by making them better than I do. But- we had the ingredients, I had the urge to cook, Boy had the urge to xbox… and so, I tried my hand at the Fillet Rossini! I tweaked it a little and played with the recipe a bit. I also screamed like a little girl when I flambéed the fillet, which takes some of the grandeur away from the whole thing, I think.

But the dish turned out magnificently. Boy was well impressed, so naturally, I have not been able to shut up about it since.



 

Whisky Live 2011 - by Boy

I promised you a report on this years Whisky Live Festival, and I know I'm late with that report. The thing is, I had full intention of posting my report on Saturday morning, but I really could not get myself to do anything but make coffee and sleep. I also had to fly to Port Elizabeth on Sunday morning for a business trip.

Whisky Live 2011

 In short, the festival was awesome, although the following day I could not stomach the thought of whisky, let alone writing about anything involving it. This is how I reassured myself that I am not cut out for the whole 'alcoholic' thing.

I was like a kid in a candy store, hopping from stall to stall, trying not to miss out on anything. To my disappointment, Ardbeg was not at the show. Nevertheless, there were one or two whiskies that really stood out.

The star of the show, for me, really was The Peat Monster by Compass Box (review to follow), and I could not resist buying a bottle. H was impressed by Orangerie- also by Compass Box- and I must admit it is a very interesting whisky.

The blending session hosted by Compass Box was very informative, and we had a good laugh blending our own whiskies. H nearly poisoned everyone at our table with her concoction. She was not listening when we were told to add water to our blends (typical), and walked around for a good part of the night proclaiming that she could not feel her lips. Haha, I love my wife!

After the blending session, we spent some time at the BenRiach stall, and it is here that we found not one, but two little gems.

The BenRiach range caters for everyone, and we slowly but surely made our way through most of the whiskies that they had available. That's when I came across the Curiositas Peated 10 yr. I know what you are all thinking ... All he ever talks about is peaty, smoky whisky. You are absolutely right, I love the stuff. For me, a whisky should stare at you with a twitch in his eye, his hand on a Magnum, and say ... "Do you feel lucky, Punk?" The Curiositas does exactly that.

Standing at BenRiach, H was handed a glass of what looked like Amarula. But this was no Amarula, this was something they simply called Magnum. It is bottled in a unique silver canister that resembles an old milk or cream can. Wow, is this stuff awesome. It's like a butterscotch and cream factory exploded in your mouth. We were lucky enough to get a bottle and I will share it with you as soon as I am back in town.

The rest of the evening is a bit of fuzzy, and I know that there was a lot of Drambuie consumed. The show lasts for about 4 hours (if it were any longer, I think I might still be in bed) and there is something for everyone.

If you are in Johannesburg and don't have your tickets yet, go and get them now! You really will not be disappointed.

The Yamzaki Single Malt - by Boy

Seeing as its the festival this week, I thought I would share a rather interesting whisky with you. When you hear the word single malt you tend to think of the Highlands of Scotland with their crystal clear, ice cold water sources.


Enter The Yamazaki. Yip, straight out of Japan. The Yamazaki distillery lies just southwest of Kyoto, nestled deep within the heart of Mt. Tennozan. The distilery was built in 1923 by Mr Shinnjiro Torii, founder of Suntory and the father of Japanese Whisky


I was introduced to Yamazaki by a friend of mine, Clive Searle, a very old wise Rhodesian (God I hope he reads this!) who really knows his whisky. He actually inspired me to start a collection. Last time I checked, he had over 90 single malts in his collection.

The Yamazaki is sweet and spicy with hints of nuts. It's not the smoothest single malt and the finish is a little dry with hints of macadamia nut. I must admit I can't drink more than one at a time, it's a bit too sweet for my taste, but then again I enjoy the heavy, smoky, bottled charcoal whiskies. Don't get me wrong, I like it, but I enjoy the look on people's faces when I present them with a Japanese single malt more.

The Good Old Days - by Boy

I came across an old video of me flairing. This was at Shotz cocktail bar in Flic en Flac, Mauritius 2007

2011 Whisky Live Festival - by Boy

There is excitement in the air in the Red Wine & Coriander household!

a)      We got our kittens, Mowgli and Logan, over the weekend
b)      It's Movember (yes, I do have my Mo for Movember)
c)       The FNB Whisky Live Festival kicks off tomorrow in Cape Town!

I am like a little kid on Christmas day! I have been looking forward to the show for ages! Some of my favorite whiskies will be at the show. Lugavulin, Ardbeg, Peat Monster, Spice Tree, and many more. For a full list of whisky’s that will be at the show, you can visit Whisky Live Festival 2011 .

H and I have been invited by the lovely people at Liquidity to the Compass Box Blending Zone. This is a first for the show, and as I understand we will do a tasting, followed by a DIY blending lesson. I really can’t wait for this one. If you are interested in partaking in the workshops, email Charlotte Spicer at charlotte@liq.co.za or find her on Twitter @Liquidity_SA to book your Seats. I have also been told that they will be launching a new whisky called Great King Street. I will try and get my hands on a bottle (or two) and post a review soon.

“This is more than a brand; it’s a mission. A mission to get people – all people - to take a fresh look at Blended Scotch; to join in the Rebirth of the Blend: in how Blends are made, how they are viewed, how they are consumed.”  – John Glaser, Whiskymaker

The Compass Box Whisky Company is a boutique Scotch whiskymaker, started in 2000 by John Glaser. The Compass Box signature range of whiskies includes Asyla, Oak Cross, The Peat Monster, The Spice Tree and Hedonism.

I am a big fan of Compass Box’s The Peat Monster and have even got my Dad hooked on the brand. I know he really enjoys their Spice Tree, so I am very excited to try Great King Street.

H and I will be there on Friday evening. 3 of my favourite things - H, Fridays and Whisky (not in any specific order).

Cheers

Boy