Isn’t W* a Welsh name?

This started out as a comment for Mike’s post. But I had to break it out into its own article. My baby’s been insulted. I can’t stand for that.

If you’re confused, read this bullcrap first. Well, it’s not bullcrap, it’s his honest opinion. But I just think it’s the wrong opinion, and it’s unfortunately shared by several of my cohorts.

Now Miguel, I understand what you’re saying, but I think you’re confusing “better” with: “it’s sweeter and smoother and easier for my girly little ass to drink.”

Damn, sorry. While I am in no way calling bourbon a girly drink (I’m just trying to call Mike girly), it is generally easier to consume, and leaves a lighter, sweeter flavor on the palate.

Scotch, GOOD scotch mind you, is generally celebrated for the nuances and oft-minute contrasts among brands, among vintages, hell, among different bottles of the exact same stuff. It’s an incredibly delicate liquor, despite the reputation for its brash, biting flavor, and generally needs to be thoroughly analyzed to be fully appreciated.

Now don’t get me wrong, I’ve housed my fair share of blended scotches like Dewar’s, Chivas and Johnnie W (see New Year’s Eve ‘08), but I don’t think I could bring myself to gulp down a glass of Lagavulin without taking a few moments to admire it a la bouche. On the other hand, I’ve found that “plowing” through a bottle of Maker’s Mark is just as easy as you say. Only difference is, I’ve also found higher priced, and supposedly better bourbons, to be just as easy to chug.

This could be due to the charcoal aging, the higher concentrations of sugars (or whatever, I’m no distiller)…who knows. But, I just don’t think you can honestly state matter-of-factly that bourbon is better than scotch, without designating a specific range (for instance, mid-priced blends and low-priced single malts or something…you ever try Johnnie blue? Holy mother mackerel that stuff’s good).

All in all, I think that you’re saying that you prefer bourbon as a common, general anytime drink. Sure, that’s fine. But if you want something extraordinary, something that really takes your breath away and demands some attention - rather than simply complimenting whatever situation you’re in - order yourself a single malt.

Ha, sorry for the diatribe. I really just wanted to call Mike girly. But now I want some of that dark golden goodness. Oh, and my birthday’s coming up (hint, hint).

Yes, I know the name of our site is SCOTCH and politics, but really the use of the word scotch is but a placeholder, a euphemism for your preferred topic other than politics. So, it’s okay that I like bourbon better than scotch… but I’ll explain.

I came to this conclusion last night while out to dinner with my lovely wife at – get this – Bourbon (a local restaurant in my neighborhood). I ordered a Basil Hayden’s to go with my grilled cheese and tomato soup. It was devine… sorry, I sound like a smarmy jackass. It kicked ass. I’ve had Basil Hayden’s many times before, but this sealed the deal for me. For general drinking, I prefer bourbon to scotch.

Now don’t get me wrong, I still love a good glass of Macallan (12, 15, or if I’m feeling rich 18), Glenmorangie, or Lagavulin, but they just don’t go down as smooth and leave as soft and sweet a taste as Basil, Woodford Reserve, or Eagle Rare. Hell, Maker’s Mark makes a way better drinkin’ whiskey than Dewar’s and Johnnie Walker anyday. You can plow through a bottle of that and barely notice the time pass (Thomas and I know this firsthand, as a chessgame once turned into 4 hours sitting in one spot debating just how much George Bush sucks and concluding in me passed out on his bathroom floor – good times for all.)

Maybe it’s the Irishman in me giving a tastebud-induced middle finger to the Scots. Nah, that would only be if I swore off scotch for Guinness and Jameson, and that sure as hell ain’t happening. It also isn’t the Jew in me. Manishewitz is freaking disgusting. Perhaps, I have something more in common with my Southern brethren after all. Sure we’ll go with that.

Thoughts?