a malt monk ponders

malt monk’s ponderings.. 106

and now a word from mister know-it-all.. 

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to always be right?Well, I’ll tell you.. It’s actually quite nerve racking and very tiring!Everyone second guesses you, but that just goes with the territory.

You’re probably wondering what education I have eh?Well that’s not the measuring stick. It is not really complicated either.You’ve heard the term ‘common sense’? It all stems from this logic.What can seem impossible is actually so possible that it is hidden in plain sight.How do we know how to keep our heart beating?How is it we always remember to breathe, even when we are sleeping?The obvious gives way to mysterious in the same way a little child spies their firstbug.

It’s rudimentary my dear Watson, rudimentary.When the trained scholarly mind sleeps, it replenishes and looks to maintain it’sstorehouse of information. But, the opposite is true for the know-it-all, whosemind goes to sleep and runs a delete program before readying the mind for abrand new adventure.

I’m prepared to let you in on the elucidation my friend.Note that it’s much easier to have the answer before the question is asked.So you inquire; ‘how can you know everything also?’

Let’s start by getting into the proper ‘state’.You need to clear the deck of all encumbrances.For example, last night this state was induced with Laphroaig ‘quarter cask’.It doesn’t last forever mind you; but once you are in this condition you can see alland know all. Life is so clear, all the curtains are pulled back and we experiencean exactness of all truths.

But be careful because there will be many skeptics. Those that have crossedfrom this ‘state’ to the next where it all becomes an overwhelming muddled mess.But when you do find this sector of life, you’ll know of what I speak.

Cheers

malt monk’s ponderings.. 105

if God drank?

So if God wanted a drink what would he choose? I think He would prefer a drink worthy of some contemplation. Would He want a classic beer or perhaps a composite wine? Maybe it would have to be more complex than straightforward. Would a liqueur be in order, or brandy? No surely not brandy, but perhaps cognac. If not cognac, maybe it’s lesser known and sometimes overlooked cousin like the more humble armagnac. Jesus performed the miracle of wine at the wedding at Cana.

I am convinced if God did drink it would just have to be whisky! Simply put ‘it is the apex of drink’. Once you discover and appreciate whisky there’s nowhere to go from there but to the distilleries.

There is room for much discussion however..Wine is mentioned ‘arguably’ over 200x in the bible and ‘strong drink’ (ie whisky) is mentioned only about 19 times and this is mostly as a warning against abusing it. Barley however is mentioned 32x. Quite a case for wine, though after the initial hook of wine; I’m quite positive the graduate will inevitably ascend to whisky… I know God does not necessarily follow our lead but we are created in His image and likeness so our thoughts need to be considered. This nectar comes with a warning and as with most privileges comes the responsibility. It is believed that the Egyptians practiced the art of distillation 3000 years before Christ but it was the Christian civilization that fine tuned things. The distillation of this ‘water of life’ or aqua vitae spread progressively through Europe, notably in Ireland and Scotland under its Gaelic name of Uisge Beatha or Usquebaugh, which eventually transforms into Uisge then Uisky, until becoming Whisky. Curing virtually any pain, it was then a medicinal potion which was prescribed as well as an ointment and remedy to drink. It was a long way from possessing the flavours and the subtlety of the ones we enjoy today until some of God’s caretakers (monks) assumed the job! These facts and virtues, literally miraculous, can justify its attributed name; the ‘Water of Life’ and should be the clincher for proof.

                                                   malt monk’s ponderings.. 103 

fine whisky aficionados 

We indeed are a select group. Wielding some special strength; powerful enough to peer under this curtain of life. Peeling off a seemingly common cultural experience and exposing ourselves to a more fulfilling event, but at the same time revealing our inner senses. What can we do, but persist in our endeavour and suffer the ignorance of those less fortunate. Hold your head and noses high (and senses at the ready) while you resume the search. Proceed undeterred from aversion. 

In most of life we separate ourselves from ordinary existence and are drawn into our passions. At times these passions will vary and we will find ourselves on interesting paths.. But once the path to ‘the water of life’ is found the searching ends as the exploration begins. And the closer we get to finding the summit the more mysterious it becomes. Mystery begets a fascination of intrigue and the door opens further exposing more doors, more cellars and more rooms of study. 

Now while the ‘fine whisky aficionado’ can become quite the snob; the opposite is actually true because the ‘true aficionado’ has a humility that can enjoy with anyone anywhere. Like ‘Raskolnikov’ in Dostoevsky’s ‘Crime and Punishment’ says..” if he had to remain standing on a square yard of space all his life, a thousand years, eternity, it were better to live so than to die at once!” Call it perception or we can say just give me a place that is empty or bustling, intimate or grand, as long as we have a glass or preferably bottle containing some of that ‘water of life’ we’ll be fine.  

Whisky is enjoyed at the corner bar, the library-like lounge, a night club, at home in the garage, cellar or dining room. The main thing is, it is to be enjoyed. If fact you can almost always match the liquid to the event. I was traveling by train and had a real thirst for some scotch. I asked the attendant what flavours they had and he answered ‘Johnnie Walker RED’. That was the best scotch I had that day and I’m still remembering it. Just give me my one square yard of space and I’ll be fine.

malt monk’s ponderings.. 102

a trip

Get ready to take another trip, after you return home victoriously with that whisky you’ve religiously sought and found. Open and enjoy a part of history that’s been held under glass. Release the vessel’s cork and let the story escape and infuse your senses.Listen as it speaks to you. Breathe in and it will tempt you.
Twelve or so years ago in a distillery someone filled this bottle with a slice of that time. The product created then and enhanced by the journey to your doorstep has plenty to tell you.This nectar was sleeping, dreaming and maturing in a warehouse. Resting on a warehouse rack while listening and absorbing its surroundings and allowing those components deemed worthy to infuse its character.No one knows what this exact bottle has to say except you. You alone can hear the oak fall in the forest. Others have their similar prize but not yours. The charring, the smoldering smoke rising and the salty sea air bites at your heel. Blue skies, driving rain, tranquility or dark nights of the soul; they’ve all played a part. Twelve winters and summers have married the elements with the ingredients and produced your bottle. Was your liquid clinging alongside the oak or was it more a self centered sample.Sometimes you will choose to simply pour and consume but at least on this first occasion take a moment to enjoy what was created for you. Take time to appreciate this gift from time. Let the spirit cast its spell and give you an excursion without leaving your location. History and mystery, reality and myth converge to nudge your soul.So pour and enjoy, taste and feel, your journey lies ahead.

malt monk’s ponderings.. 101

a table sitting in a corner of a dimly lit bar

WHISKY: Why do we partake?
Does one enjoy the gentle sound of whisky pouring into the glass?
If so then why not drink water?
Could it be that this is liquid gold rationed from a limited source?
If not, then why not wine or cognac etc.?
Maybe it’s the colour, the aromas, the flavour, or aftertaste.
And sometimes one can anticipate all this even before the beverage is uncorked.
It could be the ‘present’ experience combined with the ‘first’ experience.
Or perhaps a multitude of familiarity floods the senses.
Maybe it’s the feeling invoked that transcends time and wraps the encounter up as a whole. The cozy grin returns and pondering thoughts all extend the moment as the moment stands still. The focus becomes sheltered as the glass is cautiously, delicately swirled in the hand. Sometimes sitting with your glass in hand you feel as though you are the luckiest most blessed person alive. It just seems so right… but I digress…
I digress to a table sitting in a corner of a dimly lit bar.
Could it be the companionship?
While enjoying the company of friends, the place is secondary at first but becomes more primary when the memory is recalled. The event unfolds as the stories mingle and the first dram arrives. Background music and others’ voices keep track of time whilst time adjourns for the whisky journey participants; ‘Their simple but lucid escape.’ Later the recollection of place is grander than original, the friends are better looking and wiser but the feeling of that experience is what remains constant.
The memory is favourably biased and acts like a trigger to call to mind the feeling or atmosphere. This feeling then becomes paramount and words are mere feeble attempts to enlighten this matter with any semblance of justice; so I digress once again… I digress to a table sitting in a corner of a dimly lit bar’

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