Mrs Bloggs 'At Home' Etiquette/Protocols
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
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Apologies for continued thread drift -
No, whisky - whilst Keo brandy was potable, their whisky was not - it was a clear, colourless liquid....looked like Vodka, burned like poor quality paraffin. Pip Witts (vernable and venerated pipe smoking wet man) was given a bottle once as some sort of present (I cannot remember what it was meant to commemorate) and he quite sensibly tested its flammability in preference to drinking any.
Mind you, Pip always drank G&T anyway.
Back onto thread, it seems I DO have some advice for the Op, if the Col offers you a Keo whisky DO NOT DRINK IT.
Dave
No, whisky - whilst Keo brandy was potable, their whisky was not - it was a clear, colourless liquid....looked like Vodka, burned like poor quality paraffin. Pip Witts (vernable and venerated pipe smoking wet man) was given a bottle once as some sort of present (I cannot remember what it was meant to commemorate) and he quite sensibly tested its flammability in preference to drinking any.
Mind you, Pip always drank G&T anyway.
Back onto thread, it seems I DO have some advice for the Op, if the Col offers you a Keo whisky DO NOT DRINK IT.
Dave
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At Home - When?
Musclemech
Please, please let us know the date if this auspicious event, so that we can look forward to the dénoument.
It also means that we can plan to include some more anecdotes for this great thread.
Please, please let us know the date if this auspicious event, so that we can look forward to the dénoument.
It also means that we can plan to include some more anecdotes for this great thread.
DIRECTOR
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NR You have not been paying attention either. MM has told us that D Day is Dec 5th. Are you free that day for some gate crashing?
I think personally that MM has been somewhat uncivil in not giving us the time and exact place of this " at home" because this rural backwater sounds as if it could do with some extra umphh from some of us who have a little more experience of these kind of events compared to musclemech who I suspect has led a slightly more sheltered existence than most of us chaps.
I think personally that MM has been somewhat uncivil in not giving us the time and exact place of this " at home" because this rural backwater sounds as if it could do with some extra umphh from some of us who have a little more experience of these kind of events compared to musclemech who I suspect has led a slightly more sheltered existence than most of us chaps.
Last edited by thegypsy; 14th Nov 2010 at 07:34.
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thegypsy
Oops! I missed the date. Thank you for your kind invitation, it should be a great bash. Unfortunately, Memsahib and I shall be 'At Home' to some old friends that same day, 4,700 nm south-east of Hants. We'll start with a Laphroaig or twain, with cool soda water served separately.
Oops! I missed the date. Thank you for your kind invitation, it should be a great bash. Unfortunately, Memsahib and I shall be 'At Home' to some old friends that same day, 4,700 nm south-east of Hants. We'll start with a Laphroaig or twain, with cool soda water served separately.
Nemo Me Impune Lacessit
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Now do come on chaps, please don't tell me you haven't graduated to these yet, in England?
On the subject of good Whisky, I used to visit the distilleries when in Scotland, usually on charters with tourists, the distillers told me that Scotch over twelve years of age stood a good chance of breaking down chemically and was for USA export only!
( I drink Quarter Cask Laphroaig, when I can get it!).
On the subject of good Whisky, I used to visit the distilleries when in Scotland, usually on charters with tourists, the distillers told me that Scotch over twelve years of age stood a good chance of breaking down chemically and was for USA export only!
( I drink Quarter Cask Laphroaig, when I can get it!).
Last edited by parabellum; 14th Nov 2010 at 08:50.
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Parabellum
I too was of that school of thought. After 12 years, the 'Angels' Drop,' or evaporation would outdo the extra flavour from being longer in the cask. Then, at a Whisky tasting, I compared my favourite, Lagavulin 12 YO, with Lagavulin 18 YO. The difference was substantial, as both my sons agreed. Being well brought up, in the Celtic tradition, both my boys are connoisseurs of good Malt and good wine, amongst the other finer things in life, and I value their opinions. (Don't always agree, though.)
I too was of that school of thought. After 12 years, the 'Angels' Drop,' or evaporation would outdo the extra flavour from being longer in the cask. Then, at a Whisky tasting, I compared my favourite, Lagavulin 12 YO, with Lagavulin 18 YO. The difference was substantial, as both my sons agreed. Being well brought up, in the Celtic tradition, both my boys are connoisseurs of good Malt and good wine, amongst the other finer things in life, and I value their opinions. (Don't always agree, though.)
Parabellum,
A swish device, but only required if you're female and / or drink wine. Being a heathen northerner, I prefer to go for beer or shorts. The obvious plus side of this is that a lot of decent beer comes in bottles rather than the usual pint of Carling you get in the Mess, which means you can carry a bottle between the 3rd and 4th fingers whilst carrying your plate of food, not to mention being able to slip a bottle in each of your trouser pockets.
Very handy when you are facing an imminent bar closure. Not sure how well it would go down with the Colonel 'at home' though.
A swish device, but only required if you're female and / or drink wine. Being a heathen northerner, I prefer to go for beer or shorts. The obvious plus side of this is that a lot of decent beer comes in bottles rather than the usual pint of Carling you get in the Mess, which means you can carry a bottle between the 3rd and 4th fingers whilst carrying your plate of food, not to mention being able to slip a bottle in each of your trouser pockets.
Very handy when you are facing an imminent bar closure. Not sure how well it would go down with the Colonel 'at home' though.
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Melchett01
You are clearly not of the ilk of your namesake in 'Blackadder.'
Drinking beer out of bottles is an appalling habit the Cousins developed, to help make sure that their drinks, in glasses, were not spiked.
To 'neck' an ale at an "At Home' would display the most dreadful bad manners, and ensure that nobody there would invite you anywhere again.
Perhaps that is your boorish intention?
You are clearly not of the ilk of your namesake in 'Blackadder.'
Drinking beer out of bottles is an appalling habit the Cousins developed, to help make sure that their drinks, in glasses, were not spiked.
To 'neck' an ale at an "At Home' would display the most dreadful bad manners, and ensure that nobody there would invite you anywhere again.
Perhaps that is your boorish intention?
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Miawow
Although I agree a real beer needs to be poured to let it breathe a bit and warm up to room temp. But as a caution above, too many beers can have unfortunate side-effects, the least of which is you might deplete said Colonel's beer cellar after a jar or two.
Although I agree a real beer needs to be poured to let it breathe a bit and warm up to room temp. But as a caution above, too many beers can have unfortunate side-effects, the least of which is you might deplete said Colonel's beer cellar after a jar or two.
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Nep Rex.
Laphroaig is an acquired taste, probably acquired only because it is the only whisky available to drink. I prefer Speyside whiskies. There are lots to choose from.
A good malt should have nothing added except water. The notion that it should be served separately is fanciful.
A good whisky-drinking friend of mine in rural Aberdeenshire, when offering his guests a dram, will enquire first what they will take with it. If it is soda (or - horrors - lemonade, a very low class mix), the offer will be a cooking whisky, like Grouse or Bell's. If it is water, they'll be given a malt.
It's just after 1630 on a Sunday. Time for a light dram.
Laphroaig is an acquired taste, probably acquired only because it is the only whisky available to drink. I prefer Speyside whiskies. There are lots to choose from.
A good malt should have nothing added except water. The notion that it should be served separately is fanciful.
A good whisky-drinking friend of mine in rural Aberdeenshire, when offering his guests a dram, will enquire first what they will take with it. If it is soda (or - horrors - lemonade, a very low class mix), the offer will be a cooking whisky, like Grouse or Bell's. If it is water, they'll be given a malt.
It's just after 1630 on a Sunday. Time for a light dram.
What A Good Idea
Wwyvern,
What a timely reminder, I was so engrossed in the forum, I'd completely forgotten the time.
The Glenlivet tonight I think.
Slange!
PS BTW The George at Leadenham (just down the road from Sleaford 'Tech') boasts that it has the largest collection of single malts in the UK - can't vouch for that; only managed one row during my 18 months there.
What a timely reminder, I was so engrossed in the forum, I'd completely forgotten the time.
The Glenlivet tonight I think.
Slange!
PS BTW The George at Leadenham (just down the road from Sleaford 'Tech') boasts that it has the largest collection of single malts in the UK - can't vouch for that; only managed one row during my 18 months there.
Neptunus Rex ...... I think we can safely say that was a bite
However, it does go to highlight what a minefield these occasions can be, and which can as a result really detract from both the host and guests' enjoyment. I would never consider 'necking' an ale during an At Home evening - a BBQ possibly, but not an At Home. Rather than worrying about drinking from a bottle, I would be more concerned with spoiling a good beer. As PN suggests, a decent beer tastes far better when served in a glass, especially the continental beers which I prefer over the typical British gnat's piss that is Carling or John Smiths etc. that is unfortunately so prevalent this side of the Channel.
And whilst a guest should ensure their behaviour isn't such that it prevents a repeat invitation - unless it really is that painful - a good host will always ensure their guests are fully at ease, and will recognise that not everybody 'appreciates' a single malt or a glass of wine, and might prefer something else. Outside of a formal function, I see nothing wrong with quaffing a decent beer from a glass if one so desires, especially if it is offered.
I am reminded of an occasion where I was having dinner with my then girlfriend (a wannabe oenophile) and her parents; I don't know whether she was more mortified by her father (a 1*) offering me a beer with dinner or me for accepting. Her father was firmly of the view that dinner should be enjoyed and not endured and that to insist on white wine with fish, red wine with meat and a glass of peat passing as a dram after dinner was little more than snobbery. Secretly I think he was quite pleased to have an excuse to break out the beers over a rather indifferent bottle of wine!
However, it does go to highlight what a minefield these occasions can be, and which can as a result really detract from both the host and guests' enjoyment. I would never consider 'necking' an ale during an At Home evening - a BBQ possibly, but not an At Home. Rather than worrying about drinking from a bottle, I would be more concerned with spoiling a good beer. As PN suggests, a decent beer tastes far better when served in a glass, especially the continental beers which I prefer over the typical British gnat's piss that is Carling or John Smiths etc. that is unfortunately so prevalent this side of the Channel.
And whilst a guest should ensure their behaviour isn't such that it prevents a repeat invitation - unless it really is that painful - a good host will always ensure their guests are fully at ease, and will recognise that not everybody 'appreciates' a single malt or a glass of wine, and might prefer something else. Outside of a formal function, I see nothing wrong with quaffing a decent beer from a glass if one so desires, especially if it is offered.
I am reminded of an occasion where I was having dinner with my then girlfriend (a wannabe oenophile) and her parents; I don't know whether she was more mortified by her father (a 1*) offering me a beer with dinner or me for accepting. Her father was firmly of the view that dinner should be enjoyed and not endured and that to insist on white wine with fish, red wine with meat and a glass of peat passing as a dram after dinner was little more than snobbery. Secretly I think he was quite pleased to have an excuse to break out the beers over a rather indifferent bottle of wine!
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
O-D, mmm, sounds like a plan, the George being only half an hour away. Anyway last night we broached fine bottle of Green Spot; I am well on the way to beng converted.
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Usquabae
Wwyvern,
I agree entirely. Born in Scotia, and having served three great years with 120 at Kinloss, I hope know my whiskies. The general rule, but not inviolable, is that the further west you go, the darker and more peaty the taste. Laphroaig is indeed an acquired taste, which, I am happy to say, both my sons share with me.
There was an occasion when I was detached (along with Fincastle 84) to ISK from 'The Gallant Forty Twa.' After dinner one night, in our Forres Hotel (The Mess was full of Knucleheads from Leuchars; hallelujah) one of our Sassenach crew ordered "Four Glen M'rran gees." An elderly, kilted Scottish gentleman at the end of the bar rattled his copy of "The Press and Journal" and proclaimed:
"Young Sir, in these parts we call it Glen More angee!"
I agree entirely. Born in Scotia, and having served three great years with 120 at Kinloss, I hope know my whiskies. The general rule, but not inviolable, is that the further west you go, the darker and more peaty the taste. Laphroaig is indeed an acquired taste, which, I am happy to say, both my sons share with me.
There was an occasion when I was detached (along with Fincastle 84) to ISK from 'The Gallant Forty Twa.' After dinner one night, in our Forres Hotel (The Mess was full of Knucleheads from Leuchars; hallelujah) one of our Sassenach crew ordered "Four Glen M'rran gees." An elderly, kilted Scottish gentleman at the end of the bar rattled his copy of "The Press and Journal" and proclaimed:
"Young Sir, in these parts we call it Glen More angee!"
