Buzz ... or Buzzkill?!

I don't spend a lot of time watching ralfy.com; however, I recently viewed episode 393 and Ralfy made a comment that stuck with me, "...good company with no arseholes present, just good quality guys."

www.youtube.com/watch

16:15 to 17:05 with Ralfy's buzzkill alarm at 16:54

@Paddockjudge I prefered when the number of people is small like less than 6 because conversation is easier ( and the bottle takes less time to come around ). The "I know better" type of guy is big no for me, the kind of guy to which you offer your best stuff and they will say something like "It's not bad but I have taste this (an old expensive Scotch that has not been available for 20 years) that is in the same profile and is much better ( he doesn't put to much emotion even when he talks about is favorite whisky). If you are "Blasé" stay home.

On the big Buzz, I like people who know their stuff and are eager to talk about it with knowledge and passion. When they happened to have a palate similar to mine it is even better.

I like people who are opened to Scotch, Bourbon, Canadian Rye and World Whisky better because when you are opened about whiskies your are generallly opened about a lot of stuff and conversation is easier because there is no topic to avoid and the atmosphere is one of fun and respect. Vive la différence!

@Robert99 You nailed it.

My favourite group size is 6-8. Small enough to be intimate but large enough to share varied opinion and have interesting conversation.

Know it alls are a bore. So are loud drinkers. I can't stand people who have 2 drams and they Double their volume and lose the capacity to listen to others. Lastly, I dislike those who are so heavy handed that when allowed a free pour try to fill their Glencairn. I know it may sound odd but I'd rather someone appreciate 3 reasonable size glasses of the same bottle rather than pour huge drams and the talk whilst drinking them at speed (even though it's the same amount of whisky).

I do like interesting stories and experiences. SHORT anecdotes are welcome. I love a well informed presentation. Most of all I love passion. It is infectious, listening to someone who clearly cares, is interested and is knowledgeable can make a normal night special.

I don't mind a little snobbery (only a little) as I think it is actually part of ones own personal whisky journey. I think snobbery comes before knowledge which is ironic.

I once drank with someone from Glenfiddich who told me to put a bottle of the 12 in the fridge overnight. Then next day to pour big measure into a glass, lots of ice, twist of lime and leave it in the sun for 5 minutes (it was summer). I was initially appalled, but I did it about 2 weeks later just out of curiosity. It was really really nice. A crazily refreshing summer drink.

Buzz...someone brings out a bottle of "the impossbile, rare as hens teeth, older than Father Time, you will never get to try this again" special AND it is everything you hoped it would be.

Meeting and making new friends (human and bottles).

@tjb, @Robert99,

One stellar session I attended had six participants. The group had a wide spectrum of personalities, which always makes for an interesting event. The line-up was populated by Springbank Society 15 YO 1993 CS, Berry's 24 YO Single Grain, Rundlets & Kilderkins 'Hazelburn', 1946 Harwood's 10 YO and a few other equally stunning expressions which I can't recall.

Hmmm, stunning expressions yet can't recall? @tjb, your point about "the impossible, rare as hens teeth, older than Father Time, you will never get to try this again" is a valid point and the chief reason why I struggle to recall the line-up from that day. I had to check my notes for the expressions mentioned above; however, I had no need to check my notes to recall three 2014 BTAC bottles: Weller, Stagg, and Handy. Indeed a rare and memorable session.

BUZZ!

@TJB "I think snobbery comes before knowledge", you are so right! And, of course, a rare and old dram that you dreamed about is a rare treat and a big Buzz!

@Paddockjudege I have an unopened bottle of Hazelburn Rundlet's and Kilderkins, can you prompt me on what to expect?

@Robert99, Fudgy, full-bodied, and fantastic! An elegant whisky which is mature beyond the ten years it has spent in oak. Small cask maturation works well for this spirit.

@Paddockjudge Thanks! Which I was at that tasting session.

That was wish I was at that tasting session

I agree, knowledgeable and passionate people are the best. A mix of veterans and newbies makes for interesting conversation and a good learning experience.

I don't like having people who aren't into whisky but treat it like a regular ''party''. There is fun to that too but if it's a tasting I want it to be about the whisky.

@paddockjudge hang on... I think I was there!

@Nozinan ,

Yes indeed, you certainly were there. Possibly the best full-bottle line-up I've ever experienced!

@paddockjudge as I recall by the end of that night there was not much approaching a full bottle to be found.

BUZZKILL - GIBSON'S FINEST VENERABLE 18 YEAR OLD is now priced at $87.99 at BC Liquor Stores.

Gibson's is owned by William Grant & Sons Ltd (Glenfiddich/Balvenie/Grant). I pray that the price is an error, lest we fall victim to the upward spiral of over inflated whisky prices.

www.bcliquorstores.com/product/469114

I doubt there is any mistake @Paddockjudge. Pretty much everything in BC liquor stores is goofily priced. e.g. Laphroaig 15 $201. Actually, everything in BC is over priced.

@BlueNote except sushi... definitely cheaper and better than Toronto.

Granted @Nozinan.