You have a bad cold, what are you drinking?

Interesting topic!

A few months ago I had a lingering sinus infection (lasted nearly 2 weeks), and during that time I finished off the remainder of the Arran 10 yr that I was not too fond of.

With a cold, i don't go for bad whisky but rether for unbalanced one. Those too rough or too sweet. So Cutty Sark Prohibition would work. Big f'avors but too sweet. Glenfarclas 105 is another one. Big flavors, too rough; although with air it is coming a bit rounder. And if I don't taste those big flavors, I'm too sick to drink!

I am going to go on the assumption that a bad allergy day counts on this thread. Although I do occasionally get a bad cold (more so now that my kids are both in school all day - got to love those little vectors...), I expect my nose to be stuffed about half the time between now and October.

Medication interactions aside (I'm assuming none of us would drink alcohol if we were on something hat made it dangerous), I tend to stay away from whisky when I'm sick, because I just don't feel like it. With allergies even on a bad day sometimes you get a few hours where you can breath, and if I feel like something I'll tend to pick something bold, without subtle complexity. No use wasting something good on a palate that won't appreciate it.

So Booker's, Knob Creek bourbon (small batch or single barrel 9 YO at 60%), A'Bunadh if I really want Scotch (I know that breaks the rule about complexity, but it's not a subtle dram), those come to mind.

Last night my airways relented in the evening and I was able to enjoy Amrut Peated CS, warmed by my hand, the way Ashok intended...

In keeping with the spirit of this thread, I am getting rid of Collingwood Toasted Maple Wood Mellowed. When this bottle is empty it definitely will not be replenished. It is a verrrry smooth sipper and the maple influence is the only thing I can taste. This is much better with a compromised palate....go figure.

@Beancio suggested this might actually become a humorous thread. His original post:

• sorry to hear about your cold. That would be a funny thread though.

"What whiskey would you drink if you had a cold just to get rid off it?"

@paddockjudge How did you know I have a bad cold? Coughed my guts out all week so have had the odd shot of Balvenie 12 DW, HP 10 and Ardmore Trad Cask (original). Nothing fancy. Interspersed with shots of BENYLIN. I can assure you that the benylin nose is much better than the taste or finish!

@paddockjudge I think what makes it humorous is we have all been there. Had a cold, can't smell or taste but want a drink. What do you drink? Something you want to get rid of or something bold you might be able to taste?

@Benancio, totally agreed. I would often pull out a cask strength offering in an attempt to get some 'taste'. Booker's would give me vanilla, but that's all. There was a time when my dear grandmother would give me a mug full of plump raisins that had been soaking in new make. This practice takes self-medicating to a whole new level.

I tend to go for either something on the cheaper side like an afforable rye ala Rittenhouse or something that I am not crazy about and want to "get rid of." At present, the latter would include a bottle of Benromach 10yr.

A Cure for The Common Cold: A large glass of Whisky at Bedtime, it's not very scientific but it works! Sir Alexander Fleming . (That renowned Scotsman who discovered Penicillin)...Works for me too!

Congrats to all that even think about whisky let alone drink it when they have a bad cold. As for me! I'll stick to chicken soup. Probably doesn't work, but at least it tastes good.

@paddockjudge: Your Gran. had the right idea, I'll bet it worked a treat! I've got most of a Teeling New Make (Poitin) and couldn't think what I could do with it; now I know!

Arroghchootyoon!

@A'bunadhman, A few months should do the trick! I once let raisins sit for 10 years in delicious Seagram's 1970 Canadian Whisky...that was too long - they began to disintegrate at first touch. However, the other quart, which I sampled frequently, took less than two years to drain and every morsel was delicious. Cherries work well too! This of course was purely for health and wellness purposes. I believe I was ahead of my time;)

@PeterG7

I remember providing frozen portions of my grandmother's chicken soup to classmates when I was in medical school. It brought them back from the brink...

@Nozinan I don't think we should ever underestimate the wisdom of grandmothers. They obviously know what's best for us

I'm sure this came from a wonderful Gran. Raisins soaked overnight in bourbon folded into good vanilla ice cream. Most cures are simple and good.

God Bless Abuelita.

Happy Mothers Day.

When I have a cold and fancy a drink then I turn to something peaty. Good old Ardbeg 10 would sort you out.

I am seldom sick but last time I was I tried to remedy the illness with earl grey tea containing honey and Jameson.