Where’s the Whiskey?
I was walking through the local grocery store today when I realized something: there is not a huge selection of bourbons, whiskeys, or scotches. There are some of the ones you would expect like Wild Turkey (thankfully), Jim Beam, Jack Daniel’s, and Dewar’s but beyond those big name brands there isn’t much selection. It’s actually a very puny selection.
But wine? The next aisle over has both sides dedicated to wine. My drink of choice gets half of one side of the aisle. That’s pathetic.
I am not writing this because I am a whiskey connoisseur because, quite frankly, due to my geographic location how could I be? Trader Joe’s has an acceptable wine selection. Sam’s Club and Costco have decent wine selections. But if you are looking for something stronger you are just out of luck.
In this environment how can I even become whiskey/bourbon/scotch literate? I just don’t see a reasonably easy way to reach a comfortable level of whiskey literacy. And I don’t think that’s because there are no choices. Just take a quick perusal of Wikipedia’s page that lists whiskey. There are hundreds of distillers on this page and, although I don’t know for sure, I would bet that there are many more less popular choices as well.
So what is the deal? Do Americans not like stiff drinks? That can’t be the case. Hell, this country’s founders were some of the biggest proponents of alcohol and that really hasn’t changed judging by the overflow of college- and post-college-aged revelers at the local bars here in the Orange County area.
So what am I suppose to do? Frankly, I don’t know the answer right now but when I do find out a way to get access to a larger variety of whiskeys I will have some fun.
Until that day comes I will have to sustain myself on Wild Turkey and cigars, which isn’t that bad of a consolation prize after all.
I Drink Wild Turkey and Coca Cola with my Cigars
Yep, that’s right. Wild Turkey and Coke. Is there anything more American than smoking a cigar from Cuba and drinking 101 proof bourbon and a sugary beverage? I don’t think so.
But there is also a practical reason behind this choice. I like both Wild Turkey and Coke, usually Cherry Coke. They taste good and they go well with cigars.
I’m certain that some of you think that it’s not fair for me to be drinking bourbon and rating a cigar. So what? Whenever I do something different, like just having a Cherry Coke, I tell you. As long as I keep the playing field level I don’t think it affects the score of cigars that much.
When I smoke a cigar I drink Wild Turkey (101 proof) and a Cherry Coke.
In fact, whenever I am smoking a milder cigar I will frequently note that what I am drinking is overpowering the flavors. And you might be right if you think that is why I don’t particularly like milder cigars for the most part. Even though I do like Auroras most milder cigars just don’t float my boat.
But what am I to do?
I like having a stiff drink with my cigars. I will not change my ways to make my ratings more “pure.” Actually, I think I would be doing a greater disservice to you, the reader, if I changed the way I smoked cigars in order to create some kind of “impartial” atmosphere.
Cigar smoking isn’t something that is done in a vacuum. Cigars are meant to be smoked amongst friends or as a way to relax at the end of a long day.
Alright, fine, the way I rate cigars may not be completely copacetic for some people. However, if I had the slightest inkling that my drinking habits affected my scores I would change. Actually, that gives me an idea.
Maybe I should start having a control cigar every once in a while where I just have water while smoking a familiar cigar. If my rating for this control cigar deviates wildly from my normal rating then I will have to change my ways.
Ah, who am I kidding? I like Wild Turkey and Cherry Coke with my cigars so that’s what I am going to continue doing. I wonder what other people drink with their cigars?
