A Dram on the Canal
While things are slowly getting back to normal Jacqueline and I took a leisurely walk along a good stretch of the Forth and Clyde Canal. We were lucky enough to see a couple of narrow canal barges navigating through several locks which was fascinating.
This got me thinking, If The Whisky Boys and their partners were to hire a narrow boat for a few days and and spend some time on the canal, what would we eat and drink. Our lunches would be light bites consisting of club sandwiches with seasonal salads and small finger food, perhaps followed by some locally bought ice cream. There would also be plenty of Thatchers Haze Cider and some bottles of real ale.
What is the Whisky selection going to be like?
The afternoon or pre lunch dram would have to be light and fruity, my choices would be between the following:-
Chivas Regal 18 Year Old
Glen Moray 15 Year Old – Elgin Heritage
The Glenlivet 15 Year Old, French Oak Reserve
Hopefully the weather would be good as there plenty of areas where you can tie up and maybe have a BBQ on the canal bank.
We would make a point of visiting local butchers and picking up some lamb chops, steak and best beef sausages. The idea of sizzling your evening meal on the bank of a beautiful canal is very romantic, and the aromas from the BBQ get you palette yearning for some exceptional flavours.
Now let’s select the aperitif Whisky from the following:-
Deanston Virgin Oak
Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old
Glen Scotia Double Cask
Auchentoshan Three Wood
These aperitif Whiskies have a little bit more character than the lighter afternoon drams.
It is now late in the evening and we have eaten well, so, what drams do we pick to finish off the evening? These drams have to have a bit more oomph, sherried or peated is the order of the day.
Aberlour A’bunadh
Any peated Caol Ila especially from The Scotch Malt Whisky Society
Ardbeg Wee Beastie 5 Year Old
Glenfarclas 105
So that Nicola and I are well sorted for Whiskies. But, what about our partners Jacqueline and Scott.
Jacqueline would need to have a couple of gins like:-
Harris Gin
Ben Lomond Gin
Martin Miller’s Gin
Scott does enjoy the odd Scotch but his current go to Whiskey is Jameson and ginger ale.
The Forth And Clyde Canal opened in 1790 crossing Central Scotland and runs from the River Clyde at Bowling to the River Carron at Grangemouth. This canal has 39 locks that have to be navigated. This canal is now enjoyed not only by pleasure craft but by walkers and cyclists alike.
Now this could be a grand way to celebrate getting completely back to normal.