mukade@gaijin.co.jp wrote:

> 37? Not a heathen - A God!

OK then. Genuflect first and then put the money on the fridge. Just 
don't spill anything.

> My collection currently stretches to six, but I'm not a professional
> like yourself.

I'm no professional, but figure why claim a few computers as a tax 
expense when you can claim a container load of celtic charm? 24 single 
malts (nothing less than 10 years), 13 Irish including Midleton's Very 
Rare (which I sell for 1750 a glass - a bargain sir!). No bourbons etc. 
There may or may not be other "whiskies" in the house for the coke 
drinkers and other unwashed, but for fear of embarrassment I'm not going 
to admit to it in a public forum, let alone on the menu. From there it 
would be all downhill, all the way to Beaujolais.

> It took a while to get into the peat, but now I am a confirmed Islay
> fan.

I think it takes a bit of time to get past the initial in-your-face 
aggression, but after that its a delight. I'm trying to get my hands on 
some others such as Caol Ila or some Bunnahabhain - but no success in 
Aichi yet.

> Laphroaig and Ardbeg 10 yrs can be had for a decent price at my local
> emporium, but my wallet(and wife) start to shake when I reach for a
> Lagavulin 16.

The only Lagavulin I have (and have ever had) is the 16. I can only 
think of two solutions. One option might be to go shopping sans wife. 
The other is to open a restaurant and write off all of your booze 
purchases as expenses. I'm sure there is a niche somewhere in Shizuoka 
for a combined translation and peat appreciation thingee.

> I think I'll have to walk my nose up to the Northern Highlands. Any
> recommendations from the barman? I have tried only Glen Ord and
> Glenmorangie so far.

Dalmore was OK from up that way too. At the moment I'm working my way 
through the Orkneys, then I'll probably mosey across to Speyside for a 
while. The Orkney's are a surprise. When I close my eyes I can taste the 
salt spray of Scapa Flow, and after 4 or 5 slow drams I swear I can see 
the odd Norse longship or two.


-- 
"Ninety percent I'll spend on good times, women and Irish Whiskey. The 
other ten percent I'll probably waste." - Tug McGraw