The Northern California Fly Fishing Board

The Great Recession has put a fly in the ointment in terms of me moving. So has the gf who has lived alone for a long, long time and may not be able to comfortably live with someone else unless we're in a big, big home. Know what a big, big home costs in the bay area? ... or anywhere else in NorCal? More than this photog can afford. As for the traffic, I've lived in a city for the past 27 years where maybe once a year you'll have to wait at a traffic light for two cycles. I'll cast all day for no SH grabs, but 20 minutes in traffic drives me bonkers.

Southern Comfort 100 proof will get the job done.
I prefer single malt

Jet

I always think of Janice Joplin when I hear "Southern Comfort". I'll put it on my list. Hope you and Joey are knockin' them dead. I'll always remember our steelheading experience. If you've been back to the T, you know it hasn't been anywhere near that good since.

Went to my local liquor store and it's under new management. Scotch from hundreds of dollars a bottle down to, well, I didn't look at the cheapest stuff. Decided to take a chance and take your advice. Bought 12 year old Macallans. Prices are high in small towns and I paid over $50., but this is absolutely the smoothest whisky I've ever drunk. This will be perfect for the wilderness hike. This winter when I visit the gf in the bay area, you and I are getting together for some drinks! (Maybe some fishin', too.)

Glad you liked it--perhaps you've inspired me to head over to the special cabinet in the kitchen myself...

Bruce, if I knew ANYTHING about single vs blended Scotch, I'd be all over it!!! But, alas, my taste runs to good to excellent American bourbons, although Shawn will tell you there's no such thing, and he's a savage, that's what I enjoy and administer in varying quantities to friends while fishing. That is, unless I'm cooking and pairing some of my wine cellar with the dining experience. 'nuff said?????

Charlie, I'd only tried 4 or 5 different scotches before I took Andy's advice. Take it from me, the Macallan 12 year single malt is excellent. That being said, I'm still wanting to experiment with other liquors. Can you suggest a few bourbons that aren't too expensive, but would be good enough to show me the possibilities?

Bruce,

Not sure how I missed this thread for so long. I usually hit the board every day, but I have been busy.

So, first, Bug should change his name to "Bog Savage". It was in fact the inhabitants of the Emerald Isle who invented Uisge Beatha, but it was so long ago that The Scots had not yet decided the crowd was just too rough for them and left for the Northern part of perfidious Albion. The took the idea of Whisky with them. The Irish kept making whiskey.

MY drink of choice these days is two ounces of Jameson, two drops of good water; repeat as needed. Standard James sells for 19.99 [$US] for a LITER at Trader Joe's. I have tried a lot of other Irish whiskies, and Jameson 18 yr old is some better than the regular Jameson, but not three to four times the price better. In a side by side comparison of eight Irish whiskies last fall, Jamo 18 was the only one I liked better than regular Jamo. Redbreast is okay, but about fourth or fifth on my list. Tullamore Dew is quite good, and Powers is okay. A new entry John L. Sullivan is okay but not worth to $25 a fifth I paid recently in Virginia.

Scotches: I don't much care for blended Scotch, and the only time I ever tried Johnny Walker Blue I was totally unimpressed. As far as single malt scotches are concerned, I really like several of them. I do NOT care for any single malt Irish whiskey that I have tried, but I may have missed one. IMNPHO, our lesser Celtic brethren do a better job than the Irish on single malts.

Macallan 12 yr old is very good, the 18 yr old is better, and the 25 year old is likely the best thing I have ever had in my mouth. It is smoother than silk, and finer than frog hair. I have never been drunk enough to order the 30 year old, and don't drink in many places that are apt to have a jar open. I am sure as hell not paying $ 525 for less than a fifth just to try it. I am sure it would be fantastic.

For a more peaty single malt I love Lagavulin 16 yr old, if I am only having one, or as a closer for the evening. You can still taste it three or four hours later, with the smoke hanging there in your sinus cavities.

I am still looking for a bourbon that I like as much as I like Jameson. I'd even settle for a Tennessee sipping whiskey. Have yet to find one, but I'll keep looking. I tried some Van Winkle old stuff recently, and it was good, but not good enough, and pretty pricey as I recall.

Macallan does have a 'cask strength' release. It's 110 proof as I recall, and provides a good jolt per unit weight.

If jolt per unit weight is your primary criterion, you might consider one of the 153 proof rums, or since you'll be in Colorado, buy a fifth of Everclear, and haul that up the hill.

Slainte'

Ah, there you are Ed. Knew you'd show up eventually. Okay, I'll try Jameson's. When it comes to alcohol, your reputation preceeds you, and just as I'd listen to Dec Hogan when it comes to steelheading (or Fishhawk, for that matter), I would never discount something you said about liquor.

As to your statement, "If jolt per unit weight is your primary criterion, you might consider one of the 153 proof rums, or since you'll be in Colorado, buy a fifth of Everclear, and haul that up the hill", had that been my only desire I'd never have bothered with the post. I'm ignorant of these matters and am looking for both kick AND quality. You've all been very helpful in assisting with my next career as a drunken fly fishing bum.

Some I take on fishing trips that do nicely either mixed or over the rocks are Woodford Reserve, 1792 Ridgemont Reserve, Knob Creek, and Maker's Mark. There are some better bourbons out there that I keep in the house but some are considerably more expensive than those above. You can check out www. tastings.com/spirits/american whiskey.html for more info. Whatever you get, just be sure you enjoy it...what others think come in second.

And keep in mind, just like wines, any spirits are judged only by your taste buds...many like Crown Royal (I do) and cost is NOT an indicator for what should taste good to you.

Sound advice. Thanks. Steelhead fishing this winter will have a new twist. I was growing tired of port on fishing trips anyhow.