We're talking apples and oranges here...

I'm talking about $150+/- bottle stuff.

Yes, 25-year-old McCallan, a definite "there is a god" Scotch.

Do the airline reps read these boards? If they do, and take your wishes to heart ...

There's even a McCallan 30 for $350/bottle, if you want to get fancy...not that McCallan 18 at $80 is anything to sneeze at.

Still, I think the McCallan is a bit unrealistic for the airlines, although at $5,000+ per flight, I'm not sure why...but the Royal Salute used to be a mainstay...

There's also some decent XO cognac out there, in my recollection, but it's been about 5 years since I've taken those flights.

Even the BOS Flagship Lounge had a good XO available.

Speaking of Bourbons, although they don't offer it in the air, the Delta Crown Room in Cincinatti does offer Woodford Reserve.

nologic, I had the opportunity to go to a Scotch Whisky tasting last autumn, most of the whisky's were McCallan - including the 30 year old. It was quite the bargain for $15 each, thank god my wife was the designated driver.

I was very dissappointed in the 30 yr McCallan. I actually prefer single malts that are "peatier", and just did not find the 30 yr satisfying.

Now, give me the 18 or 21 year old Glenlivet, (the 12 year old is okay, but not that exciting) or Lagavulin, or Glen Ord, or Laphroaig, or Talisker, or GlenFarclas 105, or Longmorn, or even the Singleton.

Oh, I need to stop now and pour myself a wee dram.

[This message has been edited by Larrude (edited 08-08-2001).]

BA's basic First service includes Glenmorangie with the Port Wood Finish as their single malt, and JWBlue as the blended. As noted , they also carry Knob Creek for bourbon lovers. Frapin VIP XO is their house cognac as of a couple of months ago. I think supply may also be a reason we don't see overly exotic single malts. It takes a lot to provision a fleet.

i've enjoyed recent flights in the front cabin of MX, sampling the tequila selection. Standard complement is made up of Cuervo Tradicional, Grand Centenario Reposado and Reserva Antingua 1800. They also provide a liqueur, Agavero Licor de tequila which is akin to a Drambuie, and a sweeter offering, Dobel "Un sueno hecho licor", which is like a Bailey's.

One of the few nice things one can say about NW is that they do try to carry a seasonal microbrew. I would like to see at least one such selection on other carriers, in addition to the mass market beers. [BA does carry London Pride.] And from time to time AS and Horizon also offer local microbrews from cities in the NWest USA.

One often gets a more interesting sampling of microbrews in airport lounges. If only some carriers could be as adventurous in the air!

You'll spot the 16yo occasionally in my carryon.

I began to develop my taste for scotch when I (slowly) ran a good portion of the whiskey trail some years ago. Ashamed to admit it, but back then I didn't see much reason to go beyond Glenkinchie 10.

There is one?

That's really not fair to those of us stuck at a hotel with a crappy bar...

[This message has been edited by SuperSlug (edited 08-08-2001).]

How can a spirit mature with age. Wine, yes, I understand..but spirit no. Paul is right, this is all about marketing. Blended whisky even were it 100 years old will always be inferior to Malt. Now although I do not drink the stuff myself, I would also say that an Irishman would argue in favour of Whiskey.

To my whisky drinking man (and he has impeccable taste as he lives with me!!!!! Who knows maybe that's why he drink it in the first place), ther's not whisky like Scotch Whisky BUT he is very fond of Burbon, and Canadian Club. To his taste, the two are totally different to Whisky. Ultimately, its all down to taste, isn't it?

Hmmm...not sure where to go with this one. People who don't drink scotch seem to have the strongest opinions here about the best scotches...

If whiskey doesn't age...then this is indeed the marketing coup of the century, since scotch prices are principally driven by age...starting with "cheap" 8-10 year old stuff.

For those who care, truly superior scothes are generally aged in wooden casks for many years, developing intense flavor combined with incredible smoothness. Many non-scotch drinkers that I have introduced to 21-25 year old scotch are amazed at the smoothness/drinkability of the stuff -- expecting the harshness that turned them off to scotch at some point. (BTW, I find the same is true with old cognacs...get up to the XO level and above, and the "sting" disappears.)

The premium blended scotches, like JW Blue, combine the best of numerous bathces to create or blend a great result. Not unlike many great meritage wines these days...not a pure play single grape, but compelling nonetheless. I enjoy both: certain single malts, and the best blends.

Hurray for BA; it's good to see they trot out the Blue. As for the Glenmorangie, I happen to like the 12 year old cask series, although I prefer the sherry wood finish to the port wood finish...but we're talking a $40 bottle compared with a $190 bottle...

Not sure I can say JW Blue is worth all that money, but there is a difference...

Otherwise, I was disapppointed to hear that the McCallan 30 isn't extraordinary, since I was looking forward to the right opportunity to try the stuff ($15/glass sounds amazing!)...and now expect to be disappointed...I'll probably try a blind taste test with the 25 at a steak house on the road one day.

But, please let me know when the next McCallan tasting comes to town! My house standard is the McCallan 18 -- still the best combination of taste and price available...although it's getting a bit unreasonable at $80 compared to Lagavulin 16 at $50.

I used to buy and enjoy the Ballentine 17 when it was available at Duty Free...it used to run about $40, but I haven't had it in a while. My guess is I'd find it a little weak at this point...

[This message has been edited by nologic (edited 08-09-2001).]

Shareholder's point is well taken; what I'm posting below is from an article I wrote about three years ago for the magazine "Mid-Atlantic Brewing News" on the improving quality of beers served at airports. Much of the information about specific places I mentioned in that article has become outdated, but I think this quote about why you're seeing better tap choices may still apply:

###BEGIN EXCERPT###

...run by Maryland-based Host Marriott Services, which operates 42 craft beer concessions at U.S. airports and has more planned. �We find that if we take a generic, typical airport bar and turn it into a microbrew establishment,� explains Stan Novack, the company�s Vice President of Concept Development, �we see a minimum increase in sales of 35 percent. In some instances we�ve seen sales increase as much as 150 percent. Host Marriott likes that.�

The company likes it enough to encourage the managers at all of its more than 400 airport locations serving alcohol to make a craft beer available to customers. �We have not mandated that,� says Novack, �but it�s a strong recommendation that they try to feature at least one tap of a local product.�

###END EXCERPT###

Sorry, duplicate!

[This message has been edited by Larrude (edited 08-09-2001).]

SuperSlug - I understand the hotles with a crappy bar, but I have been known to travel with a bottle of a really nice single malt.
BTW, I love the bartenders that say they have any scotch I might want, even offer a free glass if I can name one they don't carry. I usually just mention Clynelish or Tobermory - it's rare to see these outside of the Highlands.

nologic - this comment will really shake you - when I tasted the 30 yr old MaCallan (which you might like, MacCallan just isn't one of my favorites), the tasting was $15 for the entire event - we tasted 6 - 8 malts and Famous Grouse Gold Reserve. I literally walked away from the tasting with the biggest grin on my face I've had in years. The event was sponsered by a local liquor store and was held at Oak Hill Country Club (where the 1995 Ryder Cup tournament was held) with hot hors d'ouerves. $15 !!!!!

Larry

Spirits don't age once they're in a bottle. The designated age refers to the time they spend in the barrel >before< they're bottled.

Duly shaken. $15 is a bargain for a glass.

I understand they don't age further once bottled...which is unlike wines...how about cognac, I always thought that continued to age...

I too have been known to pick up a good bottle from duty free for trip...

BTW, I find the LHR Duty Free scotch selection and prices to be truly outstanding for an airport...which reminds me, I think last time I was there I got my grandfather a Ballentine 25 (he drinks the regular Ballentine) and I doubt he has even touched it (a waste in retrospect)...