One of the many privileges I enjoy in writing for the Gentleman’s Cabinet is to introduce to you new people who will be sharing their thoughts and experiences in the world of fine spirits and cigars. I met Simon Smith as my ‘boss’ of the whisky bar I was working at in Scotland, The George Hotel in Inveraray.
Simon grew up in Tambourine Mountain, QLD, and moved to the UK 6 years ago. Starting out as a humble bartender, he rose through the ranks and became the bar manager. Not one for being content with the status quo, he worked hard and was awarded Scottish Bar Manager of the year for 2014. As well as being a super guy to work for, Simons’ knowledge and passion for fine spirits is not only deep, but infectious. He won the Benedictine Cocktail Challenge for 2014, mixing up a fantastic concoction involving the great spirit. Having moved on from The George, he is soon to be taking charge of one of the top cocktail establishments opening in Glasgow, One Lynedoch, and is working with the Drinks Cabinet UK (the name a coincidence), a consulting and training group for premium spirits. A Gentleman of character, he continues to spread the love for a ‘stunning drink’ (his words) amongst individuals and the public (like in this video). We are very excited to have him writing for us, giving us insights into the whisky world all the way from Scotland. Enjoy.
~ Lex
“When one enters a bar these days, it’s not always easy to to enjoy exactly what one desires. A man might simply want to sit in a quiet corner of a dimly lit room, watching the pale blue wisps of nicotine smoke paint the air with their pallid brush strokes (ah, the Halcyon days), and enjoy a well made, or possibly just perfectly aged, libation of choice.
However, in these days of brightly lit, cavernous ‘super-pubs’, with their gaming machines, aluminium furniture and gleaming surfaces, a battered old wooden chair is seldom to be found, let alone claimed as one’s own. However, sometimes one must endure such things in order to pursue the finer things in life. On this occasion, one has a rather healthy measure of Glendronach 15 in front of him.
On admiring the deep, rich, nut brown colour of the liquid, the image of the chesterfield couch one so yearns for flashes across the mind’s eye. A mental journey has begun in an instant, but is far from finished. As the glass is raised to the nose, the olfactory senses are almost overwhelmed – a true Madeleine Moment. As the elegant cacophony of scents are realised, you find yourself sitting in a Gentleman’s Club (no, not that kind) in 19th Century London.
The sheen of highly resined leather, the hearty amber of a glass of ale, the scarlet joy of a snifter of sherry – and where did this monocle come from? All these images are evoked simply through scent, in such a way that it’s easy to forget you should actually be drinking this, not simply wafting it about under your nose, eyes closed – and frankly, by now, starting to receive rather strange looks.
When finally the temptation to taste is succumbed to, the sensory expedition simply steps up a gear. At the top of the flavour profile are spices from the East Indies (yeah you’re in full British Empire mode by now), a hint of molasses – as you might expect from a Spanish style rum. And always, always, that perfect sherry presence that really gives this dram a unique quality. Aged exclusively in Oloroso casks, there are aspects to this whisky that no Pedro Ximenez cask can come near (cue outrage and indignant spluttering).
The finish on this dram stays around longer than that last guest at a party who was drunk by eight thirty and is somehow still there at two in the morning.
It has a lovely lingering quality that, in a way, has it’s own mouth feel, which allows you to explore its nuances more intricately than the first taste.
To my eternal shame I am no cigar aficionado. However, in my short yet varied existence, I have realised that most enjoyment comes from context. Put me in a comfortable chair with this (near) perfect dram and you could light up any thing half decent for me and I’d be a happy, happy man.
In brief:
Nose – currants, oak, sherry, spice.
Taste – heavy sherry, wood, molasses.
Mouth feel – huge, soft, velvet
Finish – ongoing, intriguing, sublime
Accompanying tunes – Cheek to Cheek – Fred Astaire, or any classic rhythm and swing.
~ Simon”
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