Cold mornings, abysmal Premiership result against Man United, the internet running out of half the gifts I've ordered bringing on pre-xmas tension, have all made this month a bit of a mixed bag. Although December has not been completely without highlights!

A couple of weeks ago I attended a very enjoyable organised whiskey tasting in Kempsey. The climax of the tasting it self being the Laphroaig Quarter Cask – already in my xmas shopping basket. Nothing too extraordinary in that then.

I really enjoy post whisky tasting banter. We got talking about my September experiences on Islay and some of the distilling shenanigans going on at Bruichladdich. The topics of collecting and the Bruichladdich made PC6 came up and I heard someone say that the pub had a bottle of Port Charlotte behind the bar and was selling PC6 by the glass. After laughing my arse off to the point where I had to go and answer a call of nature. Little did I know that I would get back to my seat to find I'd be laughing on the other side of my face.

A glass of the afore mentioned PC6 sat happily smouldering away on the table awaiting my return. In disbelief I confirmed this to be the real deal. The look on my face must have been a picture. Apparently not happy with buying me the one, Jason seeing my reaction decided I would have to have a second glass of PC6 just to be sure I wasn't dreaming.

Ok the Bruichladdich Port Charlotte PC6 is in many ways a tad controversial what with all the ranting and raving and nashing of teeth over the 6 different collectable tins, the 50 quid plus price tag, the 18,000 bottle limited availability, the eh hem Additional Cask Enhancement (Madera finish?), Yeah Bruichladdich has got more expressions than I've had hot dinners, yeah yeah PC7 PC8 PC9 PC10 will all have something to say for themselves in years to come I'm sure. And what about X4, Octomore, Lochindaal etc. But but but, that's then, this is now!

If you like your single mault peaty? And I do! PC6 is a massive bear hug from a huge mother of a peat monster! A bit of sweetness and not medicinal in the slightest. Medicinal is what Laphroaig is for. PC6 is Ilay sitting on your face and telling you that she loves you! And damn it, I've filled those casks and lined up those bottles with my own hands.

Am I going to pay the best part of 60 quid for a single bottle of 6 year old whisky rather than the same money for 3 respectable 10 year olds? Of course I bloody am. And am I going to put it in a cupboard for 10 years and quadruple my money? Not bloody likely. 🙂

2007 has been an amazing year for me in very many respects. For all sorts of reasons I can't blog everything that has happened to me over the past 12 months. Some of it I am finding difficult to believe. 2008 promises to be even better.

Dolphin xmas dinner on Friday. Saturday with my sister and her bf, think we may even be going to a concert in the Cathedral, (did I mention Pillars of the Earth is brilliant). Sunday off up north for a quiet xmas with my mother. Back to Worcester for a quick pitstop and change of suitcase on the 28th before heading off to see the boy Roberts and new year's festivities in Ipswich.

Wherever or whoever you are, seasons greetings to you and yours.