Lagavulin

I can taste it now

Ah, for the West Coast of Scotland, the islands and the single malt they make there. It has been a few years since I was there but when a backpacking friend came to stay with me for a few days and a chat, the images from these places came back with full force. The landscape, both mainland and islands, are rugged, worn, sharp, dangerous and it IS magical, this landscape. I can feel the sea wind and smell the moors, all this way away. Smell and taste are usually the strong conductors for memories of home, childhood, anything that takes you back to somewhere else. Right now I have the opposite thing happening. This landscape and those islands come with a flavour. Lovely heart-warming, smokey single malt Lagavulin whiskey from the Isle of Islay. Oh, to be in a pub is the evening with a roaring fire and a shot of 12 year old Lagavulin! I can taste it now.

ALO, New Zealand - 14 March 2008