Stratford upon Avon

Visited the spirit of the Bard William Shakespeare at his birthplace in Stratford upon Avon. 

He was born on April 23, 1564 in a wealthy family. His father was a glove manufacturer. He did not lead an impoverished lifestyle. He became a successful playwright and having a stake in the Globe Theatre, made a neat packet.

We were told by the official guide of William Shakespeare’s home that at a time when the average earning in Stratford upon Avon was 20 pounds, the Shakespeare family earned 200 pounds!

John (William Shakespeare’s father) was skilled in both leatherworking and the curing and processing of fine leather to make ladies gloves and purses for the nobility and traded as a Glover and Whittawer. He bought a house in Henley Street, Stratford , which was conveniently near the market. It was probable that a shop was attached as this, as was the usual practice. He also started in the dubious business of money lending. He obviously started to do very well with all of his various interests as he then purchased another house in Greenhill Street, Stratford in 1552, five years before he married Mary.

It is interesting to note that John ( father of the Bard ) was making himself noticed and the same year of his marriage in 1557 was given his first public appointment as ale-taster of the Borough of Stratford. This might sound strange to us but in the Elizabethan era basic hygiene was practically unknown. People washed infrequently, men urinated in the living room and most houses had a refuse heap outside their front doors. The water was dangerous to drink at the best of times, so ale or wine depending on your class, was the safest option. The position of ale-taster was an important one and it was essential that Stratford maintained a long-reaching reputation for its brewing.

Am sure if Black Dog existed then, it would have been the preferred tipple of the Shakespeare clan who 

knew how to live in style. Today, undoubtedly, Black Dog is a quality International Luxury Brand, due to its perfect blend.

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Enjoy responsibly.

Cheers!

Information about Shakespeare gleaned from http://www.william-shakespeare.info

A walk in the English rain

Had made plans for a walk around tour of Central London but rains played spoil sport. However we ventured out on the overcast day with our umbrellas with a fond hope that the drizzle would stop. But apparently the rain Gods loved us so much they accompanied us all day through our walk and showed us what is meant by miserable English weather!

We took the almost empty Metro to Covent Garden and our daughter walked us through the hallowed structures of London School of Economics where she had studied. Then we walked through the Covent Garden market and to a Japanese restaurant ‘Wagamama’ for lunch. I feasted on Wagamama Ramen 

special noodle soup with lots of meat and veggies. Having stuffed ourselves with the delicious food, off we 

went again in the drizzle to the market and then on to Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus. We were determined not to let the rains spoil anything for us and we succeeded partly though could not take many pictures for fear of getting the camera wet. However took a few with the phonecam and decided to repeat the walk again on a brighter day. Took the metro back and spent the evening browsing in the Harrow town centre.

Returned home to the warmth of our friend measured in liquid gold – the Black Dog, one of the finest scotch 

available in India, that I had brought all the way to London. The Black Dog sure helped me relax at leisure and warmed up my body that was cold after a walk in the cold drizzly London weather. Thank you 

Black Dog for being there when needed most! 

Black Dog is celebrating 130 years of its existence in being part of celebrations of living life in style

For more visit Live in Style.

Cheers!

Enjoy responsibly!

Arrival in London

On arrival in London we got through all the Government formalities like Immigration and Customs very quickly. We were out within half an hour! Was genuinely surprised after having heard horror stories of time spent in queues. We were just lucky I guess that our flight landed at a time during the lean time at the Heathrow airport. 

Strangely did not see a duty free shop till we were out of customs and the one that was there was a tiny one! The variety of products and pricing was lacking and a total turn off. The duty free shopping experience in Mumbai is surely a much much better one than the one on arrival in London.

Just thanked my stars that I had a bought a bottle of Scotch from India. Yes the Black Dog!

As we stepped outside, the only warmth there was in the greeting as our daughter and son-in-law received us. Else it was a dark, overcast and rainy afternoon. Fortunately for us we did not encounter much traffic on our way home too.

Having reached home, we got talking and planning what to do during our stay. The first thing I said we would do is share a bottle of the finest scotch – the Black Dog.

And over some fine sips we relaxed, followed by a sumptuous lunch of Palak chicken and Palak Paneer with Rotis! Could not have asked for a more warm and wonderful reception!

Retired early as were tired after the long flight.

Tomorrow would be a day out in town!

Cheers!

Enjoy responsibly! Check out how at ‘Live in Style’

A meetup!

Just a couple of days back an old friend called. He had migrated to Australia a couple of decades back.
We were colleagues in the airline industry and worked together at the airport for around five years during which we bonded quite well and developed a healthy respect for each others' taste and work ethics.
At the airport we had to work in different shifts, namely morning, afternoon and night shifts. It was then that we were on the lookout for a drink at the end of our work day that would relax our nerves after a hectic day of handling difficult passengers who used to behave as if they had enslaved the airline staff just by buying a ticket.

And we were taught to not disturb that concept by our airline and we were at the receiving end even when the weather Gods misbehaved. When flights were delayed due to bad weather, we were held responsible for the losses suffered by the passengers who missed important meetings.

It was then that we stumbled, well not literally, on one of the finest Scotch whiskies ever - Black Dog! And ever since it has been our preferred drink to share our thoughts and relax our tattered nerves.

So it was no surprise that when my friend called and said "Lets meet up with our good old friend Black Dog when am in town next week! And so it was. Black Dog, my friend and me reliving our good old days!

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Cheers!

Enjoy responsibly!

The youngest yet the finest!

And here is one which is by far very affordable and yet one of the finest – the eight year old Black Dog Centenary Deluxe. It is a rich and rare premium blended Scotch whisky that is loaded with exceptional characters. It is blended to perfection with a multitude of malt spirits chosen from the various regions of Scotland.

It is amber with golden highlights and when you gently shake it for the bouquet you will love it. The aromas of melted mil toffee, dried peach and orange blossom, honey on toast follow through on a silky entry to a dry yet fruity medium body with golden raisin and delicate heathery peat notes.

And then you sip it. Roll it on your palate to feel the robust body, pronounced rich malt and oak sherry sweetness that spreads warmly in the mouth like waves lapping on the sea shore.

The finish is balanced, long, intense and bright.

No wonder it has won the Silver medal awarded by Internationational Review of Spirits Award.

The alcohol by volume is 42.8%.

The Black Dog range of Scotch Whiskies is indeed one of the finest and the best choice to unwind and relax.

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Enjoy responsibly.

The achiever at 21

Now this one is for the one who values his taste and indulges his desires to the fullest. The 21 year old limited edition Black Dog scotch. Apparently there are only 3,540 bottles of these in the world! So one can image the value addition to this finest of fine scotch whiskies in the luxury segment.

It is said that the best way to enjoy the Black Dog 21 year old is to let it rest on your palate for twenty one seconds and experience all its hidden nuances.

The Black Dog 21 years old is indeed pure gold.

Renowned Master Blender Richard Paterson has hand crafted to meticulous perfection a blend of twenty five of the finest single malts and grain whiskies from the Highland region of Scotland, in particular from the Speyside valley, to create the exclusive Black Dog 21 year old. These were then matured and aged in Oloroso sherry butts from Spanish Bodegas for twenty one years.

The resultant 21 year old Black Dog Scotch is then of a colour that is intense amber gold with shimmering highlights. The bouquet is a harmony of delight orchestrated by a multitude of seductive aromas to arouse the senses. Soft peaches and ripe citrus fruits coupled with pear, marzipan and bergamot waft gently with the aged malt whiskies from the Speyside valley that make their own inimitable contribution by adding a distinctive charm and finesse.

Seduced, you sip it. It is bold and magnificent. Hold it on your palate for 21 seconds and it will reveal its inner beauty. Intense flavours of Seville oranges, ripe sweet mangoes and ginger spice with whispers of bitter chocolate, liquorices and crushed almonds will drift lovingly on… 

Balance and harmony prevail throughout this noble and elegant spirit as you sip in languid luxury.

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Enjoy responsibly.

Matured teenager

If the 12 year old Black Dog Scotch does not satisfy your indulgence then move on to the mature 18 year old Black Dog Scotch. Matured for a minimum of 18 years in oak casks, the brand is a fine blend of aged malt and grain whiskies that have been carefully and skillfully put together to create a sublime testament to the art of luxurious indulgence. It is indeed a fine pleasure, not to be rushed, to be savoured and relished at leisure.

It has been awarded the Gold medal by the Internationaler Spirituosen-Wettbewerb 2011 for its exquisite taste.

This 18 year old has a deep golden colour and has a truly noble bouquet of luscious malty tones and rich velvety textures with a hint of oloroso sherry in the background. The taste is round and mellow with complex quixotic flavours and an impeccable balance of individual malt and grain whiskies with solky soft tones that dance on the tongue.

The finish is luxuriously smooth and long, a testament to the malt grain whiskies which have spent years in oak casks.

The packaging of this fine scotch is also one of the best in class in the luxury spirits category across the world. The cork which sits at the crest of the bottle is a natural superior grade cork, the best in class by far and bottled in the Saint Gobain bottle that is manufactured at a special line in Europe.

Everything about this 18year old Black Dog scotch spells class and demands to be indulged at leisure for a quality time.

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Enjoy responsibly.

12 year old Black Dog

The Black Dog 12 year old Scotch is a blend of fine whiskies from all the regions of Scotland – Speyside, Islay, Highlands and Lowlands, each matured for a minimum period of 12 years, creating a bouquet that captures all the flavours of Scotland, giving Black Dog its very distinctive flavor and taste.

An insight into the tasting notes of this fabulous scotch will help you enjoy it much more.

It has an Amber colour with golden highlights and the aroma is robust malty, mellow woody and a complex yet delicate aroma of sherry and vanillic sweetness with whispers of soft peatiness in the background.

Now after having tested its bouquet, sip it. When you roll it around in your mouth, your palate will feel it beautifully rounded with a heavy body, pronounced malty, mellow woody and a fruity sweetness with a teasing light warm peat.

The finish is luxurious and exciting, long and warm with a touch of cream.

Is it any wonder then that it has been awarded a silver medal at Concourse Mondial de Bruxelles.

Concours Mondial de Bruxelles is an organization recognized by the European Union, which conducts annual competition for various spirits and wines manufactured all over the world. The organization is well known in spirits and wine industry through its expertise, professionalism, integrity and excellence of its sensory panel. These competitions have been held for the last 11 years. The committee of judges comprises of well-Known experts in the field.

So the next time you either want to relax or celebrate do it in style! Bring on the Black Dog 12 year old!

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Drink Responsibly

Black Dog - A winner!

Over the past one hundred and thirty years Black Dog has established itself beyond doubt as one of the finest Scotch whiskies. It is distilled, matured and blended in the lowlands of Scotland and even now every time honoured process is followed to produce an impeccable blend of robust yet smooth Scotch that is celebrated as an intricate fusion of delicate tones and gentle aromas.

Black Dog today is an International Luxury Brand and that is proved by the number of International awards it has won for itself. The twelve year old Black Dog has won a Gold medal in 2006 from Monde Selection.

Monde selection is an international institute for quality selection found in 1961 in Brussels and are currently the oldest and most reputed organization in the field of quality selection worldwide. Monde selection distinguishes not only by its experience but also by panel of long term partners and experts who have provided the customers with value added service of quality selection. Monde selection has been recognized officially by the commission of the European Union for conferring awards to wines in the framework of community laws. The products are examined by scientific board who determine its acceptability as well as the informative nature of the label. The products that comply with the criteria of acceptability are submitted to the committee of juries for sensorial analysis. On the basis of comments recorded from the sensorial panel the standing organizing committee then instructs the scientific board to carry out the chemical and bacteriological analysis etc. Monde selection jury comprises of prominent professionals of all whom are eminencies in their fields. For the spirits and liquor selection they are separated by numerous oenologist, sommeliers, professional tasters, professors, specialty judges and chemists from a diversity of countries.

Over the coming days, we will see what other awards BlackDog has won in the International arena to endear itself as one of the world’s finest!

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Cheers!

Drink responsibly 

Celebrate the Black Dog!

I dedicate this post and the next twenty nine posts to the Grand Old Man of Scotch – Black Dog! The occasion? Well, yes, the coveted Black Dog is brought out from the bar only on special occasions as we all know! And what better occasion could there be than celebrating one hundred and thirty years of this celebrated Scotch! Yes! You got it right! Black Dog celebrates a hundred and thirty years of giving people an occasion to celebrate!

Black Dog is indeed one of the world’s finest Scotch whisky. It has a fascinating history. As per the brewers of this fine Scotch - In the year 1883 Walter Millard, a Scot from the British East India Company came searching for the perfect Scotch and eventually discovered the great taste of this whisky in these misty shores of Scotland. Being a keen angler, Walter Millard named the whisky Black Dog in honour of his favourite salmon fishing fly used in the Spey and Tay rivers of Scotland since the early 19th century. 
So, now we know that Black Dog has nothing to do with the canines and everything to do with angling and relaxing!

Do check out this short three minute video for the wonderful history of this legendary Scotch.

Over the coming days, we shall delve into what has made Black Dog an International Luxury Brand that it is today and how it has become a symbol of absolute fine taste and luxury.

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Drink responsibly

Review of 'Black Dog' whisky

Received a bottle of Black Dog scotch whisky for review and what better time to open it but after a lovely long alcohol free ride of Ashtavinayak!

Had a couple of friends over for the ‘tasting’ and general celebration of my acquiring the ‘Desert Storm’ Royal Enfield motorcycle!

The Black Dog, incidentally, has an interesting history.  Apparently, Walter Millard, a Scot in British India, travelled to Scotland in 1883 in search of an impeccable whisky. His search ended in a blend created by James Mackinlay, of the second generation of the Leith Scotch Whisky blending family. Being a keen angler himself, Walter Millard named the whisky ‘Black Dog’ in honour of his favourite salmon fishing fly used in the Spey and Tay rivers of Scotland since the early 19^th century. Thus was born the ‘Black Dog’ whisky!

Now a whisky that old and so carefully blended needs a lot of respect and cannot be diluted with soda or cola but has to be had neat on ice if need be. The label on the cover of the bottle states that this whisky is a blend of fine whiskies from all the regions of Scotland – Speyside, Islay, Highlands and Lowlands, each matured for a minimum period of 12 years creating a bouquet that captures all the flavours of Scotland, giving Black Dog its very distinctive flavour and taste.

The bottle is opened and the golden liquid carefully poured on ice in the glass for the tasting. Here I would 

like to mention what the Tasting Notes are as per the makers of this whisky, followed by my observations.

Colour : Amber, with Golden highlights.

Yes – agreed

Aroma : Robust malty, mellow woody, complex yet delicate aroma of sherry and vanillic sweetness with whispers of soft peatiness in the background.

Could definitely get the woody aroma. It was heady.

Palate : Beautifully rounded, heavy body, pronounced malty, mellow woody, fruity sweetness with teasing light warm peat.

A heavy body with the soft peatiness of a good scotch lingered as I sipped it, to my delight.

A whisky that can help you warm up with someone or maybe just chill with friends.

Overall a fine whisky to sip on, whenever you feel the need to unwind after a stressful day or to share with friends to celebrate something special!

Cheers!

The MRP in Mumbai for a 750ml Black Dog DeLuxe aged 12 years whisky bottle is Rs.2200/- as listed.

Cheers!