Monthly Archives: January 2015

Our Own Single-Malt

The German pipe smoking forum I belong to has commissioned Braeval to bottle 30 bottles of its 18-year-old single-malt as our official tipple. This is a Speyside whisky that stands out for its complex frutiness paired with sweet oak aromas. … Continue reading

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Number One Whisky-Drinking Country in the World

Back when I was Mr Ignoramus quaffing cheap hooch, when I heard someone using the term “triple malt whisky” I scoffed, thinking it was a lame attempt at oneupmanship – the “you drive a BMW 5 Series, but I’m being … Continue reading

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Monkey Shoulder

Monkey Shoulder Triple Malt Scotch Whisky is a so-so tasting blend of three Speyside single malts – Glenfiddich, Balvenie and Kininvie. The whisky takes its name from the injury suffered by those manual laborers in the olden days who painstakingly … Continue reading

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A Thoughtful Gift

Not all who wander are lost (Tolkien) and not all who declare themselves to be simple are necessarily simple. But I am indeed a simple man. I believe in certain basic fundamentals. Simply, I believe in friendship (backed with action … Continue reading

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At Long Last, a Longchamp!

Iggy beat me to it, purchasing this off eBay, but was kind enough to let me have it at the price he paid. This is an unsmoked estate pipe, a much-coveted large Longchamp Leather Billiard made in France in 1959. … Continue reading

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When You Need a Little Laughter

This is the time of the year when people send out year-end letters to friends to update them of their year’s activities. This rather old-fashioned and tiresome habit has long lost its luster – it’s as painful as sitting through … Continue reading

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