There are days which are filled with peace, harmony, interest, delight. Saturday was such a day. We got up early, did a few bits about the house, and then set out to the Valley to shop. First stop was a camera store to find a storage bag for lenses. I found the perfect one. Next stop was the brew shop for a thief to replace the one Josh broke awhile ago, some specialty grains, and to renew membership in the Maltose Falcons. On the way down, we passed by Wade’s Wines and told ourselves, yes, we are going there on the way home. And then, indulge in some junk food which we both love, and never eat.
The camera bag, grain, and thief hit the “spot” – but Wade’s Wines was a shock! What a fantastic store, filled with fantastic people, and a fantastic selection of wine, beer, hard liquor, and nearly anything alcoholic you may wish to drink. Reasonable prices to the rare and expensive.
When we walked in the door, it looked like a warehouse, and it really is one! It is on the backside of a bunch of buildings in a commercial park, with the front door facing the freeway. Once inside, we were given the “tour” – and you do need one, as around this corner are the discounts, here are the beers, here are the rare wines, the cigars, tequila, whisky, rye, Scotch, madeira, and on, and on. The warehouse is the perfect place – they can keep adding on! I was so impressed with the staffing at Wade’s – friendly, knowledgeable, personable, friendly, and low key. No one forcing us to make decisions, everyone answering our questions.
I like Scotch. I like the earthiness of Laphroaig, and the sherry oak of Macallan’s. Talking to Marty, their resident expert, was so much fun! He loves what he does, and finally, after pointing out so many different Scotches, I asked him which, of all the sherry cask and peaty ones we talked about, would you want to buy? He had to think a bit; his face lighted up with thoughts of the flavor and memories of it as he made his decision. How could I resist?
Josh got some beer – microbrewery beer, domestic and Finnish sahti – and I got Marty’s recommendation: Lagavulin Distillers Edition 1991 – peaty, aged in Pedro Ximenez casks – and to die for. When I came in from yesterday evening’s chilly photo shoot, I had some of the Lagavulin’s, and never have I had such a lovely Scotch! I can drink this straight, no ice, no water, simply a shot in a glass, and savor it for an hour or two. Smokey with peat. Sweet follow-through. To rhaphsodize more would be absurd!
My Saturday was heavenly. Yours?
Ink, Yarn & Beer 