Whisky isn't risky

Alan Greig is a man with a mission and a raconteur par excellence. It helps that his story is a good one "" the old tale of a puny David against the Goliath of the British Empire.

My mind, already lulled into susceptibility by several wee drams of some of the best scotch I've tasted, couldn't help but sympathise with the gritty Scots as his tale progressed.

Greig, heritage director, Chivas Brothers, is on a whirlwind tour of India to launch The Glenlivet's 15-year-old French Oak Reserve and The Glenlivet 18 year.

As he launches into his story of how the scotch makers of Glenlivet beat the English tax collector with sheer ingenuity, hiding their illegal stills in the old barns and caves that dot the valley, I am still looking at the three goblets with the 12-year-old, 15-year-old and 18-year-old Glenlivets with mixed feelings. I have to confess that I am an incorrigible vodka drinker who stays miles away from all malts, single or otherwise.

But not so George IV, who insisted despite all the cross-border embargos against the Scots, that he should be served only the Glenlivet. And was bombarded with scotch from several stills in the valley, all of which claimed to be authentic.

"When the English began the clampdown in the early 19th century, the Duke of Gordon gave the first license to George Smith allowing him to call his whisky The Glenlivet, the only whisky entitled to call itself so. Ever since, it is recognised as the only authentic brew," says Greig who by now has the select audience of the city's high society eating out of his hands.

What makes the Glenlivet special is the water near the original still which has a high concentration of magnesium and calcium, and the stills which are enlongated, Greig explains.

The long and delicate after taste, Alan tells us, is because of the lengthy distillation process in which the brew is cooled in the extra long stills. But by now I can't wait to begin the tasting.

As Greig takes us through the various bouquets we are supposed to smell and taste, I am still quite sceptical. How on earth can you taste pineapples in a whisky, I wonder, or flowers, for that matter? But there you are, swirl it about on your tongue and you do!

The 15-year-old has a distinct flavour which I keep coming back to. And seeing me reach for it again and again, Greig leans towards me consipiratorially and says, "Most women go for the 15-year-old. They seem to like it more than the 18-year-old."

I have to agree: The 15-year-old is softer, sweeter and leaves a fleeting whiff of flowers at the back of your throat. The 18-year-old is dry with a smoky aftertaste. If you are into cigars, you might like it.

I must confess that I am ready to switch loyalties from my favourite vodka to this queen of scotches. But then again, maybe I am just ready to grow up.

Happy birthday happy hours

Okay, there's nothing that can change your mind about your favourite drink "" not if you're paying for it, duty, excise and all. Even so, if Jack Daniel's isn't your favourite (not watched enough American films, bub?) then here are some reasons to switch to America's finest bourbon.

For starters, Jack Daniel's would have been 155 this month, so all through September, high-end bars in India are promoting the good stuff with prizes. One drink, one shot at opening a safe, and if you're lucky, you go home with a gift. Ditto for the second drink (a second chance at winning). Third drink? Go for the grand win "" a trip to the Harley festival in Melwaukee, and a visit to the JD distillery in Lynchburg, Tennessee.

If nothing else, maybe you'll make it for the grand finale parties in Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore. Worth the switch? We agree.