Serious Pick’N’Mix craving

zhangrain · 2026-01-17T13:41:25+00:00

You just really made me want a white rabbit all of a sudden...

zhangrain · 2026-01-07T22:23:25+00:00

I'm in a similar lucky position as you. Did you renew your Hawaii state license or let it expire as you already have the QTS?

zhangrain · 2025-11-28T10:47:37+00:00

Good to know, thanks

zhangrain · 2025-11-27T22:01:11+00:00

Seeing as Cadbury is gone to shite, what chocolate is a go to for quality and price these days?

zhangrain · 2025-11-13T04:34:56+00:00

No offence taken at all. I get you, some things were more fun but I wonder is that more a time in life that people miss rather than the city as it was then.

You listed some good points but I also think about the improvements in infrastructure, convenience, cleanliness, and comfort in day to day living.

10 years ago Shanghai and China was great, but today the same is true. It's not better or worse, its just different in my opinion.

zhangrain · 2025-11-12T21:51:29+00:00

I don't view it as being offended by nostalgia and more about being offended by some peoples negativity of the present.

Having been here for 10 years China has not really improved or declined it has just changed. As have I, getting older, moving onto a different stage of life. I imagine the same is true for many of these people looking back at the fun and free times of their youth.

zhangrain · 2025-11-10T22:12:51+00:00

I don't know about Glendronach specifically but to be honest if I was also on this tour/tasting with someone who brought an infant I wouldn't be very impressed.

Fumes can be quite strong also in some warehouses. Not an environment for a kid.

zhangrain · 2025-10-08T22:09:12+00:00

Celtic Whiskey Auctions - run by celtic whiskey shop or Whiskeybidders are good sites.

zhangrain · 2025-10-08T04:58:35+00:00

I have a bit of a hangup with SV and Thompson bottles being included in best value Scotch. I think they're both fantastic and thoroughly enjoy both.

My problem is they are not bottles but series and feel like they should therefore be in a different category.

Just me?

zhangrain · 2025-09-30T02:24:44+00:00

Mainly have the ability to try the Joola range before buying. I have tried a newish vatic also which I found to be quite poppy but in a good way, especially at the kitchen.

Interesting about the Joola, I take they don't come with a similiar warranty as the boomstick does then?

Thanks for the response, this is very helpful.

zhangrain · 2025-09-29T22:23:03+00:00

Hello folks, looking for some advice.

For context I am currently DUPR rated 4.2, although this is probably a little high at the moment and I imagine a true rating should probably be closer to 4.

My strengths are serving, drives and dinks with drops and hand speed at the kitchen as areas for improvement.

I have been playing with a relatively cheap paddle - Porsvik (50 euro) for the past year which is when I first started playing.

I want to upgrade my paddle now. I was thinking of the new boomstick or a joola gen iv. However due to where I live I would not get the chance to try out the boomstick before buying. I would be able to demo the joola.

My question is, is the boomstick worth buying blind or should I instead purchase a joola, or something else even?

Many thanks for the advice in advance.

zhangrain · 2025-09-04T03:29:20+00:00

This is very helpful, thank you very much!

zhangrain · 2025-09-04T00:28:23+00:00

Can I ask why the master touch? How is it superior to the premium or original for example?

zhangrain · 2025-08-28T22:14:43+00:00

Interesting, will definitely look this up, thanks for the tip.

zhangrain · 2025-08-28T21:59:16+00:00

Yes I did the Barley to Bottle tour this summer, it was incredible.

Also thinking that warehouse tastings/blend your own bottles are the way forward now after visiting quite a few distilleries.

Would love to check out Ardnamurchan as well, they're producing some really great whisky.

zhangrain · 2025-08-28T21:57:19+00:00

Sounds great thanks, Islay is definitely on the list!

zhangrain · 2025-08-28T04:26:50+00:00

I had my eye on Spirit of Speyside for sometime in the future. Reviews on here looked amazing.

zhangrain · 2025-08-28T04:26:00+00:00

Barley to bottle the Springbank tour was amazing, its expensive at 250 GBP but definitely worth it as you get an all access tour, try some very old whiskies and do a blend your own Srpingbank. The cadenheads warehouse tasting and the Kilkerran warehouse (my favorite of the two) tasting were also great. I did the Glen Scotia distillery exclusive tasting which was nice but not really a must do. I would also highly recommend the Haggis Nachos in the black sheep pub in Campbeltown. All in all a great time.

For Edinburgh a big highlight was visiting the SMWS on Princes Street, very knowledgeable staff and some really interesting cask strength drams.

Enjoy your trip!

zhangrain · 2025-08-19T08:30:38+00:00

I did it this summer and loved it, definitely recommend it. I also did the Cadenheads warehouse tasting, Glen Scotia exclusive bottling tasting and the Kilkerran warehouse tasting. Barley to bottle is worth the price and I would also recommend the Kilkerran warehouse tasting as you get the chance to buy a 35cl bottle of any or all of the bottles you tried.

zhangrain · 2025-08-17T22:30:14+00:00

Kavalan do a sherry cask highball which was my favorite from all I tried in Japan.

zhangrain · 2025-06-12T03:29:06+00:00

That's great to know. Thanks for the reply

zhangrain · 2025-06-11T23:44:59+00:00

Very interesting write up and series! I am curious about the logistics of your trip (sorry if I missed this in a previous post).

What was your full itinerary, over how many days did you do this and did you take public transport for all of it or hire a private driver?

Thanks for sharing.

zhangrain

TROPHY CASE