Sorry to hear about the sick, Robin.

Ah, single malt scotch. What a beautiful thing.

One last quick note, Susan - really good scotch is almost like vodka (the good stuff should have no taste or flavor at all, unless it's added flavor). The best scotch's I've had do have a mild flavor (from the cask), but the harsh, hard alcohol bite that might make your heroine choke? Wasn't there. The good stuff is smooooooth.

Oh, since we're on the subject of alcohol -- ita, I have a Jamaican rum question. A friend brought me a tiny bottle of Appleton special that I mentioned I was thinking of using in rum and coke, but the person said she thought Jamaican rum made for an awful rum and coke.

However, she's also crazy, weird, and I don't trust her taste. Can you back her up on that? Would it taste awful to put this rum in with some coke? Would that be sacrilege? Got any better serving suggestions?

Hi Sean! I sent you an email a day or so ago. You should answer it.

t throws body between Sean and ita's wholly justified wrath

Susan - really good scotch is almost like vodka (the good stuff should have no taste or flavor at all, unless it's added flavor).

Nuh-uh.

I say, respectfully, as a drinker of very good scotch on what was, up until about 7 months ago, a regular basis.

My sympathies, Robin. When I'm in a similar situation, I like to fill a shot glass with water and sip off that, Helps me get that 1 or 2 oz of water an hour down so that it stays down. I have strong dehydration fear.

Bummer about the power, Lee.

Scotch always tastes medicinal to me. I may very well have never had anything that was good, though.

Hi Sean! I sent you an email a day or so ago. You should answer it.

You did? Which email address did you send it to?

throws body between Sean and ita's wholly justified wrath

Hey! The bottle is right here, pristine and untouched! How is a request for proper education from the person most qualified to give it ever appropriate justification for wrath? What kind of talk is that?

(Thanks for the bodily protection, though. That's very kind)

You did? Which email address did you send it to?

Hee. The wrong one. Fixed now.

really good scotch is almost like vodka (the good stuff should have no taste or flavor at all, unless it's added flavor).

Nuh-uh.

Huh. I think I said that very poorly. Every good scotch I've ever had has been full of nummy flavor. But all the really good ones I've had were missing the alcohol bite I associate with lesser quality sample of scotch, and don't associate with good vodka.

Which is all I was trying to say.

And may still be wrong anyway.

Huh. I think I said that very poorly. Every good scotch I've ever had has been full of nummy flavor. But all the really good ones I've had were missing the alcohol bite I associate with lesser quality sample of scotch, and don't associate with good vodka.

Ah. They do have a smoother taste, but if you're not used to hard alcohol at all, there will be a bite and burn to it no matter how esteemed the malt. It read to me like you thought it should have the smooth lack of taste that good vodka is said to have. (I think good vodka is a myth, mind, as even the supposedly good stuff tends to make my brain explode into migraine land too often for comfort.)

I like Appleton Special in my rum and coke. Did your friend say what about it was wrong? In fact, when I need a flavourful rum to mix, Special is my choice (white is for making things alcoholic, and Estate is for drinking straight).