Ferrari Mailing List: Re: Gas Prices (was :commander in chief)

[Paul K Rentiers (rentiers]

On May 5, 2011, at 11:48 PM, Jim Conforti wrote:

> On 5/5/2011 3:57 PM, Paul K Rentiers wrote:
>> 
>> On May 5, 2011, at 4:16 PM, Jim Conforti wrote:
>> 
>>> I think I'll tip back a dram of 25 y/o Macallan to that thought.
>> 
>> Dear Jim:
>> 
>> An excellent choice; one thing I have discovered here on the KY state line 
>> is the existence of some really superb small stills which make local rocket 
>> fuel that will make you weep with joy.  A good source of info is this  
>> http://www.maltadvocate.com/default.asp. BUY AMERICAN! Woot! Herewith a shot 
>> of my favorite; Olde Porchclimber. 
> 
>  Ken,
> 
>  Which do YOU recommend?

First there are a lot of them. They can be hard to find. It is easier here 
where the valleys are full of tobacco fields, drying sheds, and every woodlot 
has a small single-barrel still. In fall the air can be redolent with smoke 
from the drying sheds, (wood smoke — not the tobacco). And then in November the 
annual release of small-batch bourbons takes place. It helps to have located a 
liquor store whose owner stocks the stuff; usually in a  locked case in the 
back, or under the counter. Even here in Tennessee you don't see the stuff in 
the chain stores. If you do, the price can be stratospheric. 

Second the good stuff all comes at various ages, just like a single malt 
scotch. It ain't cheap, but in comparison to Glenfiddich etc it is a damn 
bargain because of low volume and low demand. 12 year old bottles are entry 
level, about $45.00 a pop. The 20 year old stuff  you really want is about 
$84.00 here. Compare to $200 scotch in quality. Best sipped in a snifter with a 
tall glass of ice water on the side. An ounce or two will suffice for the 
evening, thus cost is not prohibitive. Besides it is true rocket fuel, the hand 
lettered stickers (single barrel) testify to proofs ranging from 125-140. 

By this time of year it is hard to find unless you have a source you patronize. 
I can still get twelve year old stuff and I know of some 25 year old Pappy 
VanWInkle in a presentation case, but that is over $200 and I like to drink it, 
not display it. Same as any true Ferrari aficionado actually drives his car.  
Most of it is corn squeezin's ("bourbon " must be made in KY) but you will also 
see rye. The best rye I have found is the Sazerac. My favorite bourbons are the 
Pappy van Winkle and William LaRue Weller. Even the 15 year old Weller is 
delightful.

Unless you really prefer the smoky peat taste of  Scotch, you may find that the 
small-batch bourbons made here in the hills are just as good and in many cases 
better at about 40% of the cost of really fine single malts. There are as many 
small bourbon distilleries as there are single malt scotches out there, so 
looking for them is great fun. Some of my friends can haul out a dozen 
different brands they have collected. I tend to use them up, drinking as they 
were intended, but I always keep a bottle or two on hand. An ounce or two of 
Granpa's Skull Popper and a good cigar out on the back porch at sunset beats 
the hell out of  anything on TV. 

Living out here in East Hickory Stump, TN has its compensations. It is pretty 
as hell, the roads are superb and they don't do smog checks, Ethanol-free gas 
is widely available. The local horse track north of here in Lexington KY is not 
far, and more fun for me than the circus at Churchill Downs. I am thinking of 
putting one of your new units on my 2003 ported, polished, hand-lapped and 
balanced 540i with the 5.6L block, intended for the X5 5.6L of comparable 
vintage. All I need now is a good dog and a bad woman. 

Best  k