][1]On Friday night, shortly before buying a lifejacket began to crop up in conversation, the blog was at the Scotch Malt Whisky Society at The Vaults in Leith.
They had chosen the evening to launch their Secret Garden in the cobbled courtyard.
This morning, looking out at the black skies through a rain-smeared window, I have no more to say about that but will point you towards their new iPad app for unfiltered, the Society’s rather funky magazine.
If your idea of a whisky fan consists of an elderly gentleman in a tweed jacket whose sole topic of conversation is ‘grice’ shooting then unfiltered will be an eye-opener.
There is a sample version of the iPad’s app first edition available for free on the Apple app store. It contains an interview with the Royal Marines of 45 Commando who are based in Arbroath.
Many of them are keen whisky drinkers and their mess holds a fine collection of single malts. The soldiers discuss their favourite drams; their work and the drinking game, Spoof.
There is also a lexicon of Marine slang – handy should one of them ever tell you that your favourite malt is essence but could be improved by a little oggin.