What was going on in the world in 1997? A book about a schoolboy wizard hit our bookshelves, Pierce Brosnan enjoyed his second outing as a Martini-shaking secret agent, while Tony Blair became Prime Minister for the first time.
Oh, and a Scotch whisky was laid down in Bourbon casks.
Sixteen years on and the eighth Harry Potter Hollywood blockbuster is fading from memory, Daniel Craig has enjoyed three outings as James Bond – and Blair has been and gone.
But when it came to an expert view, I asked a whisky buff colleague for his thoughts.
Dave – for that is his name – says it is “a lovely delicate spirit, aged perfectly, combining freshness with depth and complexity. At around £55 a bottle it doesn’t tick every box. The colour is a little underwhelming.
- Balblair is available at Whisky Shop, Royal Mile Whiskies, The Whisky Exchange, www.masterofmalt.com)
In my glass this week …
A couple of lovely summer whites from The Wine Society (www.thewinesociety.com).
The Society’s Vinho Verde (£5.95) and Exhibition Albariño (£12.95) are on offer until August 11 (£5.50 and £11.50 respectively).
The vinho verde splashes into the glass like sea foamily glancing onto a pebble. The bubbles frizzle, frazzle and disappear. On the nose there’s refreshing pears apples and … well, garden daisies? Spritzy summer sipping.
The albariño was made for the Society by Pazo de Señorans, one of the top estates in Rías Baixas. It has a classic peachy, rich mouth feel. I love albariño and this has the classy balance of an on-form Rafael Nadal serving an ace. From a tightrope.
Published in the saturday extra magazine July 13, 2013