Scotch: Bowmore 12 Year Old Single Malt

Ah, Bowmore! This is a tough Scotch! But, then, what do you expect from an Islay malt? These guys have their character, don't they, and its a character that needs to be properly appreciated. An Islay might threaten someone venturing in to the world of single malt Scotch for the first time. For the beginner, guidance is required or perhaps a Highland malt. The Islay Scotches must be handled by the experienced, and since I count myself as one of the experienced, perhaps not an expert, I will allow myself to carry on and have a dram.

As your nose approaches this one, it is greeted by a sweet, but sharp, scent. Don't linger on the scent too long - it's powerful. Go for the goods and take a drink, or try breathing in the scent slowly through your mouth. This will give you an entirely different appreciation for the aromas and they are less harsh more reflective of the Scotch's taste. Once you get the stuff in your mouth you are drinking dirt! This is a purely earth taste - everything in this Scotch comes from the peat bog that Islay is famous for. Strong hints of smoke, earth, oil and peat dominate. If you are careful, you can discern that sweetness that was there at the beginning, though it is a grassy sweetness. It goes down nicely with a smoky aftertaste. The problem with this one is that it is an Islay, and to be frank, like all Islays only the earth/peat tastes can be discerned. Perhaps to a true Islay connoisseur one might be able to discern various different peat and earth flavors, but then, who wants to be able to distinguish different flavors of earth? Peat is nice in moderation and an Islay is an important part of any collection of fine Scotch, but, as Aristotle says: seek moderation. Excess in anything is a vice and a distraction.

Stats:
Name:Bowmore
Region: Islay
Age: 12
Alcohol: 43%
Website:

Rating:
On the official Chris' Choice rating scale, Bowmore rates a:
+1

Scotch: Laphroaig 10 yr Old Single Malt

Well, I'm going through my Islay malts. No tour of that island could be complete without a Laphroaig! This is one of the most famous single malts out there. Now, I have a bit of a warning for you over zealous Scotch drinkers out there, and I think my good friend Mr Timothy J. Button will concur with this statement. You see the tube that the Whisky comes in says that it is "A touch aloof, at first. But make the effort, broach acquaintance and you'll have a warm and genuine friend for life." One night my friend and I tried to make the effort with a stubborn cask-strength Laphroaig. You see, these whiskies are sensitive and old fashioned - they like to take it easy. No one night stands! Also, these whiskies are deceptive. You start getting to know them and the more you get to know them the more you think they are your friend, but if it was just a one night stand the whisky will punish you in the morning, and they don't pull their punches. The moral of the story here is take it easy. Single malts are long term friends. Try to make it last! Now that I am up to drinking Laphroaig again, here's what I think:

This Scotch is a nice golden colour, not too dark. The nose is subdued and mellow. It must be like the sea that surrounds the island. You can catch a a glimpse of the salt air and perhaps a bit of seaweed, but not too much of the later. Like the sea air there is a bit of sweetness in the aroma. Now the Scotch itself is a rough oily texture. On the palate, obviously there is a tonne of peat and smoke - it's what Laphroaig is famous for. In that peat fire you can still taste the nutty barley. It finishes smoothly enough and lingers leaving your mouth feeling smoky.

Remember this is an Islay, it takes a bit of getting used to. It's hardy and tough, but it lacks complexity and is not as smooth as you would expect. I understand the older versions improve on these two points.

Stats:
Name:Laphroaig
Region: Islay
Age: 10
Alcohol: 40%
Website: http://www.laphroaig.com/

Rating:
On the official Chris' Choice rating scale, Laphroaig rates a:
+1

Movie Review: Minority Report

Only the Minority got it!

What can I say, when you start playing with time and possible futures you have to have a bullet proof plot, otherwise things get messy. Throw in a conspiracy and people's heads start to burst.

The movie is about a future world where crime is prevented before it happens. John Anderton (Tom Cruise) is in charge of the pre-crime unit in future Washington DC. He believes the system that uses three psychic kids is flawless and he goes about his business like a true believer until one day he is accused of a future crime and his confidence in the system is shattered. A chase ensues and Anderton tries to prove his innocence.

This is an effective futuristic action movie. If that's all the movie tried to be it would do quite well, but it tries to be so much more. It tries to wrestle with questions about free will, identity and existence. In this light, the complex action/chase movie becomes an overwhelming burden. The action and the plot move so fast and develop into such a tangled web that when it is time to leave we aren't thinking about the big questions but the simple, what the hell just happened questions.

It's too bad. Given how close the future world is too reality it would be good to engage people in dialogue on the questions this movie tries to raise and I think Spielberg is trying to do that. However, he knows that the only way to get the attention of the mindless masses is through an action flick. In pandering to the crowd his message gets lost.

There is one other aspect that must be mentioned. The incredible pictures and imaginative setting. That is, the world Spielberg creates with his camera is is absolutely astonishing. He knows how to work a camera! It is worth seeing just for this.

Now, simply, I expected it to be able to deal with the big questions. Though my expectations were high, they were not met. When that happens the scale demands that it get no more than two stars.

On the official Chris' Choice scale Minority Report gets two stars.

**

Some Quick Reviews

• The Bourne Identity: What can I say, I agree entirely with Roger Ebert on this one. However I must convert scales here, so I give it: ****
• Harry Potter: The books better be good, because the movie must be hanging on to the coat tails of something. The story is lame and canned, the characters are entirely one dimensional and the CGI hits you over the head. Frankly, if this is supposed to the new kids story replacing things like C.S. Lewis' Narnia adventures then kids these days are getting gipped. Harry Potter, you suck. *
• No Man's Land: This is a Yugoslavian war movie. It is in Serbo-Croatian with English subtitles. It is probably one of the most original war movies out there. It includes, UN bashing, war bashing, nationalism bashing, media bashing etc, etc. It is not too subtle, but done lightheartedly. It is not overly bitter so we get the message without being insulted. In the end though it is unfulfilling as there is a certain futility to the whole thing. Definately worth seeing and thinking about. ****
• The Brotherhood of the Wolf: This is a French action/martial arts movie. It lasts too long, lacks any point, is insulting to native Canadians, and the plot is highly implausible. I would also like to add, that there is lots of violence (gratuitous and unbelievable) and a few token brothel scenes with lots of nudity (gratuitous and believable). Movies like this don't come around every day, if you can check it out. This is one you don't need to think about. I won't even bother with a rating.
• Changing Lanes: BOOOO!!! What is this? who are these people? and can I have two hours of my life back? *