Zatoichi

Watched this film last night - starring "Beat" Takeshi Kitano this is a remake of the legendary story of Zatoichi a blind masseur that wanders 19th Century Japan. This adaption of the cult tale plays things differently from the original addaptation of the story but works well for me. The blind masseur becomes involved in many a fight with his legendary red cane sword defeating all comers in some amazing gushing guesyurs of blood - cracking stuff and the humour of the blood splattering adds to the overall humour of the film with several blind jokes that are always funny. http://www.zatoichi.co.uk/ As most of the reviews on the net seem to be saying about this film "Zatoichi would Kill Bill's ass!"

As i'm new to this film rating malarky i am maybe getting carried away but would give this a 8.5 / 10 Certainly please watch this.

Blackford Ale

Just tried the Blackford Ale from Tullibardine http://www.tullibardine.com/shop.aspx at nearly £4.00 a bottle its not cheap but at least it is a "true" whisky beer unlike the stunning Innes and Gunn in that this is matured in casks which has previously contained Tullibardine Whisky. You certainly get the taste of the whisky coming through a bit like the traditional hauf and hauf - when the remainder of a whisky has been poured into a beer glass. I have to say that I don't overly rate this beer as much as I wanted to... there seems to be an over sweetness which is probably due to the wood maturation. The whisky flavour comes through but I would say if you can tell that it is Tullibardine then you have an amazing sense of taste and smell. I feel that the sweet whiskyish taste that comes through on the finish is just a little bit over powering and a little bit fake. All in all not my favourite glad to have tried it but far prefer the Innes & Gunn and at nearly £4 a bottle I wont be rushing out to buy any more.

BACK AGAIN

Following a bursting attempt at getting this blog running last year I am going to try and get it going again - hopefully this time I will last a bit longer.

Looking forward to blethering!!!

Lark Distillery - Australia

Just been priveledged enough to get the chance to try the whisky from this cracking Tasmanian distillery would recommend that you try it!! Also visit their websire www.larkdistillery.com.au

They have a PURE MALT which I am sure that the SWA would have something to say about - but it is a mixture of new make spirits made at the distillery with 50% of it being heavily peated malt.

As a lover of new make spirit this is stunning lots of fruity notes but with a lot of peatiness coming through.

Quite simply - Stunning.

Long Time Not Here

Have been away for a while so not been able to post but back and at it again and have tasted some great whiskies so will post my opinions shortly.

Regards

Pete

Girvan Grain 1964

Got a chance to try this rare grain was really looking forward to it as I have tried a few grains of late that have been stunners - was a wee bit surprised to see this on the go as the bottling that I tried from was bottled in October 2001 and was bottled at 48%.

Nose: Sweet bannanas and cream, fudgey. Crushed buttered digestives.

Taste: Huge creaminess and quite bourbon like, fudgey again and slightlt bitter.

Finish: Lingering creaminess, slightly bitter again in the finish, I like this but a little one dimensional but in a good way!

Comment: I like it but surprised there is still some left I think that this has been well over priced at £240.00 a bottle there are better grains available for a lot less money. Good but would recommend checking out Duncan Taylor's Grains - some tasting notes of those to come shortly.

Score: 88/100

Allied No More!!!

Well its finally official! Allied has been sold to Pernod - never saw that one coming!