MetaFilter posts tagged with scotch

World's next top brands set to rise in the east

nam3d — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 18:09:02 -0800

The world's next Coca-Cola or Starbucks is more likely to emerge from Asia, the Middle East or South America They comprise Juan Valdez Café, a Colombian coffee chain; Almarai, a Saudi dairy and fruit-juice company based in Riyadh; Patchi, a Lebanese boutique chocolate chain; ChangYu, China's biggest wine producer; and United Spirits, India's largest liquor group, which owns Scotch whisky Whyte and Mackay.

A wee dram

Joe Beese — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 13:38:20 -0800

Malt Madness. Malt Maniacs. Whisky Fun.

A Guide To Recognizing Your Setts

Shotgun Shakespeare — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 12:56:23 -0800

For those of you who are celebrating Tartan Day on April 6, a little primer on tartans. Tartans began in Scotland as woven wool patterns used as district identifiers, created using locally popular patterns and, originally, different natural wool colors. The word tartan originally just meant the style of weaving -- take the yarn over two cross strands, then under two, then repeat. Eventually the meaning changed to what we now accept, the patterns of colors in the weave, also called the sett. As the ancient ways of making dyes became more sophisticated, more colorful patterns started to emerge. Soon, brightly colored dyes made many bright, vibrant weaves possible. In districts where one clan dominated, the tartan naturally began to be associated with the clan, and this eventually became the current system of specific patterns (or families of patterns) being specifically connected to individual clans and their related families, or septs. But those bright colors were a liability out on the Highlands hills, so eventually weavers developed hunting tartans in similar weave patterns but muted, natural colors. Modern, synthetic dyes have made even brighter, more intricate tartans possible. Clans now have entire tartan sets to choose from, including ancient, modern, dress, hunting, and many other possible combinations. Kilts (previously) and fly plaids for the lads are just the tip of the tartan iceberg. Lasses can wear dresses, trousers, sashes and all kinds of accessories. Most folks think of kilts when they think of tartan, however. If you’re long on cash (tartan fabric is expensive if you get the real stuff!) but short on time or sewing skills, here’s how to turn your tartan into a Braecon Feille or Great Highlands Kilt. Want to see if you’re entitled to wear a tartan? Check your last name against the accepted clans and septs. Once you get your tartan garment, accessorize with a sporran (although there are some that might attract unwanted attention), a Scottish knife like a dirk or the more common sgian dubh. There might even be drinking involved!

Improved Billboard Touts AT&T and NSA Collaboration

homunculus — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 13:00:15 -0800

"The Billboard Liberation Front today announced a major new advertising improvement campaign executed on behalf of clients AT&T and the National Security Agency. Focusing on billboards in the San Francisco area, this improvement action is designed to promote and celebrate the innovative collaboration of these two global communications giants." [Via Threat Level.]

"Put your boob in my scotch. Come on, put your tit in my drink."

6am — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 02:44:03 -0800

Bob Log III plays distorted trash grimey blues slide guitar with his hands, he drawls through a telephone attached to the bubble face of the motorcycle helmet he wears, and he drums with his feet. He is known to ask women to stir his scotch on stage with their breasts, which is sadly Not currently Safe for Work. Sometimes he asks them to sit on his knee, bouncing up and down on the blue glittery jump suit he wears whenever he plays. Bob Log III has an official site. The official site has officially NSFW videos. Of course Bob Log III has a wiki, some content of which is pretty amusing. Bob Log III is just generally not safe for work, and as such is absolutely fantastic.

On the Limits of Self-Improvement, Part I

nevercalm — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 12:50:24 -0800

On the Limits of Self-Improvement, wherein Christopher Hitchens delves into "an entire micro-economy based on the pursuit of betterment."

It canna be!

languagehat — Tue, 25 Nov 2003 14:13:29 -0800

Scotland shamed: Japan wins whisky challenge. The Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre hosted a tasting in Toronto, and a 20-year-old Nikka Yoichi, distilled in Hokkaido, beat out a 16-year-old Lagavulin (my own favorite) and 12-year-old whiskies from Cragganmore and Balvenie (also excellent). This is reminiscent of the 1976 tasting in which California wines beat out French ones and put California on the map; can America someday produce a world-class scotch-type whisky (the preferred spelling in Scotland), or shall we simply continue to take pride in our bourbon and rye?

Whisky of Mass Destruction

homunculus — Sat, 27 Sep 2003 21:55:03 -0800

Weapons of Mass Drunkenness. The ever vigilante U.S. Defense Threat Reduction Agency has been monitoring the web cams at the Bruichladdich Scotch Whisky Distillery on Islay island, Scotland, to make sure the facilities are not being used to make chemical weapons. I, for one, am glad to know that my government takes the safety of whiskey distilleries seriously. [First link via Boing Boing.]

rorycberger — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 12:18:21 -0800

What's your favorite type of liquor? After the success of the beer thread, I figured some people might want to talk about their favorite scotches, bourbons, rums, tequilas, vodkas, and gins.