Ah, the year 1999... We remember that year with glee and some shame!
And that's because Davin de Kergommeaux from Canada
joined our
little band of whisky brothers (thatīs the glee part) and we worried
all year about Y2K
(that's the shame part). The Malt Maniacs collective
wasn't officially born yet in 1999, but we were growing. After just one
issue in 1997 and three last year (in casu issue #002, issue #003 and
issue #004) we now proudly present no less than five issues for 1999;
MM005, MM006, MM007, MM008 and MM009 (retro-actively composed).
If you happen to be interested in the practical applications of
our combined whisky experience, 1999 was also the year that
we started to seriously compare our individual whisky
scores
via a nifty new invention. On the Malt Maniacs Matrix you could
find the scores of Craig, Davin and myself for many malt whiskies.
Louis doesn't believe in scoring whisky (yet), but we hope we are
able to convince him otherwise eventually...
So, please enjoy our issues #005, #006, #007, #008 and #009.
I know we did... ;-) Alternatively, hop to the archive - Part 2 for
more recent material from even more certified malt maniacs.
>>> Malt Maniacs #005 - February 1999
Bagpipe Bladder & Chocolate
prE-pistle #1999/01 by Davin de Kergommeaux, Canada
The first prE-pistle of 1999 is from our fourth and freshest malt maniac; Davin de Kergommeaux from Canada.
Those kids get up to the craziest things, like eating chocolate with their whisky...
Chocolate & Whisky
prE-pistle #1999/02 by Johannes v/d Heuvel, Holland
We still weren't thinking about an E-zine in 1999, so we just posted questions and responses on our 'low tech' forum.
The mere fact that we had a forum was pretty novel at the time ;-)
Summertime & BFYB
prE-pistle #1999/03 by Craig Daniels, Australia
Craig chips in with some comments about the weather and an interesting 'attached document'.
Rereading it I feel that I may have lost part of it in a computer crash, but it's still interesting ;-)
More Ramblings from Canada
prE-pistle #1999/04 by Davin de Kergommeaux, Canada
Wine, coffee and chocolate - that's about all for this post.
They would grow longer over time, though ;-)
Best Buys in Duty Free in 1995
prE-pistle #1999/05 by Craig Daniels, Australia
As promised in an earlier post, Craig sent in his own personal version of my 'Bang-For-Your-Buck List' on the Malt Madness site.
The L&B's Session in Amsterdam
prE-pistle #1999/06 by Johannes v/d Heuvel, Holland
Because my Liquid Log is temporarily under construction I posted my most recent addition to the forum.
Not a lot of spectacular events
this time I'm afraid - but some 'malt mileage' progress...
You Were Right!
prE-pistle #1999/07 by Davin de Kergommeaux, Canada
Oh, those foolhardy youngsters... Despite my well intended warning Davin did try chocolate with his whisky. Tears were soon to follow...
Powerhouse Malts
prE-pistle #1999/08 by Johannes v/d Heuvel, Holland
Davin asked me which Laphroaig expression he should go for. Unhindered by my lack of experience I offered some advice.
Sayings That Should Be on Buttons
prE-pistle #1999/09 by Craig Daniels, Australia
Obviously in a good mood, Craig sent in a bunch of funny sayings for buttons and bumper stickers - along with another useful document.
>>> Malt Maniacs #006 - April 1999
Laphroaig Mmmm...
prE-pistle #1999/10 by Davin de Kergommeaux, Canada
Once again our fourth and freshest maniac from Canada 'opens' this issue of Malt Maniacs.
A fresh report from the front lines of whisky discovery - Davin just lost his 'Laphroaig virginity'. ;-)
Te Bheag - The Original Gaelic Whisky
prE-pistle #1999/11 by Johannes v/d Heuvel, Holland
Before we were a proper E-zine our discussions wandered around a bit. And yes, we even discussed blends every now and then...
Earls of Zetland January 1999 Report Card
prE-pistle #1999/12 by Craig Daniels, Australia
A quick report on the latest EoZ meeting in Australia. And since Craig seems to be in a silly mood (still), some more humour as well.
Ardbeg Head-to-Head & Stuff
prE-pistle #1999/13 by Louis Perlman, USA
Louis Perlman submitted another report on his alcoholic adventures in the big apple, New York City.
We're on a voyage of discovery...
Souvenirs from Scotland
prE-pistle #1999/14 by Craig Daniels, Australia
With Craig's regular reports from Australia we're slowly evolving into a 'proper' E-zine with frequent updates on new discoveries.
Glassware Experiments
prE-pistle #1999/15 by Davin de Kergommeaux, Canada
Davin introduces a topic to our discussions that indeed deserves some more attention: the glasses we use to enjoy our whiskies.
A Good Glass
prE-pistle #1999/16 by Johannes v/d Heuvel, Holland
In response to Davin's question I offered a few suggestions.
Not nearly enough to do this important topic justice, though...
Now, these are clever!
prE-pistle #1999/17 by Craig Daniels, Australia
Somehow Craigs 'funny bone' keeps getting tickled lately.
Well, we could all do with a little extra laughter...
The 'House' Adelpi
prE-pistle #1999/18 by Louis Perlman, USA
A short & sweet report from Louis.
Those Silly Americans
prE-pistle #1999/19 by Johannes v/d Heuvel, Holland
A short and sweet reply by yours truly.
>>> Malt Maniacs #007 - May 1999
My Latest Adventures & Queries
prE-pistle #1999/20 by Davin de Kergommeaux, Canada
Fresh Canadian maniac Davin is getting more and more into whisky. But there are many other 'types' of drinks available - like rum.
Ho-ho-ho & A Bottle of Rum
prE-pistle #1999/21 by Johannes v/d Heuvel, Holland
A short and sweet reply to Davin's questions.
Eau de Mer
prE-pistle #1999/22 by Craig Daniels, Australia
On the Malts-L discussion list there's a debate about salt in whisky.
This inspired the Earls of Zetland in Australia to have a session with some 'coastal' malts. Does the sea spray get into the casks?
Thoughts on Scores
prE-pistle #1999/23 by Johannes v/d Heuvel, Holland
I think all four 'maniacs' started their voyage of discovery with Michael Jackson's Malt Whisky Companion in one hand and a glass in the other.
That all gave us a taste for scoring whiskies,
Duty Free / Dallas Dhu
prE-pistle #1999/24 by Davin de Kergommeaux, Canada
Davin has been complaining about the government controlled liquor market in Canada (are they the Sweden of the Americas?).
However, he has now discovered that the LCBO actually keeps the prices fairly low.
The Time Factor
prE-pistle #1999/25 by Johannes v/d Heuvel, Holland
Time is one of the main ingredients of whisky...
Old Versus New
prE-pistle #1999/26 by Craig Daniels, Australia
I was glad to read that I'm not the only one who is paranoid enough to do H2H (Head-to-Head) sessions with old and new versions.
By comparing both versions of a certain whisky one can check if there are differences.
Craig Daniels reports...
Old & New
prE-pistle #1999/27 by Johannes v/d Heuvel, Holland
Craig's E-pistle drove me to a flight of fancy.
What is the future of Malt Maniacs?
More Fun
prE-pistle #1999/28 by Craig Daniels, Australia
Granted, it's off-topic - but laughter is a rare commodity these days and I was struggling to fill a fresh issue of our E-zine.
Queen's Day
prE-pistle #1999/29 by Johannes v/d Heuvel, Holland
Phew... I managed to fill a fresh issue of MM by digging around in my 'Liquid Log' for some recent single malt experiences.
>>> Malt Maniacs #008 - September 1999
Glen Rothes Vertical Tasting
prE-pistle #1999/30 by Craig Daniels, Australia
Just like the name suggests, this E-pistle deals with a vertical tasting session of various expressions of Glenrothes.
The Four Whisky Seasons
prE-pistle #1997/31 by Johannes v/d Heuvel, Holland
A topic that hasn't really been covered on these pages is the influence of the season (temperatures, humidity, etc.) on the dramming experience.
I'm so bold as to offer some seasonal suggestions.
Some Other Single Malts
prE-pistle #1999/32 by Craig Daniels, Australia
Apart from the regular 'Earls of Zetland' reports from Australia, Craig submits the occasional excerpt from his personal whisky library.
Spring Cleaning
prE-pistle #1999/33 by Johannes v/d Heuvel, Holland
With the arrival of a bunch of fresh bottles on my shelves, I had to make some room.
Rather urgently as well; I'm starting to appreciate the powers of oxidation and over 100 open bottles is too much.
Clan Drummond - Treasures from the Vault
prE-pistle #1999/34 by Craig Daniels, Australia
Another Australian report from the Earls of Zetland.
Tasting Report Lagavulin 1979
prE-pistle #1999/35 by Davin de Kergommeaux, Canada
An ultra-short report from Davin this time - notes on the Distillers Edition of Lagavulin 1979 - a bottle he bought in Holland.
International Connections
prE-pistle #1999/36 by Johannes v/d Heuvel, Holland
Davin's notes for the Lagavulin DE emerged from the second 'live' meeting of (proto-) maniacs - in Amsterdam, just as in 1998.
Spring 1999 Report from New York
prE-pistle #1999/37 by Louis Perlman, USA
After being busy with moving house for a few months, Louis chimes in again with a report on his alcoholic adventures during springtime.
The Big (Peat) Fix
prE-pistle #1999/38 by Craig Daniels, Australia
Craig's band of merry Australian Bruces focused on a few well known peat monsters from Islay this time.
They must be easily entrtained with only four drams per night - one of them a 'blind' tasting.
A Brave New World
prE-pistle #1999/39 by Johannes v/d Heuvel, Holland
Isn't the world wide web a wonderful invention? It allows us to share our passion for single malt whisky with fellow aficionados around the
world.
Things keep developing and the new Malt Madness website (in dynamic HTML) should offer many nifty new features. Just wait and see...
>>> Malt Maniacs #009 - December 1999
Off The Booze
prE-pistle #1999/40 by Davin de Kergommeaux, Canada
Because Davin was temporarily 'off the booze' he had plenty of time to browse around the brand new Malt Madness website in dynamic HTML.
Big Plans for Malt Madness
prE-pistle #1999/41 by Johannes v/d Heuvel, Holland
With the second millennium winding down, I have some ambitious plans for the site from the year 2000 onwards.
For one thing, I'd like to share more different perspectives to the ones already offered.
Overproof Night
prE-pistle #1999/42 by Craig Daniels, Australia
Cask strength or 'overproof' whiskies have become more readily available in recent years - and Craig tested a few of them.
Soap Box Preaching
prE-pistle #1999/43 by Louis Perlman, USA
Louis does some preaching from his soap box before getting off it again to share some recent single malt whisky experiences.
Ode to Independent Bottlers
prE-pistle #1999/44 by Craig Daniels, Australia
Although, technically speaking, this article should have actually been titled 'Ode to Gordon & MacPhail. But they deserve it...
Tasmanian Whisky
prE-pistle #1999/45 by Johannes v/d Heuvel, Holland
I closed down the 'Public Warnings' section of Malt Madness some time ago, but I still receive regular comments and new submissions.
Sullivan's Cove & Chuckles
prE-pistle #1999/46 by Craig Daniels, Australia
You wouldn't always tell from the serious tone of some of his messages, but Craig has a very well developed sense of humor.
Old & New Business
prE-pistle #1999/47 by Louis Perlman, USA
Another fresh report from Louis. He managed to sample an impressive variety of both well known and obscure bottles this time.
His recent report includes notes on (among other things) Millburn and Convalmore. Those
Americans have it good!
Is Lagavulin 16 quality changing?
prE-pistle #1999/48 by Davin de Kergommeaux, Canada
With all the recent talk about the 'classic malts', more and more people seem to detect changes in old
favorits. Are they right?
Changing Times
prE-pistle #1999/49 by Johannes v/d Heuvel, Holland
Now that the second millennium is winding down, we may have to face the fact that the whisky world is changing.
But is that a bad thing?
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