It’s one of those weeks, I’ve been struck down with the debilitating condition known as “Man-Flu”, but the worse thing is, my wife, the twins (T1 & T2) and the +1 all have similar, but of course less life-threatening ailments that are going to detract from the care and attention I require in my time of need.
Jake has this all to look forward too, the joys of your beloved children bringing home the latest plague from school every other week!
As I wallow in my self-pity, I hear the tell-tale sound of a door opening, very slowly, as if the tiny person trying to break in to my office doesn’t want to be detected. Now, I am of course far too sick to get up and walk the 10 paces down the corridor to stop him, after all what harm can a 2-year-old do in amongst a load of computers and other ‘cool’ stuff? Then it hits me, THE LEGO! I jump out of bed and run down the corridor, the most miraculous recovery since some Jewish guy at Easter, only to find the +1, sat at my desk, with my Star Wars Lego. Normally this would be a disaster and it would take painstaking hours searching for missing pieces of Luke’s Land Speeder, but on this occasion, he appears to be playing nicely so I leave him to it, keeping a watchful eye on him (after all he’s not well either and the terrible twos tantrums arrive with little notice). When he finally has had enough of stabbing everything insight with tiny Lego lightsabres I notice the delightful scene he has left on the desk, R2-D2 bent over the Land Speeder with a lightsabre up his arse! That’s it, I’m scarred for life.
It’s long been said that alcohol can help reduce the symptoms of colds, coughs and flu, so who am I to argue with centuries of not so scientific research? I’m ill and I have a cupboard full of gin. So which one to pick? I fancy something warming and soothing, not a gin that should be paired with a mixer, something you can appreciate drinking straight. Fortunately, I have just the gin for this occasion, Cotswold Distillery’s 1616 barrel aged gin, a malt wine re-distilled with botanicals. A gin with a bit of a personality disorder, but in a good way, the crucial juniper and citrus flavours are present, but are quickly overtaken by the unmistakable sweetness of vanilla and smokiness from the barrel aging, there is no mistaking this gin has whisky roots.
I pour myself a generous measure in a whisky glass and sit down to enjoy this warming gin. After a few sips I realise that this gin could actually work in a hot toddy. Before I can finish my drink I hear the inevitable, dulcet tones of “Daaaaaaady” being shouted from the other room, after all it is 10am and I am still on daddy duty (I am joking, it was about 11am).
The stats;
Price Paid
Christmas present from my wife, although normally priced at £40 and available from Cotswold Distillery or online.
Tastes Like
A crazy blend of gin and whisky that works well.
Would go well with
An empty glass. If pushed to pair it with a mixer I would suggest ginger beer to bring out the spices in the gin.
Recommended?
Yes. One for a nightcap or a comforting drink in front of a log fire with a cigar, slippers and smoking jacket.