Beer Tastings

18th April 04 - Arcadia, Jago Cream Liqueur and Ardbeg Uigeadail

Arcadia

Praise be! A decent watering hole has finally opened in Headingley, part of the excellent Market Town Taverns mini-chain. Actually, it opened a couple of weeks ago (on the 6th April), but I've been waiting to sample a few beers before making an entry. Fortunately, the standards are very high.

With around 6 real ales on offer, as many interesting continental draughts, and a good bottle menu on hand, it could be chaotic and patchy, but the staff (both front of house and at management level) know what they are up to, and the quality is consistently excellent.

Highlights so far have been E&S First Light (3.8% abv), a wonderful pale, citrussy, aromatic ale from the local brewery in Elland, and Folly Ale (3.8% abv) from the Wharfedale brewery, which managed to be malty, nutty and exceptionally full-bodied for a session-strength ale.

Expect regular reports from here, as it's the only pub within walking distance with a good beer policy. Look, I'm keen, but also slightly lazy, OK?

Jago Cream Liqueur

I'm not one for this sort of thing, to be honest, but after a late night in town, Mrs. Beerboy and I felt in need of a quick snack and nightcap. Out came the sweet sticky stuff, produced by Blackwoods, to accompany a slice of very fine vanilla cheesecake.

I have to say that while this particular company's gin is setting the world alight, it really is the cream liqueur that does it for me. It's a smooth, rich, almost pure white liqueur, with an excellent real vanilla taste. While I never expected it to live up to the boast of "just like good vanilla ice cream" that the sales department gave me on the phone, it really is. Bear in mind I don't like sweet creamy liqueurs, and you will understand that this is actually a ringing endorsement. Go buy.

Ardbeg Uigeadail

Pronounced "ooh-gee-daal", this is the latest release from Ardbeg. I believe it supercedes the excellent 1977 vintage, which is now sadly practically unobtainable. Sadly, because I recently sold my last bottle for around half its current asking price.

Uigeadail is a cask strength (56%) non-chill filtered whisky, and by christ it packs a punch. My preferred method of ingestion is pouring a measure over an ice cube, which gradually chills as it melts, so you get the fire of the full strength version gradually mellowing into a full spectrum of flavour (peaty, phenolic, tar, hints of ordure - weirdly, a good thing)

Whisky enthusiast and friend Father Damo gave it a considered "WOW!". It really is one of those.