The Higher You Go, the Farther You Fall

Finding your path can be a difficult thing.  It could be hard to know where to start looking.  Maybe you found the start of your path, but it is small, winding, and overgrown.  Perhaps, you are walking a path so worn by others that nothing distinguishing is left.  For me, my path was muddied by starting at the end.

My introduction to scotch was a masterpiece in a glass.  If I had to do it all over again, I'd start small and preferably crappy.  But, I can't.  This... is my curse. If you have to pick a curse, give it a shot.  The problem I now face in finding a solid scotch is that my base line is all out-of-whack.  Solution: reset my "normal".

Attempt #1 - Johnny Walker Red Label
This hopefully is a base-line, drinkable scotch.  I can put it in my face and not hate myself.  It is a touch smokey (not my preference, but I'm trying to appreciate variation), as smooth as a cobblestone drive, and generally seems like what light-beige would taste like.  There is a hint of self loathing with every sip.

Attempt #2 - 1835 Bourbon Whiskey
Not a scotch, fair enough.  On second thought, up yours!  I live in Texas, a long way from Scotland, and sometimes you make do.  If my horizons are broad, then so may be my line of shot glasses (no, I don't do shots).  This one was suggested by a high quality customer of mine and donated by a person who owed me a favor.  I like sipping it.  There were some pleasing flavor molecules.  It is just fine.  But, you see, that's the problem: anything better than meh suddenly becomes a sad farce.  It is not the Macallan.

Attempt #3 - Monkey Shoulder Blended Blended Malt Scotch
OK, this one is helpful to me.  It wears it's lack of pedigree right on the label.  "Blended Malt!"  How I love those words on this bottle.  I really enjoy drinking this stuff.  Smooth, flavorful, and pleasant to drink, but it never claims to be great.  The greatest success of the Monkey Shoulder (aside from having monkeys on it) is that it doesn't try to run with the big dogs.  Instead, I takes on the mid-range market, keeps affordable, and just beats the shit out of almost everything else in the price range.  I have found my new normal!  I'm happy, I'm enjoying my scotch, and I don't need to beg the mafia for a loan to have it.  Having no aspirations to the loftiness I have known before, this bottle is a sign post on my journey.

So, Monkey Shoulder, and I'm on my way down my path.  Neat-o.