FWIW I heard during the game yesterday that Fenway is cleared to increase to 25% capacity starting in May. Might bump up further by July, idk.
I’d recommend Fenway as the neighborhood to stay in. There are lots of great restaurants in that area and it’s centrally located - Copley Square is walking distance and it’s a quick hop over the river to Harvard Square and Cambridge. Also easy to access the South End, which by neighborhood has probably the best food/drinks in the metro Boston area. So much to do, so little time.
Look into the Verb Hotel. That could be your jam. If you want to send me any VRBOs you find, shoot me a PM and I‘ll give some feedback on locations.
On Portland - good luck, it’s gonna be an absolute zoo up there this summer.
Yeah, you should go to Vermont instead.
Haven’t been too active here recently, but this might be of interest to some here:
https://shop.3fonteinen.be/products/the-golden-blend-cellar-selection
It certainly captured my interest.
I don’t think I’ve had either Ardbeg, but I’m very interested in hearing what you think of the Corryvreckan. I’m a long-time fan of the Lagavulin 16 (dubbed “dirt bomb” in my friend circle) so your comparative impressions will be fun to hear.
I just did a quick google and found some tasting notes for the two on “the Whisky Exchange.” From what I can see, they’re saying that the Corryvreckan is less smoky than the Uigeadail. Just going off the things they list in the flavour profile, I’d think I’d like the Corryvreckan better. Who knows though. (Am also intrigued by the “meat” item listed for both. Let us know if the “meat” shines through for you as well, lol.)
Likewise, I’ve had Ardbeg 10 and Uigeadail but never Corryvreckan. Now I’m tempted to run downstairs and pick up a bottle though (the perk/drawback of living above a liquor store 
).
Have we ever done a scotch/whiskey/liquor tasting? Would be interesting, though expensive, to have everyone get 5 or so different bottles and figure them out. Would help to have an experienced taster to help guide through (that person is not me).
Edit: found this
I’m pretty sure I have had both but searching my past articles I couldn’t find mention of either. I think the Uigeadail is better on the whole but is the Corryvreckan the one that’s aged in sherry barrels? If it’s the one I’m thinking of, it’s really beefy, a very good Scotch all the same.
I haven’t had the Corryvreckan, but it’s probably next on my buy list and it has been very well reviewed.
All this talk of Ardbeg inspired me to pour a glass of 10yr at 1130am. Tastes good, feels good, and will make an afternoon of meetings slightly more tolerable.
I think I might finally have a winning mixing gin now that I can’t get Costco’s anymore. Lewis and Clark, a Seattle-based distillery, has their spirit in the PNW spirits section of the local liquor store rather than in the gin section. It’s, like $13 for a liter, which is dirt cheap by Oregon standards, and it’s in a rotgut-style bottle with the black plastic cap. But, it’s unexpectedly 90 proof, so that was enough for me to think it’s maybe not pure swill and worth a shot. Compared to Brokers at similar proof, it’s smoother but a little less flavorful. But, there’s nothing wrong with it, unlike ~every other inexpensive gin I’ve tried. I tasted the L&C against Broker’s double-blind, and I actually guessed them backwards, that the cheaper gin was the one that was a bit more fiery. I have no idea about the distribution of this one, if it makes it out of the PNW at all, but if you come across it, don’t mind the rotgut-style packaging. It’s a pretty good mixer for a bargain price.
What happened to the Costco one?
Not available in Oregon due to local liquor laws. Only state-licensed liquor-only stores can sell liquor, and Costco won’t put their brands in anything but a Costco.
These state-specific laws always sneak up on me.
Well, I guess you can always go up to Vancouver if you really need some Costco booze.
There’s a similar problem here in Denver where all the Costcos have a liquor store attached but only one of them is the Costco Liquor Store That Sells Costco Liquor Brands. Not sure if that’s for all of Colorado or what, or if it’s just one per city or something.
Yeah, but it’s at least an extra half hour round trip and the associated gas to ostensibly save a few bucks on booze of moderate quality. Hardly worth it unless I had some reason to cross the river anyway.
”Are you posting another beer photo on your forum?”
Love, I post like 0.1 times a day.
(The Substance flagship ale from Bissell Bros, Portland, ME)
Love Substance. It’s just as good as Swish for me.
Agreed. My implication was that one almost never “really needs” some Costco booze.
You’re comparing smoke bombs to JW. Might as well be different liquors.
I don’t think there’s a better Islay Scotch than Lagavulin and JW Blue is the King of blended Scotch.