While at University the motto was 'If it's wet I'll drink it'. While admirable this motto wasn't the cleverest and got me into more than a little trouble.
Since finishing those carefree and blurry days and starting the a full time job I have found my capacity for drink, as well as my free time for drink, has diminished. It used to be a few pints of lager on a friday night, maybe a few in the week, and that was it. Sadly combine this with a desk job and suddenly my new found pay was going on trousers a size bigger. For anyone who has noticed the pattern in my previous reviews (and if not why not) exercise and health concious Pete has emerged from the ashes. I'm not so health concious that I won't drink, just will be a little crafty about it.
After 600 words and no mention of the product yet you might be a little bored, but I promise I'm getting to the point. As well as cutting down on takeaways and hitting the gym regularly I decided the drinking had to change as well. The average pint of lager has about 200 calories in it. The average man should only have 2500 a day so a ten pint bender leaves you with enough calories for about 2 packets of crisps and that's your lot. Add to this that lager makes you bloated and it is very unsatidfying just to have one.
Brandy on the other hand is different. It's the kind of drink were just having one has an immediate effect to mellow you (if that's your aim) or give you the going out buzz you crave. It mixes brilliant with several different drinks, although my personal favourite is dite coke (in this way it is 100 calories for a double, so 2 doubles = 1 pint of lager, which can you drink more of?)
My personal favourite to stock at home is 3 barrells. It's 40% proof and isn't badly priced. The off licence near me sells a 1 litre bottle for £10.49 which I consider to be brilliant value. The drink itself it excellent, a very warm taste although it stops short of the sudden quick drying of the throat that you get with most dark spirits. This brandy is from France and started being made in 1814, It is gently aged in oak casks and carefully distilled for its taste and I have to say it makes a real different.
Despite the nice taste the best thing about this is actually the smell, it always reminds me of warm honey and it especially nice on a cold night when something more than a duvet and open fire are needed.
In an bar or club I was worried that brandy would be stupidly expensive and in some places it is (sorry but my wallet rules my head and it's cheap vodka ll the way) however I think this is changing and I see more and more places following suit, usually with two brands of brandy, one a more aquired and expensive taste and the second along the 3 barrells line where anyone can enjoy for a reasonable price.
I won't lie and say this is for everyone and I am sure that people will tell me this is fit only to be poured down the sink (like gin) but for any whiskey drinkers I urge you at least taste it, and anyone who is stuck for husband / dad's birthday / christmas present you could do alot worse.
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