I've been collecting whiskeys for more than a third of a century.  Began when I took trips throughout the World from the 1980's.  I must still have a dozen bottles still in the original cardboard box, mostly from Japan.  Below are some of them.  One is in a wooden box, Royal Lochnager.  A  36-year old bottle of this scotch is today sold for $4774 . Another is Korean Bulhui folk liquor.  Not sure what it is.  It could well cost only $10, but don't know. Another is almost as mysterious.  Rokubee in a ceramic bootle made by Nikka , which costs $430/bottle. Something more traditional, Royal Salute 21-years old blended whiskey, produced by Chivas, and costs $235. I'd swear I bought this Nikka Yoichi 20-year old for around $100, if not less.  Cost today?   $3765!! Some think that it was the 15-year old that broke the ice in 2001.  Not true, but it did garner  2009 and 2020 Gold Medals .  Costs more than $1000.  But  it was the 10-year old  Nikka Single Cask Yoichi that broke

I've previously expressed my views on the George Floyd case , which began today in Minneapolis.  All kinds of Black Lives Matter and police justice issues at stake.  Only police officer Derek Chauvin on trial.  The defense will prove that Floyd was on fentanyl and methamphetamine, had underlying health conditions and was a convicted criminal.  Historically, jurors usually lean in the direction of the police.  However, the times have changed.  The city of Minneapolis has already agred to pay the Floyd family $27 million.  While live on news channels, the case will last another month. Here is one news item that, finally, is appearing to be making headway: The Biden administration is developing digital “vaccine passports,”   The Washington Post reported . The Ever Given is free and again sailing through the Suez Canal.  Who is to blame?  Weather?  This container ship is Panama-flagged, Japanese-owned and Taiwan-operated. Are you a cancer victim of the weedkiller Roundup?   Here's

Any excuse to drink some whisky, but, honestly, today is International Whisky Day .  In the spirit of March Madness, Dekanta listed 64 of the best Japanese Whiskies, with the winner to be crowned on April 1.   Vote here . Here are a couple whiskies you can buy from Dekanta: Or, if you want something more celebratory: Then again, here is a perfectly drinkable cheapie: Suntory Toki Japanese Whisky $ 29.99  "Toki' means time in Japanese. And Suntory's Toki Whisky is a tribute to that. Its a blend of whiskies of varying ages from Suntory's three main distilleries - Hakushu, Yamazaki and  Chita. The pairing of Hakushu  American white oak cask malt whisky with  Chita heavy-type grain whisky,  together with select Yamazaki malts to lend additional depth and  complexity, gives Toki  a silky taste and  vivid character. 86 proof.  TASTING NOTES: Color: clear gold  Nose: basil, green apple, honey  Palate: grapefruit, green grapes, peppermint, thyme.  Finish: subtly sweet and spic