Its name stems from Irish/Gaelic for “water of life,” but whisky is actually the devil's own special brew. Distilled from grain and left to age in archaic wooden barrels, it's the kind of beverage that makes boys think they're men and men believe they're artists or lovers (sometimes rightly so). Served straight up, on ice, with water, or married to caffeine with coke or coffee, whisky is one of the few kinds of alcohol whose flavor lingers seductively in the drinker's mouth like brown sugar.
The Scottish, men and lovers in their own right, know the lucid powers of the drink and adore their whisky. They've even patented the name “Scotch Whisky,” which promises the very best product from the very best region.
This weekend, the Queen Mary, that venerable three-stack entertainer built by the hands of however many thick-knuckled and thick-accented Scots, will host a three-day Scottish Festival celebrating the boat's legacy and origins with “a festival of Scottish culture through music, dance and athletic prowess,” one major highlight of which includes the whisky tasting. Sample Scotland's finest export outside of Sir Sean Connery while becoming a part of the Queen's classy collective past.
Whisky Tasting at the Queen Mary Scottish Festival and Games, 1126 Queens Hwy, Long Beach, (562) 499-1650; www.queenmary.com. Fri., 6 p.m. $11-$16; whisky tasting, $20.
