06 January 2012

The Friday Belt: Black Bottled Winter

Let Us Unite


Cameron Hunting Tartan


Black Bottle Islay Blended Scotch

It's always nice to come back to the Friday Belt. Whenever I meet someone who's familiar with The Trad -- it's usually the first thing they comment on. I write it Thursday night while trying on content and trying to figure out a different way to photograph a belt and a bottle. It ain't easy, and it isn't always successful but that's what I like about it. Geez, I feel like Andy Rooney... Anyway, here's another tartan belt by Leather Man in Essex, CT

Cecil, the owner and a helluva nice guy, calls this a Cameron tartan (located here). For $30 bucks, that's a lotta belt. Most anything you get from Leather Man usually is. I did some digging around and this tartan appears to be the Cameron 'Hunting' tart designed in 1956. That doesn't do much for dusting off the history books, but I almost always prefer the darker Hunting tartans.

Pairs well with thick Winter cords and moleskins. I have a shirt of the same tartan. Love to pair it with this belt. Freaks people out, "Hey, is that the same...?" "What?" "Your belt. It's the same as your..." "What are you talking about?" I feel like Carson Kressley.

Dark Winter nights do not favor the sun kissed Gin & Tonic or Dark & Stormy. When it's cold and black out (or in), I need something that'll burn bright going down.

Black Bottle reminds me of a dangerous shore at night. A night we would describe as, "darker than the inside of a goat" at Ft Bragg. It's peaty - 7 different Islay single malts - and, I kid you not, you can smell and taste the sea. Maybe that's the Laphroaig coming through. Maybe not. No one knows what the single malts are but at $22 a bottle -- Who cares.

That's two Black Bottles for one green Laphroaig. I love Laphroaig, but $22 cuts a lot of Islay family ties, mate. You can slip this past your single malt drinkers friends -- they'll never know it's a blend. Serve two ounces neat with just a bloom of water and no one's the wiser... but ignore all questions pertaining to your belt and shirt.

16 comments:

JKG said...

This post reminds me a good friend. Thank you.

Easy and Elegant Life said...

Wish I'd known that before the New Year's party this year. ... Or had the sense to hide the single malts. The house blended here at The Manse is Famous Grouse. It also took a beating on the 31st. Or 1st, by that point.

Happy New Year Tintin.

Main Line Sportsman said...

Must say I have not seen this brand...
Not big on Scotch...but always observant as I pass by on my way to the Bourbon section...
That belt is tremendous...

Sheik of Araby said...

"Cameron 'Hunting' tart" ... sounds like the sort of woman MLS might bring back to his Scottish hunting lodge.

Anonymous said...

I love Laphroaig 10 and have never heard of Black Bottle. Sounds like a great recommendation!

ScurvyOaks

Oyster Guy said...

Just by a wisker, I prefer single malts if only for their quirks over blends. Nevertheless, I am very, very glad to be old enough to remember an era when blends were more revered than singles. Sometimes it's all about balance.

Anonymous said...

That's for finding a scotch that costs the same as a sandwich in Manhattan. One of these bottles are coming home with me tonight.

--Matthew

Main Line Sportsman said...

Araby....Scotland has excellent hunting...and I suppose it's share of tarts...to find them combined would be a delight.
Remember...."If it's not Scottish...it's CRAP"

Alain said...

Love your writing and your blog. I love it even more now that I know you're a fellow Laphroaig fan. If you complain about the price don't ever buy it in Canada. You're likely to have a heart attack.

Anonymous said...

A great belt. I have one hanging in my closet and wear it often.

LouB

M.Lane said...

This Scotch sounds great and I'll look for it. I doubt I'll find it out in the hinterlands.

I do love another great blend though, the old Haig & Haig Pinch.

ML
mlanesepic.blogspot.com

gentleman mac said...

Hope you had a great Three Kings Day and got what you wanted.

Anonymous said...

Contains all the current Islay singles except Kilchoman, so the comment "no one knows what the single malts are" is incorrect.

Anonymous said...

Try Finlaggan. Traders Joes. 19.95 $ smokey like a beach fire gone out an hour ago...great belt

Anonymous said...

glad to see you're still posting...don't stop...please!

that belt is very, very cool.

Anonymous said...

Here in Dallas, I bought it for $16.99. It's not Laphroaig, but it's perfectly solid. Likely to be my new house scotch.