Just a minute with a good malt

Published on Friday 11 September 2009 18:18

SOMETHING is bothering Nicholas Parsons. The actor, cabaret artist, chair of Radio 4's Just a Minute and one-time host of Sale of the Century crosses his arms and frowns.

"I don't go in for all these fruit descriptions," he says. "It's far better to describe a drink in terms of emotion. Is it smooth? Does it have a fiery character? Does it have a nice flavour? That's what's important. I'm not talking about blackcurrants and other fruit."

I'm with him. In fact, I would go one further. A good tasting note only really needs to say: tastes good, costs 3.99 and goes well with pork chops. But I digress. Or should that be deviate?

We are sitting in the midst of the Claive Vidiz Scotch Whisky Collection, housed in Edinburgh's Scotch Whisky Experience museum. The collection is classified by Guinness World Records as the largest in the world. It's Festival time, and Parsons, resplendent in Lord's Taveners v-necked jumper, cravat and starched white flannels, has taken time out from his show, Nicholas Parsons' Happy Hour, to join me for a short whisky tasting. It's late and with a busy schedule ahead, we crack on. Or should that be proceed? Only when the whistle blows.

"I learned how to drink whisky when I was working on the Clyde," he says over sips of Glenrothes Select Reserve. From the age of 16 to 22 he lived in Glasgow, where – despite longing to be an actor – to please his parents he trained as an engineer at Drysdale's, next door to the John Brown shipyard.

"There was one particular engineer who was a very heavy drinker. He used to take me to the pub after our shift and say, 'Right Nicholas, this is how you do it. You have your pint and then you have your shot of whisky. It's a half and a half. So we drank the shot and then sipped the pint. I have drunk whisky ever since."

These days he prefers single malts, which he usually drinks as a nightcap, but never before a performance. "I wouldn't dream of it," he says sternly. "I know there are actors who have used it to give them a lift but I couldn't operate as sharply as I do if I had a drink. It's a big no, no." Anyone listening to his mental agility on Just a Minute can attest to that.

The early days were tough, and with money tight he could rarely afford to drink wine. "My parents came from a generation where it was common not to drink," he says as we move on to Laphroaig 18-year-old. "When I was just starting out we were penniless and all I could afford was a wine from Mexico that I bought for around 10p a bottle.

"Years later, when I became established, Wines of Spain invited me to speak at after-dinner events at various golf clubs, and they paid me in wine. They were marvellous. It later transpired that some of them were worth a great deal of money, more than I would ever have paid for a bottle."

On this occasion, the whistle doesn't blow but it's past last orders and we both have to go. "Actually Will, the wine wasn't from Mexico, it was from Morocco," he suddenly remembers. Surely that's repetition Nicholas?

Glenrothes Select Reserve, 43 per cent, 26.95

Inspired by champagne's non-vintage styles this is a bottling with casks from different years. It has a distinctly peppery character with spicy, uplifting notes and a rich, biscuity finish.

Glengoyne 17-year-old, 43 per cent, 50.95

It is hard to find such an agreeable and palatable whisky. Sitting in the glass it has a golden colour with a full nose of soft, mature oak and a gentle appealing sweetness. The finish is full of oak. An ideal nightcap.

Laphroaig 18-year-old, 48 per cent, 64.95

Recently introduced on the market as a replacement for the much loved 15-year-old. The nose is typical Laphroaig with notes of seaweed, salt, honey and vanilla. I find the palate quite nutty with that reliable heather and peat smoke character and a long, smooth finish. Very good indeed.

STOCKISTS Royal Mile Whiskies (0131-524 9380, www.royalmilewhiskies.com); The Whisky Shop (01463 710525, www.whisky shop.com); Gordon & MacPhail (01343 545111, www.gordonandmac phail.com); Waitrose; Tesco; Sainsbury's