Searching For La Creme

This week my wife and I took a spiritual journey through Scotland--enjoying the airs and the flavors of the Isle of Jura, Macallan, Glenmorangie and Glenfiddich. More plainly, we sampled various brands of Scotch at a tasting hosted by Cady's Grill & Bar in Depot Town, Ypsilanti.

It is time to restock my bar. I have some Irish whiskey, a bottle of Absolut, some Johnny Walker Red, a couple cream liquers and a bottle of Gusana Rojo Mezcal. I want to add on.

Learning to mix cocktails was a goal never quite realized though I have a stainless steel cocktail shaker, a Benson and Hedges booklet of drink recipes and a very old bottle of Jock Collins bar syrup. I don't even have a favorite alcoholic drink. Still looking for la creme de la creme.

So far as the Scotch whiskeys we sampled, I liked the Macallan, which our host said also scored very well in Michael Jackson's Malt Whisky Companion. (Not that Michael Jackson) The missus didn't have a favorite. In fact, the faces she made when sipping reminded me of a one-year-old's first experience with creamed spinach.

"You're destroying the ambiance," I warned her.

So my search for the perfect apertif continues. My Virginia friend Bob intrigued me years ago with what he said was a "must find." Creme de Grand Marnier. Grand Marnier is a very fine, expensive Cognac liquer. Creme de Grand Marnier must be truly special. But I could not find it. Neither could Bob. I kept my eyes open over the years in the occasional liquor store. I assumed Bob did too.

Then recently when I brought up the subject again in an e-mail, Bob said that Creme de Grand Marnier is not imported to this country any longer. It may only be purchased in Europe. He mentioned his wife had brought him back two bottles after a trip to Scandinavia.

"And, no, you can't have one," he quickly added.

Well, I responded that I owed him one wild goose chase then.

Over the holidays I spent time searching for what my Australian internet buddy Peter termed "the food of the gods." Ricadonna Asti, a sparkling white wine produced in a small Italian vinyard. I don't drink wine particularly, but I thought it would make a good gift for the wine lovers on my list.

Stopping by the area's largest wine store, I asked the wine adviser about it. He said he wasn't familiar with the brand, adding that he was more of a fan of Australian wines. I wanted to say, "Well, this wine was recommended by an Australian. What kind of a wine steward are you?"

Never did find Ricadonna Asti. My Canadian internet buddy Trucker Bob suggested I locate a bottle of 12-year-old Gibson's whiskey. I'm hoping that will be easier.