Silversea Water Cooler: Welcome! Part Five

[mysty]

1 minute ago, Daveywavey70 said:

I’d never heard about this LCBO business before today, sounds like a right malarky. Is it similar to the Swedish system? You can only buy booze in official stores, you go in and fill in a form and they call you to the window when your order is ready. It was not pleasant. It was something akin to walking into a sex shop surrounded by nuns. 

We do need to buy through official stores.  And not all stores carry all the products.  We don't need to fill in a form to take to a window.  Products are on shelves.  However, the good stuff tends to go to the larger market areas like Toronto and Ottawa.  Our outlet is in a small town.  Usually we can order on line and have it delivered to our store but with the current nastiness that is not an option.  Canada Post will deliver orders to a postal outlet and right now that takes about 2 weeks at least.  Ontario has been a small c conservative place since Confederation.  This is just one example of that!

[UKCruiseJeff]

1 hour ago, jpalbny said:

DW, that dinner looks scrumptious! It's simple burgers on the grill for us, tonight. 

 

But, not all is mundane here tonight. 

 

FedEx just arrived, bearing an anniversary present for Chris! 

 

 

25 years deserves something special, so I was happy to find this available. She was surprised, because I hadn't told her about the find. And we never buy presents for each other...

 

I do hope she shares some with me, though!

 

Hi JP,

 

What a really lovely chap you are buying such a great  gift for Chris.  Looking forward to hearing how it tasted.  Put’s our LP into the shadows ..... 🙂

 

Couldn’t let the moment pass without congratulating you both.  Hope you have a whole lot more of happy travels together ...

 

Jeff 🙂

[mysty]

38 minutes ago, Daveywavey70 said:

I’d never heard about this LCBO business before today, sounds like a right malarky. Is it similar to the Swedish system? You can only buy booze in official stores, you go in and fill in a form and they call you to the window when your order is ready. It was not pleasant. It was something akin to walking into a sex shop surrounded by nuns. 

And to add insult to injury...we cannot even get your lovely Empress 1908 gin at our store.  It's from British Columbia and libations do not move freely between provinces.  

[Stumblefoot]

17 minutes ago, mysty said:

...libations do not move freely between provinces.  

 

That's wild.  And, sad too.

[Daveywavey70]

1 hour ago, zqtchas said:

you did that?

Bought booze in Sweden?

[Daveywavey70]

Sounds like a right faff M.
Congratulations in advance JP.

Jeff, sorry you’re having to slum it with LP :).

 

[jpalbny]

9 minutes ago, Daveywavey70 said:

Bought booze in Sweden?

 

Well, that part was obvious. I think he was questioning your basis for comparison! 

[FlyingScotSailors]

Happy Anniversary JP and Chris.

 

Happy Birthday Myster.

 

One benefit (?) of the current conditions is that we are able to be home for Spring.  It is nice to see the day to day changes, instead of leaving with bare trees and coming back to full-leaf, and after the flowers have bloomed.  Still, the TA and week in Spain would have been nice. 😞

 

DW has inspired us to post this picture of our G&Ts tonight, Nolet's gin and fever tree tonic, on the back porch.

 

 

 

We have friends in Canada, and understand the Provincial liquor board system, but will refrain from any comments thereon.  However, our friend in Ottawa used to have various (non-alcoholic) things delivered to us before he visited.  We also used to bring gifts (alcoholic) that met the import limits when we visited him.

 

A&P

[Lois R]

JP, not sure when it is but Happy Anniversary to you both.

 

Just thought I would let you know, I saw my Kidney Specialist yesterday and she said she would not have

recognized me! (she is the Dr who treated me in the hospital).  I brought her my most recent lab results from

my GP and she told me a few things......my right kidney is smaller than my left (I never knew). And she has

no definitive answer to what caused the renal failure to begin with......she also said I look good and I will

have an Ultrusound for my kidneys in 3 months.  She also told me I can no longer take anything with Ibuprofen in

it......it is Tylenol/xtra strength Tylenol going forward. And there are 5 stages of kidney disease.........1 is 

they go full out........5 is when you are dialysis......she said I was nearly a 5.  But now am about a 3. And doing

my drinking of water..........

I did find out I am anemic.........oyyyyy, 

 

Anyway, I feel much better than I did. 

 

[Daveywavey70]

FSS not one I’m familiar with, please share more info. I usually have 60ish Gins in my hotel and around 20 different tonics.
Lois hang in there sweetheart and stay strong. 

[FlyingScotSailors]

Davey,

We can get many gins, but we are jealous of your tonic selection.  We can not even get Schweppes Indian tonic; not imported into North America.

 

We have bought two Nolet's holiday packs, that included a bottle and the copa de balon (official G&T glasses).

 

Note to JP: the Nolet's with fever tree elderflower tonic is very nice.

 

From the Gin is in website:

 

Nolet Silver Gin

Distillery: Nolet Family Distillery
ABV: 47.6%
Region: Europe, Netherlands
Style: Contemporary
Base Spirit:
Known Botanicals: Juniper, Peach, Raspberry, Rose

Flavor Profile

Nolet Silver GinNolet Silver Gin opts for a series of non-traditional gin botanicals. In doing so, Nolet Silver Gin has earned a reputation as one of the most contemporary floral-forward gins on the market still. It’s so archetypal as an example of “floral gin” that I use it as an exemplar frequently in my talks. If you saw me speak at Gin World 2018 in St. Louis about the flavor of gin, I poured plenty of Nolet Silver.

The three unique botanicals are Peach, Turkish Rose and Raspberry. Each of the signature botanicals are independently macerated and distilled in copper pot stills. They are blended with the base gin and bottled at 47.6% ABV.

Tasting Notes
The first thing that gin drinkers notice whether by scent or by taste is that the juniper is muted, almost missing.

The floral scent of Nolet SIlver Gin is over the top. You smell rose when you open the bottle, along with intimations of Lavender and sweet herbal botanicals like melissa and apple mint.

 

[jpalbny]

My turn...

 

 

The Hendricks is empty. I knew it wouldn't last until the Midsummer solstice. So sad!

 

Mine has a sprig of fresh thyme, and Chris's on the right has a sprig of fresh mint, both from the herb garden. It's getting warm and they are starting to take off.

 

DW, I think we need to book a few nights at your hotel, so we can try all of the gins in your collection!

 

Just to be clear, the big day is in 3 weeks. I just prepared early. A first.

[jpalbny]

FSS, that gin sounds delicious! And it would go beautifully with elderflower tonic from the description. Can't wait to try it. Never had one from the Low Countries. And I'm not drinking the stuff that KLM out into their ceramic houses...

 

We walked by a jenever bar in Antwerp, which was on our list to try. But by the time we got there, we were tired from a long day of touring, and decided to pass. Too bad.

Edited May 21, 2020 by jpalbny

[TLCOhio]

2 hours ago, Lois R said:

JP, not sure when it is but Happy Anniversary to you both.

Anyway, I feel much better than I did. 

 

Glad that Lois is feeling better.  Congrats to JP and Chris.  Sorry, not much of a gin fan.  First choice for me would be margarita, frozen with salt around the rim in a large fishbowl-style glass.  Very tasty and refreshing!!! 

 

Wine can be good, too!!  Below is a picture of some of the wines we bought earlier this year in New Zealand and enjoyed during our cruise to French Polynesia.  We especially, super love the NZ Sauvignon Blanc.  Since returning on March 7, we have purchased a number of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc wines to enjoy during the recent stay-at-home period.  That NZ wine is so nice, crisp, fresh, etc.  

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

 

From late 2018, see “Holy Lands, Egypt, Jordan, Oman, Dubai, Greece, etc.”, with many visuals, details and ideas for the historic and scenic Middle East. Now at 18,284 views.  Connect at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2607054-livenautica-greece-holy-lands-egypt-dubai-terrypix’s/

 

[Stumblefoot]

Here is the G&T we had tonight made with the same gin as JP.  We enjoyed them during a virtual cocktail hour hosted by our SS friends out in Cali tonight.  Super fun reconnecting with friends made on board SS ships.

 

 

Edited May 21, 2020 by Stumblefoot

[mysty]

3 hours ago, Stumblefoot said:

 

That's wild.  And, sad too.

Interesting though Stumble.  When our son was living in Seattle we could order wine from Stags Leap to be delivered to him there.  When he moved to Scottsdale we could not order wine to be delivered there.   So some states seem to have restrictions as well.  And yes, it is wild and sad!

[Stumblefoot]

5 minutes ago, mysty said:

So some states seem to have restrictions as well.

Only on direct shipments to homes, Mysty.  Interstate shipments between states is unencumbered via a three tier (four tiers in NY) alcohol retail supply system.  So, Arizona consumers can easily find Stags Leap, they just have to purchase at a retailer rather than having it shipped directly to their home.

[Daveywavey70]

Here’s half of it JP

[mysty]

8 hours ago, Stumblefoot said:

Only on direct shipments to homes, Mysty.  Interstate shipments between states is unencumbered via a three tier (four tiers in NY) alcohol retail supply system.  So, Arizona consumers can easily find Stags Leap, they just have to purchase at a retailer rather than having it shipped directly to their home.

Yes Stumble....I guess I was not clear.  We could find Stags Leap in Scottsdale  we just could not order it from the winery for delivery to his home.  In fact we can find some BC wines at the LCBO.  We just are not "supposed" to order it directly from a BC winery.  And the selection of what is on offer is different in every province.  

[mysty]

Greetings Coolers!

 

Today's funny.....

 

 

Have a great safe day all!

[TLCOhio]

9 hours ago, Stumblefoot said:

Only on direct shipments to homes, Mysty.  Interstate shipments between states is unencumbered via a three tier (four tiers in NY) alcohol retail supply system.  So, Arizona consumers can easily find Stags Leap, they just have to purchase at a retailer rather than having it shipped directly to their home.

 

Agree that the USA alcohol retail supply system is very complicated and confusing.  Each state has its own set of special rules and detailed regulations.  Much of that system dates back to the early 1930's when Prohibition was repealed and the ways were established for how these various beer, wine and liquor products would be controlled and distributed.  Recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings have opened up the process in certain ways.  BUT, it is not as simple and easy to explain and navigate.  

 

Part of the debate/battle is about pricing, how much these products are marked up and who is guaranteed what profit margins, etc.  Then, there is the question as to how much choice and variety consumers have in deciding what they will be able to buy.  Confusing?  Can explain more as a long-time friend was involved in these businesses and has explained to me the details and reasons that makes this situation so total complex.  Like on many issues, there are a variety of pro/con questions involved.  But at the heart of "IT" is money!!!  Who profits and controls the system??

 

Below are a couple more comedy classics. 

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

 

Completed last summer Calgary, Jasper/Banff National Parks, Western Canada Rocky Mountaineer rail adventure, Vancouver, sailing up to Alaska, post-cruise excursion to Denali, etc.  Many visuals and details from our first in these scenic areas!  Live/blog at: 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2682584-live-terryohio-silver-muse-alaska-canadarockies-pix’s/

 

 

[UKCruiseJeff]

Today’s extremely low glycemic load  lunch in a very hot locked down Hampshire. 

 

 

[zqtchas]

[Lois R]

1 hour ago, UKCruiseJeff said:

Today’s extremely low glycemic load  lunch in a very hot locked down Hampshire. 

 

 

Hi Jeff, a lunch I  can eat!😃

[UKCruiseJeff]

38 minutes ago, Lois R said:

Hi Jeff, a lunch I  can eat!😃

 

( ... and drink .... 🙂 )

 

So you should!

 

Sorry to hear of your continuing sufferings - but one of the very bests things you can do at the moment is to understand glycemic load ... and just adopt that.  Ice-cream is low glycemic load.  'ish.

 

Jeff 🙂