"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." - Confucius

Travel in China must be different, because ... I don't take that single step without some serious planning. I mean sure...I have to pack, figure out what I'm taking, etc. But, much more importantly, I need to figure out where I'm eating. Usually, "where I'm eating" is the most important of those preparations.

However, I was travelling to New York for Jim's 40th Birthday party and I needed a gift. I'd never been to a 40th birthday party, I'd certainly never travelled 1500 miles for anyone's party, and honestly, I'd never put much thought into anyone's gift.

I'm a lousy gift giver. I can say it now. I know it's been true for 20 years, but I admit it now. Shopping for an acceptable gift takes a few minutes. Shopping for a real gift takes however long it takes. The person you're giving the gift too...may never know the difference. But you know.

I struggled for awhile (a long while) with what to give. I mean, what do you give someone who is a genius with eclectic tastes? Anything he really wanted he'd have had gotten himself. So, I reasoned you have to give him something he wouldn't have bought himself or couldn't afford. Pretty much if he couldn't afford it, I couldn't afford it, so that leaves us, something he wouldn't have bought himself.

I wrestled with that for awhile and had an epiphany. I love Scotch (wait, that's not the epiphany, that's just the way it is). I knew from Rebecca that her and Jim had never really tried Single Malt Scotch.

But, I couldn't just leave it at that. Sure, you have a bottle of Scotch, but ... what do you drink it out of? Do you know anything about the Scotch? It's origins? How to enjoy it?

I came to the conclusion that I needed a three part gift.

• Scotch
• A Book about Scotch
• Glassware for Scotch

Now, I have a decent palate for Scotch, I have tried a fair number and I know what I like. But, when you have an expert source you should use them. Really, who would know more about Single Malt Scotch than a Scotsman with a discerning palate and enjoyment for great Scotch? Enter, my friend Gordon. We chatted briefly and I took his advice on a Highland Park Single Malt. Advice given in a Scottish accent sounds like great advice even when you're sober...when you start drinking it takes on an Oracle like quality...sagacious. 

The first liquor store I stopped at in New York had the 12 yr, 15 yr and 18 yr varities of Highland Park... I went with the 15 because I wanted something aged a bit longer, but not overwhelming.

                                                          

I also wanted a book about Scotch. Something simple that walked through the different distilleries and explained the flavors and nuances. The cover may have looked different but I "think" this is the book I got...

                                                                     

With that purchase, from the first book store I stopped at, my gift was almost complete. Now, all I needed was glassware, then I was set.

Of course, I might as well have said, all I need is a cure for the common cold and I can take the rest of the day off. Have you ever tried to find decent glassware for Scotch?

What makes the situation worse, is I am very particular about Scotch glassware. In the movies and on TV, you see old men with crystal decanters pouring Scotch into short straight sided glass tumblers full of ice. This is WRONG!

Those short, straight sided glass tumblers are actually designed to release most of the vapors from whisky, allowing it to escape to make the cheap liquor less harsh. However, we're talking a great Single Malt here, not some blended crap we're trying to throw down just to get drunk.

You need something that is going to capture and focus those flavors and aromas. I'm not a big fan of a lot of the glassware designed for Scotch, I actually like small snifters, similar to a Brandy Snifter.

                        

Great, so all I had to do was find some of those glasses and I was totally set.

TWELVE STORES and a full DAY later...I was saved by Williams-Sonoma. www.williams-sonoma.com/

If you have not checked it out, do so. It is simply a great store.

Finally, I had the gift I wanted.

The party itself was amazing (Rebecca did a fabulous job arranging it all). Good times spent with great friends. The Century House in Latham, NY made for excellent hosts. From appetizers to desserts, through drinks and speeches we all enjoyed ourselves. My personal favorites started with the cheese & fruit, moved on to the Mahi-Mahi (was that or chicken marsala, great choices both) and ended with a myriad of desserts...I think I tried almost all of them.

I know that Jim & Rebecca may never come to enjoy Scotch or even if they do may never LOVE it as I do. Some people say that anything you have to "acquire" a taste for, just isn't worth it. I argue against that thought...vehemently! At first blush with the initial taste, not knowing what to expect, I have "made a face" at many foods I have later come to enjoy or love.

I have told people for years that anything you are going to do 2-5 times a day for the rest of your life, you should enjoy.

Live to eat, don't eat to live.