REFINED VICES

Greetings.

I post often on the Modern Drunkard Magazine forums and am acquainted with Count Silvio from there. I've perused this site from time to time and have now joined up. I'm an American musician, living presently in Belgium (come try our beer). I enjoy single malt scotch (Islay malts -- especially Lagavulin) and Montecristo #2 cigars.

I suppose I should offer to buy a round?

CHEERS, ALL! **clink**

-----peetie44

Welcome to the forums Peetie! Pleasure to have you aboard . How is the whisky, cigar and rum market in Belgium?

Count Silvio wrote:Welcome to the forums Peetie! Pleasure to have you aboard . How is the whisky, cigar and rum market in Belgium?

I'm afraid I posses a rather limited knowledge of rum variety/value.

As far as cigars and whisk(e)y, the prices for Cubanos isn't completely outrageous (Spain enjoys the best prices on the continent), while bourbon and rye variety leaves much to be desired.

Plenty of good single malt, reasonably priced, however.

Belgium is quite famous for its beers, but I'm struggling to think if Belgium has a national spirit? None spring to mind, is it purely a beer culture?

Baron Rupert Liberis wrote:Belgium is quite famous for its beers, but I'm struggling to think if Belgium has a national spirit? None spring to mind, is it purely a beer culture?

Baron,

I'm not quite sure, as I'm an American and tend to stay mostly to my tastes (single malt scotch and quality beer), and have not really investigated the existence of a "national" liquor. Belgium is quite close to France (and, in fact is a French and Flemish nation) good cognacs and wines are prevalent. Also, good German wines, since Germany is a bordering country as well. Of course, gin, vodka, rum, port and such standard fare are readily available, and prices are reasonable for most.

There IS a local Flemish drink called Jenever (Jaegermeister is a relative), which is quite good, though an acquired taste.

I suppose more investigation into this matter is due on my part.