Even my father use to regale us with his bad experience of rum and blackcurrant whilst on holiday in the Isle of Man back in the mid-60s. He downed 7 or 8 doubles, or maybe 9 or 10 in a short period of time and then he went with this girl back to her caravan park, but started to sober up whilst on the bus with her and he realised she was an ugly hag. Suddenly, she exclaimed "What's up sonny, have you spied your ass!" And in horror he leapt from the bus to find himself in the middle of nowhere. He eventually slept on the beach and woke with a 2 day hangover and a healthy fear of rum and other shorts forever more.

Even to this day,  he never touches anything stronger than Budweiser and he can be seen boring one and all at parties nursing his two Bud's all evening, reciting the great theories of business gurus to anyone daft enough to sit next to him.

I am fortunate I stumpled across rum after my wild days.

Hardknott beers from Cumbria. A couple of different pints under 4%, golden sesion beers in the Magpie and Crown after watching Brentford v Bury. Also had a nice pint of Bass in the Express Tavern, Kew. Doombar before the game in The New Inn - a ubiquitous but unremarkable Cornish beer that gained prominence when the brewery was taken over by one of the big players.

Fullers Black Cab stout.

A couple of pints in the Brewery Tap after the Stevenage game.

Some very old people were playing traditional jazz.

Duchy Original's India Pale Ale brewed from British Sovereign hops. It's strong, very tasty and on offer at £1.42 for a 500cl bottle in Waitrose.

Yorkshire beers at Bricklayers, Putney. Barrels outside in garden. Too cold. We moved on   http://www.bricklayers-arms.co.uk/yorkshire-beer-festival-2013/

Went to Cat'sBack in Wandsworth a new Harveys pub. Young yuppy clientele from the expensive new apartments nearby. Beer not as well kept as Harveys other London pub  http://www.thecatsback.com/

St Lucia plantation rum from this outfit:
www.plantationrum.com

Serve on the rocks and enjoy like a good single malt.

After dinner, I had a brandy from Chene D'Or, wasn't really sure I should have bought it as it was only 11Euros a bottle, but I trust the owner in the wine merchants I go to and he recommended it as good stuff. But at that price, I am certainly not going to risk more than one or two, less the hangover demons are strong in the bottle.

Springbank has always defied the fashions in whisky and remains the choice of the gentleman, like my grandfather.

You won't find them bringing out expressions aged in exotic wine barrels and the likes.

Love Glenfarclas, from the 105 cs to the 40 yo (great price for what it is).
When my son moved to California I bought him a bottle of the 21 yo to keep for my visits. 3 months later I returned, and the bottle was gone and replaced by the 105 cs whose cost , if not taste, was more palatable to him.

Itchen Valley Battle of Cheriton ale in Farringdon Wetherspoon. One of those straw coloured, hoppy beers

I forgot my Boris pass so I decided to wait until fares dropped and spend the difference on a beer rather than give it to SW trains.

http://www.perfectpint.co.uk/real-ale-beers-info/4815/Itchen-Valley-Brewery/1644-Battle-of-Cheriton