Retirement — Never Stop Learning

One of the great joys for me is learning something new. That characteristic goes a long way toward explaining the ever-changing focus of my amateur radio activities from DXing, to contesting, to satellites, and more. It also explains why most nights I’m focused on a book that can expand my knowledge and also offer entertainment.

I’ll further note that number one on my StrengthsFinder results is “learner.” If you haven’t taken this assessment yet, I really recommend it. Nearly 20 million have done the StrengthsFinder, discovering or perhaps merely verifying what they already know about their strengths. The premise is to focus on your strengths rather than trying to overcome your weaknesses. Learn more at My Favorite Bosses and How They Tapped My Strengths.

My evening reading is almost always accompanied by either a cocktail or a glass of wine. This led to my latest learning activity, an afternoon at a local spirits and wine store at their class titled “Getting to Know Single Malt Scotch.” Over the course of nearly two hours about twenty of us gathered in their superb classroom, sampled eight different single malts* and learned more about the regions and styles of single malt. Not only that, but we also learned how it’s made and what makes different types so distinctive.

Apparently my palate is not on the same scale as most. When our instructor asked what I tasted, expecting no doubt citrus, peat, subtle nose, etc. all I could come up with was “whisky.” So it looks like I’ll need to repeat this experience until I get it right.

I also attended a tasting on our recent Alaska Cruise. That tasting consisted of three different Macallan single malts. Afterwards I joined a fellow classmate in a glass of Laphroaig. Now this one had a very, very distinctive smoky peat taste. It’s finish, as they say, was quite long — for me about two days until I got the smoke out of my mouth.

I have to note that I really enjoy cocktails. So while whiskey is important to some of these mixes, to me it’s more about the type of vermouth, bitters, liqueurs, etc. that bring wonderful flavors to my palate. Flavors that I can actually taste.

Having said that, however, I’ll note that I used to joke that the price of admission to my dad’s place was a bottle of single malt Scotch. Now that wasn’t really true. I just liked to bring something for us to share and talk about. I found that we both liked Balvenie and Abelour, which in today’s class I learned are both from the Speyside region, which are “smooth and balanced” and considered the “Premier Grand Cru” of malt whisky. I’m quoting my textbook.

So that’s one avenue of learning that I can recommend for you and your path around the sun. Never stop learning in what ever area grabs your fancy.

* Here’s the list of single malts featured in class. BTW – My spelling may be just as bad as my taste buds. I was not at the head of my class…

• Highland Scotch: Old Pulteney 12-year, Grandstone Sherry Finish, Ainsley Brae sauterne cask.
• Speyside Scotch: Glen Fohdry 12-year, Balnellan Glen Livet 8-year peated, Shieldaig 18-year.
• Islands Scotch: Creag Isle 12-year.
• Lowlands Scotch: Springbank 10-year Campbeltown.