Dream Life

October 24th at 4pm.

The Festival of Alcohol Dwarf Festival was in good hands.

After enjoying a beer and meal, a distilled liquor contest was held as an event. It is a situation where all the votes are over and the votes are waiting to be opened, that is, ranking by the hundred votes chosen in the lottery.

"We have the results," Enos Vassel, the housekeeper of the Lockhart family, told us.

"I would now like to announce the results of this meeting from Viscount Lockhart, Masaias."

When I send my father a signal with my eyes, he slowly comes up on the stage.

"Announce fifth to first place," he says, opening a note given to him by Enos.

"Fifth...... Number Six, Welburn Branch, McKellan Distillery White Oak!

So the blacksmiths coming from Welburn, including the branch manager, Degenhardt Grabsch, said, "" Sieg Scotch! "" Raise your voice.

Welburn has been producing distilled liquor since the early days and the quality is high because Jonathan Water, the person responsible, is pouring his heart out.

"Number four! Number 13, General Headquarters, Slayside Distillery Bowmoor Heavy Peted!

Ulrich and the other heavy towns at General Headquarters stood up in unison and said, "" "Sieg Scotch!" "He shouts, slapping his shoulders with those nearby. Naturally, some of them looked like Queen Katrina.

The village of Bowmoor is a small village near Ars, but it is where good quality peat (Pete) is produced. Heavy peated whiskey with that peat is close to those from Isla Island, famous for its smoky scotch such as Rafroig and Ardbeck.

Not so much for the Dwarves if it's just smokey. Still, if the malt (malt) on which it is based doesn't taste strong, it becomes the realization that it's just "I just want to smoke” alcohol.

In this case, there was a synergy between the richness and sweetness of the malt, which is even more pronounced by the smoky aroma. I guess this point led to the Dwarves' high praise.

A third place announcement will be made.

"The third place is No. 9, Rasmore Village Shekharion Distillery, Wine Barrel (Cask) Finish (Finish)!"

As expected, the distillery in the village of Rasmore came to the top.

A loud round of applause is boiling from the Dwarves at the same time as the announcement, and Calvert is waving at them as he rises shy.

The Shekharion Distillery is a distillery headed by Calvert and usually has a lot of apple distillery liquor, “Calvato (...) S" and light scotch. However, this wine cask finish had a strong aroma of wine barrels, resulting in a light yet rich scotch.

I also feel so heavy when I drink it that I think, "Is this three years old?" I guess that grabbed the hearts and minds of the Dwarves.

I thought this liquor would be in second place. First place is easy to predict, but I can't predict anything at all about the liquor that goes into second place.

(Netherton's corn whiskey was also appreciated, but not that far. Phyllobisher's ram or is there going to be around Brandon's brandy......)

When I think about it, my father starts making announcements.

"Then I announce second place!

Dwarves drink solidly and wait for the next word.

"Number sixteen, the village of Rasmore, the Zacharias blend!

A louder applause echoes the venue earlier.

I didn't think my blended would be chosen, I fell in love for a moment, and the response was delayed.

"What are you doing! Your booze is the number two!" I bow my head in haste to Ulrich's voice.

To be honest, I had no idea it would be chosen for blind tasting. It is true that the blend of Scott and Calvert's Scotch improves the balance, but the base is made from Kersus oak barrels from Ars for long-term aging, and as far as I'm concerned, I only feel for cheap blended whiskey.

There are possible reasons, but we'll see soon enough.

"Then I announce number one!," declares Father.

My father presents it in a slow tone as the people in the venue breathe in unison.

"Number one is... eleven! Peted at Lasmore Distillery, Lasmore Village!

When Scott, the distillation manager, rises, the applause boils down from the venue. Scott was responding with his head down to it.

This result was as expected, and no one looked surprised that the Dwarves were thinking the same thing.

This is Scotch, but it puts Scott through how far Dwarf can make something acceptable in three years.

When I tasted it, I felt so mature that I didn't think it was three years old, I didn't think, "Are you really only letting me sleep for three years?"

In response to that question, Scott answered me with a blur.

"I've been trying to figure out how I can get closer to the Zack collection and make it. I don't mean to be outrageous, but I wanted to try to pursue a flavor favored by the blacksmiths."

This Scott booze is what got my Blended second. It didn't add up to 10% of the total, but it was so mature that it didn't seem like a three-year thing.

I guess this aging weakened the "lightness” of Kersus oak and, conversely, made the characteristic "complex fragrance” feel stronger.

"Zach, do the general review," my father commanded, so I go up on the stage.

My father gave me a piece of paper that wrote the results, so I glance at it.

"Before we do that, I'd like to ask the judges for their opinion. Georg, come up here."

That's what I call Georg Stoke.

"What are you talking about? I can't explain the flavor to Non," but I ask the question anyway.

"Best of all, what did you think about Scott's booze?

"At first, I thought the Zack collection was mixed. So delicious."

"So here's a question about other liquors. How was your impression of alcohol other than Scotch?

"If you say that, you don't know which one it is. Well, I kind of figured out Seawell Brandy."

"Right. What did you think of the third distiller?," he said, handing over the tasting glass he had prepared.

Georg put it in his mouth,

"This... I thought this was an unusual Scotch. It doesn't taste bad, but it's not what Non likes."

"This is corn liquor made in Netherton. This liquor was in sixth place."

"Really? I would never have chosen it."

"I let you in!" The voice is heard from the venue several times. They were all relatively young Dwarves' voices.

"Veterans are used to drinking Scotch made by Scott, but few of the younger ones have. That is why we were able to accept this fragrance and sweetness without prejudice. In fact, the Netherton branch did not have a lower line of liquor seekers compared to the headquarters and other preceding branches…"

Corn whiskey in Netherton was unexpectedly accepted. Many young dwarves said they liked the unique flavor.

I remember when I was younger when I saw how it was.

Still fit in a relatively cheap American whiskey before I learned how good Scotch tastes. It was Jack Daniel I liked and drank.

The green label lights also used to drink for the price because it was cheap, but I feel sad about that black label. When I saw the bottle at the bar, even in my forties, I learned how nostalgic it was and drank it.

"... and other Phyllobisher branch rams were more appreciated than I imagined. I know a lot of booze will come out of this, but without denying it out of my head, I'd like you to try it. Of course, I'm not denying having custody. I just want you to remember that once in a while, sipping another drink and peeking into the new world is also a way to enjoy alcohol."

The queen rose to my word.

"It's wonderful! I voted for Mr Scott's scotch, but I did think all the other drinks were great. So much so that we wanted to buy Netherton corn liquor, Phyllobisher rum, Seawell and Ezarrington brandies, and those liquors from the Cowm royal family! You guys should definitely try some new alcohol!

The Dwarves applaud the Queen's words.

"You can all behave that Mr. Zach's blend is second in line."

"Because it's a promise," he nods.

"We have about a hundred litres at once. There's only a very small amount per person, but I'll arrange for you to try it later at the booth at the Lasmore Distillery."

As there are no twenty milliliters per capita, a discouraged voice leaks from the Dwarves.

I can mix it up (vatting it) anew, but the three-year Scotch barrel is a hogs-head barrel containing about two hundred liters, and I use about half of it, so it's already empty.

I still have the same Kersus oak hogs-head barrel, but it will be another barrel, about three years old, so it won't make a big difference, but if I'm not a professional blender, it's likely to be another booze, and I wasn't willing to make an addition this time.

When the contest was over, Marquis Seawell came under me with Viscount Radford.

"Again, don't take my Seawell brandy for a dwarf," said the Marquis, and the Viscount nodded at it,

"It is appreciated in the Imperial Capital, but it would mean that the liquor of Lord Scott and Lord Zacharias is still no match."

"I think that's a little different. Seawell Brandy is the liquor you deserve to serve to the Dwarf Festival. It's just that the non-imperial dwarves are used to Scott's liquor, so they really want that flavor. If you're going to be drunk in a lot of places, you're going to be able to make Seawell Brandy acceptable to the Dwarves."

The Marquis smiles, "Don't be relieved to have Sir say that," he said.

"The strength of Seawell Brandy is that it has a lot of quality raw alcohol. If aged over the next ten or twenty years, it will definitely be a brand name wine supported not only by the Dwarves but also by many people."

They snorted loudly at my words.

Then show off the cocktail at the Queen's sole request.

Because of the narrow stage this time, I have decided to have a drink just for the queen, and I will go up to the stage with her.

"I would now like to give a brief introduction on how to drink a mixture of several types of alcohol in order to meet the request of Her Royal Highness Queen Katrina. Your Highness, this way, please."

That's what I'm saying. Have him sit in the chair provided.

There was a small table, on which were appliances for cocktails such as shakers and several types of bottles and even lemons.

Start explaining as you grab a bottle of Shaker and Fortis potato distilled liquor.

"First, choose the basic (base) distilled liquor. Let's base this time on the sparsely accustomed Fortis potato distillery. Add sweetness to this. Sweetness is an added sweetness to the distilled liquor I made with the aroma of orange skin (peel). This is just sweet enough to be licking sugar, so I'll just use a small amount"

I put it in the shaker as I weigh it in a major cup.

"This is just sweet and not refreshing. So I'll add lemon juice."

Weigh the lemon juice squeezed with a squeezer in a major cup as well, place in the shaker, stir gently before checking for flavor.

"It's just sweet and sour liquor as it is, but by adding ice to this and shaking (shaking) it moderately, we turn it into a refreshingly sweet liquor"

I'm going to shake it as I explain. This time it's a sidecar derivative cocktail, "Balalaika”.

Technically, it's a potato distillery, not a wocka, and since the orange liqueur is “curaçao" rather than “coantro," it should be called "balalaika", but it was a level I had no problem saying balalaika in the way I tried it.

A problem-free level is also a level where amateurs make it for them, and of course it's not comparable to what professional bartenders make.

Shake lightly and pour into a glass for a cooled cocktail. Because it is shaking slightly stronger, ice fragments (flakes) are floating on the surface.

Say, "Go ahead," and put the glass in front of the queen.

"You're calmer in color than you were before," he says, putting his mouth on the glass.

The cocktails I served before were made from Scotch and Grenadine syrup and were bright red.

This time there is nothing coloured on the material and it looks white throughout. The Queen pointed out the difference.

"It's refreshing!" and the queen raises her voice.

The Dwarves say, "Can I give it a taste," but it wasn't that true because he was the first to say it was sweet.

The Queen goes on to comment further.

"It's not too sweet and the acidity is moderate and delicious. And it's not even as thin as a water crack. Is this a hobby about enjoying the flavor more than it looks?

"There's that, too, but I'm thinking about something a little different," I'll just answer.

Prepare another bottle in the meantime.

"Next use the base liquor with Phyllobisher rum, which is also unaged. The other ingredients are exactly the same as before."

White rum is what I prepared. The cocktail to make this time is XYZ.

Shake it exactly the same way and put it out in front of the queen.

"It's the only thing that changed the material. Go ahead."

The queen gave the expression "I wonder if it will change so much” for a moment, but the moment she spoke, she opened her eyes wide.

"You're so different!," he stood up and said,

"If the earlier one is refreshing, this is the balance between aroma and sweetness. It's amazing how much the based distillery will change!

When I say "Thanks for the exact comment," and bow my head, I immediately prepare the next bottle.

"The next base is still the distilled liquor we just made on a trial basis in this village. It is made from juniper berries, herbs and citrus fruit when distilling. We are passing the recipe to the Deodard Chamber of Commerce in Aurelia, so in time it may be commercialized"

Next up is the White Lady. Put it out in front of the queen in the same way.

The queen will also speak as soon as the glass is served as she feels intrigued.

"This is it!" I'm surprised, "he tilts the glass without saying anything.

"What can I say! It has a strong unique herbal-like aroma, but that's not all! The scent through my nose is like mint...... no, the unspeakable scent seems to envelop my whole body...... I (I) like this the best of these three!

Seems like I have a problem with how to describe the scent of juniper berries.

Take the last bottle while the queen is screaming.

"Do you still have it?

"Yeah, that's the last one," he says, tilting a bottle with amber liquid.

"Is this scent... that it's not brandy?

That's just called “Queen Dwarf," which seems sensitive to the smell of alcohol.

"Exactly. We've got three years of Finside distillery in the village of Rasmore."

That's what I'm going to say and shake the shaker.

Pour into the glass, but unlike before, a thin brown liquid pours into the glass. At the end of the day, it's a sidecar, but the recipe isn't one-third of the original, it's the same two-on-one as Balalaika, etc.

Even so, this one usually comes out better in the Japanese bars of the twenty-first century.

The queen ruins her eyes and mouths the glass. But he didn't cheer like he did when he was a white lady, and he included it in his mouth to make sure he did.

"... what can I say? I feel this smells gentle. It's more refreshing than drinking brandy as it is, but the aroma remains firm…"

The Dwarves at the venue are quietly listening to the Queen's thoughts.

"I see just a little bit of what Zach thinks," he says, standing up.

"Each of the four distilled liquors had its own personality. I thought the third would be the best, but which would be the best for each person. Drinking straight isn't just distilled liquor. There are infinite ways to drink, and any alcohol may find the right way to drink it. I mean, aren't you trying to say that if you create a new alcohol, there's another possibility, even if that's not straightforward enough?

"I haven't thought that far," he denied laughing,

"Alcohol is just something to enjoy. I just don't want you to pick a bud of new possibilities with this stereotype that it has to be this way of drinking alcohol."

In my words, the queen said, "Wonderful! shouting and starting to applaud, the Dwarves also said," Right!, "he said and applauded.

Where the applause has subsided,

"The material is infinite. Let's make new booze without being bound by scotch or brandy."

Once again, a storm of applause engulfed the meadows.