It was a beautiful room. Candles cast an amber glow around the table. There were bowls of cheese, fruit and cinnamon. (Representative image)
We were on the 38th floor of the St Regis Hotel in Mumbai. But that alone can’t explain the Scarface and helicopters imagery that formed in the mind.
Ah, one forgets to mention the whisky. The music. And what this potent combination did to the imagination.
It was a Sonic Tasting event organised by single malt maker The Glenlivet a few days ago. Their brand ambassador Ken Lindsay, a jocular Scotsman in pink tie and grey suit, conducted it. English aside, Lindsay can speak French, Portuguese and Spanish. And he can speak whisky.
Asked if climate change had affected the centuries old methods of quality whisky making, Lindsay said that only the availability of fresh water was somewhat impacted. In 2017, The Glenlivet funded a four-year investigation to test solutions to manage the flow of water in Scotland’s Ballindalloch area.
At the Mumbai event, participants closed their eyes, pulled on the high-end headphones they were lent, wore a blue eye mask and sipped whisky. Then they noted what they deciphered in the taste and in the mind’s eye. This correspondent thought of – among other things - Scarface, choppers, Caribbean beaches, fire. Not bad fire, but cosy fireplace kind of fire.
At the Mumbai event, participants closed their eyes, pulled on the high-end headphones they were lent, wore a blue eye mask and sipped whisky.
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There was a notepad and pencil and a blue ‘tasting wheel’ at each seat that acted like a flavour guide. Liquorice. Fudge Toffee. Coconut. Floral. Smoky. These were just a few of 39 flavours or definitions on the wheel.
It was a beautiful room. Candles cast an amber glow around the table. There were bowls of cheese, fruit and cinnamon. And in front of each participant were three glasses with three different whiskies – The Glenlivet 12-year-old, 15 and 18. (There wasn’t anything rebellious about the 15 and 18.)
I’m not a connoisseur, and the elements I detected were disparate and unpredictable. Then again there were no right or wrong answers here, unless you were in the spirits industry. Apart from the things mentioned above, my jottings included coconut, embers, orange, scented flowers, vanilla and medicine.
This new year’s, pay close attention to what you hear and see when drinking whisky. Santa Claus may just turn out to be real in your head.
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Hypertension May Show No Signs: 18+ Adults Should Check BP, Limit Alcohol Intake To 2 Drinks, Cut Down On Salt
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Hypertension is the most common and preventable risk factor for heart attacks, heart failure, stroke, kidney disease, and blockage of leg arteries causing pain and gangrene.
While it is important to follow a healthy lifestyle, one must educate oneself to control hypertension.
One can keep blood pressure (BP) under control with certain changes like eating a healthy diet (fruits/vegetables), working out daily, taking up a weight loss programme, quitting smoking, managing stress with yoga/meditation, and following up on medications and doctor's appointment regularly.
From lowering sodium intake to reducing alcohol intake, Dr Nikesh D Jain, Consultant Cardiologist at Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre, shares facts and myths about hypertension.
Hypertension is the most common and preventable risk factor for heart attacks, heart failure, stroke, kidney disease, and blockage of leg arteries causing pain and gangrene.While it is important to f..
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Hypertension is known as the 'silent killer'. More than 50% hypertension patients do not show any signs or symptoms for many years, and continue to damage blood vessels of important organs in the body. Some patients may experience symptoms like headache, palpitations, chest pain and breathlessness due to hypertension.
As soon as an individual turns 18, he/she should ensure checking blood pressure. There is an increasing prevalence of hypertension in younger age group, and is expected to increase further due to lifestyle changes.
Hypertension is known as the 'silent killer'. More than 50% hypertension patients do not show any signs or symptoms for many years, and continue to damage blood vessels of important organs in the bo..
Read More
Salt restriction is the most important and effective way to control BP. Daily salt intake should not exceed 4-6 gram/day. Restricting salt means cutting down on intake of Sodium (Na). Apart from the regular table salt, we end up consuming a lot of sodium (approximately 75%) hidden in processed foods like sauce, packaged foods, chips, and junk food. While buying prepared or packaged foods, always look for Sodium (Na) content, and avoid high intake sodium-rich food items.
Kosher salt and table salt are the same, and both contain 40% sodium.
Salt restriction is the most important and effective way to control BP. Daily salt intake should not exceed 4-6 gram/day. Restricting salt means cutting down on intake of Sodium (Na). Apart from the..
Read More
Have a strong family history of hypertension puts you at a greater risk of developing the condition at an early age. However, healthy lifestyle changes have helped patients in delaying the onset of hypertension, and even preventing it in some cases.
Have a strong family history of hypertension puts you at a greater risk of developing the condition at an early age. However, healthy lifestyle changes have helped patients in delaying the onset of ..
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Alcohol, when consumed in excess, causes hypertension, stroke, heart failure, irregular heartbeats, high cholesterol, cancer, and even accidents.
Alcohol intake should be restricted to two standard drinks per day for men and one drink daily for women. One standard drink equals 14 grams of pure alcohol - which is found in 340 grams of beer, over 110 grams of wine and more than 40 grams of distilled spirits.
Alcohol, when consumed in excess, causes hypertension, stroke, heart failure, irregular heartbeats, high cholesterol, cancer, and even accidents.
Alcohol intake should be restricted to two standard..
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It is important to regularly monitor BP, and keep it under control. BP should be checked not only during the follow-up doctor's visit, but also regularly at home or workplace. BP levels fluctuate as per the body's activity level, stress or anxiety.
It is vital to check BP in the morning, evening and night. During these checks, avoid wide fluctuations. Doctor may also advise 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring for the same.
It is important to regularly monitor BP, and keep it under control. BP should be checked not only during the follow-up doctor's visit, but also regularly at home or workplace. BP levels fluctuate as..
Read More
Medicines keep BP under control. Stopping medications can be harmful as it can raise BP to dangerous levels.
Hypertension is a lifelong disease, so medications have to continue lifelong. Though doses of medications can be occasionally reduced or stopped, if healthy lifestyle changes has been followed strictly. But, this should be under supervision of the doctor.
Medications can cause side-effects, but everyone doesn't experience it. Doctor regularly monitor for side-effects on follow-up visits. They may advise blood tests, if medications are changed or doses are increased. However, uncontrolled blood hypertension can cause more harm, so don't stop/change medications without consulting your doctor.
Medicines keep BP under control. Stopping medications can be harmful as it can raise BP to dangerous levels.
Hypertension is a lifelong disease, so medications have to continue lifelong. Though dose..
