craggycrossers Loc: Robin Hood Country, UK

Research my Islay favourite here ......

https://bunnahabhain.com/

Currently on offer at a national supermarket chain here ...

https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/302296279

No need for Octomore - way outside my reach too - for us mere mortals £25 to £30 at holiday season is a bonus !

Mike D. Loc: Crowley County, CO.

Feel free to post a pic of your favorite tipple. As mentioned, I am always open to trying new things.

I also learned something while tasting three offerings at the Talisker Distillery on the Isle of Skye.

Try this at home because I tried like hell to not allow the power of suggestion to cloud my taste buds but the guy who led the tour sat the group down at a table at the end and in front of the group were three glasses with different amber liquids.

Also in front of us was a glass of water with an eyedropper in it. He instructed us as to which glass had what and asked us to pick up the one on the right, which just happened to be the limited edition available only at the distillery, and taste it. He then asked us to pick up the eyedropper and put two drops of water into the glass and swirl it around and taste again. We did this with all three glass and as God is my witness, I tried to to taste something different but those two drops of water changed the flavor profile ever so slightly.

He went onto tell us that the people who taste the product for quality control routinely water the whiskey down by as much as 50% so that they can really taste the subtle flavorings,

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

I guess I am lucky, most of the time OTC pill or rub on works for me. When not, I have Rx pill and cream. In my case diabetic, pinched sciatic nerve left leg and flare-ups of fungal infection, ears and skin. First got those in Vietnam. I was told that some of them are nearly impossible to totally kill off. They stay dormant in your body for decades, then flair up.

As for my pinched sciatic nerve = PAIN, I hit the emergency room 2x in 3 days when it happened, the first painkiller wasn't enough. I felt like crying, but I cussed with a bit of moaning and held it in instead. Now over a year later, the Gabapentin and Cymbalta with some Tylenol control it pretty well as long as I don't forget and do something to strain those nerves and muscles. I have taken Tramadol a few times over the years.

I have a 40%* disability from Agent Orange exposure, tinnitus from "noise" and fungus infections. I have my VA medical ID but don't use it as I have Kaiser on a Platinum+ level plan from teaching in Los Angeles for 34 years. Jr and Sr High in East Los Angeles, one doctor I met who grew up in East LA and attended the High School I taught at for 13 years joked that that alone was enough to qualify someone as a combat Vet. He added that his brother and two cousins became cops so they could carry guns when visiting in the old neighborhood.
Let VA use the resources I don't use for those who have nothing else. If worse comes to worst, our daughter is an MD. Pediatrician - but my wife probably thinks I mentally qualify as a patient for Jasmine.

*Guys I know with less exposure (2 yrs, 2 mos, 2 days in country) and fewer problems have 100%. But the guy who did my rating had a rep of ruling like it was money out of his pocket. A friend told me to apply at the VA hospital in LA County (I live in Riverside County 50-60 miles SE of LA)where he goes, the doctors who ran the group sessions he went to think Nam Vets deserve the most they can qualify them for. He told me the week before Covid hit, and they shut down new meetings long enough for me to forget about it. I just got the forms to apply for a re-evaluation under the new PACT Act.

therwol Loc: USA

I have a lot of experience with actually prescribing gabapentin. It's reasonable to try it with your doctor, but if I may give some advice, go slow with it. Start low and work your way up as you get used to it and monitor for side effects. It helps with nerve pain, but it also affects the central nervous system, with drowiness and clouded thinking possible. (Not that narcotics can't have this effect. No one drug is right for everyone.)

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

I don't have any side effects from Gabapentin that I notice. Well, I do sleep in naps and one "long" 3-5 hour stretch, but that has been developing ever since I retired in June 2007. I sit up reading and when I doze off and drop my e-reader* for the third time, I turn off the lights and go to sleep. My wife (retired Surgical RN and OR Charge Nurse) says my thinking was cloudy when I met her in 1973.

*At 78 I am much stronger than when I was young, I can hold thousands of books and magazines in one hand thanks to Nook & Kindle.

Valenta Loc: Top of NZ

Please remember that the word Scotch is patended in Ecosse.

If the word whisky has an 'e' in it is either Irish or American, or in latter years, Indian!

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

Yeah. I first started on it several years ago and it turned me into a zombie! Literally, almost. I took myself off of it and wouldn't touch the stuff. Just recently my Doc convinced me that it was worth a try again and I started out at 100mg. When I first started it, I was at 400mg!! Also, it's strongly advised to take AT BEDTIME! I took my first dose in the morning with BREAKFAST!! I don't remember that Docs name or place of business, probably good for both of us that I don't! Apparently it takes some time to take full effect when first starting on it. I have since worked up to 300mg and the world is again a beautiful, mostly pain free place! The Doc and I are still fine tuning it.

therwol Loc: USA

Very good. You're doing it right this time. Smart doctor.

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

Thanks! Where were you five years ago??

raymondh Loc: Walker, MI

I’ll be interested in hearing the results of your “research”.

JimG1 Loc: Waxahachie, TX

Oh the Talisker .. how old was it? I'm so jealous .. an aged scotch with a fine cigar .. some of lifes greatest pleasures.

Mike D. Loc: Crowley County, CO.

Robert, I thank you for your service. The Vietnam War ended a year or so before I turned 18 so I never had to deal with that.

It is also my considered opinion that the U.S. Military and, by association, the VA, have not done many good things for our vets.

Mike D. Loc: Crowley County, CO.

We learned somethng new today.

The spelling of whiskey is fluid and, as mentioned, depends on what part of the world one is in. Cheers.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Ha that's certainly opportunistic, the fox in the henhouse (for 3 days). Bet she won't do that again. How early did they open? LOL. I'm guessing very few pics taken during those 3 days?