Latest news with #Angostura
The National
4 days ago
- Sport
- The National
Ross Laird relishing team tussle against in Palmer Cup
The barman at the Congaree Club, the host venue for the Ryder Cup-style tussle between US college students and their International counterparts, may have his knowledge of beverages tested, however, should Scotsman Ross Laird ask him to rustle up a 'John Panton'. Laird, the Stirling University student, is a member at Glenbervie, the Larbert club where the celebrated, decorated Panton served as club professional for 40 years. In that time, a few of his eponymous libations made up of ginger beer, lime and Angostura bitters were served up too. Whatever drinks are doing the rounds this week, Laird will be hoping he's raising a glass to an International team success. The 21-year-old played in last weekend's Scottish Open Amateur Strokeplay Championship at North Berwick before hopping on a transatlantic flight on Monday to join up with his team-mates in the US. It's been quite the whirlwind but should be worth it. 'It's the opportunity of a lifetime,' said Laird of an event which has featured college standouts like Jon Rahm, Rickie Fowler, Luke Donald and Francesco Molinari down the seasons. Interestingly, Laird is the only member of the International team not studying in the US. He did have a brief stint at Cal Poly in California as a teenager but a return to the home comforts of Stirling University has suited him down to a tee. 'I went to California for a semester, but it wasn't for me at the time,' he reflected. 'It wasn't run the way I thought it would be. I had a few friends who were at Stirling at the time. 'One of them, George Cannon, was playing the best golf of his life and he said how good it was. If it was working for him, I thought it could work for me. And it has.' Stirling University, of course, has become the place to be for those wanting to pursue a golf scholarship on this side of the pond. Catriona Matthew and Richie Ramsay both graduated from there, as did The Herald's former golf correspondent, John Huggan. Quite a triumvirate, eh? These days, the golf programme is run by Dean Robertson, the current captain of the GB&I Walker Cup team. Since starting in his role as head of golf back in 2010, the popular Paisley man has been such a success, he'll probably get immortalised in a monument on the Abbey Craig. The experience, expertise and sage counsel that Robertson offers continues to stand Laird in good stead. 'Dean has played a big part in my development,' said finance student Laird, who won the British Universities and College Sport order of merit last season. 'He's very understanding, very knowledgeable and just a great guy to go to about anything. 'My game as a whole has improved. Dean has helped me review the stats, what's working, what's not and focus on the areas that I need to improve in. "Golf is always a work in progress. That's what I love about it. The constant search for improvement.' While Robertson's nurturing continues to bear fruit, the emergence of Robert MacIntyre on the global stage has given Laird plenty of inspiration too. 'One day, I want that to be me,' added Laird as he aims for the stars. 'He's someone we all want to be; a young man from small town Scotland playing with the best. "It's amazing what he's achieved, and it shows what can be done with talent and hard work.' Laird's own golfing career began at the age of eight when he was bitten by the bug. 'Nobody played golf in my family,' he said. 'I only started as my best friend at school played. 'We both joined Falkirk which had an amazing junior section. We'd start on the nine-hole academy course then work our way up. I'd tried a lot of different sports, but nothing really jumped out at me until I got on the golf course. That was me hooked. "I was out every day. In the summer, we'd be dropped off at the course at 9am and stay there until 8pm at night. We loved it.' Back in 1961, the aforementioned Panton, one of Scotland's greatest golfers of yore, lost to Palmer in the foursomes of the Ryder Cup at Lytham. Perhaps another Glenbervie golfer will have better luck in the Palmer Cup? And raise a 'John Panton' to celebrate?
The Herald Scotland
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Ross Laird relishing team tussle against in Palmer Cup
Laird, the Stirling University student, is a member at Glenbervie, the Larbert club where the celebrated, decorated Panton served as club professional for 40 years. In that time, a few of his eponymous libations made up of ginger beer, lime and Angostura bitters were served up too. Whatever drinks are doing the rounds this week, Laird will be hoping he's raising a glass to an International team success. The 21-year-old played in last weekend's Scottish Open Amateur Strokeplay Championship at North Berwick before hopping on a transatlantic flight on Monday to join up with his team-mates in the US. It's been quite the whirlwind but should be worth it. 'It's the opportunity of a lifetime,' said Laird of an event which has featured college standouts like Jon Rahm, Rickie Fowler, Luke Donald and Francesco Molinari down the seasons. Interestingly, Laird is the only member of the International team not studying in the US. He did have a brief stint at Cal Poly in California as a teenager but a return to the home comforts of Stirling University has suited him down to a tee. 'I went to California for a semester, but it wasn't for me at the time,' he reflected. 'It wasn't run the way I thought it would be. I had a few friends who were at Stirling at the time. 'One of them, George Cannon, was playing the best golf of his life and he said how good it was. If it was working for him, I thought it could work for me. And it has.' Stirling University, of course, has become the place to be for those wanting to pursue a golf scholarship on this side of the pond. Catriona Matthew and Richie Ramsay both graduated from there, as did The Herald's former golf correspondent, John Huggan. Quite a triumvirate, eh? These days, the golf programme is run by Dean Robertson, the current captain of the GB&I Walker Cup team. Since starting in his role as head of golf back in 2010, the popular Paisley man has been such a success, he'll probably get immortalised in a monument on the Abbey Craig. The experience, expertise and sage counsel that Robertson offers continues to stand Laird in good stead. 'Dean has played a big part in my development,' said finance student Laird, who won the British Universities and College Sport order of merit last season. 'He's very understanding, very knowledgeable and just a great guy to go to about anything. 'My game as a whole has improved. Dean has helped me review the stats, what's working, what's not and focus on the areas that I need to improve in. "Golf is always a work in progress. That's what I love about it. The constant search for improvement.' While Robertson's nurturing continues to bear fruit, the emergence of Robert MacIntyre on the global stage has given Laird plenty of inspiration too. 'One day, I want that to be me,' added Laird as he aims for the stars. 'He's someone we all want to be; a young man from small town Scotland playing with the best. "It's amazing what he's achieved, and it shows what can be done with talent and hard work.' Laird's own golfing career began at the age of eight when he was bitten by the bug. 'Nobody played golf in my family,' he said. 'I only started as my best friend at school played. 'We both joined Falkirk which had an amazing junior section. We'd start on the nine-hole academy course then work our way up. I'd tried a lot of different sports, but nothing really jumped out at me until I got on the golf course. That was me hooked. "I was out every day. In the summer, we'd be dropped off at the course at 9am and stay there until 8pm at night. We loved it.' Back in 1961, the aforementioned Panton, one of Scotland's greatest golfers of yore, lost to Palmer in the foursomes of the Ryder Cup at Lytham. Perhaps another Glenbervie golfer will have better luck in the Palmer Cup? And raise a 'John Panton' to celebrate?
Scotsman
6 days ago
- Business
- Scotsman
Larceny bourbon deal: £31 wheated whiskey with Pappy flavour profile
Larceny wheated bourbon evokes much more expensive whiskys | Larceny This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement. A first-person take on the bourbon that channels Pappy Van Winkle vibes – and is now just £31 on Amazon in a rare deal. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... There's one bottle I'll always have in the house – not because it's fancy or exclusive, but because it reminds me of one of the best whiskeys I've ever tasted. It's called Larceny, and right now, it's on Amazon for just £31 – the lowest price I've ever seen it. I first stumbled across Larceny in a blues bar in Manhattan. Yeah, I know – a bit of a cliché. But what drew me in wasn't the music, it was the name on the whiskey list. One sip in and I was sold. It was buttery, rich, smooth as anything – and oddly familiar. It reminded me instantly of a small pour of Pappy Van Winkle I was once lucky enough to try, thanks to a generous (and very rich) friend. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Both Pappy and Larceny are what's known as wheated bourbons – meaning wheat is used instead of rye in the mash bill. It gives the whiskey a creamier, more rounded flavour, less peppery heat, more honeyed caramel. Larceny in particular has this rich mouthfeel and mellow warmth that makes it dangerously easy to sip. But here's where it gets interesting – Larceny also has one of the best origin stories in the business. John E. Fitzgerald, whose name is now on the label, was a U.S. Treasury Agent who had the keys to the rickhouses where bourbon was stored. Late at night, he'd sneak in and sample the finest barrels. When it came time to bottle them, a few were mysteriously lighter than expected – but smoother than anything else around. When Larceny started showing up in the UK about ten years ago, it was quietly shipped in one-litre bottles for under £50. But as word spread, prices crept up – and now it's mostly sold in 70cl bottles, still often around the £50 mark. So this £31 Amazon deal is a steal. I've already stocked up. In my opinion, Larceny's best enjoyed neat. There's no bite or burn to worry about, no need for water or ice unless you really want it. That said, it also makes the perfect base for my go-to cocktail: the Godfather. A couple of fingers of Larceny over ice, a whisper of Angostura bitters, and a splash of Amaretto – swirl it gently and you've got something as smooth and complex as anything you'd find in a high-end New York bar. If you've never tried wheated bourbon, this is the place to start. And if you're already a fan of the style, you'll know what a find this is at £31.
Scotsman
6 days ago
- Business
- Scotsman
Larceny bourbon deal: £31 wheated whiskey with Pappy flavour profile
Larceny wheated bourbon evokes much more expensive whiskys | Larceny This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement. A first-person take on the bourbon that channels Pappy Van Winkle vibes – and is now just £31 on Amazon in a rare deal. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... There's one bottle I'll always have in the house – not because it's fancy or exclusive, but because it reminds me of one of the best whiskeys I've ever tasted. It's called Larceny, and right now, it's on Amazon for just £31 – the lowest price I've ever seen it. I first stumbled across Larceny in a blues bar in Manhattan. Yeah, I know – a bit of a cliché. But what drew me in wasn't the music, it was the name on the whiskey list. One sip in and I was sold. It was buttery, rich, smooth as anything – and oddly familiar. It reminded me instantly of a small pour of Pappy Van Winkle I was once lucky enough to try, thanks to a generous (and very rich) friend. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Both Pappy and Larceny are what's known as wheated bourbons – meaning wheat is used instead of rye in the mash bill. It gives the whiskey a creamier, more rounded flavour, less peppery heat, more honeyed caramel. Larceny in particular has this rich mouthfeel and mellow warmth that makes it dangerously easy to sip. But here's where it gets interesting – Larceny also has one of the best origin stories in the business. John E. Fitzgerald, whose name is now on the label, was a U.S. Treasury Agent who had the keys to the rickhouses where bourbon was stored. Late at night, he'd sneak in and sample the finest barrels. When it came time to bottle them, a few were mysteriously lighter than expected – but smoother than anything else around. When Larceny started showing up in the UK about ten years ago, it was quietly shipped in one-litre bottles for under £50. But as word spread, prices crept up – and now it's mostly sold in 70cl bottles, still often around the £50 mark. So this £31 Amazon deal is a steal. I've already stocked up. In my opinion, Larceny's best enjoyed neat. There's no bite or burn to worry about, no need for water or ice unless you really want it. That said, it also makes the perfect base for my go-to cocktail: the Godfather. A couple of fingers of Larceny over ice, a whisper of Angostura bitters, and a splash of Amaretto – swirl it gently and you've got something as smooth and complex as anything you'd find in a high-end New York bar.
The Citizen
25-04-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Citizen
Savour the season with an apple harvest cocktail
Inspired by traditional orchard drinks and old-world European liqueurs, this apple harvest cocktail is simple to make but full of character. Served in a small stemmed glass, it's the kind of drink you might pour after a walk through fallen leaves, or as a slow sip while dinner cooks in the background .The base is apple brandy or Calvados, a spirit that's rich with fruit and oak, paired with a splash of dry cider and a touch of spiced syrup. It's strong enough to stand alone, but smooth enough to sip slowly. Ingredients 40ml Calvados or apple brandy 20ml dry cider (still or lightly sparkling) 10ml spiced syrup (see below) Optional: dash of Angostura or orange bitters For the Spiced Syrup: 100ml water 100g brown sugar 1 cinnamon stick 2 cloves 1 small piece of star anise Strip of orange peel Method To make the syrup, simmer all syrup ingredients together for 10 minutes. Cool and strain. In a mixing glass, combine the Calvados, spiced syrup and bitters (if using). Stir gently with ice until chilled. Add the cider and give it a final gentle stir. Strain into a small stemmed glass. Serve as is, or garnish with a dried apple slice or twist of orange peel. Variants Swap the dry cider for a small pour of mulled cider if you're looking for something even more comforting. For a richer, more rounded flavour, try replacing half the Calvados with a dark or spiced rum. For a lighter version use a crisp, sparkling apple juice instead of cider.
