I speak as a man who can 'do' the odd half bottle from time to time: it just ain't possible to drink half-a-bottle of Corryvreckan. Two generous slugs were my limit at that time of the evening, and Dave's too, it must be said. But we did a comparison with an old Bruichladdich (18 yo) and even though the Brookie was damn good indeed, the Corryvreckan was just stunning.

I have me a mind to try the new Ardbeg 'Supernova' 2010 ASAP. I doubt whether I'll ever shell out for a 'Lord of the Isles' though: £350 for a bottle of Scotch is a bit steep. Something about the law of diminishing returns; aging senses barely compensated for by a greater knowledge and understanding; and relative poverty, combining to render such expenditure unlikely, even if it's a one-off experience which does nobody else any harm.

There are limits to indulgence, but it is good to know. The problem with connoisseurship is the process of refinement, once started, only stops with either exhaustion, or poverty. Like the legendary drug addict who moves from pot to heroin in easy steps, eventually only the most complex and nuanced of pleasurable experience will do.

It's a sort of refined gluttony, but not, alas, an original sin. So I keep it in check as much as I can.