Whiskey Wednesday in Lebanon did not go as planned. I learned an important lesson – beware the rare single malt Scotches in a country that is known for liking blends.

I had heard that Lebanon was a whiskey-drinking country, and it appeared that this was especially true at Eau de Vie in the grand Phoenicia Hotel. They had a wall of whiskies in their “whiskey bar,” along with a huge whiskey menu describing examples from rare distilleries, some now closed.

I should have known from the empty bar with a bartender that seemed surprised when I showed up. I thought it was because I was a woman by myself, not realizing that his surprise was probably anyone showing up. 

You  have to love an airport where you are encouraged to taste whisky at 10 a.m. (that’s 5 a.m. in NY). Heathrow is that airport. So my main whisky drinking in London actually took place on my way out.

I was doing some duty-free reconnaissance for my way back through. The nice gentleman at World of Whiskies first offered up Tomintoul 16-year, a light, drinkable Scotch that goes down easy but doesn’t last long on the tongue. I’m thinking this will be a good taster for Scotch newbies who need an easy in to the good stuff.