The Mental Health thread

[Dennisons Wrong Foot]

Prices for some brands have increased a lot because of the pandemic. Here Espolon is almost 50% more expensive than El Jimador, and definitely more than 24 quid a bottle.

As an aside, Texas shares a long border with Mexico, and you might think that makes tequila both more available and cheaper. Wrong. most tequila is shipped from Mexico to New York and then transported 1800 miles back again.

 

[Alan]

Prices for some brands have increased a lot because of the pandemic. Here Espolon is almost 50% more expensive than El Jimador, and definitely more than 24 quid a bottle.

As an aside, Texas shares a long border with Mexico, and you might think that makes tequila both more available and cheaper. Wrong. most tequila is shipped from Mexico to New York and then transported 1800 miles back again.

Reflective of the difference in quality, IMO. Wild, though, I wouldn't have paid $50 for 750mL of Espolon (El Jimador was usually ~$35 for 750mL in Jax).

 

[Dennisons Wrong Foot]

El Jim - $21
Espolon - $30 (when we can get it).

 

[Quirkafleeg]

Regarding the smoking discussion. An old friend many will know on here called Romulus (Alan) kept on digging me about smoking, and when he sadly passed I also kept a promise and said I would never smoke again. Been 14 years since he died and I still havent touched a fag since..

 

[Alan]

Regarding the smoking discussion. An old friend many will know on here called Romulus (Alan) kept on digging me about smoking, and when he sadly passed I also kept a promise and said I would never smoke again. Been 14 years since he died and I still havent touched a fag since..

I may have become a horrendous stoner, but I have nothing but respect for this kind of vow.

Good on you, mate.

 

[The Bear]

Do you use a vaporizer Alan? I tried one once (still got it in the loft somewhere) but I was only mucking about trying a cheap one. You don't have to use tobacco though which is a plus as I hate the taste in your mouth.

Surely they make liquid versions for vapes too?

 

[BillyDee]

Not sure how available it will be to y'all in different areas, but I know several people that get their THC from gummies?

 

[Alan]

@The Bear
When I need a stress break during the working hours I do have a vape that I keep filled with salt nic. Definitely the worst habit I picked up in my coffee days. I actually have a desktop vaporizer for flower supposed to get here this week. Easier on the lungs.

@BillyDee
Edibles are dangerous for me, so easy to get on a trip that just won’t end. I also enjoy the ritual of grinding and packing bud. Same sensation as prepping coffee by hand, honestly.

 

[Quirkafleeg]

Alan you're fucking up the rotation... Puff, puff give. Puff, puff give..

 

[Newbridge Wolf]

@Alan would you recommend the clear or Gold Espolon?

 

[Alan]

@Alan would you recommend the clear or Gold Espolon?

If you're looking to drink it straight, I'm always a fan of Reposado (Gold) over Blanco (Clear). If you're mixing, either should be workable.

IMO, both are good examples of their respective styles so hard to go wrong. I just personally prefer to sip something that's been in a barrel for a while.

 

[Newbridge Wolf]

Ni

If you're looking to drink it straight, I'm always a fan of Reposado (Gold) over Blanco (Clear). If you're mixing, either should be workable.

IMO, both are good examples of their respective styles so hard to go wrong. I just personally prefer to sip something that's been in a barrel for a while.

Nice one, I tend to prefer the gold myself, right I'm off to grab a bottle, even though I haven't been drinking I feel this will make an interesting addition to my spirit collection

 

[Alan]

If you hate it, you get a free smack of my face when I’m over.

 

[darlowolf64]

If you hate it, you get a free smack of my face when I’m over.

I hate it already and I've not bought a bottle

 

[Dennisons Wrong Foot]

There is a difference between gold and reposado tequilas. Gold is un-aged, it is silver/blanco/plata (clear) tequila with added caramel colouring. Reposado may also contain colouring but has been aged in a wooden barrel for between one and twelve months.

Anejo is aged 1-3 years, Extra Anejo 3 years or more.

I once asked a brand ambassador when to drink each one, and the reply was:
blanco with a starter
reposado with main course
anejo with dessert.

Since most of us don't drink three bottles of tequila with a meal, the general advice I give customers is that tequila is like whisky - the longer it has been aged for, the more suitable it is for sipping. Hence blanco for shots, blanco or reposado for mixing, anejo and extra anejo should always be sipped. With better quality brands blanco and reposado can also be sipped.

Any tequila can be used for margaritas, but why waste the good money you spent on a sipping quality drink.

Chilled shots (from the freezer) are very popular.

Most customers look for a brand that is 100% agave. Nowadays that is almost all brands except for Jose Cuervo Especial.

 

[Alan]

My desktop vaporizer arrived today and it is lovely, discreet, and saves my neighbors from the smell.

Win-win-win and it even helps the bud last longer.

Incidentally, I've been feeling great just recently. Long may it continue.

 

[The Bear]

I looked into THC oil for vaping and apparently its not a good idea to burn that stuff in oil form. Guess I won't be trying that one soon. Shame as it sounded very convenient.

 

[Alan]

There was a big scare a couple of years ago with THC carts getting cut with toxins, but fwiw pretty much anything sourced from California or Colorado should be safe these days.

Apologies if you meant something different by "oils".

 

[Dublin Drummer Wolf]

Strange it used to really play on my anxiety, it was never really my bag to be fair. The only time I used to like it was to level out after a club, then I couldn't get enough of the stuff.

Alan, how the hell do you have a social glass of tequila, that stuff only comes out when I'm half way there and fancy spending the night in a neighbours hedge

Same for me.

I toked from the age of 14 up until 30. Was a heavy user of bongs as I dont smoke tobacco. Loved getting blazed and jamming with the band and being creative but as I got older, weed became debilitating for me as it destroyed my motivation to do anything and the paranoia became extremely intense.
Literally, I used to be so edgy that I would be stood by the window peeking out behind the curtains every time I heard a sound outside.

I would never have ended up with the job I have now if I still smoked weed.
Quitting it was the single most important moment in my life when I got my shit together and began to have some clarity about my future.
I also think that the potency changing over time was a factor, when I was a teenager/in my 20's, we smoked hash mainly, and then it became pollen and then high quality bud.
The potency of bud now is ridiculous- I smoked half a spliff at a gig in 2020 and could barely speak or see straight for an hour. I was totally catatonic. Wasnt enjoyable.
I grew out of it and it was the best thing ai ever did. Same as all the other class A's I used to do, I wouldn't be where I am today if I still messed around with them

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

I hung myself a noose this afternoon. I couldn't do it because it'd kill Mrs DW.

I'm fucked, man.