A whole new world of jugs can be found at www.judgealer.co.uk – a collectors site featuring the weird and wonderful world of ceramic decorated jugs for that all important nip of water which seems to enhance rather than dilute a good malt whisky. Legend has it that adding water will help release the aromas, and reduce the strong alcohol kick in the nose that will mask the more subtle aromas of the whisky. Much debate can be made about your choice of water – but avoid chlorinated tap water, sparkling waters and any that are too distinctively flavoured. Personally I like Malvern Water which is soft and does not mask any of the flavour.
The ceramic jugs relate mainly to various Scottish highland distilleries, although they also feature some Irish Whiskey distilleries!
Also on the site is a section called “Breweriana” which might be of interest to real ale drinkers e.g. water jugs from the Tom Wood brewery in North Lincolnshire. They also have several beer drinking glasses of different sizes and shapes (including glass boots), commemorating different beers from home and abroad PLUS ceramic beer fonts (bar pump heads), which have been converted into table lamps!
