Mike Loades Talks Whisky

By Richard Thomas

If you enjoy watching documentaries about the Middle Ages or ancient military history, you probably recognize Mike Loades. It follows that someone who presents and provides commentary in such television programs would also be an author (Swords and Swordsmen and The Longbow), but Loades is also a fight choreographer and consultant. His fingerprints are on all manner of historical productions, including video games.

Loades also names whisky as his favorite tipple, and was kind enough to tell me something about his tastes in the spirit in its many forms.

RT: What with your equestrian pursuits and archery, I imagine you spend a lot of time outdoors and in all weathers. Do you find a good whisky useful in warming up and keeping back the weather?

ML: Now that I live in California, since 2009, an inclement climate is not the factor it was when I lived in England and, for ten years, in Scotland. Then, whether it was galloping across Exmoor in Lorna Doone country, or out hawking in the Scottish Borders or picking-up at shoots with my Labrador or at an archery shoot on a winter’s day, a hip-flask was an essential accompaniment.

A single-malt usually sufficed, but on occasion, for added fortification, I would mix it with a little Drambuie (about two parts whisky to one part Drambuie). I generally dislike cocktails, especially anything requiring an umbrella, but this concoction is the exception that proves the rule. I believe it is called a Rusty Nail, though when mixed with an Islay whisky, it takes the appellation Smoky Nail. Much preferred, though strictly for outdoor consumption.

RT: You mentioned being mainly into single malt whisky, but liking a dram of bourbon or Jameson sometimes. What circumstances might make you want to go for bourbon or Irish whiskey instead of the single malts?

The taste of friends is also a determining factor, especially if the tipple is at their home and is free! I do enjoy a Jack Daniels Tennessee whiskey, when it is offered. For reasons that defy logic, it is the only drink that I can tolerate on the rocks. I have a strong antipathy to drinks with ice. I do not understand why anyone would want to contaminate any beverage, be it spring water or the finest malt, with lumps of stale, frozen tap water. Moreover, warmth allows both aroma and taste to work at their optimum.

Jameson is a tremendous alternative for a hip-flask and years ago, when I was an impoverished young man drinking in pubs, it was a ‘relatively’ affordable treat from the blends that one used to drink then. It remains strongly associated as a treat for me.

RT: As a single malt guy, what are some of your favorites?

ML: Without any shadow of doubt my number one favorite is Laphroaig. It is one of life’s great pleasures. Aged Lagavulin is another wonderful whisky for rare indulgence. I like anything from Islay but also I enjoy Talisker, Glenfiddich, Glenmorangie and The Balvenie. When I lived in Scotland I developed a great liking for haggis, which I favored dressed with a splash or three of Glenlivet.

RT: And what whisky is on your shelf right now?

ML: A few bottles of Laphroaig of course, including an 18 year old. Also a Talisker. In addition, to accommodate the different preferences of guests, there is a Highland Park and a Chivas Regal.

RT: The work that you do means you travel in a few very different circles: historians and reenactors; film and TV people; video game producers. In which circle do you think you are most likely to encounter whisk(e)y fans, the sort of people who will trot out a nice bottle and invite folks to knock some back?

ML: Well, you can find whisky aficionados in any walk of life. However, I think it would probably be true to say that historians–and writers in general–are more likely to have a decent bottle about the place. Whisky is such a contemplative drink and it goes so well with books.

RT: You said you neglected to visit a distillery back when you lived in Scotland, and I believe you are now in California. Would you be interested in checking out one of the American craft distilleries out there? Or perhaps, as a horseman, paying a visit to Kentucky sometime and seeing a major distillery there while you are at it?

ML: I live just 20 minutes away from The Sonoma County Distilling Company, which opened in 2010. Your question prompted me to look up local distilleries and they seem to be doing something very worthwhile right on my doorstep, using traditional methods. I’ll certainly pay them a visit in the coming months. We’re in the heart of the Sonoma Valley wine country, so all things alcoholic are taken very seriously here.

I hope to go to Kentucky again some day – and to be in less of a rush than one is when filming.  Aside from the horse-racing, there is the International Museum of the Horse in Lexington and I’ve long wished to visit there. Taking in a Kentucky distillery is certainly something I’d like to do. Of equal interest though would be to visit one of the great cooperages they have in Kentucky. I am captivated by traditional crafts and just looking at an oak barrel brings notes of whisky to mind.