Six Vespers - A review.
Thundernuts
Harlow, Essex, England UKPosts: 57MI6 Agent
A lot has been made of the scene on the aeroplane to South America where Bond downs his six Vespers. For me it was one of the most poignant scenes in the movie, but lots of people were wondering why Bond looked so glassy-eyed.
I decided, with a little impromptu goading from a barman on Friday Night to find out for myself.
Let me set the scene for you. I'm 37 years old and I spent a decade in the British Army. I'm no stranger to strong drink and I can pretty much hold my own but I'm more of a Lager or Jack Daniels drinker and have little time for cocktails.
On Friday, I'd taken the wife out to a trendy bar on the Essex/Herts border and was dismayed to find that I could only drink bottled beer.
Much as I love a bottle of Peroni with an Italian Meal I knew that I wouldn't be able to knock them back all night without bloating while my wife was comfortably sipping her woo-woo's.
The barman, one of these cocky glass-juggling types offered me the cocktail menu. I declined and ordered a large Jack Daniels. I told him that I wasn't a fan and there was only one in the world that I considered trying, but I doubted that he had all the ingredients.
It was like waving a red flag in front of a bull.
I told him that I wanted a proper Vodka Martini, shaken and not stirred. Gordon's, Smirnoff, Kina Lillet, the lot. To my total amazement he reeled off the recipe, and measures verbatim from the novel and produced a half bottle of Lillet Blanc from under the bar that they clearly had for special requests. He assured me that it was Kina Lillet in all but name.
It took him about a minute to make and cost me £11.50. (See below)
http://img74.imageshack.us/my.php?image=vesperkc7.jpg
To my total amazement, I loved it. Sharp, crisp and yet refreshing. I could see why it was the 007 drink of choice and I was going to stick on them for the night.
After four of them, I slid off my bar stool to use the gentleman's room and found that my legs didn't work properly. My brain was guiding them, but they weren't obeying and I cascaded through the bar like a penguin trapped in a pinball machine. Vapour Trails were coming off people and I had a stupid smile on my face.
I managed two more over the course of the evening, but according to my wife, I walked to the taxi rank like I'd just been poisoned by Le Chiffe's doris. Note to self - There are no difibrulators in Essex mini-cabs.
In short, very tasty, bloody expensive and extremely potent. I certainly couldn't have stepped off that plane in Bolivia looking quite so composed. I spent Saturday with a raging hangover and woke up with a mouth drier than Greene's in the desert. If I'd had a can of motor oil by the bed, I'd have drunk that too.....
Just thought that I'd share.... -{
I decided, with a little impromptu goading from a barman on Friday Night to find out for myself.
Let me set the scene for you. I'm 37 years old and I spent a decade in the British Army. I'm no stranger to strong drink and I can pretty much hold my own but I'm more of a Lager or Jack Daniels drinker and have little time for cocktails.
On Friday, I'd taken the wife out to a trendy bar on the Essex/Herts border and was dismayed to find that I could only drink bottled beer.
Much as I love a bottle of Peroni with an Italian Meal I knew that I wouldn't be able to knock them back all night without bloating while my wife was comfortably sipping her woo-woo's.
The barman, one of these cocky glass-juggling types offered me the cocktail menu. I declined and ordered a large Jack Daniels. I told him that I wasn't a fan and there was only one in the world that I considered trying, but I doubted that he had all the ingredients.
It was like waving a red flag in front of a bull.
I told him that I wanted a proper Vodka Martini, shaken and not stirred. Gordon's, Smirnoff, Kina Lillet, the lot. To my total amazement he reeled off the recipe, and measures verbatim from the novel and produced a half bottle of Lillet Blanc from under the bar that they clearly had for special requests. He assured me that it was Kina Lillet in all but name.
It took him about a minute to make and cost me £11.50. (See below)
http://img74.imageshack.us/my.php?image=vesperkc7.jpg
To my total amazement, I loved it. Sharp, crisp and yet refreshing. I could see why it was the 007 drink of choice and I was going to stick on them for the night.
After four of them, I slid off my bar stool to use the gentleman's room and found that my legs didn't work properly. My brain was guiding them, but they weren't obeying and I cascaded through the bar like a penguin trapped in a pinball machine. Vapour Trails were coming off people and I had a stupid smile on my face.
I managed two more over the course of the evening, but according to my wife, I walked to the taxi rank like I'd just been poisoned by Le Chiffe's doris. Note to self - There are no difibrulators in Essex mini-cabs.
In short, very tasty, bloody expensive and extremely potent. I certainly couldn't have stepped off that plane in Bolivia looking quite so composed. I spent Saturday with a raging hangover and woke up with a mouth drier than Greene's in the desert. If I'd had a can of motor oil by the bed, I'd have drunk that too.....
Just thought that I'd share.... -{
Comments
Edit: And not cheap, either. That is commitment.
I really must try this...
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
Just like to add, if you are who I think you are then the 'Harry Monk' comment was one of the funniest things during that whole series!
Shhhhhhhh!
I'd say at least of the month. A very good fun to read and well done on that mission!
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
-{
Bond’s Beretta
The Handguns of Ian Fleming's James Bond
{[]
:007)
PS Post of the month in my book too
Loeff, we should try the six Vesper experience when we meet over the Holidays !!!!! B-)
Look out world... {:)
Follow-up question: Did the Vespers keep you awake as Mathis feared they would?
Precisely the opposite.
According to the wife, after getting into bed and doing something else that James Bond often does ;-) (Nothing affected in that department) I fell asleep soon afterwards and snored like a motorcycle for about six hours.
I was completely unconscious.
Had Professor Dent sneaked into the marital bedroom that night with a poisonous spider, or a Smith and Wesson I would not have heard him.
I would be dead and he could have helped himself to my wallet, my wife, my Omega Seamaster, The ATAC, my briefcase with exploding talcum powder, the keys to my DB5 and my Walther PPK.
Six Vespers and one sleeps well....
My head hurts just thinking about drinking like that. I do my best not to drink like that anymore, but every now and again it sneaks up on you. The next couple of days you pay for it. The older you get, the longer it takes to recover from the hangover, believe me. So our Mr. Bond is definitely a bad-ass.
DG
"People sleep peacefully in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." Richard Grenier after George Orwell, Washington Times 1993.
6 Vespers in a night...will make you glassy eyed..in the course of two hours. I've done it ...alot. I made my local martini bar get some Lillet Blanc after the film in 2006. Taught them the recipe..and it's been smooth sailing ever since. However, to be true to everyone...I like my Negronis better, for a good drink out.
Many thanks.
-{
Absolutely outstanding, Thundernuts! {[]
I am not normally a drinker, but I have had conventional vokdas, and they ar eok - I am really curious to try a Vesper now. - I particuaraly like the whole 007 feel to the enitre story. Well done! {[]
I can't say that I am not a drinker. In fact, at one point in my life, I am sure there were many who thought I was a professional drinker.
Which is why I say to you, "Well done, indeed!"
-{ -{ -{ -{ -{ -{ :007)
Roger Moore 1927-2017
It should just read Six Vespers, as it is merely a plural.
NOW to my point FANTASTIC thread and bloody FANTASTIC review. I am a recent convert to the Vesper here in Sydney Australia and I love them. I have yet to go the full six though, having just watched Q Of S, but I fully intend to on my next visit to a nice enough hotel or cocktail bar.
After all Thundernuts, did you have that first beer, or a JD? If you did you know the hangover was probably the fault of Nastro Azzurro.
I BLAME THE PERONI B-) -{
Oscar Wilde
EDIT: not sure if this will work but here's a link to a photo of the night
http://www.facebook.com/inbox/readmessage.php?t=1015247944725&f=1&e=0#/photo.php?pid=902179&id=786873583
www.scottacademymartialarts.co.uk
Having just turned 18, I've been eager to venture into the world of 'proper' drinks - and this one is certainly top of the list.
I've persuaded a friend to join me in a local bar tonight (at which another friend is a barman).
We will be starting the night with a Vesper.
I, however, am certainly not the most adept at holding his drink. 6 of them may be wishful thinking
LOL !
I was surprised by how dangerously smooth they were, given the potency -{
As you can see by the clock behind us, it was 11:20 at night when we got started---after a day of beers---so we only consumed two each. My brother accurately described the feeling of drinking just one of these as the equivalent of "a full body massage" B-)
Photo taken by Loeffelholz Jr
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
Would like to try a vesper,but the pubs near me are lager and bitter,anything cocktail like is frowned upon,will have to go to elsewhere.
Definetly the top post!!{[]
"It's not difficult to get a double 0 number if your prepared to kill people"
Its so smooth - dangerous, considering its potency
I'm new to cocktails really, is a 'Vesper' basically a blend of a normal martini, and a vodka martini - therefore containing BOTH vodka and gin?
And when I see these big green 'MARTINI' bottles - are they essentially just Vermouth?
Thanks
here's a snap: