I don’t drink regularly. When I do, I like scotch, neat. It’s good for my health. From organicfacts.net:

Some of the health benefits of whiskey include its ability to aid in weight loss, slow down the onset of dementia, increase heart health, prevents and manages diabetes, boosts good cholesterol, fights against cancer, eliminates blood clots, strengthens the immune system. Generally, whiskey is one of the healthiest forms of alcohol available.

Okay, perhaps the lede was overdone. However, you may remember this post in which we discussed the virtues of an indulgence from time to time.

Last night was a small indulgence for me. I had the pleasure of meeting a handful of exceptional new individuals that I’ll be spending time with in the coming months. I carefully calculated precisely when I’d partake in 1.5 servings of full-bodied, smoky single malt scotch. I asked the bartender to surprise me, and he did a fine job managing the task. What he likely didn’t know is that among my adult beverage choices, he may have passed me that one with the most punch, nutritionally. In fact, in a world in which thinking clearly matters, my cup runneth over with performance enhancing liquid:

Studies have actually shown that whiskey can successfully boost your cognitive performance and reduce your chances of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Although studies are ongoing and there is quite a bit of controversy regarding alcohol as a treatment/preventative method, there is no denying that ellagic acid is extrememly powerful in terms of fighting against free radicals within the body. These free radicals are often associated with interrupting neural pathways and contributing to the slow decline towards dementia. Whiskey can reduce that mental decline and improve our quality of life as we get older.

I’m certainly not not advocating that you go out and throw back shots of JD as was ‘reported’ by my good friend (love you like a brother, 15), Kevin Millar. From ESPN.com:

During an appearance on Fox’s “The Best Damn Sports Show Period” on Friday, Millar said that Red Sox players did shots of Jack Daniel’s before Game 6 of the American League Championship Series against the Yankees. And because it worked, Millar said, they did it before every game through the World Series.

I’m not confirming this. I’m also very clearly writing this post tongue in cheek, but if you’re a disciplined soul and enjoy an ounce or two of scotch at your holiday party this season, you’ll be celebrating more intelligently than if you chugged 8 beers. How’s that for factual?

Kap