Barley culture: Alice Lascelles
Our favourite people on the things they like, that you might like too: this month, the award-winning drinks writer and columnist on an epic novel, her favourite blended whisky and the special place she retreats to
Home is…
Two places: Kentish Town in north London (where I was born) and our family’s house in the Lake District, where I go about four times a year. My grandparents moved there in the 1960s and it's still important to me. I love walking and running the fells; I've written books and recorded albums there. It's where my dog is buried and also where I got married.
Last book I read
Overstory by Richard Powers, which tells the story of several seemingly disparate generations and cultures through trees, blew me away. It has the epic sweep of John Steinbeck, the domestic drama of Jonathan Franzen and the beautiful writing of Barbara Kingsolver. Pretty much perfect.
My culture fix
Before I became a journalist proper, I was a musician of sorts - I’ve played in lots of bands, released albums of my own, done dodgy dance music vocals and toured with the White Stripes. My husband is also a professional musician. So I guess I'd say music of any kind.
Where I get away from it all
The Lake District – see above. Once you’re among the fells, whatever you've been worrying about seems very small.
Last great meal out
I recently went to a truffle dinner at Bocca di Lupo in Soho, to celebrate the start of truffle season – there were all these fist sized white truffles in the middle of the table and our host, patron Jacob Kenedy, just shaved them over everything including dessert – it was absolutely insane. On our table of eight, there was also the hunter who found them, which was nice, and Michel Roux Jnr, who I've not met before (although I could tell his presence made the kitchen just a teensy bit scared). The food was brilliant, and the wine was too.
My favourite whisky
Lately, I've really been getting back into well-balanced blends. It’s probably not very fashionable to say it but I have a lot of time for Johnnie Walker. Also love Hibiki. From the new-wave Scotch malts I rate Nc'nean - massive crowd-pleaser and really forward-thinking – and am also very excited by Torbhaig. In the American whiskey department I’m a real fan of Michter's - especially the rye.
My go-to cocktail for autumn
A Martini, obviously. 5:1 ratio on a good day, 10:1 on a bad, with a twist, discarded, and an olive or three.
The Martini by Alice Lascelles (Quadrille, £18.99) is available to buy now
Photography by © Laura Edwards
