Wiser Web Wednesday – a semi-regular link to posts of interest from around the web, by those far wiser than myself:

 

Whsky.buzz
Probably not something I’m ever likely to do, however interesting reading nonetheless:

Barrel maturation at home is a good experiment to perform. I’ve done it, and there are entire groups dedicated to this process. Like with any craft, it’s not likely to be successful on your first go, and it will require frequent tastings to see how the product is maturing. There are, however, larger elements at play that are difficult to time and simulate in a home environment.

Introducing concepts such as the barrel as a semi-permeable membrane, and balancing oxidation and oak extraction — this does however serve as a great primer for a lot more reading:
The Challenges Of “Do-it-Yourself” Whisky Maturation

 

John Scullen
I had the good fortune to see these spaces first hand during an open day at Griffith University’s Nathan Campus last year. They are truly something to behold.

At the time I remember thinking: where would you even start in creating something like this? Now I know:
The high-tech space that will make you see red

 

Steven Pressfield
Hacking your way through NaNoWriMo does not a writer make, and speaking personally I’ve never had any illusions otherwise. That however, doesn’t stop me having a certain fascination with the process. The first in what I believe will be short series of posts on the concept of theme, this makes fascinating and entertaining reading. It’s pretty important too:

Am I boring you yet? If this is tedious to you, if you feel your eyes glazing over as they might in some soporific graduate seminar, may I suggest that you release all hope or ambition of succeeding (or even having fun) as a writer.

So if you are currently writing, of course you have a theme. Right?
Writing Wednesdays: What is Your Novel About?

 

AppleInsider
Following up on a previous WWW link to a post on an AppleScript which exported from Evernote to the native Notes app, comes news of upcoming native support within Notes for directly importing .enex (Evernote) files.

Brought to my attention by a friend of the blog (thank you kind sir), it appears the remaining notes I have yet to extract will perhaps find their way that little bit easier:
Apple’s Notes for Mac to support Evernote file imports in OS X 10.11.4

 

Three Staples
Ha — how about that! Of course you can — and of course Jinnie did:
DIY Blackwing Erasers

 

Ink & Flour
I remember the first time I tried a Kaweco Liliput I couldn’t believe how small it actually was — yet at the same time how comfortable it was to use. Although not really a contender for me to purchase at the current time, I do find them intriguing and a joy to look at:
An Unlikely Love, the Kaweco Liliput Brass Wave

 

Pen Pursuit
I love my Sailor Sapporo, and it is one of only a few pens I use posted, providing perfect balance to the overall feel of the pen which is quite short in stature.

An intriguing nib, which is similar to one I have on the larger 1911 model and very enjoyable to use:
Sailor Sapporo Zoom Nib Review

 

Ed Jelley
When writing about my own pens I’ve noted certain grips are a little less, well…grippy. I consider these “seasonal pens” — in the warmer months with a little humidity, my fingers grip a little better, and the issue of less control goes away.

Granted, actually stating I have “seasonal pens” sounds ridiculous when I actually write it — however the increased use of my Lamy Pur over the past month or so can attest to it being a “thing” for me. Perhaps the Lamy Studio might fit a similar categorisation were it in my collection

The super shiny, fingerprint magnet of a grip is incredibly slippery. It makes it hard to hold the pen for long writing sessions, and even then it takes me a few tries to find a comfortable grip where I don’t feel as though I’m going to drop the pen.

A classic, timeless looking pen:
Lamy Studio Platinum Grey 14k Nib Fountain Pen Review

 

United Inkdom
I like the idea of these meta reviews. Multiple viewpoints and opinions formulating a single, well-considered summary on the subject.

In this case a collaboration between Cult Pens and Kaweco:
Cult Pens mini fountain pen review

 

Perfect Daily Grind
My coffee roasting is a decidedly analogue affair, right down to recording notes about the roast using a notebook with a pen.

…roasting isn’t easy. Coffee is a complex product, and becoming an excellent roaster will require dedication, practice, and experimentation.

I may not measure things as precisely, nor record as much data, though I certainly enjoy reading about it:
The S-Curve Roast Profile: Exploring Roasting Basics

 

The Specialty Coffee Chronicle
I’ve included a link to the revised coffee flavour wheel previously — a system looking to provide a more uniform basis for description in tasting.

While imaginative descriptors and flights of fancy are great, sometimes they make communication more difficult.

Although written as a how-to guide, these simple steps also help develop a broader understanding of where both your senses and mind should be heading when applying these principles to taste coffee.

Of course it is also fine by me if you just brew it, drink it and enjoy it:
How to Use the Coffee Taster’s Flavor Wheel in 8 Steps

 

I Need Coffee
I find it quite interesting to read about traditional:

…parts of Southern India, namely Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, where coffee has been enjoyed for generations. This is the region where, so the story goes, Baba Budan smuggled in his seven coffee beans from Yemen in the 17th century while returning from pilgrimage, beginning the cultivation of coffee in India.

Or emerging coffee culture:

Whether you prefer to sip your traditional kaapi standing at a street café in Karnataka, or take selfies with your friends in a trendy establishment in Mumbai, it seems that coffee culture is here to stay.

If you are the same — here is what’s happening in India:
The New Culture of Coffee in India

---

Follow @petedenison