Please be aware that the words I offer here at AngelsPortion aren’t just about the whisky, but also the story I imagine as surrounding the whisky. With that in mind, I have a very simple rule: In 50 words or less, speak kindly and with a level of intelligent collegiality. Lengthy commentary, swearing, spamming dialogue, insulting or attacking speech, and notes that prove you miss the point of this site will not be acceptable here at AngelsPortion. Such comments will not be posted, and the non-robots will receive a message of encouragement from me to consider a rewrite.

By way of example, I offer the following…

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An actual comment that was submitted, and while it crossed the line ever so slightly, it reveals my tolerance for anything less than friendly disagreement:

“When you look at the years some scotch whiskeys have been on the market you will know that a bad product would not survive their longevity. It is a matter of taste, price and supplies that are important to the consumer. I am a scotch lover and have tasted many brands. Single malt and blends. I have many clients that have given me very expensive scotch products but I always go back to my Scoresby. I can easily afford $$$$$ bottles but the taste for me is not there. Do not knock down a product if it is not your brand. Keep your mouth shut and enjoy YOUR brand. If you disagree, it’s OK. I will know you do not know what scotch is.”
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My response:

Dear (Name of Commenter),

Please know that I appreciate your comment. Apparently you took this jesting review very much to heart, and I suppose that in one sense this is good. It means that I cultivated a narrative which moved you a little.

Also know that I post every comment except those which break my one rule: “In 50 words or less, speak kindly and with a level of intelligent collegiality. Lengthy commentary, swearing, spamming dialogue, insulting or attacking speech, and notes that prove you miss the point of this site will not be acceptable here at AngelsPortion. Such comments will not be posted, and the non-robots will receive a message of encouragement from me to consider a rewrite.”

This is your message of encouragement. Perhaps you could rewrite your comment to express your concerns in a more civilized way. Telling me to shut my mouth and then telling me that it is OK to disagree is not only uncivilized, but is also a contradiction of the highest order. Engage in the logistics. If I shut my mouth and enjoy my “brand,” and you shut your mouth and enjoy your “brand,” how will we, as fellow Scotch drinkers, know that we disagree with one another, and how will we ever be able to convince one another of grander horizons? I dare say that’s the very reason you stopped here at AngelsPortion, that is, because you wanted to see what someone else had to say about your “brand”?

I will be adding this little conversation to the “rules” page as an example of what is not allowed. Again, please reconsider your words so that I may post your opinion alongside the others.

Yours truly,
The Reverend+