Yossi Schwartz / Facebook
I met Yossi Schwartz once; on 17 March 2017.
I was an accidental guest. Yossi and my wife had worked together in advertising many years before. We were in Cape Town on holiday in the vicinity of Kirstenbosch and took the opportunity to swing by his home to say hi.
When he discovered my fondness for single malt whisky, Yossi whisked me into an adjoining room where I was greeted with this spread on the table.
Over the next half-hour or so, Yossi walked me through a delightful whisky taste odyssey. I have a not-insubstantial collection of my own at home, but mine can be found at most good whisky shops around the world. Yossi's were rarities that I had not encountered before.
And when we finally left, he presented me with this bottle from his personal whisky label.
8 year old Bowmore SIngle SIngle from collection
Yossi passed peacefully at his home on Friday, 10 May 2024, surrounded by his beloved family and friends, after a courageous battle with cancer.
He remains, to this day, the only person who made a lasting impression from a single encounter. Given that Single & Single no longer exists, I will never be able to replace this 8 year old Bowmore.
Nevertheless, I indulged in two glasses last night, for what is whisky for if not to be drank?
