Lyndon Johnson (1908-1973), 36th President of the USA
The Man: One of our more underrated mugwumps, LBJ was a man of full-scale character. Chock-full of Texas charm, he could talk to anyone and forged a tight network of political alliances that served him throughout his time in the Senate and the Oval Office. Continuing the civil-rights work begun by John F. Kennedy, Johnson created his “Great Society” package of sweeping legislation aimed at eradicating racial discrimination and poverty. Educational elements in the package lead to the creation of the Public Television Service (PBS) and National Public Radio. With his tendency toward angry outbursts and sometimes domineering personality, it’s interesting to find that LBJ’s favorite cocktail was a regular ol’ Cutty Sark and Soda.
The Vice: Cutty is a low-priced, but perfectly palatable, blended scotch whisky. Light in color, it’s yummy with a squirt of soda, on the rocks, or mixed with water and a splash of Grenadine or bitters. It goes down smooth, with a lingering aftertaste on the back of the tongue. If you’re a serious Scotch enthusiast, consider keeping a bottle of Cutty around to feed your friends so they’ll stay out of your Glenfiddich and Macallan.
