John Spencer on Scotch (The West Wing)

John Spencer as Leo McGarry describing what its like to be an alcoholic.

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• john
• spencer
• leo
• mcgarry
• west
• wing
• scotch

[Laceykat66]

In all my college psych classes, NOTHING explained alcoholism like this one speech.

It finally opened my eyes.

[mic25s]

His speech described it perfectly, it was chilling the way he worded it, perfect.

[Gonzotheslash]

I've been an alcholic for 28 years and nothing more accurately summerizes it than this clip. I've played this clip to my many alcholic friends and they can't even listen to it the whole way through because it hits the nerve so closely. I've buried more alcholics than I care to remember and seen more start than I know what to do with but the story is always the same. Blue label, it's $500 a bottle here, I've tasted it, eh, it's piss, smooth piss, but it's just piss.

[JeffsgirlDiane]

I pray every day to stop. I'm still struggling. When I do what I do, I don't weigh pros and cons and decide I want it more than sobriety. That's the last thing that would ever happen. All I think about is that feeling. I don't think about consequences, shame or regret. Do I make the wrong choice and do I know it? Of course. Why do I do it? That question that kicks me in the gut every day. I know better. But not when it's in front of me and I want to feel that way. I hope you never know.

[Jazzfighter]

Great scene, but putting ice in an expensive scotch like jw blue is blasphemy

[MikeAppleTree]

Hmmm! Johnny Walker Blue I think Ill have one now. Yum.

[hutt359]

@WINDxDANCERxDRAGON If I'm not mistaken, John Spencer was a recovering alcoholic in real life as well. So, you have a script by a writer who was a recovering addict being acted by an actor who was a recovering addict.

[zechoke]

I love how John Spencer has his hands shake when he takes the glass the first time, and then again at the end of the episode when he's holding the frame the President gave him.

[chrisweidler]

@oarfrost Actually that's not quite right. Scotch is indeed aged in barrels that once contained sherry or port, but scotch can also be aged in casks that once contained bourbon. Also, the primary reasons for choosing either an ex-bourbon or ex-sherry/port cask has more to do with the type of wood used in the barrel than what it contained. Just thought I'd throw in some insight, and it is indeed a great scene. :)

[oarfrost]

A great scene.

Actually, it is American whisky that is aged in charcoaled barrels. Scotch is just left in old port or sherry barrels.

[lavishlyDecorated]

@Laceykat66 Exactly. And it's written by an addict, Aaron Sorkin, so he knows.