Category Archives: Field Trip!

Three weeks until the Whisky Guild Cruise in NYC…

I don’t mean to be going on-and-on about this whisky cruise.  Obviously it’s going to be a very nice event (with hundreds of amazing whisky expressions), and, I hope to see some of you out there but the main reason I’m posting this (for a second time) is to highlight The Balvenie pour list below.  A total of twenty-Nine (29) different Balvenie bottles in all.

Sam, or, anyone from The Balvenie, correct me if I’m wrong but, I think this is the first time all of these have been available to taste in one sitting.  Truly astounding and, hell, I personally can’t wait for it!

WHISKY ON THE HUDSON
August 26, 2010, 7:00-10:30
Pier 59, West 23rd Street New York, NY

Join us for the Whisky on the Hudsonthe premier whisky event in the New York. We host Whiskey enthusiasts enjoy the opportunity to sample from more than 200 rare and exclusive whiskies,  by distillery managers and master blenders from Scotland, Ireland, Canada, and Japan.

VIP Boarding Time: 6:00pm
Boarding Time: 7:00-7:30pm
Sail Time: 7:30-10:00pm
Ticket Price $95
VIP Ticket Price $115 (Board At 6:00pm)
TICKET PRICE INCLUDES FULL BUFFET DINNER AND ALL WHISKY SAMPLING

Click Here For Tickets or Call 908-578-2726

SAMPLE WHISKY LIST

ABERLOUR 12 YR
ABERLOUR 16 YR
ABERLOUR A’BUNADH
Ancnoc 12 YR
Ancnoc 16 YR
Ardbeg 10 yr
ARDBEG UIGEADAIL
ARDMORE TRADITIONAL
ARDMORE 30 YR
BalBlair 1997
BalBlair 1991
The Balvenie Classic
The Balvenie 12yo Signature, Batch 1
The Balvenie 12yo Signature, Batch 2
The Balvenie 12yo Signature, Batch 3
The Balvenie 14yo Golden Cask (Travel Retail Exclusive)
The Balvenie 14yo Caribbean Rum (launching Sept 2010)
The Balvenie 14yo Rum Wood
The Balvenie 15yo 15676 (11/80-2/2000) 50.4%
The Balvenie 15yo 14694 (11/89-06/08) 47.8%
The Balvenie 15yo 3449 (2/90-5/08)
The Balvenie 15yo 8270 (5/90-2/08)
The Balvenie 15yo 9844 (7/90-5/08)
The Balvenie 15yo 13539 (10/89-4/08)
The Balvenie 15yo 9822 (7/90-5/08)
The Balvenie 15yo 11956 (12/93-10/09)
The Balvenie 15yo 11928 (12/93-9/09)
The Balvenie 15yo 11971 (12/93-10/09)
The Balvenie
16yo Balvenie Rose (Distillery Exclusive)
The Balvenie 17yo Islay Cask (rel. 2001)
The Balvenie 17yo New Wood(rel. 2005)
The Balvenie 17yo New Oak (rel. 2006)
The Balvenie 17yo Sherry (rel. 2007)
The Balvenie 17yo Rum (rel. 2008)
The Balvenie 17yo Madeira (rel. 2009)
The Balvenie 17yo Peated Cask (launching Sept 2010)
The Balvenie 21yo Port Wood
The Balvenie 25yo Single Barrel
The Balvenie 30
The Balvenie 1978

BAYWAY MACALLAN 16 YR
BAYWAY EVAN WILLIAM 99
BAYWAY ELMER T. LEE
BAYWAY BLANTON’S
BAYWAY JACK DANIELS
BENRIACH
BRUICHLADDICH
BUSHMILLS
BUSHMILLS 12 YR
BUSHMILLS 16 YR
BUSHMILLS 21 YR
BUNNAHABIN 12 YR
BUNNAHABIN 18 YR
BUNNAHABIN 25 YR
CLONTARF Black Label Blend
Connemara
Connemara CS
CRAGGANMORE
DALWHINNIE
DEANSTON 12 YR
DEANSTON 30 YR
Danny Boy Irish Whiskey
Douglas Benrinnes 13 YR
Douglas Blair Athol 13 YR
Douglas Bowmore 18 YR
Douglas Bunnahabhain 12 YR
Douglas Glen Grant 31 YR
Douglas Laphrioag 15YR
Douglas Macallan 20 YR
Douglas Port Ellen 25 YR
DRUMGREY
THE GLENLIVET 12 YR
THE GLENLIVET 15 YR
THE GLENLIVET 16 YR Nadurra
THE GLENLIVET 18 YR
THE GLENLIVET 21 YR
THE GLENLIVET XXV
GLENFIDDICH 12 YR
GLENFIDDICH 15 YR Solera
GLENFIDDICH 18 YR Ancient
GLENFIDDICH 21 YR Rum Cask
GREENORE 8 YR
GLENDRONACH

GLENMORANGIE 10 YR Original
GLENMORANGIE Lasanta
GLENMORANGIE Quinta Ruban
GLENMORANGIE Nectar D’Or
GLENMORANGIE Astar
GLENMORANGIE 18 YR
GLENMORANGIE Signet
GLENMORANGIE SONALTA PX
HIGHLAND PARK 12
HIGHLAND PARK 15
HIGHLAND PARK 18
HIGHLAND PARK 25
HIGHLAND PARK 30
Four Roses
Four Roses Single Barrel
Jefferson’s American Bourbon

Jefferson’s Reserve  Bourbon
Jefferson’s Presidential 17 YR
Jewels of Scotland Speyside 8yr old
Jewels of Scotland Springbank 1991
Jewels of Scotland Caperdonich 27yr
Jewels of Scotland Caperdonich Bunnahabhain 1979
Johnnie Walker Red
Johnnie Walker Black
Johnnie Walker Green
Johnnie Walker Gold
Johnnie Walker Blue
KINGS CREST 25 Year Old
Knappogue Castle
LAGAVULIN 16

LAPHROAIG 10 YR
LAPHROAIG 10 YR CS
LAPHROAIG QUARTER CASK
LAPHROAIG 18 YR
LAPHROAIG 25 YR
LEDIAG 10 YR
LONGMORN 16YR
THE MACALLAN FINE OAK 10
THE MACALLAN FINE OAK 15
THE MACALLAN FINE OAK 18
THE MACALLAN FINE OAK 21
THE MACALLAN 12
THE MACALLAN 18
Michael Collins Blend
Michael Collins Single Malt
MICHTER’S SINGLE BARREL RYE
MICHTER’S US NO 1 SMALL BATCH
MICHTER’S US 1 BOURBON
MICHTER’S UNBLENDED AMERICAN WHISKEY
KILBEGGAN

LOMBARD Pebble Beach 12yr
LOMBARD Gold Label Old Blend
LOMBARD Tidal Ebb Driftwood
OBAN 14 YR
OBAN 18 YR
OBAN DE
Old Pulteney 12 YR
Old Pulteney 17 YR
Old Pulteney 21 YR
PC7 Port Charlotte
PC7 Port Charlotte Unity 61%
Sam Houston Bourbon
SCAPA 16 YR
SPRINGBANK

SINGLETON
SIGNATORY SELECTIONS PLUS EDRADOUR

TALISKER 10
TALISKER DE
TALISKER 18
TOBERMORY 10 CS
TOBERMORY 15 YR 1795
Tuthilltown  Single Malt
Tuthilltown  New York Corn
Tuthilltown Baby Bourbon
Tuthilltown Four Grain Whiskey
Tuthilltown Manhattan Rye
THE TYRCONNELL
THE TYRCONNELL Maderia
YAMAZAKI 12 YR
YAMAZAKI 18 YR
HIBIKI 12 Year Old
THE WILD GEESE IRISH SOLDIERS

Washmund’s Single Malt
Washmund’s Clear Spirit

RENEGADE RUM
Warwik Winery
2 yr old Apple Brandy 40%
Bartlett Pear Brandy 40%
Black Currant Cordial 18%
Sour Cherry Cordial 20%
Bartlett Pear Liqueur 20%
Burbon Barrel Aged Apple Liqueur 20%

AND MANY MORE

Plus over 20 Different Wines

The Whisky Guild will be hosting a “Balvenie Experience Room” on their Cruise on the Hudson on August 26th

I received this in my inbox yesterday and wanted to share it with you.  Whisky *and* a cruise?  Come on!

On top of all the other whiskies on the Whisky Guild’s “Cruise on the Hudson” (partial pouring list shown below the press release), you will NOT want to miss this great opportunity such as this  – to taste all of these whiskies from The Balvenie being poured by Mr. Sam Simmons (Dr. Whisky) in a nice intimate setting – The Balvenie Warehouse 24 Experience Room.

If you’re not already a member of  The Whisky Guild, you may want to check them out and join today.  It’s a great community of whisky lovers and you may already know a guild member or two (heck, I’m a member).

You can click on the Press Release below to get to The Whisky Guild’s to order tickets.

Please drink responsibly – Tickets are non refundable

Partial Whisky Pouring List of 2010
ABERLOUR 12 YR
ABERLOUR 16 YR
ABERLOUR A’BUNADH
Ancnoc 12 YR
Ancnoc 16 YR
Ardbeg 10 yr
ARDBEG UIGEADAIL
ARDMORE TRADITIONAL
ARDMORE 30 YR
BalBlair 1997
BalBlair 1991
The Balvenie Classic
The Balvenie 12yo Signature, Batch 1
The Balvenie 12yo Signature, Batch 2
The Balvenie 12yo Signature, Batch 3
The Balvenie 14yo Golden Cask (Travel Retail Exclusive)
The Balvenie 14yo Caribbean Rum (launching Sept 2010)
The Balvenie 16yo Balvenie Rose (Distillery Exclusive)
The Balvenie 17yo Islay Cask (rel. 2001)
The Balvenie 17yo New Wood(rel. 2005)
The Balvenie 17yo New Oak (rel. 2006)
The Balvenie 17yo Sherry (rel. 2007)
The Balvenie 17yo Rum (rel. 2008)
The Balvenie 17yo Madeira (rel. 2009)
The Balvenie 17yo Peated Cask (launching Sept 2010)
The Balvenie 21yo Port Wood
The Balvenie 25yo Single Barrel
The Balvenie 30
The Balvenie 1978
BAYWAY MACALLAN 16 YR
BAYWAY EVAN WILLIAM 99
BAYWAY ELMER T. LEE
BAYWAY BLANTON’S
BAYWAY JACK DANIELS
BUSHMILLS
BUSHMILLS 12 YR
BUSHMILLS 16 YR
BUSHMILLS 21 YR
BUNNAHABIN 12 YR
BUNNAHABIN 18 YR
BUNNAHABIN 25 YR
CLONTARF Black Label Blend
Connemara
Connemara CS
CRAGGANMORE
DALWHINNIE
DEANSTON 12 YR
DEANSTON 30 YR
Danny Boy Irish Whiskey
Douglas Benrinnes 13 YR
Douglas Blair Athol 13 YR
Douglas Bowmore 18 YR
Douglas Bunnahabhain 12 YR
Douglas Glen Grant 31 YR
Douglas Laphrioag 15YR
Douglas Macallan 20 YR
Douglas Port Ellen 25 YR
DRUMGREY
THE GLENLIVET 12 YR
THE GLENLIVET 15 YR
THE GLENLIVET 16 YR Nadurra
THE GLENLIVET 18 YR
THE GLENLIVET 21 YR
THE GLENLIVET XXV
GLENFIDDICH 12 YR
GLENFIDDICH 15 YR Solera
GLENFIDDICH 18 YR Ancient
GLENFIDDICH 21 YR Rum Cask
GREENORE 8 YR
GLENMORANGIE 10 YR Original
GLENMORANGIE Lasanta
GLENMORANGIE Quinta Ruban
GLENMORANGIE Nectar D’Or
GLENMORANGIE Astar
GLENMORANGIE 18 YR
GLENMORANGIE Signet
GLENMORANGIE SONALTA PX
HIGHLAND PARK 12
HIGHLAND PARK 15
HIGHLAND PARK 18
HIGHLAND PARK 25
HIGHLAND PARK 30
Four Roses
Four Roses Single Barrel
Jefferson’s American Bourbon
Jefferson’s Reserve  Bourbon
Jefferson’s Presidential 17 YR
Jewels of Scotland Speyside 8yr old
Jewels of Scotland Springbank 1991
Jewels of Scotland Caperdonich 27yr
Jewels of Scotland Caperdonich Bunnahabhain 1979
Johnnie Walker Red
Johnnie Walker Black
Johnnie Walker Green
Johnnie Walker Gold
Johnnie Walker Blue
KINGS CREST 25 Year Old
Knappogue CastleLAGAVULIN 16
LAPHROAIG 10 YR
LAPHROAIG 10 YR CS
LAPHROAIG QUARTER CASK
LAPHROAIG 18 YR
LAPHROAIG 25 YR
LEDIAG 10 YR
LONGMORN 16YR
THE MACALLAN FINE OAK 10
THE MACALLAN FINE OAK 15
THE MACALLAN FINE OAK 18
THE MACALLAN FINE OAK 21
THE MACALLAN 12
THE MACALLAN 18
Michael Collins Blend
Michael Collins Single Malt
KILBEGGAN
LOMBARD Pebble Beach 12yr
LOMBARD Gold Label Old Blend
LOMBARD Tidal Ebb Driftwood
OBAN 14 YR
OBAN 18 YR
OBAN DE
Old Pulteney 12 YR
Old Pulteney 17 YR
Old Pulteney 21 YR
PC7 Port Charlotte
PC7 Port Charlotte Unity 61%
Sam Houston Bourbon
SCAPA 16 YR
SINGLETON
TALISKER 10
TALISKER DE
TALISKER 18
TOBERMORY 10 CS
TOBERMORY 15 YR 1795
Tuthilltown  Single Malt
Tuthilltown  New York Corn
Tuthilltown Baby Bourbon
Tuthilltown Four Grain Whiskey
Tuthilltown Manhattan Rye
THE TYRCONNELL
THE TYRCONNELL Maderia
YAMAZAKI 12 YR
YAMAZAKI 18 YR
HIBIKI 12 Year Old
Washmund’s Single Malt
Washmund’s Clear Spirit

AND MANY MORE CHECK BACK FOR UPDATES

Plus over 20 Different Wines

Field Trip to Tuthilltown Distillery plus two Hudson Whiskey tastings

Tuthilltown Distillery, Gardiner NY – Tour, store & tasting room

Tutilltown Distillery sits quite nicely in the woody woods in beautiful upstate New York.  Tuthilltown, makers of “Hudson Real American Whiskeys”, is a small place with a dirt driveway and parking lot, port-o-potty bathroom sitting outside the tasting room (quite far away mind you) and has two cats and a dog wandering the property.  Don’t let this description scare you away – pulling up, you sort of feel like your at a home away from home.  There’s an inviting feel to it somehow.

Then, as you walk into the store/tasting room, you get the sweet smell of maturing bourbon and a really, really nice view of their barrel stock:

After getting-a-lo to all of these beautiful barrels (most of which were quite small, some at only 3 gallons!) I met with a very nice woman by the name of Luz.  She’s in charge of the store and provided some great conversation as I waited for the tour guide to arrive.

When the guide was ready, Luz walked me over to the actual distilling building where I then met with a tall hipster-type dude by the name of Liam.  Before I go on, I will tell you that this is the first distillery tour I have ever been on and I did not know what to expect.  I can tell you, throughout the whole experienced I was a wide eyed boy in a candy store!  Actually, it felt more like I was Charlie visiting Wonka’s Chocolate Factory (sans the Oompa-Loopmas, Gene Wilder and Slugworth).

Liam took me through the entire distilling process, room through room (which is nearly the same for their bourbons, rye, single malt & vodkas).  I will not go into tremendous detail here but I will say what surprised me the most was how very hands-on the whole process is.  Liam (and the other distillers) have their fancy-fingers on everything and you can tell that it is a true labor of love for them and, as you’ll see in my tasting notes below, this love and care shines through to the end product.

I was quite wowed by their two stills (at least one of which was imported from Germany and was originally used for making Lambic beers).

Also, as you’ll notice below on their cute little 375ml bottles, they have a very thick coating of wax keeping the cork in place.  Before I got to the distillery, I pictured a long conveyor belt with robotic arms grabbing bottles, 8 at a time, robotically corking and dipping the bottles to then place on another conveyor belt to bring the hot-waxy bottles to a cooling area, etc…

Instead, this is what I saw:

All four bottles are placed, by hand, onto the dipping posts (I totally made up that term, dipping posts – Tuthilltown folks, feel free to used that nomenclature for this dipping apparatus) then dipped, again by hand, into the wax.  The bottles are then labeled (you guessed, by hand – using a hand-cranked labeler).

Liam – thank you for your tour!  Very informative, very cool.

Ok, onto my tasting during the tour:

I met with a guy, I’m guessing about my age, by the name of Gable.  His father is one of the fine, smart, folks who opened this distillery.  Which, by the way, is the first legally operated distillery in New York State since Prohibition!!  Also, their bourbon is the first bourbon to *ever* be produced legally in New York State.  Like I said, smart folks – very innovative!

Gable is one of these super-charming and disarming type guys.  A charismatic dude who knows his business quite well.  Gable went on to provide a tasting of their current line (at least the ones they could legally taste/sell in their tasting room/store):  Hudson New York Corn Whiskey, Hudson Baby Bourbon, Hudson Four Grain Bourbon, Hudson Manhattan Rye, Heart of the Hudson Apple Vodka (twice distilled), Spirit of the Hudson Apple Vodka (thrice distilled).

Their Vodkas, by the way, are Kosher for Passover as they are distilled from apples, not grain — Cheers on that!!

While I wont be giving notes on all the spirits tasted, I can provide notes for the two bourbons I went home with (what, you thought I could leave empty handed??  I had to buy me some booze!).

Before I go on with the notes allow me to say that these whiskeys only come in 375ml bottles and cost $41 per bottle.  This being said, the fluid contained within the bottles are worth their weight in whiskey!  This is hand-crafted artisan American Whiskey.  Quite unique and very special stuff.

Hudson Four Grain Bourbon

On the nose One thing I truly love about the Tuthilltown/Hudson Whiskeys is that the smells and tastes are very direct.  When I say I smell “Corn”, it’s like it’s fresh off the cob.  Just under the corn is the very clear smell of fresh dirt/earth (as if someone was holding a handful directly under my nose).  I’m also smelling burnt sugar and honeysuckle, blueberry (very subtle, the only subtle smell here) and vanilla.  Gobs of vanilla.

On the mouth Oh sweet fancy Moses!  The flavors basically started a mosh-pit in my mouth (it’s like there’s a Dead Kennedys show, circa 1984, right on my tongue). The attack is great, fierce yet quite welcome.  This is a strong, burly bourbon which is filled with a mouth puckering sweetness a la sweet corn, cinnamon, Orange Tang Powder, the taste of the smell of clove cigarettes, oak and quite some vanilla again.

Finish Long, peppery and biting.  I want more (why do these only come in 375ml bottles!?).  More corn.  Candied corn (NOT Candy-Corn if you catch my meaning) actually; that and some nice citrus, then finally more fresh dirt/earth.

Hudson Baby Bourbon

On the nose Movie popcorn with butter, vanilla & burnt sugar (again), no fresh earth smell here, rather, it’s replaced by a slightly soap citrus notes, Red Wax Lips.

On the mouth Fresh & warmed buttered corn on the cob.  Again, Tuthilltown delivers with their very direct flavors – yum!  I feel like I am on a picnic right now.  Banana peel & vanilla cream, the citrus returns.

Finish During my tasting with Gable I noticed an odd note in the palate of their Manhattan Rye expression.  A note that I detected in the finish of this Baby Bourbon – Jujubes!

Specifically the orange ones before Heide Candies changed their recipe (back in the late 90’s early 2000’s) – quite soapy and very orangey.

Love it!!  That’s the final note on the finish.  Before I got that I noted some warming caramel, vanilla and oak.

In sum This was a great introduction to the whole process.  While I spent the last three years educating myself in the tasting of whisk(e)y, I just now got a nice crash-course in the whisk(e)y creation process.  One I will never forget.  If I were you, I would seek out Tuthilltown’s Hudson Whiskeys.  A true American Treat.

If you ever find yourself in New York State, seek this distillery out .  They provide tours on weekends and their store is open from 11am – 5pm.  For more information on Tuthilltown and their whiskeys, check it here.

Whisky Live, like Heaven on earth. With booze.

Dateline: New York, New York, Chelsea Piers, Pier 60 – April, 7 2010

Whisky Live.  A rare opportunity to taste new whiskies, talk with the brand professionals and master distillers and a chance to take a Masterclass or two to better understand your favorite whisky(ies) or discover new ones in a very fun and educational way.

As I mentioned, an event such as Whisky Live is a truly rare experience.  One I could not, NOT take advantage of.  Just so you know, I do work a full time job.  Monday – Friday, 8-5 plus travel.  I am not a whisky blogger by trade, just an amateur whiskyphile who likes to type.  So to go to an event such as this means I have to take a half day off of work.  What a day to take a half day from work though!  Here it was, early spring.  The tree buds are starting to pop with leaves, flowers and the like.  Flowers are popping, birds are singing and it’s 89deg Fahrenheit outside!  This day was blessed and simply meant to be.

I went down with my friend, co-author and whisky society buddy, John.  This was a much needed event for John as well because merely two days later he would be traveling to Saudi Arabia to help open a hospital (How cool is that!?  What a mitzvah).  No whisky in the Arab world so I think he needed to get it in while he could.  Additionally, both John and I keep Kosher for Passover so for the 8 days leading up to Whisky Live, neither John nor I had had a drop of whisky.  We were itching, to say the least.

We took the train out of New Haven, CT which took us to Grand Central Station and got in to New York at about 4:45pm.  It being such a beautiful day, we decided to walk the 45+ minutes to Chelsea Piers.  We got to the event at exactly 5:30 and man-o-man, was I sweating!  Thank G-d for deodorant!

I had never been to a Whisky Live event, only Whisky Fest (last November in NYC) so I did not know what to expect.  I am happy to say that Whisky Live was quite different from Whisky Fest.  Please understand, I am not knocking Whisky Fest at all.  I love-love-loved Whisky Fest and all it had to offer.  I’m glad the two events are so very different as you get a chance to have two quite unique experiences both with the same backbone; that being whisk(e)y.  It’s like a crazy-mix-em-up.

By the time we got to Chelsea Piers, John and I could have drank about 5 gallons of water between the two of us.  So, we started off with water and decided to get the lay of the land.  The event took up about two large ball rooms and an enclosed balcony.  There was lots of food and water everywhere (thankfully).  In the larger ball room sat all of the whisky booths.  The layout was great.  Easy to navigate, simple to traverse.  There was a good host of exhibitors from distilleries to independent bottlers to top shelf liquor stores (no booze was sold at the event, the stores just had booths there and lists of whiskies that they sold in their stores).  For a full list of exhibitors, click here.

In my professional life, I work lots of trade shows – a few every year – and one thing that remains a constant are what I lovingly refer to as “The Booth babes” (or as some of my co-workers like to call them, “Booth Bimbos”).  As we walked the floor we found our way to the Oban booth and WOW, they had a handful of these “Booth Babes” (like 7 or 8 ) standing there to bring in the dudes.  Booth babes I am impervious to, Oban I am not.

Oban was having micro classes/tasting events behind a fun tented little area.  Entrance in to these made you feel like you had gotten an “in” to something very fun and extremely exclusive.  Well, while it was not exclusive (you just had to wait your turn to get in) it was quite fun and very informative!  Our host, a Brand Ambassador by the name of Ari (an nice Hebrew name if you ask me!), was great.  Funny, smart and informative.  He took us through a brief history of the distillery & town in which Oban sits as well as a great trip through 3 fine Obans – 14yr, Distillers Edition and their 18yr expression.

After this, John and I wandered over to the food to A) eat dinner and B) prepare ourselves for the amount of whisky we would surely be imbibing.

We wandered over to the Heaven Hill booth who had lots of great whiskeys to share (Rittenhouse Rye, Elijah Craig, Parker’s Heritage, etc…).  While yes, all of these whiskeys were great this (to me) paled in comparison to the fact that we had a chance to meet Heaven Hill’s Master Distiller, Craig Beam!  Salt of the earth type guy from Kentucky with the great thick-ass Kentucky accent to boot.  We also had an “It’s a small world after all” moment.  In talking with the Heaven Hill US Brand Ambassador, we found out that he has family right in Madison, CT (on a road which intersects with mine!!).  Jimmeny Cricket was right.

I also met with David Blackmore, the US brand ambassador for Glenmorangie/Ardbeg.  What a great guy; funny, humble.  I can say that he looks much better in a kilt that I ever will.  He clued me in to some fun news soon to be announced by Glenmorangie & Ardbeg but I promised, mums the word.  I will say that Glenmorangie/Ardbeg’s innovations and smarts never cease to amaze me.

Now, on to the Masterclass that John and I took: Glenmorangie/Ardbeg as lead by Annabel Meikle.

Annabel is quite the charmer, quite a teacher.  I am totally a teachers pet so I had to sit at the front of the class.  I wish I had brought an apple with me…  Oh well.  Annabel lead an hour long class which took us through a history of the distilleries and on a journey through six whiskies; four Glenmos, two Ardbegs.  We tasted: Glenmorangie Original, Quinta Ruban (port finish), Astar (Kick-ass Cask Strength, new wood Glenmo), Signet (Uber-boutique chocolate malt whisky) then for the Ardbegs we had the 10yr expression and the Airigh Nam Beist.  What a journey!  Somehow Annabel made the whiskies taste better than ever.  I don’t know how she did it but, I guess that’s why she does what she does.

One fun bit of knowledge I learned and can impart to you regarding the name “Glenmorangie” is that in Gaelic, it means “The Glen of Tranquility”.  Annabel went on to say that it actually meant “The Glen where you take your pets to rest” but that it just didn’t seem to take.  I’m sure that Annabel was joking.  Maybe not though…  Annabel?

After the class was done, we checked out the following booths (among many others but these stuck out in my mind): Makers Mark, Old Pultney/Balblair (if you haven’t yet tried Balblair – please check out something from their new range!  So worth it!  Here are my notes on the 1997 expression and the 1991 expression), Compass Box (Hedonism is a killer grain whisky, the peat monster isn’t too shabby either), Arran, Buffalo Trace and many, many more.  I wished the Balvenie was there but Dr. Whisky, I guess, had other priorities (dude just had a kid!).

Finally, 10:00 came around and the night had to end.  There was a train back to Connecticut with my name on it and I had to go to work the next day.  Ugh.  The Glenmo Masterclass, I have to say, really topped the night (you know I am a Glenmo devotee!).

Whisky Live was great in the sense that I had a chance to talk with and learn from each person behind the booths.  For a whisk(e)y dork like me, Whisky Live hit the spot and then some.  For the folks just getting into Whisk(e)y, a show like this would turn you into a whisk(e)y dork like me.

In sum, if you have not yet been to a Whisky Live event, PLEASE oh PLEASE, do yourself a favor and go.  There are events all around the world – here’s a full listing.  Is it a life changing event? No.  That’s what having kids is for.  Will it be one of the best night’s you’ve had in a long, long time?  Yes.  Go there, now.