November 8th, 2010
At 1:30 PM today (Eastern Time, US), I’m having lunch with Dr. Bill Lumsden, Head of Distilling and Whisky Creation for The Glenmorangie Company. That includes Ardbeg and Glenmorangie. That’s about five hours from now.
I realize that this is last minute, but…do you have any questions you would like me to ask him? I’ll do my best to get the answers.
November 7th, 2010
I have a feeling that this will be a very polarizing discussion.
I’m heading to New York gearing up for our sold-out WhiskyFest on Tuesday. On Wednesday I travel back home, only to unpack and then pack again, because on Thursday I’ll be flying to Vegas to attend Cigar Aficionado’s Big Smoke weekend.
I have been enjoying an occasional cigar for nearly 30 years. My new boss wants me to attend his Big Smoke weekend to see how the event is run. (Let’s see…cigars, booze, food…okay, twist my arm. 
)
Anyway, many times, when I drink whisky, I don’t smoke a cigar. When I am enjoying a cigar, I always drink something with it, but often it’s something else (vintage port, a richly flavored beer, coffee). Why? Smoking a cigar, with its dry, spicy, smoky notes, often makes me thirsty. For this reason, I usually drink something that’s a little more thirst quenching (for lack of a better term) than whisky.
But sometimes I really do enjoy a nice sherried (or malty) Scotch or Irish whiskey or full-flavored bourbon to drink while I smoke my cigar. I think they go great together.
Just because I am drinking a whisky, it doesn’t always mean that it has to be the main focus of my attention. Sometimes, what’s most important is the conversation I am having with friends at the time. Or perhaps it’s the scenery I am watching, a book I am reading, or a movie I am watching.
Whisky, as much as I love it (and it’s my job), isn’t always my priority. Sometimes I am quite content with it playing second fiddle, with or without a cigar, where it’s just a small part of a pleasant experience. And if I don’t capture all the subtle nuances or flavors of the whisky (or even pay that much attention to it), then so be it. I might pick a whisky that is less complex or one demands less of my attention. Indeed, sometimes the highest rated whiskies aren’t always the best choice for a given situation.
How about you? Do you enjoy an occasional cigar? Do you smoke cigars when you drink whisky? If so, on what occasion do you do this? What whisky are you drinking, and what cigar are you smoking?
Do you agree with my opinion here, or do you disagree? And why do you feel this way?
October 27th, 2010
The whisky (and beer) will have to wait for a few days. I also love wine. Plus, I think it has helped me be a better whisky writer.
My wife and I will be spending the next few days drinking some great wines and learning more about them at the New World Wine Experience, and we are very excited.
But no worries, I still have whisky reviews scheduled post Thursday and Friday. And I’ll be back diving into whiskies when I return.
October 22nd, 2010
They’re celebrating with the a new (third) release of Flaming Heart (pictured on the right). They’re also holding a series of 1o year retrospective tastings.
Congrats to John Glaser and the rest of the crew at Compass Box Whisky. Let’s all toast to their continued success tomorrow by raising a glass of one of their fine whiskies. (Mine will be a wee dram of the new Flaming Heart which, by the way, is wonderful.)
October 13th, 2010
WhiskyFest was this past Friday. With more than 250 whiskies to choose from, I narrowed my tasting to a small handful of whiskies that I (for the most part) hadn’t tasted before.
I think the one that I liked the most wasn’t even on the pour list. It was a sample of The Glenrothes John Ramsay Legacy expression (pictured on right). Only 200 bottles are coming to the U.S. I was very impressed with it–very complex and well-balanced.
Some others I enjoyed: Old Pulteney 30 yr. old (coming to the U.S. in Q1 2011, and nicely bottled at cask strength), Amrut Intermediate Sherry (coming to the U.S. soon–very smooth), Pappy Van Winkle 23 yr. old (most recent bottling, didn’t taste tired or woody at all), Angel’s Envy bourbon (for its richness and creaminess), Glenfarclas 40 yr. old (okay, I tasted this one before, but I would be a fool not to drink it again!), an A.D. Rattray 18 yr. old Bowmore (single cask, cask strength), a Duncan Taylor Lonach Strathisla 42 yr. old, a Gordon & MacPhail Strathisla 1963 vintage, and a 1975 Vintage Ardbeg from a sample bottle that Master Blender Rachel Barrie was carrying along with her .
I also enjoyed sampling the diversity of the offerings from the craft distillers. And it’s only the beginning of this new movement.
WhiskyFest New York is on November 9th (and is completely sold out). I am already looking forward to trying more new whiskies (and making new friends).
September 23rd, 2010
I participated in this event last year (at Maker’s Mark Distillery) with Kevin Smith (then Maker’s Mark Distillery Manager) and John Campbell (Laphroaig Distillery Manager). It was a great time. This one looks like it will be a lot of fun too!
Live Online Whisky Tasting at 2pm Today!
Laphroaig Islay Single Malt Scotch is inviting you and your readers to experience a taste of Scotland with a flavor of Spain for the fourth annual Laphroaig LIVE online tasting event that will be broadcast from the Harveys’ Bodegas in Jerez, Spain. This year’s webcast will delight whisky and sherry lovers from across the world with tastings of Laphroaig Quarter Cask, Laphroaig Triple Wood, Laphroaig 25 Year Old, Harveys Fino and Harveys Oloroso. The event will take place on Thursday, September 23, at 2 p.m. EST and will be accessible to all by visiting http://live.laphroaig.tv.
Laphroaig Distillery Manager John Campbell, Laphroaig U.S. Brand Ambassador Simon Brooking and Harveys Bristol Cream General Manager Jose Antonio Sauto will come together to celebrate the distinctive taste of Laphroaig expressions that have been matured in Sherry casks. The online tasting and educational seminar will give viewers an inside look into the ‘marriage’ between the Sherried oaky flavors derived from the Oloroso Sherry casks and the sweet flavors from oak bourbon barrels, comparing the flavors of each expression through its maturation process.
For more information on Laphroaig LIVE 2010, including access to the free embed code, please visit http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Laphroaig-Invites-Whisky-Fans-Experience-Taste-Scotland-With-Flavor-Spain-1320257.htm.
July 6th, 2010
This was an easy one. These three whiskeys showed up on Friday, just in time. How could I not try them over the weekend? (Click on the photo for an enlarged image.)
Yes, that’s the new Maker’s Mark “46″ Bourbon, the new Four Roses “Limited Edition” Small Batch Bourbon, and the new WhistlePig Straight Rye (100%rye) whiskey.
All are very good whiskeys, hovering around the 90 rating. I already reviewed the Maker’s here. You’ll see the new Four Roses and WhistlePig reviews here very soon.
Oh, in case you were wondering, I also enjoyed other fine libations, including Lost Abbey “Carnevale” and Port Brewing “Summer Pale Ale” (both on tap), along with a Palmer “Alter Ego” 2000 Bordeaux.
June 28th, 2010
Who was the master distiller behind the creation of this whiskey? None other than Dave Pickerell, past Distillery Manager at Maker’s Mark. (He’s now involved with WhistlePig Rye Whiskey, among other activities.) I’m also getting a review sample of the whiskey, so I’ll let you know my thoughts after I taste it.
Here are some other tidbits of information that Frank Coleman of the Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S. (DISCUS) provided me. (Thanks Frank!)
*Prince Andrew and Gov. Bob McDonnell (then-AG) cut the ribbon on the distillery in the Fall of 06.
*DISCUS and WSWA funded the $2.1 million project in 2001.
*Ground was broken in Fall, 2001–five years of archaeology and then construction followed.
*The Distillery and its second floor museum about the history of distilling in America is The Gateway to the American Whiskey Trail www.Americanwhiskeytrail.com.
*DISCUS got a law passed in to allow the GW Distillery to be a special ABC store.
*In February, 2010 DISCUS passed a law to permit ABC stores to allow tastings of spirits–law is effective July 1. Hence, this is also the first public liquor store tasting since Prohibition.
*Demonstration distilling was done several times since 2002 on the lawn on an exact replica of the 18th cent Smithsonian Pot Still built by Vendome Copper of Louisville.
*Products from those events, including GW Rye and Martha’s Rum were only sold at private auctions.
*The first two bottles of the first demonstation GW Rye sold to publisher Marvin Shanken for $100k–a record for an American whiskey. Bottle #1 is in the Distillery museum; bottle #2 is on display at Shanken Communications.
*A unique vatted American whiskey, aged and blended on the grounds at Mount Vernon, and made from a dozen great American whiskeys including Jack Daniels, Maker’s Maker, etc has been on sale in mini-bottle gift sets. The public will also be able to taste and purchase those sets on July 1.
Official Press Release:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: Frank Coleman, Distilled Spirits Council (202) 682-8840
June 25, 2010 Melissa Wood, Mount Vernon, (703) 799-5203
BUY GEORGE!: First Public Opportunity to Buy and Taste
George Washington Rye Whiskey at the Mount Vernon Distillery
MOUNT VERNON, VA. — On July 1, for the first time since the George Washington’s distillery burned to the ground in 1814, the public will be able buy Rye Whiskey made at the founding father’s distillery. And, thanks to a new law in Virginia, they can taste it BEFORE they buy it at this special public tasting event.
The extremely limited edition whiskey (550 bottles) was produced in the reconstructed distillery in 2009 according to the General’s own recipe discovered by historians in the mansion’s extensive records. (Bottle shot at left, courtesy of Russ Flynt.)
Starting at noon, the public will be able to sample small amounts before purchasing one of the unique 375 ml bottles for $85. The proceeds will benefit Mount Vernon’s education programs.
What: First public sale and tasting of the new George Washington Rye Whiskey produced at George Washington’s Distillery using the Founding Father’s own historic recipe
When: July 1, 2010
11:30 a.m. Media set-up
11:45 a.m. Inaugural tasting with public officials followed by media tastings
12:00 p.m. – 1 p.m. Public tasting event (while supplies last)
12:30 p.m. Unveiling of local artist’s painting in distillery’s upstairs museum
Where: George Washington’s Distillery
5514 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway (SR 235)
3 miles south of Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens main entrance.
Who: Jim Rees, President, Historic Mount Vernon, Public Officials
June 21st, 2010
We enjoyed some great beer on tap (The Lost Abbey Carnivale), delicious wine (Shafer Relentless), and the Glenfarclas 150th Anniversary bottle that I opened up on Friday after our daughter Shannon’s High School graduation. I even finished the evening with one of my favorite cigars (an Arturo Fuente Don Carlos Robusto).
How about you? What were you drinking yesterday?
June 18th, 2010
It’s an amazing two weeks. I turned 50 on June 7th, our daughter turned 18 on June 14th, our company joined the M. Shanken Communications group on June 15th, and now tonight our daughter graduates from High School. (And this Sunday is Father’s Day too!)
There’s been a lot of celebrating here. I’ve opened up some amazing whisky (and other goodies) over the past two weeks, and tonight is no exception.
This is what I am opening up when we get back from graduation. It’s the 150th Anniversary Bottling of Glenfarclas, bottled back in 1986. I’ve waited long enough to enjoy this whisky, and I will do it with some close friends, in honor of Shannon.
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Here’s a picture of our daughter Shannon (isn’t she a cutie?), just a couple weeks ago on prom night. That’s Amy (my wife) and me also in the picture. I am very proud of them both.
Here’s to Shannon, our soon-to-be-graduate and to all the other parents out there with children graduating from school (whatever type of school it is)!
Now, I better start thinking about what I should open up on Father’s Day. It’s only two days away.
Let this be a reminder for you to find a reason to open up and enjoy that special bottles you have been saving. That’s what life is all about!
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