Whisky Fest New York (2007 Edition)

This week I am up in New York - primarily to do some consulting and speak at The Brandy Library, but also to attend the 10th annual New York Whisky Fest.

As usual John & Amy did a great job with the event, gathering spirits from around the world so that New Yorkers (and travelers to New York) could sample them all in one convenient place.

Beer, vodka, gin & rums - all could be had, in addition to the many varieities of whisk(e)y - are we in for an eventual name change to reflect the growing variety of beverages that can be sampled?

The ball room was larger this year, with a large stage area where the food was placed (it seemed like there was quite a bit more food - and a wider variety) as well as a mezzanine level so that you could get away from the crowd - which was large and well-behaved, and exhibited a real passion for the brown stuff - or at least a desire to learn more and try everything. I noticed an increase in the number of young female attendees. Always a good sign.

Author Noah Rothbaum was also on hand to sign copies of his book The Business of Spirits

There was the usual (small) number of vacuous booth bunnies who didn't know a damn thing about the product, but who dutifully poured drams and posed for pictures with the dweebs - but the vast majority of booths were manned (or wo-manned ) by knowledgeable company reps - if not by the actual master distillers  them selves. Attendees had every opportunity to learn at the event - as well as sample the wares.

The New York show is also where Malt Advocate announces their annual Whisky awards:

• Canadian Whisky of the Year: Crown Royal Cask No. 16
• American Whiskey of the Year: Old Forester Birthday Bourbon (2007 Release)
• Irish Whiskey of the Year: Redbreast 12 year old
• Scotch Whisky Blend of the Year: Chivas 18 year old
• Scotch Whisky Malt of the Year: The Macallan 1976 Vintage (Cask 11354)
• World Whisky of the Year: Suntory Yamazaki 18 year old
• Best Buy of the Year: Black Bottle Original
• Distillery of the Year: BenRiach
• Pioneer of the Year: Bruichladdich Distillery
• Industry Leader of the Year: Mixologists
• Lifetime Achievement Award: Jim Rutledge, Four Roses Distillery
• Lifetime Achievement Award: David Stewart, William Grant & Sons

A complete write-up on the awards will appear in the Q12008 issue of Malt Advocate

Whisky Fest is a great place to go to sample a variety of existing whiskies - and to get a first shot at things which have yet to be released.

*I* actually find myself drinking less at the shows - mostly because I'm lucky enough to get samples sent to me - but also because if I'm going to do tasting notes for publication, I like to give whiskies some time. Instead I spend my time at the shows catching up with friends, meeting new people, trying to solicit business and squirreling away information for future publication. Ah, if only I could publish everything I hear - but if I did that, no one would talk to me anymore ;)

The best thing I tried? The Hedonism Maximus that Compass Box did for the Paris Whisky Live - and available only La Maison du Whisky. It was fucking fantastic.

As usual I thoroughly enjoyed myself.

And although I didn't get a chance to attend, I heard glowing reviews of the inaugural San Francisco Whisky Fest from exhibitors.

After the show I joined people for a great "after show" party at The Brandy Library. Where I did drink. And I also declared my undying (totally hetero) man love for Marty Duffy. But that, dear readers is another story.

Comments

[M. Duffy]

It was really quite moving. You should have all been there.

Cheers Kevin!

PS - See! I do read your blog.

Martin Duffy
Master of Whisky
Johnnie Walker & The Diageo Brands

[Kristina Sutter]

Always good to see you Kevin! 'Enjoyed sharing many a dram and many a laugh!

[Wendy, Toronto, ON]

Oh, man!! I wish I was there. Now, I am really jealous. You have painted quite a grand picture, Kevin. The Whisky Fest sounds quite memorable!

Cheers,
Wendy
Toronto, ON

[James Thomson]

Kevin

this word 'master distiller' keeps cropping up and it worries me as much as any questionable descriptor (ie on a label) in the spirits industry. In wine it is easy - a Master of Wine has done the course - simple. On the Scotch side, from my experience, there are Master Blenders in the main, large whisky companhies (Dewars, Whyte & Mackay, Edrington, Wm Grant have them and describe theirs as such) who have done years of time hounroured training. But Master Distiller ? I don't know this one - it appears to have krept into marketing lingo and must therefore be highly unreliable. Each distillery has a Distiller, used to have a Brewer, a Mashman etc and a Distillery Manager who kept the show at the distillery running (he was a manager of the plant). Can you explain to me this bizarre 'Master' thing that has been captured or borrowed from a correctly used and understood wine industry term. It is not a reliable skill, accolade, accomplishment or industry recognised title to my knowledge. One has to watch the branding or marketing-speak guys like hawks; they sometimes make it up as theu go along and hoodwink the newbie consumer/learner who is then misinformed, often for ever.

James Thomson

[Kevin Erskine]

Great point, James.
It is a term used with increasing frequency, and is likely to be confused with some sort of title earned by time, practice and testing, as opposed to a designation of 'boss', 'head distiller', 'distiller manager' or some other equivalent.

[Whiskey Newbie]

I wasn't there personally but heard some good reviews. Did you get to sample any of the Tomintoul Single Malt Whiskey? Heard that they were there too.

[emondhavi]

Am I the only one who thought that the samples were too small?

I don't hear anyone comment on this, yet I found this a real
problem. At some tables they poured enough whisky to just
wet the glass.

The event was otherwise well organized and pleasant, and the food was good and plentiful. But I was there for the whisky, and I can't say I got to learn much about the whiskies I tasted out of those tiny samples.

Chatting with distillery people can be instructive, but it does not
make up for tasting the actual product, all I need to know about a whisky I can learn from tasting it, if only the samples would allow me to do that.

Because of this, I found the experience quite disappointing.