The Scotch Blog

Atlanta, Georgia. Glenmorangie. Free.

Glenmorangie invites you to enjoy an exclusive event! The complimentary, invitation only event is open to all scotch and cigar aficionados in the Atlanta area.

Scotch & Cigars, a private Scotch tasting will take place in Atlanta, Georgia, Thursday, March 27th at the Highland Cigar Bar at 245 N. Highland from 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM.

Admission is complimentary and will allow guests to experience 4 Glenmorangie Expressions: The Original, Lasanta, Quinta Ruban and Nectar d’Or. Complimentary hors d’oeurves will be served and early arrivals will receive complimentary cigar samples.

For more information and to request an invitation send a message to rsvp@atmenterprisesllc.com.

Highland Cigar Bar
www.highlandcigar.com
245 N. Highland
Atlanta, GA

Thursday, March 27, 2008

The Highland Cigar Bar is located in Atlanta’s eclectic Virginia Highlands neighborhood, just east of downtown.

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This is not a paid promotion.

2008 Scotch Whisky Extravaganza

For the fourth year in a row The Scotch Malt Whisky Society of America would like to extend discounted admission to the 2008 U.S. Single Malt & Scotch Whisky Extravaganza Tour for readers of The Scotch Blog.

That's right, Once again readers of The Scotch Blog pay the same admission price that members of the SMWS pay.

Read on for the schedule and how to get the discount:

Toronto Whisky tasting

Historic Mackenzie House in downtown Toronto is hosting a beer and Scotch tasting Feb. 8 from 7 - 9 pm ($50, participants must be 19 years or older).

Todd McDonald, Director of Spirits for William Grant and Sons (PMA Canada) leads the tasting of oak-aged beer and Single Malt Scotches including Glenfiddich 12 YO Single Malt, Glenfiddich 15 YO Single Malt and Glenfiddich 18 YO Single Malt.

Traditional Scottish foods, including a delicious haggis, will also be served.

The event is a fundraiser for Mackenzie House, the former home of Toronto's first Mayor, William Lyon Mackenzie. The 1840s Greek Revival row-house is lit by gaslight, which is sure to lend a moody ambience to the event.

To register call 416 392 6915. Mackenzie House is located at 82 Bond St.(east of Yonge St. and south of Dundas St.).

Annual Whiskey Tasting: 2007 edition

In December 2007, I held my annual whiskey tasting - and that's right, that's whiskey with an "e" - since, for the first time, I served all non-Scotch whiskies.

This party is an annual event to which I invite friends - many of whom are NOT whisky geeks, but have over the years, developed an appreciation for, or at the very least expressed an interest in, whisky.

Some, like my friends Jeff, Neil and Edward, are big fans of whisk(e)y; some come for the camaraderie,  while others just come for the abuse.

In another switch from tradition - because I have so much to choose from - and because all attendees had designated drivers or rides, I had an extended tasting flight - consisting of a flight of core six expressions, as well as a secondary flight of four whiskies.

Our Primary flight

Preludium:05 Single Malt Whisky

Brand Web site
Parent Company: Mackmyra Svensk Whiskey
Sweden
48.4% alcohol
The Scotch Blog story

At first, on the nose, this stuff is light and elegant. Nothing more than a hint of smoke, but the tantalizing smell of dried berries. The alcohol is a little dominant on the palate, and definitely affects the nose once you've tried it - as the spirity notes are highlighted.

Reacts well to water - and a sweetness falls into place. The finish is a little harsh. Coming along nicely.

Tullamore Dew Blended Whiskey

Brand Web site
Production site: Midleton Distillery (Pernod Ricard)
Brand Ownership: Cantrell & Cochrane
Ireland
40% alcohol

I get a lot of corn on the nose, but in a pleasant and unassuming way. The taste is quick and clean and unoffensive in every way - but also doesn't bring a lot of complexity to bear. Finish is light pear/diluted apples. Again - unoffensive.

Don't bother adding water - the whiskey may disappear completely.

Regardless, this is my official Irish easy-drinker. A great introduction to the world of whisky - primarily due to that inability to offend.

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.

Pittsburgh Whiskey Festival

The growth in popularity of "Brown Spirits" can be best evidenced in the growing number of "festivals" to celebrate their consumption.

Like this new one for the fine people of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Please note that this event is NOT associated with the Malt Advocate "Whisky Fest" events)

Pittsburgh Whiskey Festival

Inaugural Festival Offers World-Renowned Whiskies and Premium Spirits

The spirit of the American Whiskey Trail continues with the 2007 Pittsburgh Whiskey Festival, Pittsburgh¹s first large-scale whiskey and premium spirits tasting event, to take place Friday evening, November 2, 2007 from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. in the West Club Lounge at Heinz Field.

The 2007 Pittsburgh Whiskey Festival will attract and engage both "whiskey" and "whisky" enthusiasts alike.  The fest will feature more than 60 premier distilled spirits producers and will present a wide variety of the finest Scottish, American, Canadian and Irish whiskies, including single malts and bourbons.  Premium tequila, rum, gin, vodka and cognac will also be presented for tasting. The fest, sponsored by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, will include a buffet and a silent auction.

Chicago Whisky Week - Day 2 & 3

DAY 2 (Evening)

Tuesday evening started out at (where else?) Delilah's for Mike Miller's Whisky 101. A big group then headed over to the Duke of Perth for Fish & Chips courtesy of the Diageo Classic Malts. If you wanted to rub shoulders with industry insiders, this was the place to be. The teams from William Grant, Classic Malts, Highland Park were all there, sharing stories and having a good time. The night ended up (where else?) Delilah's. I'm getting way too predictable.

DAY 3

On Wednesday I braved sleet and rain and jumped on the El to get over to the Erie Street Cafe to meet up with Jeff Topping and John MacDougall and try their new releases.

Jeff has a new bottling of his 15 year old Wild Scotsman15 year old vatted malt. Jeff continues to improve as a blender, and I think this is an improvement on the last bottling I tried. Using only ex-bourbon casks in his vatting, while not a complete disclosure of the recipe, Jeff did let me know that Bowmore, Ledaig, and Tamdhu are in there. Furthermore, despite Jeff's tight relationship with Bladnoch and John MacDougall's ties to Springbank, neither f those single malts are in the Wild Scotsman mix.

Jeff also served his first independent single malt bottling, a 13 year old Ben Nevis aged in an ex-bourbon hogshead and bottled at 46%. Distilled in 1992 and bottled in 2006, only 26 cases are available, most of those in Chicago and slightly fewer in Northern Kentucky. Jeff is looking at Mortloch and Bowmore for future bottlings.

Currently WS is only available in Ohio, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Illinois, New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts. Jeff hopes to be in Indian, California and Florida this year. Oh...want to be friends with Jeff? Go to http://www.myspace.com/wildscotsmanwhisky

DAY 3 (Evening)

Headed back over to Delilah's for a mini-American Whiskey expo. Buffalo Trace; Elijah Craig; Jim Beam; Wild Turkey, Wasmund's, Kentucky Bourbon and Bulleit were all represented and pouring freely.

Rye whiskies are hot right now, but I must admit I tend to like Bourbons with higher corn percentages in the mash (like Maker's Mark)...last night did a lot to develop my palate for Rye.

I chatted with Jimmy Russell who was pouring his fantastic Russell Reserve; Tom Bulleit gave me the run down on Bulleit Bourbon - which will be a story for another time; and Fred Noe introduced me to his Jim Beam Rye.

And when you are at Delilah's, if Mary is behind the bar, ask her for one of her famous Margaritas. George Grant swears by them.

Chicago Whisky Week - Day 1 & 2

DAY 1

I'm in Chicago for Whisky Fest and the Whisky week events. I'm staying with friends Amy & Philip and their daughter Sofia. On Monday night Phil and I headed over to Delilah's for a Classic Malt tasting hosted by Marty Duffy and Evan Cattanch.

Well...we misjudged the time and showed up just as the event was wrapping up. Never said I was always punctual.

We did get to chat with Evan, Marty and Mike Miller for a while. Mike told us about a special 13 year old Highland Park bottling he'll be releasing tonight (Thursday) in celebration of Delilah's 13th year anniversary.

The Delilah's bottling will consist of 500 bottles from a second fill sherry butt...it's cask strength as well at just about 57.5%.

Real tasty with strong dark chocolate and fruits, hints of tobacco and a salty finish. Very nice and will be available for $125 only at Delilah's.

DAY 2

On Tuesday, I attended a tasting of the soon to be released Singleton of Glendullan, a release specifically for the U.S. market which for the time being, will only be available in New Jersey, Illinois and Duty Free.

Earning a very respectable 92 points from the Beverage Tasting Institute, priced at only $35 and smooth as a baby's ass, this Singleton is obviously being positioned as the gateway for Johnie Walker Black drinkers who are ready to make the move over to the "dark side" - single malt Scotch.

Glenfarclas - Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival 2007

Going to the Spirit of Speyside festival?

The guys at Glenfarclas are pleased to announce their program of tastings, distillery tours and events for the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival (3rd to 7th May 2007).

This year’s program will include a preview of The Family Casks, an exciting new range of Glenfarclas expressions, and a guided hill walk to the distillery’s water source.

Thursday 3rd May

Afternoon - The Scottish Malts Reliability Trial, and The Scottish Malts Classic Car Tour, will visit the distillery. Spectators are welcome, but please note we will offer a shorter distillery tour during the visit.

Father of our country; Whiskey peddler

I was invited to the opening ceremony for the George Washington Distillery on Friday March 30th in Mount Vernon, Virginia.

It was a very nice event - yet a little too politically focused for my tastes. There were way too many speeches - the Director of Historic Mount Vernon; the head of the Mount Vernon Ladies Association; The President of the Distilled Spirits Council; the chairman of the Virginia Alcohol Beverage Council; a  Virginia State Senator; John Manfreda from the Alcohol Tax & Trade Bureau; and more. Yet somehow Virginia Governor Tim Kaine didn't deem it important enough to attend.

F'ing politicians.