Well, we started off strong and now we seem to be slowing down. Things have been pretty hectic here at Whisk(e)y Apostle, but that is no excuse. We owe you some bloggage.
One of the best ways to get in a lot of tasting is to attend tasting events (pretty obvious, right?). Whether it is a small event held at a liquor store (like the Bourbon & Bacon Expo I recently attended) or a larger event (like WhiskyFest), tasting events give you the opportunity to try a large variety of whiskeys in a very short time.* At the larger events, you can sometimes try rare and very expensive whiskeys that may otherwise be unavailable to you. Furthermore, you can meet some of the Master Distillers and Blenders responsible for your favorite dram (I still get a little giddy around John Glaser of Compass Box). If there are no events in your area, organize your own. The selection at your event may not be as extensive as WhiskyFest, but I’m sure you will have a good time.
If you live in the New York/New Jersey area, The Whisky Guild is hosting ‘The Whisky Classic” (featuring over 100 single malts) on March 5. I probably will not be at this event because of the location, but it is bound to be great. Last fall, The Whisky Guild hosted “Whisky on the Hudson,” a booze cruise around Manhattan to celebrate the U.S. launch of Glenlivet XXV. Glenmorangie was there to introduce us to the Signet, which they paired with dark chocolate and cigars. You can try Glenmorangie’s newest incarnation, Astar, at “The Whisky Classic.”
The annual WhiskyFest (hosted by Malt Advocate) is always a blast, with great food and great whisky. If you talk to Richard and I long enough, you will discover how much respect we have for both Malt Advocate magazine and publisher/editor John Hansell. WhiskyFest has a lot to do with our love for Malt Advocate. It is a great event, with great food and more distilleries represented than you can shake a stick at. Perhaps the best thing about WhiskyFest is that it happens three times a year (annually in San Francisco, Chicago, and New York). Check it out if you are going to be in any of these places at the right time.
We will try to notify our readers of other upcoming events, but we need your help. If there is an event coming up in your area, send us an email and we will either post it or send it out in a newsletter to our registered users (didn’t think there was any point to registering, did you?). We’ll decide that later I guess. I hope to see you at the next tasting event.
*Please treat these events like wine tastings. Spitting is a must. Don’t be the guy who is falling down drunk after the first table. There is at least one every time.
Tags: Event Notices
