Gary

No, not always.  But yes, sometimes.  Rather, what they can be, and I stress CAN be, is different. A private selection has the potential to be better (or worse) than the standard label. It depends what those who selected it like – as well as what they had to choose from.

If you’ve never experienced a particular brand or label, I’d recommend going with the standard label – as that will best represent what you can expect from that label. The goal of a distillery or producer is to achieve consistency in that flavor profile so the consumer keeps coming back if they like it, and their expectations are met with each purchase. Does that mean that mean that every bottle of Old Forester will taste like every other one? Nope – especially if you’re looking back over an extensive period of time where there are changes in the distillery itself, the proof coming off the still, the proof going into the barrel, etc. But it does mean that you’re likely in the short run to have a more consistent experience with the label. When changes are made, these guys and gals know what they’re doing (usually) – and work to make the impact of those changes a gradual journey such that it isn’t a rude awakening from one bottle to the next.

If you’re familiar with a label and like it, a private selection is a bit like a scratch-off that is very likely to at least pay for itself. What I mean by that is in my experience, those private selections that I enjoyed markedly less than the standard label were in the minority (less than 20%). The majority I thought were pretty close to the standard label, and not materially different – so not special, but if you didn’t pay a premium – you wound up even. But some of the best whiskey I’ve tried were from private single barrel selections. When I get one of these, where a $25 bottle tastes better than a $50 bottle to my palate, I’ll want to buy an extra bottle (or three). In fact, I’ve started carrying a collapsible cup in my car so if I am out on the road and I purchase a private selection single barrel at a solid price point – if time/circumstance permits, I’ll open it right there in the parking lot and take a sip. If it blows me away – I’ll go back and grab another.

In the rare case when I pick up a private selection that I don’t care for, I’ll make a mental note and likely avoid buying private selections from that establishment. They don’t always have the same people doing the picking, but I figure why chance it. The inverse is also true – if I get a stellar pick from a store, I’ll try to come back and look for other picks. It isn’t a guarantee of striking gold in the future, as a lot depends upon what they’re offered to select from. But it gives me hope that whomever is doing their picking has a similar taste profile to mine.

Early on in my whiskey journey, I avoided private selections like the plague. I had tried one that I absolutely loved, and was crestfallen to learn it was sold a year earlier and there was no chance of scoring a bottle of it. “What’s the point in trying something I can’t go out and buy?” I thought. Today – I don’t go out of my way to find private selections, but if I’m already familiar with a label and like it, I’ll give a private selection a shot.

At the end of the day, buying a private selection over a standard label comes down to what you’re looking for. If consistency and having your expectations from a past experience met are key – you’re likely better off with the standard. If you’re open to possibly being disappointed, but also the possibility of finding a gem – give the private selection try.

Cheers!
Gary

Today is “World Whisky Day“, and as a whisky blogger, I suppose I should be playing the role of educator and cheerleader; encouraging everyone to embrace, participate, and celebrate this latest holiday that’s been around since 2012. I’m not sure that I’m on board with all of that, but first – let’s cover what it is.

Per their web-site (yes, they have a web-site), the paraphrased/gist is:

World Whisky Day invites everyone to try a dram and celebrate the water of life. All you need is a bottle of whisky to share with your friends. World Whisky day celebrates all types of whisky/whiskey and encourages everyone to enjoy whisky responsibly.

As I read that,  my initial thought was “Isn’t that . . . well, every day?” Or at least every day where you have the opportunity? As a whiskey enthusiast, it isn’t like if a friend asks “Want to come over and share a bottle” on May 18th I would look at my calendar and reply “But this isn’t World Whisky Day – can we wait until tomorrow?” If I ever say that (outside of dripping with sarcasm), I hope that friend would stop by, justly slap me across the face with a white (or any available) glove and proclaim that I have injured their sensibilities.

Ok – so whiskey enthusiasts don’t need this holiday; we celebrate the water of life at every given opportunity (and I know some of us go out of our way to create such opportunities!) If this isn’t for us, who is it for? Is this to raise awareness with those non-whiskey enthusiasts?

While not scientific, I did a straw poll around my office – folks that I hadn’t ever talked to about whiskey – to see how many of them were familiar with World Whisky Day. This is where I was hoping to report “Not a single damn one” – but full transparency – one person (just one) had heard of it. I was surprised, but asked them how they heard about it, and if they had plans to celebrate it. They explained that they recalled seeing a tweet on it, but didn’t know when it was (this poll was taken yesterday – the day before) or what it was. They tried to act like they wanted to know more about it – but I think this was just to be polite since they may know of my fondness/obsession for whiskey.

I think what bugs me about this is that not a week goes by without there being some newly declared “holiday” or “special day” that we’re all supposed to pay attention to. For example – did you know that today also “National Devil’s Food Cake Day” and “National Learn to Swim Day”? And yesterday was “National Pizza Party Day”? If there was something else I love almost as much as whiskey – it’d be pizza . . . and apparently I failed in spectacular fashion to respect National Pizza Party Day.

My point is simply this: Life is short. Every day you have a chance to share whiskey with friends, do just that. Share it, enjoy it, and each other’s company. Celebrate those moments and memories, because they’re fleeting – and one day those opportunities may not present themselves.

Now excuse me while I engage in hypocrisy of the highest order by attending a “World Whisky Day” party with some friends, which will have whisky from all over the world.

Cheers!
Gary