Gary’s Blog

I’m a pretty laid back guy, and don’t let the little stuff bother me. Usually. But I need to vent on this one.

This weekend, I attended a wedding where the venue had made several mistakes leading up to the big day. I was told in advance that they were looking to make up for some of these by throwing in “premium bar service” at no extra charge. The venue (which I won’t name here) was very nice, upscale, on a marina – so when someone says “premium bar service” I figured “Ok, so not Evan Williams/Jim Beam/Jack Daniels, but maybe Knob Creek, or Four Roses Single Barrel, and some 10 yr single malts”. I wasn’t thinking limited edition, or 18 yr single malt. After the ceremony, I approach the bar – confused as I only see (in terms of whiskey) Jim, Jack, and Johnnie. There is NOTHING wrong with any of these whiskies – and had I not heard “premium bar service” prior, I wouldn’t have given it a second thought – but sharing this piece for context. I was disappointed immediately (and thinking “This is why you ALWAYS bring a flask” – which I had brought on the trip, but opted to not fill/bring after hearing “premium bar service”).

I take a deep breath, committed to enjoying the rest of the evening, and order a Jack neat. “I’m sorry – that’s against policy sir. Would you like that over ice?”

I stare blankly trying to understand what was just said to me. It makes no sense, so I assume he must not have understood me. “I’m sorry – I’d just like some Jack Daniels, neat – no ice please” I state, trying to articulate the words carefully. “I’m sorry sir, I can’t do that. Our policy doesn’t allow us to pour shots.”

I blink a few times, wondering where the disconnect is. I smile, and try to explain that I’m not wanting a “shot” – I’d just like some Jack Daniels without any ice in a rocks glass. I explain that at 80 proof, I don’t really want it watered down with ice. And again – not asking for a shot – this is Tennessee sipping whiskey, which I intend to sip. I try to put the man at ease that I’m not going to be just throwing these back and wearing my tie on my head before dinner. No dice – they just can’t do it.

There were two bars, and I notice my dad leaving the other bar (after having heard the same feedback from the bartender), with a Jack and two small ice cubes. He said he asked her for Jack with two cubes. Not ideal, but workable. I ask if I can get a Jack with the smallest ice cube she has. She gives me a smile and says “Certainly sir!” and plucks out a quarter-sized sliver of ice, and pours 2 oz of Jack over it.

I get the “no shots” policy at a wedding. But I have some news for folks who have such policies:

1. Ice isn’t an antidote to alcohol. 2 oz of Jack Daniels has the same amount of alcohol whether served neat or over a few cubes. Exact same. I promise – look it up.
2. When watered down, alcohol doesn’t taste as much like alcohol – which seems like this would lead to drinking more – not less.
3. What you’re trying to curb is irresponsible behavior. Altering how someone is enjoying their spirits isn’t that effective. Setting expectations and cutting off those who are acting irresponsible is.

Personally, I take offense that the enjoyment of whiskey neat is considered “bad behavior” or is likened to a bunch of kids lining up shots and getting hammered (news flash – they use Fireball or vodka for that sorta thing). Especially when I saw folks getting loaded on the craft beers they had, or huge glasses of wine. The thought that forcing me to have one or more ice cubes in my glass would somehow be a force for good is ignorant. Although it has reinforced the primary lesson I’ll take away from this: Always bring the flask – regardless of what they tell you will be available.

Cheers!
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

Some whiskey blogs have helped me sort out whether or not I might like a whiskey, or educated me about some new (or old) distillery. This blog has helped me in ways I can’t begin to count. In 2012 (only six years ago, but feels way longer) I reached out to Richard to ask for more information about a post that mentioned the ‘Georgia Bourbon Society’. I had done much of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail the year before, and was still pretty new to whiskey in general. He recommended I get on StraightBourbon.com for more information, which I did. Long story short – I can trace more friendships than I can shake a stick at to this whiskey blog, not to mention countless evenings spent with amazing people and some pretty good whiskey.
When Richard asked me if I’d be interested in helping out with some reviews a couple years later, I jumped at the opportunity. Not only did I get to try some new, cool, interesting (ok – sometimes ‘meh’) whiskies, it helped me identify and appreciate different flavors, aromas, textures – and learn more about what I like. Any time he mentions that he has a sample for me, I get excited and can’t wait for the chance to try it and do my best to capture the experience in a review.

So when Richard asked me if I’d be interested in taking on a more active role with the stewardship of the site, I jumped to my phone to google “stewardship”, and then said absolutely. What he and Matt built here is extraordinary, and I’m looking forward to keeping it going. I’m a big believer in “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”, so you won’t see a lot of changes around here. What you will continue to see are guys who love whiskey and love proselytizing the way of the malt. I hope you enjoy reading it – whether it is to answer a question, research a potential purchase, or help figure out what you might or might not like.

Cheers!
Gary