We (and by “we” I mean the whiskey community at large) spend a lot of time talking about the how’s and why’s of enjoying the water of life. Glassware, nose, palate, temperature, water, peat, barrels, food pairings, cigar pairings…I could go on and on. What we often don’t spend much time talking about is the one thing I consider to be the most important part of enjoying good whiskey in all its forms…friendship.
When I think of the great drinks I’ve had in my life they are almost universally shared with a good friend. What I remember most about my one experience trying the phenomenal 70 year old cognac from Pierre Ferrand was not the amazing complexity of the drink but rather the look on Matt’s face at the moment he realized he was ruined on cognac forever after tasting something that good. My best memories of George T. Stagg are the first bottle I ever had which was shared with Matt and my wife in the company of Matt’s wife Becky. I fell in love with peaty scotch on the screened in porch of my old apartment sipping Lagavulin and enjoying cigars with my old roommates.
Why am I bringing this up now? I was reminded of this on Saturday night. My wife and I spent a great night in the company of my friend Sam and his wife at their house. What made it great? It wasn’t Sam’s amazing short ribs, the great California Syrah we had with dinner or even the Redbreast 15 Year Old and Lagavulin we paired with Arturo Fuentes out on the back patio. It was the sharing of those experiences. My favorite thing about whiskey is introducing it to someone who’s never had it before or just enjoying it with good people. Those shared experiences are what stick with me long after I’ve forgotten my tasting notes on the Glenmorangie Nectar D’Or.
The biggest tragedy of whiskey for me isn’t the closing of Rosebank or some small release that doesn’t make it to Atlanta. It’s that Matt and I live so far apart now. I don’t often get the opportunity to share a dram with him anymore. That to me is truly tragic. With that in mind I think everyone should focus more on who they will share their next dram with this week instead of what that dram will actually be. Just some food for thought.
Oh, by the way, the Redbreast 15 is freakin’ amazing! As soon as I can get my hands on a bottle we’ll get a review out to the masses. My thanks also go out to Sam and Sandra for a great night on Saturday. But for the babysitter we could’ve stayed all night. 🙂
Drink wisely with friends,
Richard
