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