Being the daring souls that we are, the wife (let's call her Sherry Butts) and I decided to take our 8 week old son (let's call him Quarter Cask...though at the rate he's growing, half-cask or three-quarter cask might be more appropriate) on a plane trip across the country to Washington DC for a wedding. … Continue reading Glenlivet 12 Year Old, the sky high version.
Chieftain’s 1997 Glen Grant 13 Year Old Year Old
*Thanks to the good folks at Impex Beverages for the sample. I'm not ashamed to admit that perhaps my favorite ride at Disney Land/World is Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. No, sorry...scratch that, my favorite ride is Pirates of the Caribbean, hands down, though I liked it a lot more before Johnny Depp kept showing up … Continue reading Chieftain’s 1997 Glen Grant 13 Year Old Year Old
2011 Whiskies of the World Expo – Recap
Thank you very much to Whiskies of the World for the opportunity to attend the 2011 Expo as press. What a difference a year makes! Last year's Whiskies of the World Expo (let's call it "WoW", shall we?) was saddled with problems thanks to the previous owners and a sub-par venue, not to mention the … Continue reading 2011 Whiskies of the World Expo – Recap
Connemara Peated Single Malt Irish Whiskey
*Thank you to the good folks at Gemini Spirits & Wine for the sample! I can't hear "Connemara" and not think back 11 years ago to a family trip through Ireland and a fateful, death-defying horse-drawn trip through the Gap of Dunloe. Ok, fateful and death-defying might be pitching it a bit strong, maybe cramped and … Continue reading Connemara Peated Single Malt Irish Whiskey
Redbreast 15 Year Old – Review
John Hansell pointed this out in a recent post on the always excellent What Does John Know, but it was something I also noticed right away upon opening my bottle of Redbreast 15 year old: gone was the phrase "Pure Pot Still" that adorns the 12 year old bottle and in its place were the … Continue reading Redbreast 15 Year Old – Review
Bourbon & Rye at 18 Reasons
I'm happy to say the event is sold out! Third sell out in a row... I'll be leading a Bourbon & Rye tasting/class at 18 Reasons on Tuesday, March 22. We'll take an introductory look at these two distinctly American spirits, talk a bit about their history and taste 3 examples of each including Evan Williams … Continue reading Bourbon & Rye at 18 Reasons
Upcoming Bay Area Whisky Events, March 2011
Et tu, Brute? The Ides of March are upon us as are several whisky events. So without further ado about much at all... SF Weekly's DRINK - Spirits, Beer, Wine and Cocktail Tasting Ok, there's a lot more than just whisky here. SF Weekly's first in what will hopefully be an annual booze tasting free-for-all … Continue reading Upcoming Bay Area Whisky Events, March 2011
Bargain Bin Fridays #8, Lauder’s Blended Scotch Whisky
In 2009, Sazerac purchased a company called Barton Brands which had a large line mostly of "affordable" spirits like Fleischmann's Vodka and Gin, Ten High Bourbon and the wonderfully named Mr. Boston Five Star Canadian (the mind reels). Also in the line-up is Lauder's Blended Scotch Whisky, which according to the incredibly brief amount of information given, … Continue reading Bargain Bin Fridays #8, Lauder’s Blended Scotch Whisky
Whisky Roundtable #10
March has come in like a lion, whatever that means. Here in San Francisco, March 1st was kinda gray, no real rain, high 40's...so, it came it more like maybe a wet ferret, but who cares. A new month means a new Whisky Roundtable, this time hosted by the far-too-serious men of the Edinburgh Whisky … Continue reading Whisky Roundtable #10
Glenfarclas 17 Year Old Single Highland Malt Scotch Whisky
(Thanks to the good folks at Gemini Spirits & Wine for the sample.) Inspired by Glenfarclas' independent, family owned tradition (and Wisconsin public employees), I was going to start this post by spouting off on the U.S.'s pathetic tradition of codifying and protecting the über-rich and the giant, mean-spirited corporations that take all the tax … Continue reading Glenfarclas 17 Year Old Single Highland Malt Scotch Whisky
THE CASKS 