I'll be leading another tasting at 18 Reasons on Monday, July 18th, this time around taking an introductory look at Japanese and Indian whiskies by tasting three expressions each from Suntory and Amrut. While Japan's interesting whisky history is not very long, they are certainly renowned for their version of Scottish stuff...unfortunately, very few are … Continue reading Indian and Japanese Whisky at 18 Reasons
Events
Glenfiddich’s Cask Of Dreams
Before I start, let me just say that walking through the heart of the Tenderloin, San Francisco's version of skid row (no, not the Sebastian Bach kind...well, sort of), on route to Glenfiddich's tasting on the 15th floor of a fairly lux hotel definitely added a bit of perspective, not to mention a fragrant surreal … Continue reading Glenfiddich’s Cask Of Dreams
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
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
Introduction to Scotch at 18 Reasons
I'll be leading an Introduction to Scotch class at 18 Reasons next Tuesday, February 22. We'll take a quick run through the garden of Scotch Whisky history, talk a bit about how the stuff is made, and then taste our way through the six main regions. For this class, I'll be pouring representative, affordable, and … Continue reading Introduction to Scotch at 18 Reasons
Robbie Burns Night…
San Francisco is a hell of long way from Ayrshire or Dumfries but here's a hearty sláinte mhaith to all celebrating Scotland's great bard tonight. Seemingly saddled with a cold from the deepest wells of hell, I'll be toasting the man with some tea, a bit of Echinacea tincture, and if I'm lucky, a wee … Continue reading Robbie Burns Night…
Whisk(e)y classes at 18 Reasons
"He who can, does. He who cannot, teaches." - George Bernard Shaw, Man and Superman (1903) "Maxims for Revolutionists" Among the many things I cannot do are: wrestle a bear and win, hurl 1000 lb boulders from a high peak down upon unsuspecting villagers, knit a sweater, get any satisfaction, understand any math past high school geometry, … Continue reading Whisk(e)y classes at 18 Reasons
Bay Area Whisky Events, January 2011
A new year, a new month, a couple of whisky events here in the Bay Area to check out... Robert Burns Supper with Robin Coupar presented by Skyy Spirits and Whiskies of the World Expo "A traditional Burns Supper to honor Scotland's beloved Bard. The evening includes a Bag Piper to parade the Haggis, the … Continue reading Bay Area Whisky Events, January 2011
2010 SMWS Extravaganza San Francisco – Recap
Thank you very much to the Scotch Malt Whisky Society of America for the opportunity to attend the Extravaganza as press. The etymology of the word extravaganza reads (at least from several online sources) thusly: "from 1754, with reference to peculiar behavior; from 1794, of a fantastic type of performance or writing, from It. extravaganza, … Continue reading 2010 SMWS Extravaganza San Francisco – Recap
THE CASKS 