I haven't spoken about this to many people, let alone blogged about it, but I have a reliable spot for dusty bourbons. Rather, I had a reliable spot.
Many of us dusty bottle hunters have a place that's reliable, usually off the beaten track. And eventually, with new hunters coming aboard every day, that secret place is found by someone else and he or she relieves the store of what remains. That's just part of the hunt. I personally do not believe in hoarding a good find, so I usually leave a bottle or two on the shelf for that next person. Others have done it for me, and I am grateful for it. If I ever do "clean out" a store, I will share the spoils because I believe whisk(e)y is best as a group experience.
The store of interest here, let's call it Tasty Liquors, had five different brands of '80s bourbons. There's one particular brand (to be reviewed soon) in which I have the most interest and have occasionally purchased a bottle, leaving more on the shelf.
On Friday night, I opened a bottle of this bourbon and found it to be enormously enjoyable. When I'd purchased this whiskey two weeks earlier, there were at least 3 more bottles on the shelf. On this past Friday night, as I delighted in the delicious stuff, I decided that I'd get one more bottle for myself and one for a friend. So, first thing on Saturday morning, I drove to the store.
When I got to Tasty Liquors around 8:30am, I noticed that ALL of their dusty bourbon bottles were gone. Not just my favorite brand, but all of the dusties. In place of every old bottle was its new/current version. At first I wondered if the old bottles just went to the back of the store so the newer shinier more familiar looking bottles would take front stage.
(Tasty Liquors is run by a very polite Asian couple and I think they recognize me now since I've been gradually relieving them of their old stuff. The husband had always looked at me oddly as I'd ask for bottles he hadn't been able to sell in three decades.)
More than a little disappointed by the missing dusties, I innocently asked the wife of the couple if they had any of the older versions left, emphasizing that I'd be happy to buy them, not knowing if she would know what I was referring to. But the moment I said the name of my specific brand, she said that "they were discontinued".
"Discontinued", an interesting word choice. The ownership and label had changed 25 years ago, the juice had changed 20 years ago, but discontinued? No. After additional careful polite questioning, I discovered that the distributor rep who restocks this bourbon told her that all of those old bourbons were discontinued and needed to be pulled off the shelf and replaced with the newest versions...
...and he left with all of the dusties. I asked her if he had purchased the bottles. She was confused by that question and said again that he'd said they were discontinued and needed to be taken away.
When I originally wrote this post on Saturday afternoon, I was really f***ing angry. Part of it was grumpiness about someone emptying out the whole stash. Part of the frustration was aimed at myself for not stocking up earlier. But most of it was irrational righteous indignation.
Distributor reps have quite a bit of access to dusty bourbons. Which is fine. Some of them are serious bourbon geeks. I have a buddy who works for a big distributor and he is the smartest bourbon guy I know. He buys the fun dusties he finds and it's not a big issue for him since the bottles are always very cheap. Plus he often shares his spoils. He's the only reason I've been able to try Mr. Van Winkle's bourbons.
But in this instance, if I have interpreted Saturday morning's situation correctly, a distributor rep walked into a liquor store, lied to the owners and then walked out with up to a dozen bottles of collectable (and delicious) whiskey without paying for it. Thus it's very possible that a thief cleaned out a liquor store using his unique position to lie to unknowing ownership; a lying thief who has access to many other prime dusty spots.
Could I be wrong about this? Yeah. Something could have been lost in translation in my chat with the owner. The rep could have bought up the old stuff when he replaced it with the new stuff. And if he didn't, the owners look like complete and utter saps for falling for his BS (though, historically, men have gotten laid utilizing more dubious stories). Or, perhaps the owners finally wisened up after 30 years and realized that there was a market for the oldies (inspired by my sudden purchases) and found another avenue to sell the bottles at a higher price, thus they fibbed to me. Or maybe I totally misunderstood and someone else had bought the dusties before or after the new versions were restocked.
But, I don't think so. Those bottles didn't move for almost 30 years and it's very likely more bottles were needed after my previous purchases. Thus a call to restock. The rep had clearly pushed the "discontinued" angle. And suddenly the dusties were gone, with a somewhat confused owner left in the wake.
I happily welcome this fellow to the LA-area dusty hunt, if he's purchasing his finds. But if he's not purchasing them... I know the region this person works in, the stores he stocks, and the company he works for. I'm not going to spill this info in case I'm completely wrong about what happened. But if, in my hunt, I find this happening again, I will be more than happy to share this information. All's fair in the love and war of a dusty hunt unless you're a g****mned thief.
Yes, this is the calmer version of my post. This sort of experience takes a lot of the fun out of dusty hunting. I've been beaten to a good stash before, a few times. But never by something that seemed so much like a scam. And it didn't have to be that way. These bottles cost, on average, $15. Am I an overreacting sore loser? Let me know. Have you come across poachers in your rounds? Do you believe in "cleaning out" a dusty store or do you leave goodies behind? Or have I just inspired you to hoard even more?
Showing posts with label Los Angeles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Los Angeles. Show all posts
Monday, March 24, 2014
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Peatin' Meetin' post #1
I'm not sure how helpful this post is really going to be, but I feel like I need to list this in order to fully wrap my head around a busy night. I sampled at least 17 whiskies on Saturday night and I'm still sorting through the experience. So here's how I'm going to split it out:
Post #1 - This post with my notes on the whiskies that won't be in posts 2 and 3.
Post #2 - The VIP malts from the evening. Rather than sipping them on location, I tucked my .25oz samples into separate bottles to try on Sunday night. These will have (I hope) more extensive notes.
Post #3 - I escaped with .75 - 1.00oz samples of three whiskies. These will get their own post next week. I'm drying out for a few days before I even look at a whisky again.
So here's the list:
Ardbeg Ardbog, 52.1%ABV - On the nose: lightly winey, bricks of veggie peat, and seemingly more coastal than the 10 year. Cigarettes, lemon, lightly bitter peat, and oranges in the palate. Pretty good actually, just not $100 good.
Ardbeg Corryvrecken, 57.1%ABV - Because what I really needed was a nightcap.
Ardbeg Lord of the Isles - See post #2
Bowmore 1982 21yr Samaroli - See post #2
Bowmore 1989 21yr Silver Seal, 46%ABV - Dynamite! Wish I had taken some actual notes on this one. Nary a hint of flowers or perfume. Good peat, good barley, good oak. Big and bold even after 21+ years.
Bowmore 2000 12yr Cadenheads, 59.6%ABV - This one was divisive. Cough medicine, salty, some spicy herbs, but mostly very phenolic. I loved it.
Bowmore 2001 11yr Maltbarn, 53.6%ABV - Tons of grapefruit and ginger. Very enjoyable. A contrast in characteristics from the preceding Cadenheads Bowmore.
Brora 1981 21yr Old Malt Cask - See post #2
Bruichladdich 6yr SMWS 23.62 - Let's just pretend you didn't see this one here. (Logistics error)
Bunnahabhain 1997 14yr Van Wees, 54.2%ABV - This will also be in post #3.
Bunnahabhain Toiteach, 46%ABV - The young peaty Bunny. People who like their peated Cruach-Mhona, didn't like this one. And vice versa. I like both, but prefer the Cruach due to its Ardbeggieness.
Campbeltown Loch (Blended Scotch) - Not half bad. Piney, oily, some dried oregano, enough malt to be substantial. I haven't found this blend for sale in California yet. I'd spring $30 for it, though it appears to be priced higher.
Clan Denny Islay (Blended Malt), 46%ABV - I liked it quite a bit. There are a number of well-received vatted Islays on the market: Clan Denny, Cask Islay, Smokey Joe, Big Peat. If the bottlers would only keep their prices in the $40 range, then they would win over the folks (like me) who are tired of seeing $50-$60 10 year old single malts. But most of those vatted malts are heading into the $50 range as well.
Douglas XO (Blended Scotch) - Inoffensive. Drinkable. Low on the smoke. Probably better than all of the famous entry level blends out tere.
Kilchoman 2007 4yr Single Cask Nation, 58.4%ABV - Another excellent single cask of baby Kilchoman. Just enough American oak frames the Kilchoman malt rumble.
Lagavulin 1995 12yr Friends of Classic Malts, 48%ABV - A limited (by Diageo's standards) release of 100% ex-sherry Lagavulin. Was the most popular of all the malts I was pouring. The sherry oak shaves the edges off the Lag and makes it more approachable. I'd still take the 12yr cask strength over it any day.
Laphroaig Cairdeas 2013 (9 month port pipe finish), 51.3%ABV - Pink Laphroaig! I'm not a port-ed whisky fan, but with its strawberry shortcake and fresh raspberries, this most recent Cairdeas was very very tasty. I hope they keep the price low when it hits this coast......I can hope can't I?!
Laphroaig 20yr SMWS 29.104, 58.2%ABV - With 1000 thank yous to Tim Puett! Definitely one of my top two malts of the night. I've had four indie ex-sherry Laphroaigs this year and all of them have been fantastic. The phenolics, grapes, and rich oak always merge into a single statement. That statement is, of course, "I am delicious."
Ledaig 10yr, 46.3%ABV - My palate was largely vaporized by the time I got to this one, but it was very approachable. It was good to see so many folks enjoying Ledaig. I've reviewed it before, but I will study it further.
Ledaig 1997 16yr Blackadder Raw Cask - The other one of my top two malts of the night. This will be in post #3.
Octomore 5.1, 59.5%ABV - Milk chocolate, a bit of malt still flexing through the noise, sugar cookies, salty peat. I love enormous phenolics, but the three Octomores I've tried haven't knocked me over. In fact, it's almost as if the peat is yelling so loud that I've tuned it out. And their prices are a damned distraction.
Port Ellen 8th Release - See post #2
Apologies for the lack of pics. I was pouring stuff all night. And when I wasn't pouring, I was sipping. Post #2 will be following in a day or two. Now, I must hydrate.
Post #1 - This post with my notes on the whiskies that won't be in posts 2 and 3.
Post #2 - The VIP malts from the evening. Rather than sipping them on location, I tucked my .25oz samples into separate bottles to try on Sunday night. These will have (I hope) more extensive notes.
Post #3 - I escaped with .75 - 1.00oz samples of three whiskies. These will get their own post next week. I'm drying out for a few days before I even look at a whisky again.
So here's the list:
Ardbeg Ardbog, 52.1%ABV - On the nose: lightly winey, bricks of veggie peat, and seemingly more coastal than the 10 year. Cigarettes, lemon, lightly bitter peat, and oranges in the palate. Pretty good actually, just not $100 good.
Ardbeg Corryvrecken, 57.1%ABV - Because what I really needed was a nightcap.
Ardbeg Lord of the Isles - See post #2
Bowmore 1982 21yr Samaroli - See post #2
Bowmore 1989 21yr Silver Seal, 46%ABV - Dynamite! Wish I had taken some actual notes on this one. Nary a hint of flowers or perfume. Good peat, good barley, good oak. Big and bold even after 21+ years.
Bowmore 2000 12yr Cadenheads, 59.6%ABV - This one was divisive. Cough medicine, salty, some spicy herbs, but mostly very phenolic. I loved it.
Bowmore 2001 11yr Maltbarn, 53.6%ABV - Tons of grapefruit and ginger. Very enjoyable. A contrast in characteristics from the preceding Cadenheads Bowmore.
Brora 1981 21yr Old Malt Cask - See post #2
Bunnahabhain 1997 14yr Van Wees, 54.2%ABV - This will also be in post #3.
Bunnahabhain Toiteach, 46%ABV - The young peaty Bunny. People who like their peated Cruach-Mhona, didn't like this one. And vice versa. I like both, but prefer the Cruach due to its Ardbeggieness.
Campbeltown Loch (Blended Scotch) - Not half bad. Piney, oily, some dried oregano, enough malt to be substantial. I haven't found this blend for sale in California yet. I'd spring $30 for it, though it appears to be priced higher.
Clan Denny Islay (Blended Malt), 46%ABV - I liked it quite a bit. There are a number of well-received vatted Islays on the market: Clan Denny, Cask Islay, Smokey Joe, Big Peat. If the bottlers would only keep their prices in the $40 range, then they would win over the folks (like me) who are tired of seeing $50-$60 10 year old single malts. But most of those vatted malts are heading into the $50 range as well.
Douglas XO (Blended Scotch) - Inoffensive. Drinkable. Low on the smoke. Probably better than all of the famous entry level blends out tere.
Kilchoman 2007 4yr Single Cask Nation, 58.4%ABV - Another excellent single cask of baby Kilchoman. Just enough American oak frames the Kilchoman malt rumble.
Lagavulin 1995 12yr Friends of Classic Malts, 48%ABV - A limited (by Diageo's standards) release of 100% ex-sherry Lagavulin. Was the most popular of all the malts I was pouring. The sherry oak shaves the edges off the Lag and makes it more approachable. I'd still take the 12yr cask strength over it any day.
Laphroaig Cairdeas 2013 (9 month port pipe finish), 51.3%ABV - Pink Laphroaig! I'm not a port-ed whisky fan, but with its strawberry shortcake and fresh raspberries, this most recent Cairdeas was very very tasty. I hope they keep the price low when it hits this coast......I can hope can't I?!
Laphroaig 20yr SMWS 29.104, 58.2%ABV - With 1000 thank yous to Tim Puett! Definitely one of my top two malts of the night. I've had four indie ex-sherry Laphroaigs this year and all of them have been fantastic. The phenolics, grapes, and rich oak always merge into a single statement. That statement is, of course, "I am delicious."
Ledaig 10yr, 46.3%ABV - My palate was largely vaporized by the time I got to this one, but it was very approachable. It was good to see so many folks enjoying Ledaig. I've reviewed it before, but I will study it further.
Ledaig 1997 16yr Blackadder Raw Cask - The other one of my top two malts of the night. This will be in post #3.
Octomore 5.1, 59.5%ABV - Milk chocolate, a bit of malt still flexing through the noise, sugar cookies, salty peat. I love enormous phenolics, but the three Octomores I've tried haven't knocked me over. In fact, it's almost as if the peat is yelling so loud that I've tuned it out. And their prices are a damned distraction.
Port Ellen 8th Release - See post #2
Apologies for the lack of pics. I was pouring stuff all night. And when I wasn't pouring, I was sipping. Post #2 will be following in a day or two. Now, I must hydrate.
Monday, March 4, 2013
K&L Single Cask Whisky tasting with the LA Scotch Club (Part 1)
Last Wednesday (2/27), 45 of us met at Blu Jam Cafe for dinner and drams with David Othenin-Girard of K&L Wines. David brought along a slew, a flock, a murder of K&L's single cask releases for us taste (and possibly contemplate purchasing).
David walked us through each of these eight single malts, talking to us about the distilleries and the bottlers. He shared some cask selection tales, as well as some industry insider info. And, yes, there were Diageo tales, none of which am I going to repeat since they only reinforce my disgust with that company. Despite that, it was a very positive and extremely enjoyable tour through these delectable goodies:
Glen Garioch 14 year old 1998 - 55.2% ABV - $100
Aged in a bourbon hogshead, this whisky has a lot of whole wheat bread and gingerbread on the nose with plenty of sweet fruit and honey on the palate and finish. I'm a fan of all things Glen Garioch, both old and new, and this one was made a few years after they had stopped peating their malt. The price may look steep, but it is GG's lowest priced cask strength bottling to date.
Faultline 10 year old North Highland Single Malt - 50% ABV - $55
Faultline is K&L's own label. Over the past couple of years they've been able to pluck some whiskies and gins to bottle on their own and then sell at a relatively reasonable rate.
They do not disclose which distillery this malt came from and neither will I, specifically. But I will say this, as a sherry casker it beats the daylights out of the Las***a. That's possibly due to the fact that it spent its entire life in a sherry cask rather than just being finished in one. Or maybe it's because that cask was a second fill. Or maybe it has something to do with the fact that this Faultline whisky wasn't engineered to try to suit everyone's tastebuds. No matter the reason, the whisky works.
As for the booze, it has a great silky, almost oily mouthfeel. There's buttery caramel and toffee on the nose. The sherry element is mild. There's a touch of spice and cocktail bitters in the palate.
Caperdonich 18 year old 1994 (Sovereign) - 58.4% ABV - $126
I grabbed a little sample of this to take home so...
Full tasting notes on this tomorrow!
GlenDronach 19 year old 1993 - 54.7% ABV - $140
The GlenDronach single cask releases have been getting rave reviews for the last few years, so why K&L still has ton of these in stock, I don't know. As the Davids note, it's considerably better than Macallan 18, at a higher strength, older age, smaller availability, and a lower price.
As I've written on a few occasions, my palate is really not taking to lots of sherry in my whisky, recently. But this one was fun to try. Dark chocolate, leather, and spent matchsticks on the nose. Yes, something sulfur-ish. But it was quite good. There's some earl grey tea and cayenne pepper amongst the sherry in the palate. The finish is sourish, not at all sweet.
Kilchoman 100% Islay Single Sherry Barrel Cask Finish - ??? ABV - $120
I missed getting the ABV on this, but it is at full strength. Like its Kil'oman brethren, the whisky is young but of stunning quality. Kilchoman usually gets its barley from Port Ellen at the Ardbeg peating specs. But this one is made from local Islay barley and is peated much lower, in the 10-15ppm range.
The whisky has a bright crazy zippy nose full of pepper, ginger, and molasses. The palate is "carrot cake, delicious, more baked sweets". The finish reminds me, oddly, of Corsair's Wry Moon with its cinnamon and white pepper.
The Kilchoman may have been the most popular one at the event. It's a bit out of my current price range, but if it wasn't, I would buy it yesterday.
Bruichladdich 2003 Peated Single Barrel - 54.2% ABV - $73
This one is sold out, so this is just a damned tease.
It's not that sherried, in fact it reminded me of Kilchoman. In fact, my notes say "More Kilchoman than Kilchoman." Otherwise, the palate is full of pepper, brown sugar, and peat. It is solid cask strength peatness at a good price. I won't tease you further.
BenRiach 27 year old 1984 Peated Sherry Cask - 49.6% ABV - $200
This peated malt spent its first twenty-three years in ex-bourbon, then the final four years in Pedro Ximenez casks. I'm glad I had a chance to taste this one. Part of my brain (the part I'm trying to corral) was trying to find some excuse to buy this blindly. The price is considerably below almost all 40-43% whiskys of its age, let alone the cask strength ones! Plus I'm liking the peated BenRiachs.
Happily good sense won out in the end. It's good stuff, but I like the oddball Authenticas 21 year old better.
But for those with the means to grab this one (and it is going fast), lots of chocolate and sherried cigarettes on the nose with dried fruits and menthol on the palate.
Glenfarclas 42 year old 1970 Family Cask - 56.9% ABV - $580
Yes, you read that right. 42 years old. 56.9% ABV. Guess who took his sample home for quiet study?
Full tasting notes on this tomorrow!
I also had the opportunity to taste these two:
Since I'm a big Signatory fan, I had been eyeing both of these bottles online and in-store. The Longmorn is a 10 year old bottled at 46%. The Benrinnes is a 12 year old bottled at full strength, 58.2%. Neither disappointed, though I really enjoyed the Longmorn much more than I'd expected.
I don't have proper notes on either as they were sampled at the tail end of this epic tasting, but I can summarize. The Benrinnes was lightly citric, mildly honeyed, light on the oak, and very drinkable despite its high ABV. The Longmorn was lovely and light, full of vanilla and baked treats.
I must pause this entry here. In Part 2, tomorrow, I'll post reports on two of the whiskys and give final thoughts on the whole tasting.
Here's a slightly mostly out-of-focus pic of the main lineup:
David walked us through each of these eight single malts, talking to us about the distilleries and the bottlers. He shared some cask selection tales, as well as some industry insider info. And, yes, there were Diageo tales, none of which am I going to repeat since they only reinforce my disgust with that company. Despite that, it was a very positive and extremely enjoyable tour through these delectable goodies:
Glen Garioch 14 year old 1998 - 55.2% ABV - $100
Aged in a bourbon hogshead, this whisky has a lot of whole wheat bread and gingerbread on the nose with plenty of sweet fruit and honey on the palate and finish. I'm a fan of all things Glen Garioch, both old and new, and this one was made a few years after they had stopped peating their malt. The price may look steep, but it is GG's lowest priced cask strength bottling to date.
Faultline 10 year old North Highland Single Malt - 50% ABV - $55
Faultline is K&L's own label. Over the past couple of years they've been able to pluck some whiskies and gins to bottle on their own and then sell at a relatively reasonable rate.
They do not disclose which distillery this malt came from and neither will I, specifically. But I will say this, as a sherry casker it beats the daylights out of the Las***a. That's possibly due to the fact that it spent its entire life in a sherry cask rather than just being finished in one. Or maybe it's because that cask was a second fill. Or maybe it has something to do with the fact that this Faultline whisky wasn't engineered to try to suit everyone's tastebuds. No matter the reason, the whisky works.
As for the booze, it has a great silky, almost oily mouthfeel. There's buttery caramel and toffee on the nose. The sherry element is mild. There's a touch of spice and cocktail bitters in the palate.
Caperdonich 18 year old 1994 (Sovereign) - 58.4% ABV - $126
I grabbed a little sample of this to take home so...
Full tasting notes on this tomorrow!
GlenDronach 19 year old 1993 - 54.7% ABV - $140
The GlenDronach single cask releases have been getting rave reviews for the last few years, so why K&L still has ton of these in stock, I don't know. As the Davids note, it's considerably better than Macallan 18, at a higher strength, older age, smaller availability, and a lower price.
As I've written on a few occasions, my palate is really not taking to lots of sherry in my whisky, recently. But this one was fun to try. Dark chocolate, leather, and spent matchsticks on the nose. Yes, something sulfur-ish. But it was quite good. There's some earl grey tea and cayenne pepper amongst the sherry in the palate. The finish is sourish, not at all sweet.
Kilchoman 100% Islay Single Sherry Barrel Cask Finish - ??? ABV - $120
I missed getting the ABV on this, but it is at full strength. Like its Kil'oman brethren, the whisky is young but of stunning quality. Kilchoman usually gets its barley from Port Ellen at the Ardbeg peating specs. But this one is made from local Islay barley and is peated much lower, in the 10-15ppm range.
The whisky has a bright crazy zippy nose full of pepper, ginger, and molasses. The palate is "carrot cake, delicious, more baked sweets". The finish reminds me, oddly, of Corsair's Wry Moon with its cinnamon and white pepper.
The Kilchoman may have been the most popular one at the event. It's a bit out of my current price range, but if it wasn't, I would buy it yesterday.
Bruichladdich 2003 Peated Single Barrel - 54.2% ABV - $73
This one is sold out, so this is just a damned tease.
It's not that sherried, in fact it reminded me of Kilchoman. In fact, my notes say "More Kilchoman than Kilchoman." Otherwise, the palate is full of pepper, brown sugar, and peat. It is solid cask strength peatness at a good price. I won't tease you further.
BenRiach 27 year old 1984 Peated Sherry Cask - 49.6% ABV - $200
This peated malt spent its first twenty-three years in ex-bourbon, then the final four years in Pedro Ximenez casks. I'm glad I had a chance to taste this one. Part of my brain (the part I'm trying to corral) was trying to find some excuse to buy this blindly. The price is considerably below almost all 40-43% whiskys of its age, let alone the cask strength ones! Plus I'm liking the peated BenRiachs.Happily good sense won out in the end. It's good stuff, but I like the oddball Authenticas 21 year old better.
But for those with the means to grab this one (and it is going fast), lots of chocolate and sherried cigarettes on the nose with dried fruits and menthol on the palate.
Glenfarclas 42 year old 1970 Family Cask - 56.9% ABV - $580
Yes, you read that right. 42 years old. 56.9% ABV. Guess who took his sample home for quiet study?
Full tasting notes on this tomorrow!
I also had the opportunity to taste these two:
I don't have proper notes on either as they were sampled at the tail end of this epic tasting, but I can summarize. The Benrinnes was lightly citric, mildly honeyed, light on the oak, and very drinkable despite its high ABV. The Longmorn was lovely and light, full of vanilla and baked treats.
I must pause this entry here. In Part 2, tomorrow, I'll post reports on two of the whiskys and give final thoughts on the whole tasting.
Friday, February 1, 2013
Three whisky events in four days: Part Three
(Part One here)
(Part Two here)
Ulitmately, there was...
MONDAY -- STITZEL-WELLER WITH THE SCWC
There's a new club in town: the Southern California Whiskey Club. It's the brainchild of Chris Uhde and Michael Ries, two awesome whiskey guys I've met at a number of other booze events. You'll note the 'e' in the "Whiskey" part of their club name. Thus Monday night's event was a Bourbon Whiskey meeting. And not just any bourbon whiskey. Stitzel-Weller bourbon whiskey.
This was another step in my further education on American whiskies. A year ago today, I didn't know a darn thing about the aged spirits produced in my country. My whisky knowledge was (like most of my thoughts) focused overseas. Since my proper introduction to rye and bourbon last February, my interest in these more local liquors has grown.
So on Monday there I was in the midst of a five part taste-off between old Stitzel-Weller bourbon and its modern compatriots. It went as follows:
1. Cabin Still (1989) versus Cabin Still (2011)
2. Old Fitzgerald BIB DSP KY-16 (S-W) versus Old Fitzgerald BIB DSP KY–1 (Heaven Hill)
3. Very Special Old Fitzgerald 12yr BHC Louisville 1994 (S-W) versus Very Special Old Fitzgerald 12yr current (Heaven Hill)
4. Pappy Van Winkle 20yr bottled in 2010 versus Pappy Van Winkle 20yr bottled in 2012
5. W.L Weller BHC 10yr Centennial Louisville edition versus Jefferson’s Presidential 18yr
Yes, your eyes may be drawn to #4 there. And for good reason. Collectors are going absolutely bananas for all Pappy juice. Especially the known Stitzel-Weller Pappy juice. Since the Stitzel-Weller distillery closed in 1992, the 2010 Pappy is definitely S-W. There's a debate as to how much actual Stitzel-Weller spirit is in the 2012. Much, most, or all of it may be from Heaven Hill's Bernheim distillery.
The Van Winkle brand (as well as the W.L. Weller brand) is currently owned by Buffalo Trace. The news came out a couple weeks ago that the Stitzel-Weller distillery is actually being reopened......by Diageo. (Insert cheer or grumble here.)
Back in the day, Julian "Pappy" Van Winkle personally preferred the palate on wheated bourbons -- "a whisper of wheat" they used to say -- so that was the product they focused on at the distillery. And wheated bourbons are what we tasted at the Monday night event, held at The Daily Pint.
Looking over my notes and thinking back to Monday night, there are two consistent elements to each of the five comparative tastings: the S-W whiskies had brighter, bolder, more vibrant noses while the finishes on the current releases were muted. Here are my notes:
Cabin Still 1989 -- Bright candied nose. Sweeter than the 2011, but not sacchrine.
Cabin Still 2011 -- Sandier, dustier nose. Mild palate, a little bit of clay in there.
Old Fitzgerald 1991 -- Maple syrup on buttermilk pancakes. Thick solid palate.
Old Fitzgerald 2012 -- Quite muted. Hay, grasses, grainy notes.
Very Special Old Fitz 12yr 1994 -- Chocolate, maple syrup, and light floral notes.
Very Special Old Fitz 12yr current -- Milder (again), grassy. A touch sour. Not as very special.
Pappy 20yr 2010 -- Fills one's skull with the vibrant oaky wheat whisky flavors. Some brandied cherries in there. I prefer this one's palate.
Pappy 20yr 2012 -- Nose is heavier, darker (does that make any sense?). Spices, molasses, bananas. I prefer this one's nose.
WL Weller 10yr Centennial -- Pretty good, preferred
Jefferson's Prez 18yr -- Decent, but not that memorable
Sorry for those last two. Socializing had begun in earnest by that point. I was talking to a nice chap about spirits of all kinds. That was actually one of the best parts of the event was the laid-back chatty atmosphere.
Chris didn't tell the crowd what we should be tasting nor which whiskey we should like better. Instead, we all were given the space to sort out what we liked best. That's exactly how I think events should be run. Whisk(e)y is a mercurial personal thing. In my case, I liked the newer Pappy's nose better than the S-W Pappy nose, while I liked the elder one's palate better. But I liked Old Fitzgerald 1991 the best, even more than the Pappies. Its nose was insanely delicious, and it didn't taste half bad either! The Very Special Old Fitzgerald '94 was great too. I found the contemporary Heaven Hill bourbons to be very mild and largely forgettable, aside from their mildness.
I personally wouldn't drop $100+ on any of these, though I can understand why Pappy would carry a big price in the primary market. I'll keep my commentary on the secondary market to a minimum for now. Ultimately, I agree with Southern California Whiskey Club folks; these amber treasures were made to be appreciated by more senses than just sight. They were created to be tasted. They were created to be shared. I mean, it's whiskey, damn it.
Many thanks to Chris and Michael for this great opportunity. I'm looking forward to the next event!
(Part Two here)
Ulitmately, there was...
MONDAY -- STITZEL-WELLER WITH THE SCWC
There's a new club in town: the Southern California Whiskey Club. It's the brainchild of Chris Uhde and Michael Ries, two awesome whiskey guys I've met at a number of other booze events. You'll note the 'e' in the "Whiskey" part of their club name. Thus Monday night's event was a Bourbon Whiskey meeting. And not just any bourbon whiskey. Stitzel-Weller bourbon whiskey.
This was another step in my further education on American whiskies. A year ago today, I didn't know a darn thing about the aged spirits produced in my country. My whisky knowledge was (like most of my thoughts) focused overseas. Since my proper introduction to rye and bourbon last February, my interest in these more local liquors has grown.
So on Monday there I was in the midst of a five part taste-off between old Stitzel-Weller bourbon and its modern compatriots. It went as follows:
1. Cabin Still (1989) versus Cabin Still (2011)2. Old Fitzgerald BIB DSP KY-16 (S-W) versus Old Fitzgerald BIB DSP KY–1 (Heaven Hill)
3. Very Special Old Fitzgerald 12yr BHC Louisville 1994 (S-W) versus Very Special Old Fitzgerald 12yr current (Heaven Hill)
4. Pappy Van Winkle 20yr bottled in 2010 versus Pappy Van Winkle 20yr bottled in 2012
5. W.L Weller BHC 10yr Centennial Louisville edition versus Jefferson’s Presidential 18yr
Yes, your eyes may be drawn to #4 there. And for good reason. Collectors are going absolutely bananas for all Pappy juice. Especially the known Stitzel-Weller Pappy juice. Since the Stitzel-Weller distillery closed in 1992, the 2010 Pappy is definitely S-W. There's a debate as to how much actual Stitzel-Weller spirit is in the 2012. Much, most, or all of it may be from Heaven Hill's Bernheim distillery.The Van Winkle brand (as well as the W.L. Weller brand) is currently owned by Buffalo Trace. The news came out a couple weeks ago that the Stitzel-Weller distillery is actually being reopened......by Diageo. (Insert cheer or grumble here.)
Back in the day, Julian "Pappy" Van Winkle personally preferred the palate on wheated bourbons -- "a whisper of wheat" they used to say -- so that was the product they focused on at the distillery. And wheated bourbons are what we tasted at the Monday night event, held at The Daily Pint.
Looking over my notes and thinking back to Monday night, there are two consistent elements to each of the five comparative tastings: the S-W whiskies had brighter, bolder, more vibrant noses while the finishes on the current releases were muted. Here are my notes:
Cabin Still 1989 -- Bright candied nose. Sweeter than the 2011, but not sacchrine.
Cabin Still 2011 -- Sandier, dustier nose. Mild palate, a little bit of clay in there.
Old Fitzgerald 1991 -- Maple syrup on buttermilk pancakes. Thick solid palate.
Old Fitzgerald 2012 -- Quite muted. Hay, grasses, grainy notes.
Very Special Old Fitz 12yr 1994 -- Chocolate, maple syrup, and light floral notes.
Very Special Old Fitz 12yr current -- Milder (again), grassy. A touch sour. Not as very special.
Pappy 20yr 2010 -- Fills one's skull with the vibrant oaky wheat whisky flavors. Some brandied cherries in there. I prefer this one's palate.
Pappy 20yr 2012 -- Nose is heavier, darker (does that make any sense?). Spices, molasses, bananas. I prefer this one's nose.
WL Weller 10yr Centennial -- Pretty good, preferred
Jefferson's Prez 18yr -- Decent, but not that memorable
Sorry for those last two. Socializing had begun in earnest by that point. I was talking to a nice chap about spirits of all kinds. That was actually one of the best parts of the event was the laid-back chatty atmosphere.
Chris didn't tell the crowd what we should be tasting nor which whiskey we should like better. Instead, we all were given the space to sort out what we liked best. That's exactly how I think events should be run. Whisk(e)y is a mercurial personal thing. In my case, I liked the newer Pappy's nose better than the S-W Pappy nose, while I liked the elder one's palate better. But I liked Old Fitzgerald 1991 the best, even more than the Pappies. Its nose was insanely delicious, and it didn't taste half bad either! The Very Special Old Fitzgerald '94 was great too. I found the contemporary Heaven Hill bourbons to be very mild and largely forgettable, aside from their mildness.
I personally wouldn't drop $100+ on any of these, though I can understand why Pappy would carry a big price in the primary market. I'll keep my commentary on the secondary market to a minimum for now. Ultimately, I agree with Southern California Whiskey Club folks; these amber treasures were made to be appreciated by more senses than just sight. They were created to be tasted. They were created to be shared. I mean, it's whiskey, damn it.
Many thanks to Chris and Michael for this great opportunity. I'm looking forward to the next event!
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Three whisky events in four days: Part Two
(Part One here)
And then there was...
And then there was...
SUNDAY -- GLEN GARIOCH & BOWMORE
If you are on the western coast of the United States and Johnnie Mundell is holding a whisky event in your town, be there. He is and has been a rep for Morrison Bowmore and Campari America. Like Martin Daraz, he's a hardy Scotsman who can handle a room, weave a tale, educate the mind, and pour whisky all at the same time. I've been to three of his Bowmore events, one Glenrothes event, and now this Glen Garioch + Bowmore event. I'm such a fan of this guy that I'm going to stop gushing before this gets awkward.
Too late!
On this particular evening, Johnnie climbed on tables...
...read Burns's "John Barleycorn"...
...and poured the following:
Glen Garioch 1797 Founder's Reserve
Glen Garioch 12 year
Glen Garioch 1994 Vintage
Glen Garioch 1991 Vintage
Auchentoshan Three Wood
Bowmore Legend
Bowmore 12 year
Bowmore 15 year Darkest
Bowmore 18 year
Bowmore Dorus Mor
He had these paired side by side as such:
GG Founders Reserve and Bowmore Legend
GG 12 year and Bowmore 12 year
GG 1994 and Bowmore 18 year
Auchie Three Wood and Bowmore 15 year Darkest
GG 1991 and Bowmore Dorus Mor
I've reviewed a number of these already, in fact I think I've reported on most of the Bowmores multiple times. The only Garioch that I'd reported on before was the 12 year and I still find it bloody fantastic (maple syrup, vanilla beans, and dried apricots this time). I'll try to focus on stuff newer to me.
Bowmore Legend ($25, 40%) and Glen Garioch Founder's Reserve ($35, 48%) are both in the 8 year range and carry their youth well. Legend is a lot better than I thought it would be: some light peat, light on the sweet, and very drinkable neat. The Founder's carries more oomph, due to its ABV and no filtration. It's bready and full of cereal notes, some white fruits on the nose and a touch savory in the palate.
Likely my second favorite of the night, the Glen Garioch 1994 ($120, 53.9%) has a gorgeous nose: a massive hit of salted taffy and butterscotch. The malty palate has a touch of peat and salt. The Glen Garioch 1991 (54.7%) isn't available in the states (yet) but was the softest and most graceful of the bunch. Also lightly peated, there was a similar butterscotch character as well as some citrus juice notes.
The Bowmore Dorus Mor was the biggie, for me. The limited release Bowmore Tempest bottlings are my favorite official Bowmore bottlings. They are 10-year-old cask-strength first-fill ex-bourbon-barrel bruisers. A year ago, a California winery named "Tempest" threatened suit if Bowmore was to release another Tempest whisky in The States. So Bowmore responded by changing the name of Tempest Batch 4 to "Dorus Mor" on the US bottles. The Dorus release will be even smaller than the previous Tempests and it's the first by the great Rachel Barrie since she moved over to Morrison Bowmore. It's going to be released here very soon and it's not going to be cheap. But it's very good. I will have an official report on Dorus within the next week or so.
Many many thanks to Johnnie for all these great things!
For part three, we head West...
Too late!
On this particular evening, Johnnie climbed on tables...
...read Burns's "John Barleycorn"...
Glen Garioch 1797 Founder's Reserve
Glen Garioch 12 year
Glen Garioch 1994 Vintage
Glen Garioch 1991 Vintage
Auchentoshan Three Wood
Bowmore Legend
Bowmore 12 year
Bowmore 15 year Darkest
Bowmore 18 year
Bowmore Dorus Mor
He had these paired side by side as such:
GG Founders Reserve and Bowmore Legend
GG 12 year and Bowmore 12 year
GG 1994 and Bowmore 18 year
Auchie Three Wood and Bowmore 15 year Darkest
GG 1991 and Bowmore Dorus Mor
I've reviewed a number of these already, in fact I think I've reported on most of the Bowmores multiple times. The only Garioch that I'd reported on before was the 12 year and I still find it bloody fantastic (maple syrup, vanilla beans, and dried apricots this time). I'll try to focus on stuff newer to me.
Bowmore Legend ($25, 40%) and Glen Garioch Founder's Reserve ($35, 48%) are both in the 8 year range and carry their youth well. Legend is a lot better than I thought it would be: some light peat, light on the sweet, and very drinkable neat. The Founder's carries more oomph, due to its ABV and no filtration. It's bready and full of cereal notes, some white fruits on the nose and a touch savory in the palate.
Likely my second favorite of the night, the Glen Garioch 1994 ($120, 53.9%) has a gorgeous nose: a massive hit of salted taffy and butterscotch. The malty palate has a touch of peat and salt. The Glen Garioch 1991 (54.7%) isn't available in the states (yet) but was the softest and most graceful of the bunch. Also lightly peated, there was a similar butterscotch character as well as some citrus juice notes.
Many many thanks to Johnnie for all these great things!
For part three, we head West...
Three whisky events in four days: Part One
Three whisk(e)y events in four nights. Pasadena, Costa Mesa, Santa Monica. What a man won't do for a dram. I'm sure my innards are positively pickled, so I will attempt a three part recap as I recover...
FRIDAY NIGHT -- ROBBIE BURNS NIGHT (w/ HIGHLAND PARK)!
I had an awesome Robert Burns Night. I hope you did too!
Though among the thirsty crowd at Beckham Grill in Pasadena, I had to reign in my whisky sampling due to a long drive home at the end of the night. But there was great food, including haggis:
It looked like a cross between a scarab, a turd, and a baby's head. Naturally, it was delicious. A little lamb, a spot of liver, and a few shakes of black pepper. And there was great company including Martin Daraz, the Highland Park rep responsible for structuring the evening's whisky appreciation.
I had heard so much about Martin and I really enjoyed meeting the man. He was very honest and candid about the HP malts. And he IMPRESSIVELY handled a crowd that was sprinkled with non-member hecklers. Let me emphasize that the interrupters were still relatively sober and though they may have fancied themselves comedians, they just embarrassed themselves in front of Il Maestro Daraz. Don't heckle a heckler.
Okay enough with the crabbing, onto the booze lineup. We started with Famous Grouse as an aperitif. Then we moved to the HP 18 for the toast. During dinner, I helped pour the 12 and 15.
For dessert there was this:
And this:
I sampled some HP Thor. But the fun surprise bottle was the Highland Park Bicentenary. While the whisky wasn't 200 years old, its lifespan was actually 1977-1998.
The Bicentenary was GREAT, though I only had a whisper of it since I had to head out into the rain to drive home carefully. The Thor was decent, probably could have used some water. The HP 25 and 30 were magnificent; if you can afford whisky at that price......you lucky ducks.
Full disclosure: this was my first HP18 experience. While it didn't blow my tastebuds out of my head, I did enjoy its finish better than that of the fancier bottles. The hubbub and noise and smells prevented me from really digging in. So I have a full-on HP18 report scheduled for this year and I look forward to a controlled setting.
I'd read some grumbles about the 15-year, but I liked the slightly different character brought about by sherried American oak. And as usual, the 12 was reliably excellent.
I can confirm to you all that all HP is now using all ex-sherry barrels, each bottling has a mix of first and second-fills. The distillery grassy-fruited-light-peat character was remarkably consistent from bottle to bottle. Probably even more consistent than Laphroaig had been during December's once-in-a-lifetime verticale.
Ultimately, this was a lot of sherried whisky in one night for me. The sherry and the HP spirit merge much better than most (or all?) sherry "finishes" I've tried. But I'd love to find an indie bottling that was aged in refill ex-bourbon.
This Burns Night made for an excellent whisky social experience. Thank you Martin for the whisky and the education. Y'all need to meet this gentleman when he comes to town.
In Part Two, I'll travel South (in both California and Scotland)...
FRIDAY NIGHT -- ROBBIE BURNS NIGHT (w/ HIGHLAND PARK)!
I had an awesome Robert Burns Night. I hope you did too!
Though among the thirsty crowd at Beckham Grill in Pasadena, I had to reign in my whisky sampling due to a long drive home at the end of the night. But there was great food, including haggis:
It looked like a cross between a scarab, a turd, and a baby's head. Naturally, it was delicious. A little lamb, a spot of liver, and a few shakes of black pepper. And there was great company including Martin Daraz, the Highland Park rep responsible for structuring the evening's whisky appreciation.
I had heard so much about Martin and I really enjoyed meeting the man. He was very honest and candid about the HP malts. And he IMPRESSIVELY handled a crowd that was sprinkled with non-member hecklers. Let me emphasize that the interrupters were still relatively sober and though they may have fancied themselves comedians, they just embarrassed themselves in front of Il Maestro Daraz. Don't heckle a heckler.
Okay enough with the crabbing, onto the booze lineup. We started with Famous Grouse as an aperitif. Then we moved to the HP 18 for the toast. During dinner, I helped pour the 12 and 15.
For dessert there was this:
And this:
I sampled some HP Thor. But the fun surprise bottle was the Highland Park Bicentenary. While the whisky wasn't 200 years old, its lifespan was actually 1977-1998.
The Bicentenary was GREAT, though I only had a whisper of it since I had to head out into the rain to drive home carefully. The Thor was decent, probably could have used some water. The HP 25 and 30 were magnificent; if you can afford whisky at that price......you lucky ducks.
Full disclosure: this was my first HP18 experience. While it didn't blow my tastebuds out of my head, I did enjoy its finish better than that of the fancier bottles. The hubbub and noise and smells prevented me from really digging in. So I have a full-on HP18 report scheduled for this year and I look forward to a controlled setting.
I'd read some grumbles about the 15-year, but I liked the slightly different character brought about by sherried American oak. And as usual, the 12 was reliably excellent.
I can confirm to you all that all HP is now using all ex-sherry barrels, each bottling has a mix of first and second-fills. The distillery grassy-fruited-light-peat character was remarkably consistent from bottle to bottle. Probably even more consistent than Laphroaig had been during December's once-in-a-lifetime verticale.
Ultimately, this was a lot of sherried whisky in one night for me. The sherry and the HP spirit merge much better than most (or all?) sherry "finishes" I've tried. But I'd love to find an indie bottling that was aged in refill ex-bourbon.
This Burns Night made for an excellent whisky social experience. Thank you Martin for the whisky and the education. Y'all need to meet this gentleman when he comes to town.
In Part Two, I'll travel South (in both California and Scotland)...
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Laphroaig like there's no tomorrow
So this happened:
Last Sunday at Beckham Grill with the LA Scotch Club, we embraced the Laphroaig Vertical.
Laphroaig 10 year
Laphroaig 10 year Cask Strength Batch 003
Laphroaig Quarter Cask
Laphroaig Triple Wood
Laphroaig PX Cask (Duty Free only)
Laphroaig 15 year
Laphroaig Cairdeas Origin
Laphroaig 18 year
Laphroaig 21 year Cask Strength
Laphroaig 25 year Cask Strength
Laphroaig 30 year
Laphroaig 40 year
Dios mio, that list looks even crazier in hindsight. I took my samples of the 30 and 40 home for a quiet private tasting. Plus I secured samples of my three new favorites from the above list so that I might provide full reporting.
In the meantime, in honor of Repeal Day, I will present my recap in corrupted haiku form:
Thanks Brandon Bartlett
Ye Protector of the Peat
(I won some glassware!)
Maker's Mark barrels
Big smoke on the malting floor
Beam's Islay spirit
Laphroaig 10 year
Old wet cigarettes
Molasses and salty peat
Meet my new old friend
Laphroaig 10 year Cask Strength Batch 003
Cherries peat and brine
Early morning bakery
Brown sugar and cream
Tremendous finish
Acres of Port Ellen smoke
Needs time, serve it neat
Laphroaig Quarter Cask
My bottle's open
But I'll always embrace more
Sweet and bitter this
Long lingering, bright
Anise, brown-sugar-wrapped peat smoke
A grand autumn malt
Laphroaig Triple Wood
Dried fruits and ripe fruits
Loads of peat and tobacco
Bitter in the mouth
Laphroaig PX Cask
Find anise and tar
Wrap it in salty sherry
Sell it duty free
Laphroaig 15 year
Young Ardbeg at best
Dare I ask, Who will miss you?
Stay in the barrel
Laphroaig Cairdeas Origin
Keer-dass or Kar-chiss?
Either way, a lovely thing
Cairdeas means friendship
Vanilla choc'late
Salty nutty peaty moss
Handshake and a hug
Laphroaig 18 year
Least peated of all
Or so my palate tells me
Cantaloupe mint brine
Wood smoke, still has zip
Molasses-ed lengthy finish
Not loved, don't mind it
Laphroaig 21 year Cask Strength
Single Malt Report?
This is fucking delicious.
You want to know more?
Think peated cognac
Coconut, candied white fruit
Vanillins in love
Laphroaig 25 year Cask Strength
Dry with light flowers
Coffee grounds, slightly sour
Leathery lovely
Laphroaig 30 year and 40 year
Who knows what awaits?
What have the angels stolen?
Time and oak, we wait
 |
| Photo courtesy of the great Bino Gopal |
Laphroaig 10 year
Laphroaig 10 year Cask Strength Batch 003
Laphroaig Quarter Cask
Laphroaig Triple Wood
Laphroaig PX Cask (Duty Free only)
Laphroaig 15 year
Laphroaig Cairdeas Origin
Laphroaig 18 year
Laphroaig 21 year Cask Strength
Laphroaig 25 year Cask Strength
Laphroaig 30 year
Laphroaig 40 year
Dios mio, that list looks even crazier in hindsight. I took my samples of the 30 and 40 home for a quiet private tasting. Plus I secured samples of my three new favorites from the above list so that I might provide full reporting.
In the meantime, in honor of Repeal Day, I will present my recap in corrupted haiku form:
Thanks Brandon Bartlett
Ye Protector of the Peat
(I won some glassware!)
Maker's Mark barrels
Big smoke on the malting floor
Beam's Islay spirit
Laphroaig 10 year
Old wet cigarettes
Molasses and salty peat
Meet my new old friend
Laphroaig 10 year Cask Strength Batch 003
Cherries peat and brine
Early morning bakery
Brown sugar and cream
Tremendous finish
Acres of Port Ellen smoke
Needs time, serve it neat
Laphroaig Quarter Cask
My bottle's open
But I'll always embrace more
Sweet and bitter this
Long lingering, bright
Anise, brown-sugar-wrapped peat smoke
A grand autumn malt
Laphroaig Triple Wood
Dried fruits and ripe fruits
Loads of peat and tobacco
Bitter in the mouth
Laphroaig PX Cask
Find anise and tar
Wrap it in salty sherry
Sell it duty free
Laphroaig 15 year
Young Ardbeg at best
Dare I ask, Who will miss you?
Stay in the barrel
Laphroaig Cairdeas Origin
Keer-dass or Kar-chiss?
Either way, a lovely thing
Cairdeas means friendship
Vanilla choc'late
Salty nutty peaty moss
Handshake and a hug
Laphroaig 18 year
Least peated of all
Or so my palate tells me
Cantaloupe mint brine
Wood smoke, still has zip
Molasses-ed lengthy finish
Not loved, don't mind it
Laphroaig 21 year Cask Strength
Single Malt Report?
This is fucking delicious.
You want to know more?
Think peated cognac
Coconut, candied white fruit
Vanillins in love
Laphroaig 25 year Cask Strength
Dry with light flowers
Coffee grounds, slightly sour
Leathery lovely
Laphroaig 30 year and 40 year
Who knows what awaits?
What have the angels stolen?
Time and oak, we wait
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Los Angeles Love, perfected
A city symphony in a three-minute digestible bite (of course) with triumphant electronic music (of course)!
The music is necessary so turn up the volume or put on headphones. Press play. Make sure HD is selected. And click the full screen button next to the "HD".
NightFall from Colin Rich on Vimeo.
My god, it's full of stars.
The music is necessary so turn up the volume or put on headphones. Press play. Make sure HD is selected. And click the full screen button next to the "HD".
You won't see a single human face, instead behold the results of the labor of millions who came here to find something better. Did they actually find something better? I don't know, but they built Los Angeles.
NightFall from Colin Rich on Vimeo.
My god, it's full of stars.
Monday, August 27, 2012
Birthday Recap!
A tangentially-related prelude:
This morning, our paraplegic military veteran neighbor, who is perpetually mad at his neighbors and probably the rest of the world, was sitting inside his car within our closed garage, playing the hell out of a harmonica. The man has The Blues.
THURSDAY EVENING
I sampled a number of new whiskies at an OC Scotch Club event in Fullerton. I hope to report on some of these in the near future, especially since I'm probably going to do a 180-degree reversal on a previously reviewed single malt. Which one could it be????
More importantly than all the booze stuff, it was great to spend some time with good people on a lovely evening.
I'll be talking this club up from time to time, if you're in the OC and like the amber spirits, you should stop by an event. It's very laid back and President Bob is a very swell dude.
FRIDAY AFTERNOON
I went to see Cosmopolis at its opening 2:30pm showing at a theatre one mile from my front door. I smuggled in a couple ounces of Powers Gold Label, because.
I'd just read DeLillo's novel a few months ago, so the whole thing was still fresh in my mind. Surprisingly, Cosmopolis fits easily into Cronenberg's oeuvre -- detached characters struggling within an alternate reality, compressed space, and portals portals portals everywhere. I'm not saying that the film was great (it was all telling, no showing; and DeLillo's dense dialogue can be burdensome to a film's actors and audience) but the subject matter is timely and I'm game for any Cronenberg flick. Plus the final scene actually achieved some level of emotion amongst the verbal histrionics.
FRIDAY EVENING
Back home, at 5pm, I brought out the birthday whisky. A bottle of a 1978. As well as a 34-year-old dram. It was a grand two-hour slow whisky experience.
After the year I'd had, there was nothing quite like pouring myself a second helping of 30+ year old whisky straight from the bottle. I will be reporting on the whiskys this week (Weds and Thurs, I think).
Kristen roasted a big chicken and baked a flourless chocolate cake. Yes. My wife.
I received many great gifts from my families. And, yes, there was a whiskey gift that damn near blew my mind. I didn't officially open it on Friday night because had I started it, I wouldn't remember a bloody thing the following day. It will be opened soon, though...
I put on a DVD of Orson's F for Fake. Kristen fell asleep.
SATURDAY EVENING
To Hollywood!
We met my buddy Geoff near our old drinking grounds. We went to Stout, where I had a good burger with an Old Rasputin from the tap. Then we went to The Blue Boar Pub where I had glass of Highland Park 12, which keeps getting better every time I try it.
The main event was at Piano Bar. I've thrice previously mentioned Piano Bar on this blog. I'll say it again. IT'S AWESOME. Go there on Saturday or Sunday night to experience Brother Sal & The Devil May Care. I often make the fifty-minute drive to do it and I feel the loss during the months when I don't.
So we went, meeting up with my buddy Sean.
And Brother Sal seriously hooked us up. He is a saint.
I had some great reliable glasses of whiskey (Blanton's, Redbreast 12, and Buffalo Trace), but it's the blues-rock-honky-tonk-saloon-soul dynamite issuing forth from the stage that always alters the air and space around me.
We left when the music stopped, around last call. I can't remember the last time I stayed out until last call.
This morning, our paraplegic military veteran neighbor, who is perpetually mad at his neighbors and probably the rest of the world, was sitting inside his car within our closed garage, playing the hell out of a harmonica. The man has The Blues.
THURSDAY EVENING
I sampled a number of new whiskies at an OC Scotch Club event in Fullerton. I hope to report on some of these in the near future, especially since I'm probably going to do a 180-degree reversal on a previously reviewed single malt. Which one could it be????
More importantly than all the booze stuff, it was great to spend some time with good people on a lovely evening.
I'll be talking this club up from time to time, if you're in the OC and like the amber spirits, you should stop by an event. It's very laid back and President Bob is a very swell dude.
FRIDAY AFTERNOON
I went to see Cosmopolis at its opening 2:30pm showing at a theatre one mile from my front door. I smuggled in a couple ounces of Powers Gold Label, because.
I'd just read DeLillo's novel a few months ago, so the whole thing was still fresh in my mind. Surprisingly, Cosmopolis fits easily into Cronenberg's oeuvre -- detached characters struggling within an alternate reality, compressed space, and portals portals portals everywhere. I'm not saying that the film was great (it was all telling, no showing; and DeLillo's dense dialogue can be burdensome to a film's actors and audience) but the subject matter is timely and I'm game for any Cronenberg flick. Plus the final scene actually achieved some level of emotion amongst the verbal histrionics.
FRIDAY EVENING
Back home, at 5pm, I brought out the birthday whisky. A bottle of a 1978. As well as a 34-year-old dram. It was a grand two-hour slow whisky experience.
Kristen roasted a big chicken and baked a flourless chocolate cake. Yes. My wife.
I received many great gifts from my families. And, yes, there was a whiskey gift that damn near blew my mind. I didn't officially open it on Friday night because had I started it, I wouldn't remember a bloody thing the following day. It will be opened soon, though...
I put on a DVD of Orson's F for Fake. Kristen fell asleep.
SATURDAY EVENING
To Hollywood!
We met my buddy Geoff near our old drinking grounds. We went to Stout, where I had a good burger with an Old Rasputin from the tap. Then we went to The Blue Boar Pub where I had glass of Highland Park 12, which keeps getting better every time I try it.
The main event was at Piano Bar. I've thrice previously mentioned Piano Bar on this blog. I'll say it again. IT'S AWESOME. Go there on Saturday or Sunday night to experience Brother Sal & The Devil May Care. I often make the fifty-minute drive to do it and I feel the loss during the months when I don't.
So we went, meeting up with my buddy Sean.
 |
| Sean and I are twins |
I had some great reliable glasses of whiskey (Blanton's, Redbreast 12, and Buffalo Trace), but it's the blues-rock-honky-tonk-saloon-soul dynamite issuing forth from the stage that always alters the air and space around me.
 |
| Aww yeah. |
We're still catching up on sleep and I'll be drying out for a couple of days, but it was grand. I have many great people, great experiences, and great things in my life. And I am thankful for all of them.
Friday, March 23, 2012
Single Malt Ramblings: 6 Whiskys with the LA Scotch Club
I went to my first LA Scotch Club event last night: Scotch and Crepes at Jack 'n Jill's Too in Beverly Hills. We kibbitzed, noshed, and drank, and not necessarily in that order. I continued my renewed love affair with Nutella (via the dessert crepe), confirmed that Willet is bottling some awesome rye, and tried to make my pursuit of a screenwriting career sound sensible.
We samples six whiskys, but due to all of the socializing, no full reports were completed. So these will be brief thoughts (read: ramblings).
Highland Park 12 - Two years ago the peat level on this was too much for me. Now it's mild as a breeze. Highland Park whiskys are known to have a great balance of many malt characteristics: peat, sweet, vanilla, grasses, dried fruit, etc. This one seemed a bit shy to me. I still like all of its angles, but it was a little on the sleepy side.
Balvenie Doublewood (previously reviewed in my very first report!) - A sweetie compared to the HP12. Very morish. Honeyed and smooth, though we picked up a bit of bitter black pepper in the finish that I'd never noticed before. Otherwise, easy quaffin'.
Glenfiddich 15yr Solera Reserve - I'll admit this was a part of a scouting mission. I was on the lookout for my next reasonably priced go-to single malt. The 'Fiddich 15 was a candidate, but I'd actually never tried it before. And while it's totally inoffensive, and has a nice thickness and sherry sweetness that the 12 is missing, I will bypass purchasing this bottle for now. I'm looking for something better than inoffensive for my dollar.
Ardmore Traditional Cask - I hadn't had an Ardmore in five or six years, so I was looking forward to this one. This bottling includes some quarter cask whisky which has been can't-miss for me so far. It turned out to be the peatiest (but agreeably so) of the six and packed a good punch at 46% ABV. A couple of the guys at the table noted its "sharpness", which I caught too. Possibly due to young malt. It's not an easy one, but still decent for peat and strong oak fans.
Laphroaig 10yr (previously reviewed here) - This one keeps getting better every time I try it. It was sweeter than I'd remembered it. A lot of nice cinnamon too. The 40% ABV keeps it mild and almost refreshing. Wow, I've done a complete 180 on this one.
Tamdhu 10yr - This was an unannounced surprise malt. It was okay, kinda forgettable, but then again I forget stuff all the time. It's a major element within Famous Grouse and Cutty Sark. In fact, I might have thought it was a Sark-like blend had I been blindfolded at the tasting. Edrington mothballed the distillery (wisely?) three years ago, then it was bought up by Ian MacLeod Distillers who may be reopening it in a year or so. Good luck to MacLeod, who did some good work after they bought Glengoyne.
So, Laphroaig wins the day, with Ardmore's Trad Cask following close behind. The peaters!
Many thanks to the LA Scotch Club for the good dinner and scotchin'!
We samples six whiskys, but due to all of the socializing, no full reports were completed. So these will be brief thoughts (read: ramblings).
So, Laphroaig wins the day, with Ardmore's Trad Cask following close behind. The peaters!
Many thanks to the LA Scotch Club for the good dinner and scotchin'!
Friday, March 9, 2012
This is real: 24-hour Cupcake ATM
http://laist.com/2012/03/06/24-hour_sprinkles_atm_starts_servin.php
http://laist.com/2012/03/09/sprinkles_cupcake_atm_has_been_disp.php
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/06/sprinkles-cupcake-atm-see_n_1324305.html
Sprinkles Beverly Hills:
Apparently the New York shop is getting the next ATM.
My brain completely short-circuited watching this video.
http://laist.com/2012/03/09/sprinkles_cupcake_atm_has_been_disp.php
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/06/sprinkles-cupcake-atm-see_n_1324305.html
Sprinkles Beverly Hills:
Apparently the New York shop is getting the next ATM.
My brain completely short-circuited watching this video.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Of Bars and Trains
Miss me?
I missed you.
These past three days away were very eventful. My career struggles' volume has been turned up to 11. But to combat that, my brother (who was in town on business) and I got to hang out and visit some bars.
But first, public transportation.
I rode the Long Beach Municipal buses, to and from the nearest Metro stop. Very impressive system. Mostly on time. Very clean buses with nice drivers. Possibly better than the DC Metro Bus system. Possibly.
The LA Metro itself is a curious thing. If one takes the Blue Line to and from LBC and LA, one gets a box seat view of the worst elements of this county. Entire villages of the homeless, tents and tarps and garbage piles. Abandoned industry. Vast empty commercial districts. Garbage swamped sections of the LA River.
But the train price is fantastic. $1.50. This price due to LA's subsidies because there's no way the system can run on a rate like that and...
There's no payment enforcement. None. I could have walked right onto the train in LBC and then walked off in LA and never paid. I bought a TAP card, but the entry turnstiles turn without the card having to be tapped. My brother bought a paper ticket, but there was no place to put the ticket. He just walked right onto the train. No one was checking tickets.
So, the system largely relies on the honor system. That's mind boggling. Between the economic despair running through most of this county and the ethical vacuum running through the rest of it, I can't imagine that anyone's paying for the train aside from tourists.
Los Angeles needs subsidies in order to function at all, but all of those tax dollars going to the Metro could be better spent on the rest of this broken county. Enforcing payment of the meager Metro rate would probably double or triple ticket revenue (and possibly more, I'm just guessing here), thus freeing up some of the public $$$.
Okay, you didn't come here for that rant. So let me climb down off my soapbox...
...and up onto the barstool.
The Edison
The Edison's a trip, not entirely figuratively. Semi-hidden in an alley off 2nd Street downtown, it looks like it's going to be a cute little speakeasy. But instead it's a massive multi-roomed entertainment parlor. Two bars serve up all sorts of high quality spirits (including some decent American-style absinthes). A live jazz band roars out period tunes, sometimes accompanied by a burlesque dancer. At least three sets of silent films are projected on the massive walls. Winged pixies cart around colorful bottled cocktails.
It's a fun scene. I like the dress code -- no sneakers, or T-shirts -- though I'd thought everyone was going to be in a suit. Luckily I didn't overdress, but I did wear pants.
The whisky prices were about half that of Seven Grand's. We started out with Clynelish 14 (a reliable malty malt). Then Jason had Redbreast 12 for the first time (success!) and I had a very well priced Lagavulin 16 (magnificent: smoldering peat cigar, milk chocolate, cinnamon, Sweet Jeebus I can't wait to do a proper report on this one).
[One note to the bartender: I know that calling every female customer "Baby" is keeping with the '30s theme (and is The Bee's Knees, in theory), but when you're twenty-five with a head full of hair product and a licentious leer, it ain't classy; it's harassment. I don't care how cool your vest looks.]
In any case, I'm definitely going back with Kristen. She would love this place. Plus I really want to try out some Kübler since no one else was touching the stuff. I recommend this place to folks looking for a unique bar in Downtown LA.
The Bowery
The Edison was on Friday night. The Bowery began our Saturday night.
The Bowery is quite small and a bit dark inside at night, but I've never had a problem getting a seat (or seeing my whisky). Their food is fantastic. I've had great sandwiches, sides, and soups there. The people I've gone with have praised the burgers.
Their liquor selection is excellent. I've said it before and I'll say it again: they provide excellent whisky pours. Just ask for it neat and in a brandy snifter. I enjoyed a Benriach 12yr (thanks Jason!) and its report will follow this week.
The food prices are reasonable for that part of town. The whisky prices are comparable with The Edison, some being more, some less. They have a nice selection of international ales and beers too, if you're looking for something cheaper than a single malt. Another recommended establishment.
The Piano Bar
This one is going to need its own post someday. I love this place.
Good drinks, nice design, non-scene crowd, and GREAT music. All the bands are good, but seriously find out if Brother Sal is playing before you go. He and his band are F-----g Awesome! I have nothing but hyperbole for them. I have repeatedly sat through hours of traffic to see their enormous Blues/Rock/Jazz/Saloon/Thunder.
Jason and I stopped by on Saturday. He had a Balvenie Doublewood and I had a Macallan Cask Strength (report also to follow soon). It wasn't a Brother Sal night, but were able to grab a table and chill and enjoy the evening.
But now all that has past and a week begins anew.
Welcome back, Sir Monday. May your stay be brief. Don't let the door hit your ass on the way out.
I missed you.
These past three days away were very eventful. My career struggles' volume has been turned up to 11. But to combat that, my brother (who was in town on business) and I got to hang out and visit some bars.
But first, public transportation.
I rode the Long Beach Municipal buses, to and from the nearest Metro stop. Very impressive system. Mostly on time. Very clean buses with nice drivers. Possibly better than the DC Metro Bus system. Possibly.
The LA Metro itself is a curious thing. If one takes the Blue Line to and from LBC and LA, one gets a box seat view of the worst elements of this county. Entire villages of the homeless, tents and tarps and garbage piles. Abandoned industry. Vast empty commercial districts. Garbage swamped sections of the LA River.
But the train price is fantastic. $1.50. This price due to LA's subsidies because there's no way the system can run on a rate like that and...
There's no payment enforcement. None. I could have walked right onto the train in LBC and then walked off in LA and never paid. I bought a TAP card, but the entry turnstiles turn without the card having to be tapped. My brother bought a paper ticket, but there was no place to put the ticket. He just walked right onto the train. No one was checking tickets.
So, the system largely relies on the honor system. That's mind boggling. Between the economic despair running through most of this county and the ethical vacuum running through the rest of it, I can't imagine that anyone's paying for the train aside from tourists.
Los Angeles needs subsidies in order to function at all, but all of those tax dollars going to the Metro could be better spent on the rest of this broken county. Enforcing payment of the meager Metro rate would probably double or triple ticket revenue (and possibly more, I'm just guessing here), thus freeing up some of the public $$$.
Okay, you didn't come here for that rant. So let me climb down off my soapbox...
...and up onto the barstool.
The Edison
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| Source |
It's a fun scene. I like the dress code -- no sneakers, or T-shirts -- though I'd thought everyone was going to be in a suit. Luckily I didn't overdress, but I did wear pants.
The whisky prices were about half that of Seven Grand's. We started out with Clynelish 14 (a reliable malty malt). Then Jason had Redbreast 12 for the first time (success!) and I had a very well priced Lagavulin 16 (magnificent: smoldering peat cigar, milk chocolate, cinnamon, Sweet Jeebus I can't wait to do a proper report on this one).
[One note to the bartender: I know that calling every female customer "Baby" is keeping with the '30s theme (and is The Bee's Knees, in theory), but when you're twenty-five with a head full of hair product and a licentious leer, it ain't classy; it's harassment. I don't care how cool your vest looks.]
In any case, I'm definitely going back with Kristen. She would love this place. Plus I really want to try out some Kübler since no one else was touching the stuff. I recommend this place to folks looking for a unique bar in Downtown LA.
The Bowery
The Edison was on Friday night. The Bowery began our Saturday night.
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Their liquor selection is excellent. I've said it before and I'll say it again: they provide excellent whisky pours. Just ask for it neat and in a brandy snifter. I enjoyed a Benriach 12yr (thanks Jason!) and its report will follow this week.
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| Source |
The Piano Bar
This one is going to need its own post someday. I love this place.
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| Source |
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| Source |
But now all that has past and a week begins anew.
Welcome back, Sir Monday. May your stay be brief. Don't let the door hit your ass on the way out.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Drive (the film)
It's a tale about an unnamed Driver (Ryan Gosling), a movie stunt driver who moonlights as a independently contracted robbery getaway driver. He falls in love with his cute neighbor, Irene (Cary Mulligan), and her son. But once he vows to help her ex-con husband get out of financial trouble, he's pulled into an abyss of crime and murder.
Whomever thought that the Academy was going to line this film's shelf with statues was kidding themselves. This is a genre piece. It's honed, sculpted, and crafted beautifully, nailing every genre mark with a cold heavy hammer. But it's still a genre piece with no unnecessary flash nor cloying bathos. The good news is that it was relatively successful with its box office receipts. So maybe we'll see more of its like in the future.
Now who's kidding himself?
Gosling is great as the McQueen-meets-Eastwood meets-Hella-Handsome driver. He emotes very little, but it's there in subtle shadings. Mulligan is solid in an underwritten role -- though that's a quirk with the noir genre, the best female roles are always for the femme fatales and Irene is the furthest thing from the Deadly Lady. Ron Perlman is unnerving in a grandiose simian way as one-half of a Jewish mobster team. The other half of that team is played by Albert Brooks who hits every aspect of his character perfectly. For those of you who always wanted to see Albert Brooks get his murderer on, here's your chance.
But it's the exemplary technics that boost this film the most. After the opening, about forty-five minutes pass with nary an action sequence, though its suspense grip tightens and crackles like leather gloves on a steering wheel. When the action does erupt over the entire second half of the film, it's directed and edited so clearly that's it a bit startling. Even the very first sequence, a robbery getaway, the viewer can follow every single thing that's going on. No tricky editing, no weird angles. It just plays out with a (now) rare cinematic clarity, with the same cool grace of the Driver.
Of course, the flip side of having such steadily designed action means that every drop of blood (and brain) is on display. After bemoaning cinematic violence last week, I do have to say that this film is REALLY GORY. I can't really state with certainty the stylistic need to show crushed heads, but it doesn't come as much of a surprise from the director of PUSHER, BRONSON, and VALHALLA RISING.
That element aside, Nicolas Winding Refn does a tremendous job here. There's a calm but precise style that runs throughout this film which he holds firmly throughout. Its running time of 100 minutes is perfect too, getting into the story then getting out much quicker than 99% of the other films onscreen this year.
And then there's the elevator scene.
Cinema has had plenty of action/suspense scenes in elevators. But none has ever been like DRIVE's. It pirouettes from nerve-rattling suspense to surprising delicate romance to action to gory horror all within 120 seconds. None of it feels overdone, every piece is perfectly in place and dazzlingly executed. 'Executed' being the key word. And it all shows (not tells, there isn't a word spoken) a necessary series of beats for the story; things will never be the same for these characters after it's over. Style intertwined with storytelling, the heart of cinema.
I recommend DRIVE to folks who can take seeing some serious violence. And if you like the noir genre, then this is your jam. Think Steve McQueen in LE SAMOURAI with more emotion and the lights of Los Angeles gleaming like stars in the moral darkness.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
The Tuesday Loop
This is a very intense writing week for me so I might be a little more scattered and schizo with this week's postings. First let's talk w--
I've got this song stuck in my head. Its chorus keeps running over and over and over again. I can't stop it and I don't know how it got in there.
Hey, Blue Text, it's difficult enough to focus right now even without interruptions. So, if you could hush for a few minutes, then you and I can discuss offline later.
I'll try, but this song is driving me crazy.
First, let's talk whisky.
The Dram Quest
As you'll notice, a new list has popped up in the right frame of the page. These are whiskies that I most desire to sample. None of them are outrageously expensive. No 30+ year olds nor 1960-somethings. Most aren't easily obtainable, but I desire the chase.
I'll cross 'em off as I try them. I'll add new ones from time to time, but I'll keep the list below 20.
The Whisky Library...
...has grown considerably in recent months. I'll be updating the Sources on the Whisky Notes page this week with this whole list:
Michael Jackson's Complete Guide to Single Malt Scotch, 6th Edition - I recommended this in the whisky gifts post. It really is one of the great all-time volumes on whisky.
Jim Murray's Whiskey Bible 2012 - A zillion (or maybe 4500+) whiskies reviewed by a gentleman who seems to be a bit of an unconventional character in the whisky scene. Though I agree with him about half the time, each of his reviews are insightful and full of whisky love. Also recommended in that whisky gift post.
101 Whiskies to Try Before You Die by Ian Buxton - GREAT book. I reviewed it here.
Single Malt and Scotch Whisky by Daniel Lerner - A gift from an old friend. My first whisky book. The binding is totally shattered. A good early intro whisky book.
Whiskypedia by Charles MacLean - Similar structure to the "Complete Guide", sans reviews, but every page packed with oodles and oodles of distillery info. MacLean's a great writer and this is a great reference book.
Scotch Whisky, A Liquid History by Charles MacLean - Speaking of super reference books, holy moley! This is going to take a while to get through, but I'm working on it. So much good stuff!
Malt Whisky Yearbook 2012 - The pictures! The articles! The stats! This is THE annual must-have. There's so much great news about the state of the industry and the fine brown liquor itself.
Whisky by Aeneas MacDonald - Tremendous. It is literature. And that is by no means exaggeration. Beautifully written. Lyrical, even. Originally published in 1930, it was the first book written by and for the whisky drinker. There's tons of history and distillation instructions, but the pseudonymous writer crafts such a lovely homage to the beauty of whisky, that I'm going to have to cover this in its own post.
Hmmm Hmmm Hmmm Hmmm Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo, Hmm Hmm Hmm Hmm Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo. Damnit, the tune's still there! Where did it come from?
Hey! Hush, the post is still going.
The Bro is in Town
Jason arrives in LA today for business reasons. On Thursday and Friday we're going to visit at least two great drinking establishments. More on that once it's done.
Hmmm Hmmm Hmmm Hmmm--
And I'll be taking the Metro! I've lived in LA County for over 11 years and I've never taken the Metro. Largely because it never is where I am nor where I am going. But now it is where I am and where I need to go. Hopefully that experience is uneventful and won't need its own post.
Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo, Hmm Hmm Hmm Hmm--
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
I've always been a big fan of Abbey Road, but now that I've given Sgt. Pepper's another go I think it may pull ahead as my favorite Beatles album. Technically, it's astounding.
It would be Exhibit A for why psychedelic drugs are good, but I don't think most mortals can hold the clarity and vision together enough to create such a complete piece of art--
Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo--
It destroys The Beach Boys Pet Sounds as far as innovation and song structure--
Oh no! I can't stop the song!
Yes, you can! Just a few more min--
It's burning through my defenses! Oh f--
I want your loving
And I want your revenge
Oh dear.
You and me could write a bad romance
I'm going to---
I want your loving
And I want your revenge
You and me could write a bad romance
We didn't need to hear that a second time.
Oh ohhhh whoaaaa ohh ohhh
Caught in a bad romance
Whew. I feel so much better now.
Hello?
What happened to Black Text?
Hello--
For the benefit of Mr. Kite
There will be a show tonight on trampoline
The Hendersons will all be there
Late of Pablo Fanques Fair-what a scene
Over men and horses hoops and garters
Lastly through a hogshead of real fire!
In this way Mr. K. will challenge the world!
Now, on to work.
I've got this song stuck in my head. Its chorus keeps running over and over and over again. I can't stop it and I don't know how it got in there.
Hey, Blue Text, it's difficult enough to focus right now even without interruptions. So, if you could hush for a few minutes, then you and I can discuss offline later.
I'll try, but this song is driving me crazy.
First, let's talk whisky.
The Dram Quest
As you'll notice, a new list has popped up in the right frame of the page. These are whiskies that I most desire to sample. None of them are outrageously expensive. No 30+ year olds nor 1960-somethings. Most aren't easily obtainable, but I desire the chase.
I'll cross 'em off as I try them. I'll add new ones from time to time, but I'll keep the list below 20.
The Whisky Library...
...has grown considerably in recent months. I'll be updating the Sources on the Whisky Notes page this week with this whole list:
Michael Jackson's Complete Guide to Single Malt Scotch, 6th Edition - I recommended this in the whisky gifts post. It really is one of the great all-time volumes on whisky.
Jim Murray's Whiskey Bible 2012 - A zillion (or maybe 4500+) whiskies reviewed by a gentleman who seems to be a bit of an unconventional character in the whisky scene. Though I agree with him about half the time, each of his reviews are insightful and full of whisky love. Also recommended in that whisky gift post.
101 Whiskies to Try Before You Die by Ian Buxton - GREAT book. I reviewed it here.
Single Malt and Scotch Whisky by Daniel Lerner - A gift from an old friend. My first whisky book. The binding is totally shattered. A good early intro whisky book.
Whiskypedia by Charles MacLean - Similar structure to the "Complete Guide", sans reviews, but every page packed with oodles and oodles of distillery info. MacLean's a great writer and this is a great reference book.
Scotch Whisky, A Liquid History by Charles MacLean - Speaking of super reference books, holy moley! This is going to take a while to get through, but I'm working on it. So much good stuff!
Malt Whisky Yearbook 2012 - The pictures! The articles! The stats! This is THE annual must-have. There's so much great news about the state of the industry and the fine brown liquor itself.
Whisky by Aeneas MacDonald - Tremendous. It is literature. And that is by no means exaggeration. Beautifully written. Lyrical, even. Originally published in 1930, it was the first book written by and for the whisky drinker. There's tons of history and distillation instructions, but the pseudonymous writer crafts such a lovely homage to the beauty of whisky, that I'm going to have to cover this in its own post.
Hmmm Hmmm Hmmm Hmmm Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo, Hmm Hmm Hmm Hmm Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo. Damnit, the tune's still there! Where did it come from?
Hey! Hush, the post is still going.
The Bro is in Town
Jason arrives in LA today for business reasons. On Thursday and Friday we're going to visit at least two great drinking establishments. More on that once it's done.
Hmmm Hmmm Hmmm Hmmm--
And I'll be taking the Metro! I've lived in LA County for over 11 years and I've never taken the Metro. Largely because it never is where I am nor where I am going. But now it is where I am and where I need to go. Hopefully that experience is uneventful and won't need its own post.
Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo, Hmm Hmm Hmm Hmm--
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
I've always been a big fan of Abbey Road, but now that I've given Sgt. Pepper's another go I think it may pull ahead as my favorite Beatles album. Technically, it's astounding.
It would be Exhibit A for why psychedelic drugs are good, but I don't think most mortals can hold the clarity and vision together enough to create such a complete piece of art--
Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo--
It destroys The Beach Boys Pet Sounds as far as innovation and song structure--
Oh no! I can't stop the song!
Yes, you can! Just a few more min--
It's burning through my defenses! Oh f--
I want your loving
And I want your revenge
Oh dear.
You and me could write a bad romance
I'm going to---
I want your loving
And I want your revenge
You and me could write a bad romance
We didn't need to hear that a second time.
Oh ohhhh whoaaaa ohh ohhh
Caught in a bad romance
Whew. I feel so much better now.
Hello?
What happened to Black Text?
Hello--
For the benefit of Mr. Kite
There will be a show tonight on trampoline
The Hendersons will all be there
Late of Pablo Fanques Fair-what a scene
Over men and horses hoops and garters
Lastly through a hogshead of real fire!
In this way Mr. K. will challenge the world!
Now, on to work.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Metaphors of the Week
Today's a day of meetings. That means I'll have to take the 405 North (and, likely, South). For the non-LA peeps out there, please see this video of yesterday's 405 traffic during rush hour:
And....
Because (sometimes) at meetings, one has to watch after the soul of one's project, I have included this Vimeo video. Writers, be the wolf. Be the wolf. Be the wolf...
Wolfmother from Adam Bilsing on Vimeo.
And....
Because (sometimes) at meetings, one has to watch after the soul of one's project, I have included this Vimeo video. Writers, be the wolf. Be the wolf. Be the wolf...
Wolfmother from Adam Bilsing on Vimeo.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Whisky on The Westside
I hope that everyone had a good Robert Burns Day or Beer Day or Wednesday or Hump Day or Birthday or however you chose to label yesterday. I had a really good whisky day on The Westside (and at home).
The geographical make-up of The Westside of Los Angeles differs depending on whom you talk to. I define it as such:
South of The Valley
North of The South Bay
West of West Hollywood
East of The Ocean.
Though I now live in Long Beach, I had lived on The Westside for almost eight years. Getting in and out of The Westside is never a great experience due to the ever-increasing side street traffic, so visiting my favorite spots out there is a pain in the arse even when I just lived 5 miles away. Now I live thirty miles away. The roundtrip drive takes two hours at minimum.
Sadly I didn't discover The Westside's whisky potential until after I'd moved eastward. And now it's difficult to access it at all. But I made the trip out there yesterday to hit two great whisky spots.
The Daily Pint - 2310 Pico Boulevard, Santa Monica
I've referenced The Pint several times in this blog, usually regarding free whisky tastings. It has a sturdy divey bar look and a very laid back vibe (except on whisky tasting nights), so it always feels like it's far from the LA Scene. A positive. But it has one thing really going for it.
It carries almost 200 single malts.
There's a list here, but there are dozens of drams that aren't on it. I know that for a fact because I had two yesterday that aren't part of the list and saw many many more. Their collection of independents - Signatory, Cadenhead's, Scott's, Chieftain's, etc - is just outrageous.
I had my first cask strength whisky here (thank you James!) two years ago and I remember it promptly numbing my face. (To all you whisky noobs out there, please hit your first and second cask strength drams with a little bit of water in order to work your nervous system up to the point where you can do it neat later on. Educational!)
The prices here are decent, definitely less than the outrageous rates charged by the famous downtown Seven Grand. And I had a tremendous malt yesterday, on special, that I swear they were selling at a loss. They've also started a Single Malt Club which will get members a 10% discount. I just joined yesterday!
They also have about 30 beers on tap and I've heard nothing but raves about those. Of course, my eyes rarely stray from the official malt bottlings in the upper tier and the indies in the back.
For all of their Scotch holdings, they don't have particularly good whisky glasswear. So if you go there to try a rare or independent or expensive or dreamy dram, I recommend asking them to pour it into their little curvy tequila glasses. Those are shaped like mini brandy copitas and do a good job at focusing the flavor and nose.
If you're looking to test out a single malt before buying a whole bottle, I heartily recommend this place. Especially if you live on The Westside.
Beverage Warehouse - 4935 Mcconnell Avenue, Culver City(-ish)
I'm almost thankful that I didn't find this place until we were about to move down South. This place is like Candyland.
When I walked in the door, I almost had a nervous breakdown. I almost went potty. I am not exaggerating.
It is a warehouse full of beverages.
Here's a pic of the outside entrance:
I will not show you a photo of the liquor shelves within because they're downright pornographic (and I also can't find a pic to steal from the Internet). Hundreds of whiskies. Hundreds of tequilas. Hundreds of vodkas. Hundreds of gins. Hundreds of rums. And the beer selection is crazy.
Their prices are great, possibly the best in Los Angeles County.
They do tastings (wine or whisky, usually). Their staff is nice. And I'm really digging their selection of minis. If you go, pick up a mini of Highland Park 18 and Macallan 18; they're priced 30-40% lower than I've ever seen, so I picked up one of each yesterday.
Like I recommend with a Las Vegas trip, leave your high limit credit card behind when you go here. But unlike Vegas, you really need to be sober when setting foot in Beverage Warehouse. Keep your wits about you or else you will walk out with a full paycheck's worth of liquor in tow.
I'd say that's what qualifies as "good stress". So, stop by the Beverage Warehouse and feel free to turn somersaults in the aisles.
I had a great time hitting these two spots. Didn't even mind the traffic for once. Didn't spend much money either. Now if someone could just bring these businesses out to Long Beach...
The geographical make-up of The Westside of Los Angeles differs depending on whom you talk to. I define it as such:
South of The Valley
North of The South Bay
West of West Hollywood
East of The Ocean.
Though I now live in Long Beach, I had lived on The Westside for almost eight years. Getting in and out of The Westside is never a great experience due to the ever-increasing side street traffic, so visiting my favorite spots out there is a pain in the arse even when I just lived 5 miles away. Now I live thirty miles away. The roundtrip drive takes two hours at minimum.
Sadly I didn't discover The Westside's whisky potential until after I'd moved eastward. And now it's difficult to access it at all. But I made the trip out there yesterday to hit two great whisky spots.
The Daily Pint - 2310 Pico Boulevard, Santa Monica
I've referenced The Pint several times in this blog, usually regarding free whisky tastings. It has a sturdy divey bar look and a very laid back vibe (except on whisky tasting nights), so it always feels like it's far from the LA Scene. A positive. But it has one thing really going for it.
It carries almost 200 single malts.
There's a list here, but there are dozens of drams that aren't on it. I know that for a fact because I had two yesterday that aren't part of the list and saw many many more. Their collection of independents - Signatory, Cadenhead's, Scott's, Chieftain's, etc - is just outrageous.
I had my first cask strength whisky here (thank you James!) two years ago and I remember it promptly numbing my face. (To all you whisky noobs out there, please hit your first and second cask strength drams with a little bit of water in order to work your nervous system up to the point where you can do it neat later on. Educational!)
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The prices here are decent, definitely less than the outrageous rates charged by the famous downtown Seven Grand. And I had a tremendous malt yesterday, on special, that I swear they were selling at a loss. They've also started a Single Malt Club which will get members a 10% discount. I just joined yesterday!
They also have about 30 beers on tap and I've heard nothing but raves about those. Of course, my eyes rarely stray from the official malt bottlings in the upper tier and the indies in the back.
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If you're looking to test out a single malt before buying a whole bottle, I heartily recommend this place. Especially if you live on The Westside.
Beverage Warehouse - 4935 Mcconnell Avenue, Culver City(-ish)
I'm almost thankful that I didn't find this place until we were about to move down South. This place is like Candyland.
When I walked in the door, I almost had a nervous breakdown. I almost went potty. I am not exaggerating.
It is a warehouse full of beverages.
Here's a pic of the outside entrance:
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I will not show you a photo of the liquor shelves within because they're downright pornographic (and I also can't find a pic to steal from the Internet). Hundreds of whiskies. Hundreds of tequilas. Hundreds of vodkas. Hundreds of gins. Hundreds of rums. And the beer selection is crazy.
Their prices are great, possibly the best in Los Angeles County.
They do tastings (wine or whisky, usually). Their staff is nice. And I'm really digging their selection of minis. If you go, pick up a mini of Highland Park 18 and Macallan 18; they're priced 30-40% lower than I've ever seen, so I picked up one of each yesterday.
Like I recommend with a Las Vegas trip, leave your high limit credit card behind when you go here. But unlike Vegas, you really need to be sober when setting foot in Beverage Warehouse. Keep your wits about you or else you will walk out with a full paycheck's worth of liquor in tow.
I'd say that's what qualifies as "good stress". So, stop by the Beverage Warehouse and feel free to turn somersaults in the aisles.
I had a great time hitting these two spots. Didn't even mind the traffic for once. Didn't spend much money either. Now if someone could just bring these businesses out to Long Beach...
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