Whisky Live Boston 2012...


I did mention here before but I really don't like overcrowded corporate Whisky Festivals where everybody is rushing to taste as much as they can get in a few hours without even looking at each other's face and where the brands present their products like they are luxury cars. I believe the goal of these kind of events should be creating a calm and relaxed environment where the whisky enthusiasts come together with distillers, importers and retailers from all over the country to discuss about their common passion, taste new expressions and catch up with industry news; actually simply organizing a night to have fun all together once in a year. I think Whisky Live Boston pretty much achieved this in their inaugural year. 

It was nicely paced in five hours, not very crowded and well organized. We had tremendous fun together with Single Cask Nation co-founders Joshua Hatton of Jewmalt and Jason Johnstone-Yellin of Guid Scotch Drink and with three Malt Impostor(s) John, Stephen And Bill... 


So, let's talk about some highlights of the night:
  • First things first: I have received two samples from the new Single Cask Nation releases. Tasting notes pretty soon. Stay tuned...
  • Gable Erenzo from Tuthilltown Distillery was cheerful as usual and this time with a very good cause: His 6 year old Baby Bourbon aged in 53 gallon barrels was absolutely shining. I am curious what they are planning to do with this baby. It will be a big hit.

  • The 36th Vote Barreled Manhattan of High West is simply delicious. It's hard to believe but it tastes even better than it sounds. Totally worth to get a bottle. A guaranteed crowd pleaser...
  • It was a great US launch for the independent bottlings of The Maltman Single Malt Scotches from Meadowside Blending. I loved their 19 year old Glenlossie release. It was one of the best drams I tasted at the show.
  • Probably I shouldn't say it out loud before reserving a bottle for myself but Joe Howell and Nate Shumway of Federal Wine and Spirits had a great Dallas Dhu bottling. It's a 28 year old limited release, aged exclusively in ex-bourbon casks, released in 375ml. bottles and currently on sale in their downtown Boston shop. Definitely my kind of a whisky...
  • Kudos to Craig Bridger of The Glenlivet for executing a great masterclass. He presented the whole range including 12yo, 15yo French Oak Reserve, 16yo Cask Strength Nadurra, 18yo, 21yo and finally 25yo expressions. I have to admit Nadurra is still my favorite among them.

  • I believe the surprise of the night was the 1997 "Blairfindy": a 15yo Glenfarclas bottling from Blackadder's Old Raw Cask series: Roasted pork belly, fried pancetta, bacon fat, you name it... Like a distilled Schlenkerla Rauchbier. I think after almost a week I still can taste it... Oh my... Did I just drool on the keyboard?
  • At last but not least thanks to Jeff Connely for his great hospitality... See you next time Jeff!

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