Throughout the evening at WhiskyFest we sampled at least 40 different whiskies. Probably more like 50. The goal of all that tasting is not only to visit with whiskies we have had and liked in the past but to find those new expressions. Going in you know that you will not like everything you try and it become quickly apparent that just because you like one expression put out by a distiller does not mean you will like everything they put out. Additionally, rarity and/or high cost is no guarantee that you will like them either. The motto for whisky tasting should always be, “The best whisky on the market is the one YOU like the most.”
So, what were our favorites? I will admit that by the end of the evening our taste buds were shot. I recommend limiting your tasting list to around 15 or 20 to get the most out of the event. But there are those that simply stand out from the rest. These three were our favorites, in no particular order:
Midleton Barry Crockett Legacy: An Irish whisky. Citrus on the nose. Smooth as can be. A hint of floral in the taste as well as mild spices. Retail cost is about $250.
Balblair 75 (1975 Vintage): The nose is very fresh and clean. The taste has notes of fruits, vanilla and chocolate. It has a long finish with a lasting taste of oak. Retail cost is about $350.
Highland Park 25: The nose has a bit of a kick. The peat smells stronger than the taste delivers (this is a good thing if you like a little peat but not too much). The taste is very earthy with oak, coffee, nuts and peat. The finish is smooth and spicy. Retail cost is about $230.
I also want to talk about another person we met while at the event. Lew Bryson (see photo) is the Managing Editor for Whisky Advocate Magazine….the quarterly bible for whisky lovers. He has been with the magazine almost since it started. Mark and I happened to cross paths with him near the craft distillers section of the venue and had the opportunity to spend a few minutes talking with him.
He is a very personable guy and speaking with him was a lot of fun. We talking about the event and about a couple whiskies, but mostly we just joked around and laughed. Meeting him, and his wife Cathy, was another memorable moment at Whiskyfest.
Shortly after WhiskyFest a friend asked both Mark and I, separately, what our favorite “thing” was about the event. We each answered that it was more about the great people we met than about the whisky you tasted. That will be the theme of Part 4, the final part to this series.
Doug, Member #1