NYC WhiskyFest

Wed Nov 8 23:49:10 CET 2006

Hi all (kinda long so heads up)

So First off Kudos Once again to to John and Amy for yet an incredible experience once again at Whisky Fest NYC.

The Enjoyed the experience rooms.  I visited Glenmoraingie and Highland Park.  Highland had a better presentation but I swear I expected Vlad Dracula to drop by and have a dram!  (Dark room lots of candles and that low lying smoke and a tall blonde high cheek-boned piece of eye candy at the door)   Glenmoraingie had a better set up with soft comfy seats and areas of interest with each age statement  / finish of their brands.  Having a cute young thing "spray a flavor at me" reminded me of the Gaunlet we women have to face at Christmas time shopping at a department store and going through the "Fragrance Area".  You learn to duck weave and spin and say no and try to avoid being hit by a cloying scent that will stay with you for hours......

I loved the Class on Single Malts and Food.  Spike was amazing as a speaker and imparted great information and tools that I used the very next evening at a Balvenie Tasting at the Explorers Club.   
At the tasting I paired up the following expressions with the following foods: The Balvenie 21 yr with chopped Lobster with mango, and the 21 yr old with Shrimp Tempura with clotted cream.  The 12yr double wood with Seared Tuna Teriyaki with a touch of wasabi sauce.  Lastly I tried the 15 yr old Single wood with chopped chicken and apples.  Excellent!!!

I loved the fact that they put the tasting table outside and we had access to it before the VIP gates opened.  I was able to Whet my whistle with a dram of Green Spot, and to taste Signatorys Kinclaith 1969.

I got Mr McEwan to sign my 40th Gift to myself the 1973 Bruladdie (Yipee for me).  And my outstanding taste for the evening was the 1993 Suntory single cask.  Sweet tasting but with a lovely smoky Islay finish on the palate, but not on the initial nose.  I also liked the 1982 Suntory Sherry Cask.  I tried the sherry first then the 93.  Both were amazing and both we were told would not be available in the States anytime soon! (Boo hoo!   :-(

Now my one gripe.  Neither John nor Amy could have controlled this but it happened and I'm still upset and annoyed about it.  The last class was the Suntory tasting  from 8.30-9.15 pm.  We arrived 15 minutes early and were able to snagg 2 of the last 3 seats.  I had my crutch (I'd broken my foot) and a small plate which I wanted to finish before the class begain.  After asking twice for the 2 gentlemen (I use this phrase very lightly) to move in so I could sit, I used my crutch to rap on the back of his seat.  He still would not move and continued to talk to his friend.  Mr Henderson and the Suntory Rep actually had to come over to make them move the chairs so that both of us could sit down.  It only got worse.  Beside the Suntory samples water was placed every other seat.  Just before the lecture started the gentleman grabbed our water cracked it open drank some from the bottle, put the cap back on placed it back between us, then did the same to the bottle in front of him.   The gentle man to my left moved their bottle and said we 4 could share.
    Those 2 men continued to talk the entire lecture.  Mr Henderson stopped twice and politely asked them to calm down.  The looked at him, shut up and as soon as he began to speak again so did they.  Finally I got so annoid I told them loudly "DO YOU MIND?!  Some of us are here for the class."  That shut them up for exactly 10 minutes.  But they started again.  My friend who had come in with me couldn't take it and apparently neither could 8 others.  They got up and left.  I was embarassed beyond belief.  One for myself because my friend had left during the presentation but I was also pissed off as hell because I understood and agreed why he left.  Not only had John and Amy posted signs about each class, but they had provided a synopsis of what it entialed.  If that didn't interest you, then you shouldn't have come.  After being told to shut up (in the nicest possible way) by the speaker, I wonder why they didn't and why didn't they leave.  After the class I was confronted by one of them and told to mind my business.  I told him very succintly he had 2 seconds to get out of my face or my crutch would be rearranging his. 
    I know you can't stop people being rude but in the 7 years participating in this event I'd never seen it happen in a class, to the point where it took away from the class.  I hope Suntory does come back and does another class.

Well sorry but I just had to get that out of my system.  I feel much better.  This lovely 21yr Abelour helps

Ciao for Now
Tianna

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