Tasting #34 Recap: Drams For Fams 2019

by Saratoga Whiskey Club | May 7, 2019 | Tastings

Tasting #34 Recap: Drams For Fams 2019

On Thursday, May 2nd, the Saratoga Whiskey Club took part for the second year in the North American Drams For Fams charity benefit. Drams for Fams was started a few years ago by the Edmonton Scotch Club in Edmonton, Canada, as a way to use their love for whisky tasting to raise money for the local Edmonton Food Bank. Last year we joined them along with a number of other whiskey clubs throughout Canada and the United States. Over $50,000 was raised since the idea was started.

Our club benefit whiskey tasting was held at Henry Street Taproom in Saratoga Springs, NY. HST was kind enough to donate the space to hold the event as well as provide tasty appetizers. Whiskey was donated by members of the Saratoga Whiskey Club and by some brands. Money raised from ticket sales ($50 per ticket) is being donated to the Franklin Community Center, our local support center for families in need of food and supplies. The Saratoga Whiskey Club raised $1250 this year.

The goal for 2020 is to double this club initiative.

17 whiskies were donated and 25 members attended this wonderful evening of sampling and comraderie. It’s exciting to see the 13 clubs that are now involved in this charity and how much money is being raised this year. We are proud to be a part of this group.

Here are some photos from the evening.

Tasting #27 Recap: Great Bourbons

by Saratoga Whiskey Club | Jan 28, 2019 | Tastings

Tasting #27 Recap: Great Bourbons

On Wednesdays, January 9 & 23, the Saratoga Whiskey Club had its first tasting of 2019. The focus of the tasting was Great Bourbons. These were bottles that were collected over the last year by the club. It was a great way to start off the new year! There were 36 members in attendance.

Here is a list of the whiskies we tasted:

Weller 12 Year
Old Ezra 7 Year Barrel Strength
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Batch 11, Spring ’16
SMWS B5.1 – Dickel 13 Year
Wild Turkey ‘Revival’

For scores from the tasting, please go to Scores.

Two wonderful evenings of Bourbon. Can’t go wrong with that to start the year! Cheers.

Bourbon selection for Great Bourbon Tasting

Tasting #24 Recap: Black Button Distilling

by Saratoga Whiskey Club | Jan 9, 2019 | Tastings

Tasting #24 Recap: Black Button Distilling

On Wednesday, October 10th, the Saratoga Whiskey Club had a special event tasting. Jason Barrett, head distiller at Black Button Distilling out of Rochester, NY, came to Saratoga Springs with the help of local account manager, Brian Baker, to hold a unique tasting for the club. The club sampled from four different batches of bourbon and was able to pick a winner and also which 375ml bottle they wanted to take home.

Jason from Black Button went over the history of the distillery, its products (along with samples) and how they make their whiskey. The event took place at the Saratoga City Tavern and it was a great evening of tasting, snacks and discussion. Plus, we got bottles to remember the evening. Can’t beat that!

It was a great evening and experience. Thank you to Jason and Brian for making this happen!

Tasting #22 Recap: Annual Whiskey Club Dinner – Bourbon & BBQ

by Saratoga Whiskey Club | Aug 22, 2018 | Tastings

Tasting #22 Recap: Annual Whiskey Club Dinner – Bourbon & BBQ

On Wednesday, August 8, 2018, the Saratoga Whiskey Club held its annual dinner feast. The theme for this year was Bourbon and BBQ. We had close to 40 people in attendance for this great evening of outdoor dining and tasting. The weather cooperated for us which was nice!

Here is a list of the whiskies we tasted and the food that they were paired with:

We started with a Maker’s Mark Bourbon Slushie
Barton’s 1792 Full Proof – Loch & Key Society Barrel Pick – Paired with a slow roasted Pork Belly (braised with Old Grand Dad 114) and topped with a Grilled Peach and a Bourbon Peach Sauce (that contained some Small Batch Barton’s 1792)
Weller Special Reserve – Paired with a Smoked Chicken Caesar Salad
Rebel Yell 10 Year Single Barrel – Paired with Smoked Baby Back Ribs (Johnny Drum was used in the BBQ sauce), Homemade Baked Beans, Cole Slaw, and Cornbread
David Nicholson Reserve – Paired with Smoked Beef Short Ribs which were braised in Michter’s Bourbon and served with a Waldorf Salad
Michter’s Toasted Barrel Rye – Paired with Truly Decadent Bacon Brownies and Ben & Jerry’s Urban Bourbon Ice Cream

A big shout out to Primal for helping us with good pricing on most of the meat served at this dinner!

Thank again to Primal!! And here’s to another great annual dinner!! Cheers.

Tasting #19 Recap: Drams For Fams

by Saratoga Whiskey Club | May 31, 2018 | Tastings

Tasting #19 Recap: Drams For Fams

On Wednesday, May 23, 2018, the Saratoga Whiskey Club took part in a North American initiative started by the Edmonton Scotch Club in Canada called Drams For Fams (#Drams4Fams). The purpose of the initiative is to raise money for a local food bank or other charity in the form of a whiskey tasting. Many different clubs in Canada and the United States took part in this and a lot of money was raised. It was great to be a part of this and we look forward to making an even bigger contribution next year.

The format for our tasting was a lot of fun. Bottles were donated by members and the club for this tasting. All money raised went directly to charity. Participants were able to taste up to 10 different whiskies of the 13 that we had available for the group. Henry Street Taproom provided us a great spot in their restaurant and some awesome appetizers as well. It was a perfect night for tasting a lot of whiskey (but then again, when is it not the perfect night!). All in all, we had 22 people attend this great evening.

Here are the whiskies we tasted and the scores they received: