Tasting #50: American Whiskey

by Saratoga Whiskey Club | Apr 16, 2020 | Tastings

Tasting #50: American Whiskey

On Wednesday, April 15th, the Saratoga Whiskey Club had its 50th tasting! It’s quite the milestone for our club. Too bad it had to be online, but during these uncertain times….

The tasting’s focus was different styles of American Whiskey. We had 7 different releases to taste from. It was a great tasting of whiskey from so many different distilleries with individual tasting profiles.

Here is what we tasted:

High Wire Distilling New Southern Revival Rye
Michter’s Toasted Barrel Sour Mash
St. George’s Baller Single Malt
Heaven Hill Bottled in Bond Bourbon
Maker’s Mark RC6 Limited Release
Westward Astor Pick Single Malt
Larceny Barrel Proof Bourbon

30 members were online using Zoom for this tasting.

Please check out our Scores page! Cheers.

Tasting #39: Annual Club Dinner

by Saratoga Whiskey Club | Aug 19, 2019 | Tastings

Tasting #39: Annual Club Dinner

On Wednesday, August 14, 2019, the Saratoga Whiskey Club held its annual dinner feast. The theme for this year was whiskey finished in a variety of different casks. We had 48 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 Rye Lemonade Cocktail
Writers Tears Florio Marsala Cask Finish – Paired with Jerk Shrimp & Pineapple Skewers and Chicken Satay with Siracha Aioli
Sagamore Spirit Port Finished Rye – Paired with an Arugula Salad with Port Poached Pears & Roquefort
Highland Park Twisted Tattoo 16 Year – Paired with Lobster Sliders and Greek Israeli Cous Cous Salad
Bardstown Bourbon’s Phifer Pavitt Reserve – Paired with Braised Brisket with Bourbon Peach Glaze, Summer Succotash and Honey Jalapeno Cornbread
Limestone Branch Yellowstone Limited Edition 2018 – Paired with Whiskey Bacon Brownies

A big shout out to Airstream Catering for providing us with the food for this dinner!

Scores can be found on our Score page.

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

Tasting #35 Recap: Kentucky Finds!

by Saratoga Whiskey Club | Jun 21, 2019 | Tastings

Tasting #35 Recap: Kentucky Finds!

On Wednesday, June 19th, the Saratoga Whiskey Club had a special tasting that focused on bottles recently brought back from Kentucky in May during the Rascal + Thorn Bourbon Trail Tour. The goal was to taste whiskies that are not available in the Upstate NY market. It was a packed house and there were 26 members in attendance.

Here is a list of the whiskies we tasted:

Four Roses Small Batch Select
Toddy’s Limestone Branch 100% Malted Rye
Peerless 3 Year Single Barrel Rye “Orange Blossom”
Michter’s Fort Nelson Reserve Rye – Hand Fill for the Club
Justin’s House of Bourbon’s Pinhook Bourbon Barrel
William Heavenhill 12 Year Bourbon

For scores from the tasting, please go to Scores.

It was a fantastic evening of Bourbon and Rye. Everyone enjoyed this special treat. Cheers!

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.

Albany Distilling Co – Club Barrel Visit – April 27, 2019

by Saratoga Whiskey Club | May 6, 2019 | Distillery Visits

Albany Distilling Co – Club Barrel Visit – April 27, 2019

On Saturday, April 27th, the Saratoga Whiskey Club went to Albany Distilling Co for the one-year anniversary tasting of a 53-gallon barrel that we filled in 2018. We were very excited to taste from our barrel which consisted of a mash bill that we voted on (similar to MGP’s rye mash bill).

The moment of truth came when we sampled from the barrel and wow, it was really good for just one year! The plan is to wait at least four years before we bottle any of the rye whiskey or remove some to be finished in another cask.

Some members met before the tasting for a beer at Wolff’s followed by lunch at the ramen shop next door. After the tasting we did get to try from two other Albany Distilling Co products, one a barrel strength wine finished Bourbon and the other a double-cask 4-year Bourbon. This was followed by a trip to the Bottle Shop for some other tastes and cocktails for those who stayed.

Overall, a very fun visit and we can’t wait for 2020!! A big shout out to Albany Distilling Co for being such great hosts for our first club barrel.