Tasting #35 Recap: Kentucky Finds!

Tasting #35 Recap: Kentucky Finds!

by | 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

Tasting #34 Recap: Drams For Fams 2019

by | 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

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

by | 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.

Tasting #33 Recap: Catoctin Creek

Tasting #33 Recap: Catoctin Creek

by | Apr 26, 2019 | Tastings

Tasting #33 Recap: Catoctin Creek

On Thursday, April 18th, the Saratoga Whiskey Club had a special guest, Daniel Eckman, from Catoctin Creek Distilling come to Henry Street Taproom in Saratoga Springs, NY, for a rye tasting. Dan did a great job explaining the history of rye whiskey in the United States and how the Virginia rye is really its own category of whiskey. We went through the vision and process of Catoctin Creek whiskey and everyone learned a lot! Appetizers were also provided for the group which was very nice of them! There were 26 members in attendance.

Here is a list of the whiskies we tasted:

  • Catoctin Creek Roundstone Rye Whisky – 40% ABV
  • Catoctin Creek Roundstone Rye Whisky – 46% ABV
  • Catoctin Creek Roundstone Rye Whisky – Cask Strength – 58% ABV
  • Catoctin Creek Roundstone Rye Whisky – Cask Stength – Finished in Maple Barrels – 58% ABV

It was a great evening of education and whisky. Cheers!

Tasting #32 Recap: For Peat’s Sake

Tasting #32 Recap: For Peat’s Sake

by | Apr 26, 2019 | Tastings

Tasting #32 Recap: For Peat’s Sake

On Wednesday, April 10th, and Thursday, April 25th, the Saratoga Whiskey Club had its first tasting that just focused on peat. We have had plenty of peated whiskies before, but they were usually from one area (Islay), so this tasting was different in that we had Speyside, Highlands, Japan and of course Islay. We also paired each whisky with different smoked snacks. There were 28 members in attendance.

Here is a list of the whiskies we tasted:

  • Glenfiddich’s Fire & Cane – paired with Applewood smoked salame
  • Ancnoc Cutter – paired with smoked Gouda and aged Cheddar
  • Kaiyo The Peated – paired with Teriyaki beef jerky
  • Port Charlotte 10 Year – paired with smoked mussels
  • SMWS 10.118 ‘Enthralling pink and peat intensity’ – Bunnahabhain 10 Year – paired with smoked trout and smoked salmon

For scores from the tasting, please go to Scores.

Two fun evenings of education and great whisky. Cheers!