Tasting #26 Recap: Luxury Tasting

by Saratoga Whiskey Club | Jan 9, 2019 | Tastings

Tasting #26 Recap: Luxury Tasting

On Wednesday, December 5, the Saratoga Whiskey Club had its first higher-priced tasting that we named the Luxury Tasting. These were all bottles that we either purchased through auctions or were collected over the last year by the club. There were 16 members in attendance. This was the max number since we only had one bottle of each of the five bottles we tasted.

Here is a list of the whiskies we tasted:

Craigellachie 23 Year
Distiller’s Art Bunnahabhain 27 Year
Bruichladdich Private Single Cask 9 Year Sherry
Edradour Single Cask 14 Year
Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique

For scores from the tasting, please go to Scores.

It was a great first shot at a Luxury tasting and we can’t wait to do this again in 2019!

Cheers!

Bourbon selection for Great Bourbon Tasting

Tasting #25 Recap: A Scotland Tour

by Saratoga Whiskey Club | Jan 9, 2019 | Tastings

Tasting #25 Recap: A Scotland Tour

On Wednesdays, October 24 and November 28, the Saratoga Whiskey Club had great tastings of bottles that were brought back from Scotland on the 9 Maple Scotland Tour in September. The Tour focused primarily on the Speyside and Upper Highlands region of Scotland. A total of 22 members took part in this tasting.

Here is a list of the whiskies we tasted:

Balblair ’91 – 27 year
The Singleton of Glen Ord – Distillery Exclusive – 14 Year
Gordon & MacPhail’s Glenturret 14 Year Shop Exclusive – Spirit of Speyside edition
The Arran Wee Double 10 Year
Aberlour Hand-Filled 13 Year Sherry
Tomatin Hand-Filled 16 Year Pedro Ximenez

For scores from the tasting, please go to Scores.

It was a fun tasting and a great recap of our Tour to Scotland.

Cheers!

Whisky Selection for Scotland Tour 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 #23 Recap: Blind SMWS Tasting

by Saratoga Whiskey Club | Dec 7, 2018 | Tastings

Tasting #23 Recap: Blind SMWS Tasting

On Wednesdays September 5th and 12th, 2018, the Saratoga Whiskey Club had its first Blind Scotch Malt Whisky Society tasting. We had six different single malt whiskies to taste from and it was an interesting evening to see how close the members came to a consensus.

Here is a list of the whiskies we tasted:

SMWS 73.98 – Layers of harmony – Aultmore 17 Year
SMWS 112.27 – Tarry lapsang souchong – Loch Lomond 13 Year
SMWS 100.14 – Boozy basil Blueberry – Strathmill 12 Year
SMWS 39.130 – Zing like the ping of a musical string – Linkwood 26 Year
SMWS 36.145 – Nice day for cricket – Benrinnes 20 Year
SMWS 26.121 – A real ‘pick-me-up’ – Clynelish 13 Year

For scores from the tasting, please go to Scores.

It was a great tasting and one we will definitely do again.

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.