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!

Tasting #31 Recap: Luxury SMWS Vertical Tasting

Tasting #31 Recap: Luxury SMWS Vertical Tasting

by | Apr 1, 2019 | Tastings

Tasting #31 Recap: Luxury SMWS Vertical Tasting

On Wednesday, March 27, the Saratoga Whiskey Club had its first Luxury tasting of 2019. The focus of the tasting was a SMWS Vertical Tasting of Glen Grant whiskies. It was an incredible evening and all of the whiskies were special in their own way. It was amazing to see how three of the bottles that were distilled on the same day in 1996 were so different from each other. There were 18 members in attendance.

Here is a list of the whiskies we tasted:

  • SMWS 9.147 ‘Cocktails in a coalmine’ – Glen Grant 21 Year
  • SMWS 9.148 ‘Mustard, custard and musk’ – Glen Grant 21 Year
  • SMWS 9.155 ‘Witches’ night’ – Glen Grant 22 Year
  • SMWS 9.152 ‘Mindful savouring’ – Glen Grant 25 Year
  • SMWS 9.150 ‘Thyme well spent’ – Glen Grant 30 Year

For scores from the tasting, please go to Scores.

An extraordinary evening of Scotch. Cheers!

Tasting #23 Recap: Blind SMWS Tasting

Tasting #23 Recap: Blind SMWS Tasting

by | 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.

SMWS Blind Tasting Whisky
SMWS Blind Tasting Table Set Up
SMWS Blind Tasting Placemat
SMWS Blind Tasting Group
SMWS Blind Tasting Group
SMWS Blind Tasting Table Set Up
SMWS Blind Tasting Placemat
SMWS Blind Tasting Group
SMWS Blind Tasting Group