Johnnie Walker Tasting.
Short summary: It was lots of fun!
calloocallay, _artemis and I had dinner at Cozy Soup & Burger, then E and I went off for the tasting. Waited in line for a bit, got in, found comfy couch to sit on. E got our first (and actually only) round of drinks (Scotch and soda and Scotch on the rocks) had some hors d'oeuvres and then it was time for the actual tasting room.
Lots of tables in the tasting room, each w/ it's own Johnnie Walker candle set. Each seat had it's own place mat with a bottle of water, a little "What makes a great blend?" card (which is a smell-o-card!) a pencil, and 5 shots. Intros, and then the video on how JW started, how great they are, #1 whisky, etc. Then the actual tasting, starting with JW Black, then three of the single malts (there are up to 40 in each bottle) that make up JW black. First fresh fruit, very light lowland whisky, then Rich fruits, which was quite nice, and I'd like some more, and finally Smoky. I like smoky whisky, but it was just too much, burned the throat a lot, and had an impossible to get rid of aftertaste... but, that's what you need if you're going to cut your smoke flavor w/ 39 other single malts. Then finally back to JW Black. Fill out the little form before you leave, get a cute little JW Pin, and I stole the candle :)
Much fun, and next time I'll hopefully have more warning, as I'm on their SMS, and e-mail lists.
calloocallay, _artemis and I had dinner at Cozy Soup & Burger, then E and I went off for the tasting. Waited in line for a bit, got in, found comfy couch to sit on. E got our first (and actually only) round of drinks (Scotch and soda and Scotch on the rocks) had some hors d'oeuvres and then it was time for the actual tasting room.
Lots of tables in the tasting room, each w/ it's own Johnnie Walker candle set. Each seat had it's own place mat with a bottle of water, a little "What makes a great blend?" card (which is a smell-o-card!) a pencil, and 5 shots. Intros, and then the video on how JW started, how great they are, #1 whisky, etc. Then the actual tasting, starting with JW Black, then three of the single malts (there are up to 40 in each bottle) that make up JW black. First fresh fruit, very light lowland whisky, then Rich fruits, which was quite nice, and I'd like some more, and finally Smoky. I like smoky whisky, but it was just too much, burned the throat a lot, and had an impossible to get rid of aftertaste... but, that's what you need if you're going to cut your smoke flavor w/ 39 other single malts. Then finally back to JW Black. Fill out the little form before you leave, get a cute little JW Pin, and I stole the candle :)
Much fun, and next time I'll hopefully have more warning, as I'm on their SMS, and e-mail lists.