Dizzy Recap: Gordon & MacPhail Whisky Tasting at Louis 649

For months now, I've been meaning to make it to the Free Tuesday Night Tastings at Louis 649--after all, how many bars dole out fine spirits for absolutely nothing! I finally made it earlier this week for a sampling of malt whiskies by independent bottlers Gordon & MacPhail, and boy, it was a doozy. Gary Keimach, Senior Vice President of Business Solutions for Martignetti companies, led the packed crowd through the tasting of nine different whiskies--that's right, nine--including a 35-year-old Macallan Speymalt. Since I hadn't yet eaten dinner, I sipped lots of water throughout this tasting, and sadly, I had to refrain from finishing most of the samples--but I definitely tried!

Gary started us with the most palatable whisky of the evening, the Benromach Traditional Single Speyside Malt. Gordon & MacPhail purchased the Benromach Distillery in 1993, and their first release was in 1998. Mellow with subtle citrus, honey, and smoky peat flavors, the Traditional is a really enjoyable scotch for a novice like me. (If you are looking for an expert's viewpoint on this tasting, click over to Whiskey Apostle. They are much more versed in this sort of thing than I am.) Next we tasted the Benromach Organic, which I also found very lovely. The first single malt whisky to be fully certified organic, it's made from organically sourced barley and aged in virgin oak, which offers a toffee, sweet vanilla, and earthy oakiness. Other highlights included a 21-year-old Glen Grant, a 21-year-old Benromach, the 35-year-old Macallan, and, saving the peaty-est for last, the Caol Ila.

This was a real treat for anyone who attended to taste some luxury whiskies that would otherwise be enjoyed during a special occasion. Thanks to Gary for an informative tasting and to Louis 649 for being gracious hosts--I think I'll be a regular Tuesday night fixture, so long as my schedule allows.

Ingredient of the Day: Haamonii Smooth Shochu

Shochu, which surpassed sake consumption in Japan in 2003, is a clear spirit distilled from grain, rice, barley, sweet potato, and/or buckwheat. Low in calories (about 35 calories in 2 ounces) and alcohol content (typically 25 percent), shochu is a delicate spirit that works best in uncomplicated cocktails, infusions, or served neat. It's also known as "soju" in Korea. The spirit can be traced back to 13th century China.

Last week, Haamonii Smooth, a shochu brand based in San Francisco, held an NYC launch event at Irving Mill. Guests, invited via Haamonii's twitter, were asked to tweet live reviews during the tasting, which appear on the homepage of the brand's website. Two cocktails were served, a shochu Arnold Palmer (tea and lemonade) and a shochu, pomegranate, and blueberry concoction. Both were so light and refreshing that the alcohol was barely noticeable. Sipped neat, I found the Haamonii truly lived up to its name--it's so incredibly smooth, that the words "liquid cashmere" came to mind. It's faintly sweet and bright with virtually no alcohol burn. Haamonii also offers a lemon-flavored variety made with natural lemon juice, which is also lovely on its own. Haamonii, or "Harmony," encourages drinkers to pour for others and not the self, so that you'll never drink alone.

Dizzy Recap: The Dalmore Tasting

Like a rockstar on summer tour, The Dalmore's Master Distiller Richard Paterson swept through New York yesterday to pour some delicious drams of the Highland single malt whisky for those in-the-know before heading off to Chicago, Dallas, and Florida. I was in-the-know thanks to Twitter (it was my first "tweetup," actually), and I was pleasantly surprised to see several friends at the tasting at Keen's Steakhouse. Sadly, I missed the tasting of an extremely rare Dalmore 62-year-old (one of the most expensive single malts in the world), but I did enjoy a few drams of Dalmore 15-year, which was exquisitely smooth. Richard recommends just adding a few splashes of water (no ice!) to lower the alcohol content a bit, and let the whisky roll over the top of the tongue. Aged in Spanish oak sherry casks, the 15-year has notes of Seville orange, toffee, and vanilla, with a prominent orange aroma. Richard suggested pairing a taste of The Dalmore with bittersweet dark chocolate, and I have to say, this was the highlight of the evening. The third generation of his family to serve as Master Blender of the 170-year-old distillery in Alness, Richard really is a master of his craft, and it's easy to see why he has achieved such a rockstar status. Now if I can just get myself to Scotland in the near future to drink scotch by the sea with the wind whipping my face. Slainte!

Dizzy Recap: Tanteo Celebrates Mexican Art

Last week, Tanteo Tequila held an event at Milk Studios in Chelsea to announce the winners of its Mexican-inspired art competition as well as educate drinkers about the brand. Tanteo, founded by former financier Jonathan Rojewski in 2006, offers three varities of infused tequila: jalapeno, tropical, and chocolate.

Before I made my way to the bar, I was taken aback by the stunning views that the eighth floor of Milk Studios offers. The sun was close to setting over a picturesque Hudson River, people were milling about on the Highline below, and I could even see into the hot pink salon of Diane Von Furstenberg's penthouse. I decided to start with a tasting led by Rojewski. He said after spending several years traveling and surfing in Mexico, he wanted to indulge his culinary passion with an artisan tequila. It took him a year and a half to perfect the flavors, infusing 100 percent agave blanco tequila with raw, natural ingredients.

On its own, I found the tropical version (mango, pineapple, and guanabana) best suited for sipping straight. I could imagine drinking it with ice and a splash of soda water. The fruit flavors were authentic, and there was just a slight hint of jalapeno. Rojewski said the recipe was based on the fruit sold at traditional Mexican carts, which is often sprinkled with chili powder or sliced jalapenoes. The other two flavors, jalapeno and chocolate, worked better in mixed drinks, in my opinion. The jalapeno worked especially well in a margarita that was served, providing just the right bite to balance the lime and agave flavors. The chocolate flavor is not as sweet as you would think—it's inspired by mole sauce and has more of a raw cocoa taste, making it appropriate in a dessert cocktail.

Speakeasy Cocktail Consultants worked the bar while La Esquina provided nibbles. Artwork by Michael Pribich, Martha Clippinger, and Doraelia Ruiz stirred conversation, and each artist was awarded $500. Guests were rewarded too, with stylish Tanteo tote bags filled with t-shirts, flash drives, and Tanteo minis in each flavor. I think a lot of people left this event with a great impression of this emerging brand, and hopefully, of Mexican culture as well.

Dizzy Recap: The New York Bar Show

If you ever wanted proof of the clash between the crafty cocktail world and the superficial land of clubdom, it was at last week's New York Bar Show, an annual food and beverage trade show. Nonetheless, buzzing through aisles of drink samples and girls in bikinis at Jacob Javits Convention Center certainly isn't the worst way to spend an afternoon. I had hopes of bringing you some news of hot-off-the-presses, must-try spirits or fancy bar gadgets, but alas, I really didn't learn anything new. What I did absorb (besides several sippy cups of tequila, gin, pisco, absinthe, beer, and vodka) is that the mixology side of the bar business has a long way to go to educate mainstream consumers that it's worthy of as much attention as the pretty girls who pour your shots. Leading the cocktail teach-in at the Bar Show was the non-stop presentation by the New York chapter of the U.S. Bartender's Guild. When I strolled by, I found mixologist (and talented photographer) Elba S. Giron mixing the Joie de Veev cocktail, of all things, while mixologists Jonathan Pogash and Jason Littrell handed out information and chatted with passersby. Other highlights included: Mekhong Spirit of Thailand cocktails, Pisco Sours with Gran Sierpe, and Daiquiris with Don Q Rum courtesy of James Menite of Porter House. Workshop sessions (which I didn't attend) featured mixologists such as Gary Regan, Charlotte Voisey, Junior Merino, Tad Carducci, Brian Van Flandern, and Martin Miller's brand ambassador Jon Santer. Entertainment came in the form of ice luges, beer pong, Hustlers Club girls, and an inflatable bull (which was just for display, I think). Whether or not this show was the right place to spread the good word of fresh-ingredient cocktails or not, props must be given to the USBGNY for putting in the effort. I would love to see more of a cocktail culture presence next year, or perhaps a separate event will emerge. Check out this video of Jason Littrell at the Bar Show making a Southside using Bols Genever.

Out & About: Upcoming Events

 

• Tuesday, June 9: Museum Mile, 6 to 9 p.m., Fifth Ave. between 82nd St. & 105th St. This year's 31st annual festival kicks off on the steps of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum with an opening ceremony at 5:45 p.m. at 89th St. & 5th Ave. Free.
• Tuesday, June 9: Yamazaki Single Malt tasting from 7 to 9 p.m. at Louis 649, 649 9th St. Grand Ambassador Gardner Dunn will be pouring the 12 year, 18 year, and a special rare bottling not yet available. Free.
• Thursday, June 11: Happy Hour from 5 to 6 p.m. at Hudson Terrace, 621 W. 46th St. Free well drinks, Bud, and Bud Light. Hosted by Metromix every Thursday this month, rsvp to metromix@hudsonterracenyc.com before 3 p.m. the day of. Free.
• Sunday, June 14 & Monday, June 15: The New York Bar Show, from noon to 6 p.m. both days at Jacob Javits Center, 38th St. & 11th Ave. More than 300 bar, nightclub, wine, and spirit exhibitors, as well as flair bartenders, cocktail contests, and demos by top mixologists will be on view. Tickets are $40 for the exhibition; $100 to attend world-class seminars.  
• The Highline is open!
• Also, if you were curious as to what went down at the Jazz Age Lawn Party (sadly, I didn't make it), Metromix has a stunning photo gallery of all the lovely vintage garb--sartorialists, indeed!

Dizzy Recap: Compass Box Dinner at Parlor Steakhouse

If you had told me a year ago that I would be drinking scotch whisky every now and then, I probably would have scoffed and continued slurping my dirty vodka martini--boy, am I glad those days are over. To me, scotch was always an old man drink, something only hardcore drinkers and Wall Streeters turned to. Well, at some point in the past year I grew some cojones, thanks in part to having a roommate who specializes in Japanese single malt. I started dabbling in scotch, usually either sipping a small amount neat, or having it mixed in a cocktail (yes, this is possible, if done right). I think it's been essential in expanding my taste for classic drinks and fine spirits. But until a Compass Box whisky pairing dinner at Parlor Steakhouse (90th St. & 3rd Ave.) earlier this week, I was not getting the most out of my tasting of scotch whisky. Thanks to brand ambassador Robin Robinson, I learned that scotch is best with a few splashes of bottled water, which helps open the aromas and flavors, as well as dilute the potency a bit. Robin took us through Compass Box's custom blending and aging process, as well as giving us a general introduction to what scotch is and which regions it comes from. Compass Box was founded in 2000 by John Glaser, who approaches whisky-making from a wine-maker's angle. Casks from different Scotland distilleries, such as those in the Speyside and Islay regions, are handpicked by Glaser, leading to an array of handcrafted, non-chill-filtered blended whiskies. Even the bottles are designed like wine bottles, signaling that Compass Box is offering something different. Following a cocktail reception featuring Gilles Bensabeur of St. Germain (I had a delicious Peat Monster scotch, St. Germain, and muddled pineapple cocktail), here's a rundown of what we tasted:

• Asyla: A blend of scotch and malt whisky, this was a really nice place to start--lightly fruity and oaky with prominent vanilla. This was by far my favorite, being a novice whisky drinker. I recommend this to anyone--be sure to let it swish over the top of your tongue and enjoy the delicate, spicy finish. Paired with mushroom risotto.
• Oak Cross: Whiskies aged in American and French oak casks offer a subtly spiced medium weight. There's hints of vanilla and clove, and it's soft and rich. Paired with a pile of deliciously rare prime porterhouse and sides.
• The Peat Monster: As the name insinuates, this a heavy, peaty Islay malt blended with Speyside malt. Smoky and bold, it's almost spicy. With a 46 percent ABV, this packs a punch. It paired with cheeses perfectly, but was a little too strong for me--I was definitely splashing in that water. Paired with Quickes Cheddar and Pyrenee Brebis.
• Hedonism: A rare style of 100 percent grain whisky, sweet toasty notes of toffee and vanilla. Considering this goes for about $80 a bottle, this was a treat. Paired with molten chocolate cake and butterscotch ice cream--pure heaven.

Following dinner, we dashed to Lexington Bar & Books (73rd St. & Lexington Ave.) to drink Plymouth Gin cocktails mixed by Jake Sher. I had a refreshing Southside (gin, mint, lime juice), a French 75 (gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, champagne), and a Ginger Cobbler (Domain de Canton, gin, muddled ginger, lemon juice). Ben's variation on the Martinez also went over well. Hell, I even puffed on a cigar for the first time--what can I say, the environment beckoned it. I must mention that I drank water constantly throughout the night. I was in bed by 1 a.m. and only slightly dizzy.