Eve’s Wine 101: For MY Scotch Lovers

My husband has received over 25 years worth of gifts from me. Of course I only remember the worse: a certificate for dancing lessons that I ended up giving to a pal a month later. (We met at a Disco, maybe I offended him?) So, with his birthday looming once again, I wanted to find him something truly exceptional, and one that he would find equally so. I remembered that after giving him a chocolate of the month club membership he barreled right through it. So I toyed with the idea of thinking outside of the candy box, and into something much more audacious.

So I searched the Internet for other items I knew that he appreciated and I found a Scotch club that sounded incredible.

Ed would get five flights of scotch – without labels – four times a year. We are asked to sample them and then go to the ForScotchLovers.com website to learn what we drank and add in our ratings. I know Ed will do fine with the tasting as he’s led single malt classes in our home. And since he’s no reviewer, I’ll gladly do that part, as it’s my “livelihood.”

Enter the “Whiskey Explorers Club”

The mission of the Whisky Explorers club is to introduce our members to a variety of great whiskies they may never have experienced before, and to share those experiences with others.

Our “Scout” membership was designed to introduce members to a variety of great “entry-level” whiskies they may never have experienced before, free of any pre-conceived notion of a “brand”, price as an indicator of quality or a prior experience with a type of whisky.

A complimentary Glencairn Nosing & Tasting Crystal Glass

Four (4) times a year you’ll receive tasting “flights” of five (5) 3cl/30ml sample bottles containing a broad range of great whiskies

from around the world. These whiskies will arrive packaged with no brand or age identity, along with instructions on how to unmask each whisky’s true identity on our website by contributing your own whisky ratings and reviews.

Early access to hard to find/ limited production whiskies

Discounted tickets to whisky events like Whisky Live and Whiskies of the World

So, look for a future column on our first tasting before the year is out. And, if all goes well I’m thinking of this for his Christmas present…

Imagine giving a barrel of spirits as another one of those “he has everything” solutions. It’s your own little barrel filled with either single malt or rye that you are meant to age yourself! I might have to buy this for myself!

Enter the “Wasmund’s Barrel Kit” (pictured at the top of this post)

From Copper Fox Distillery:

Rick Wasmund and Copper Fox Distillery continue to blaze new trails in the American whisky landscape! WASMUND’S BARREL KIT, a Copper Fox exclusive, provides a uniquely creative opportunity for the casual or professional mixologist, the creative aspiring chef, or the true whisky connoisseur.

Barrels are intended to be used for multiple fills, with the layers of flavors and complexities evolving with each use. Initially the barrels will age our spirit more like bourbon, with subsequent fills shifting to a more “scotch like” finish.

We encourage you to savor the journey and age and season your spirit to your personal taste preference.

The barrel kits include:

* Two-liter charred American White Oak mini-barrel
* Two 750ml bottles of one of our brilliant cask strength (124 proof) spirits: Wasmund’s Single Malt Spirit OR Wasmund’s Rye Spirit
* Detailed instructions and FAQ sheet
* Barrelhead Club registration card

http://for-lovers.com/store/scotch/accessories/wasmund-s-barrel-kit.html

Highlights from the SCV Wine Calendar:

Eve’s Wine on Wednesday: Taste three wines for free every Wednesday at Mixers, starts at 7pm, 50% off select bottles that night too. 661-750-2649.

Stars of Cabernet is 11/16 in Beverly Hills. Get 50% off by using code “Down” at the STARS of Cabernet website

Antelope Valley Winery has an open house on November 19, 9 a.m to noon that promises vendors, music, a clown and lunch. 888-AV2-8332.

Also on 11-19 readers are invited to go to a pressing in Paso. Contact [email protected].

Wine 661 has a Cristal Champagne Tasting on Dec 8 from 6-9pm – paired with chocolate! 661-288-2980.

Daily events can be viewed on the SCV Wine Calendar.

 

Yours, in wine and out,

Eve Bushman

Eve Bushman is a local writer that specializes in writing about wine. You can find great articles by Eve on her blog at http://www.evewine101.com or email her at [email protected]. Her commentaries represent her own opinions and not necessarily the views of any organization she may be affiliated with or those of the West Ranch Beacon. Eve also writes at http://scvelitemagazine.com and you can follow Eve’s Wine 101 on Facebook and Twitter!