December 2008

<This month marks the first to use the new e-zine format.  This will persist until I catch this site up, and then I will return to the normal blog format.  I will continue direct communication using the e-zine...>

October 2008

To My Steadfast Concomitants, Greetings!

I must start my letter this month with a hearfelt thank you to those of you who attended the first meeting of our third year as a club.  And to our newest - though by no means least experienced - companion, the warmest of welcomes!  I realize, with the chill weather now ardently upon us, how difficult it is to make one's way out into th ecold, but what better time can there be to enjoy the invigorating warmth that only a drop of the finest can bring?

So as not to bore you with my ramblings, let me proceed to the results of our first tasting of the '08-'09 year.  You will, I am certain, recall that we have designed to tour around the country (again), comparing members of the Classic Malts line to other specimens of the related regions.  In October, our comparison was between to twelve year old Speysiders: Cragganmore and Macallan.

We began with The Macallan, a deep red-gold whisky evocative of the Nibelungian Hoard.  Caramel, sherry and spice were first to the nose.  ...was there a bit of bubble gum as well?  Unfortunately, the nose misled the tongue, the whisky providing a somewhat hollow flavor.  Burned toast, fruit jams, and an earthiness characterized the medium-legged glass.  More clover and caramel came with water, and more cereal notes as well, but it was noted that this dram might actually be better undiluted.  Pair this one with baked goods.  Overall, we scored The Macallan a 5.8.

Cragganmore, the Diageo brand, was on deck.  This pale golden, seemingly unassuming glass was sweeter all around, with honey and cream on the nose; a bit of solvent as well, apparently thrown in to remind us that it was, after all, a whisky.  There was something in the flavor that none of us could evoke.  The standard vanillas and honey, but also baked yams.  It was warm without being smokey, but there was something else we couldn't put our finger on.  This one finished nicely, and we all agreed it was definitive of the region.  The Macallan earned a solid 7.0.

We finished our evening at supper with the folks at the Old Toad, and it is apparent that, although the talent has not yet returned to our desired level, the service certainly has.  And between the two, I'd pick the generous German who has had Scotch (even if it's just a story) over the copious Cuban who has cigars to spare (especially when they don't smoke that well).

Until next time, I remain faithfully yours,

Sláinte,

October 2008 - An Invitation

<I include the below, contrary to my Welcome message, in an attempt to set a context for the series of tastings that follow>

Gentlemen and Friends,

As much as I desire to be well prepared in advance of the occasion, I continue to find myself at the last minute with little more than a good intention gone awry.  I must admit though, that the wee Caol Isla upon which I sip is doing more than its share, on this chill Autumn evening, to help ease my anguish.

Before you blink, our October 16th meeting will be upon us.  The forecast is crisp chill with only a hint of a chance for precipitation, making it the perfect evening for a nip of the pure and the warm camaraderie of fine friends!

As promised, I've had several conversations regarding our upcoming program of events.  The general agreement is to spend the next five months touring Scotland in an attempt to pitch one Classic Malt against one contender of the same region whose style is somewhat different from the expected.  Here's the outline, though I must warn you that there is still the possibility of a bug in my ear leading us in a slightly different way by the time we get to a region...

• We start in Speyside, in an attempt to counter the recent lingering we've had on Islay.  The first comparison (October's, in fact) is Cragganmore versus Macallan.  In processing the choices, I was amazed that we hadn't already scored either of these!
• We linger in the region, but begin making our way North along the shore to pit Clynelish against The Dalmore.
• Then it's over the mountains to see how Dalwhinnie (one of our top 5) stands up to Aberfeldy.  I'm interested in putting the effect of order into play, to see if trying the Aberfeldy second makes any difference in our scorings.
• Next is a bit of the East Coast versus West Coast thing, as we sail out with Old Poultney and into Oban.
• And finally, we end up on Islay again, where we'll stand Bunnahabain up against Caol Isla.  Here, in particular, is a place where I might be swayed to take a more heavily peated malt instead of the most complex one, in going against what is generally accepted as the most unpeated of the Islay malts.
• And this will end us up in Founder's Month where we can re-try whatever is our heart's content.

To avoid any undue rambling, I'll leave it at that, and provide the standard agenda:

• 6:30 PM ~ Monty's for our tasting.
• 8:00 PM(-ish) ~ The Old Toad again, unless anyone feels strongly about moving elsewhere.
• Afterwards ~ Light up your preferred after-dinner smoke on the street and chat it up...

Croí follain agus gob fliuch!

(the Gaelic toast "A healthy heart and a wet mouth!")

Sláinte,

September 2008

Gentlemen and Ladies,

It's been just over a week since our September "business" meeting, and I wanted to pass along the results of our discussion and invite any further feedback.

First things first, of course, I would be a poor host not to thank all of you who attended and provided your earnest opinions.

The salient points of the conversation were:

• On the matter of continuing to use the forums versus a static website and communicate by regular email, there was near unanimous agreement that  communication by email is the simplest and most familiar means available.  Members want to be notified by email, and have access to the results list, and potentially the overall calendar, online.  In addition to this being perceived the easiest communication mechanism, an added benefit we could worry less about managing those allowed to contribute and not have to monitor for potentially offensive content.  I will communicate the concept discussed, with JB, our ardent Web Master.
• On the matter of forming a Program Committee: PK, the Big Yin, and yours truly, will meet as soon as possible to plan the next series of events.  Pierce may attend, and will certainly help develop some signage once we line up our events.  One of our members has offered to put us in contact with a graphic design friend, so it may be that some good artwork if forthcoming. For those who may have forgotten, or who were not around during the formative time, we do have a logo and "club colors"; accepted by vote in December of 2006.  I have included these as background to this email, and have sent some samples along to our friend, separately.
• We discussed, largely as a sidebar, the vision of our organization, and the directive to "turn Rochester into Scotchester" was adopted whole-heartedly.  World domination may come after ...all in due time my friends, all in due time...
• On a closing note, C---- generated the bright idea to have jerseys/T-shirts made up that would include, on the back: our name / nickname and favorite number, and, on the front: the club's, and perhaps a sponsor's, logo.  I would appreciate feedback on this idea.  If there is widespread interest, I'd like to move quickly to start the process.  If you are interested, please reply and let me know how much you might be willing to pay for something like this, or if you have another idea for the "Club Store".

So much for promptly distributing the minutes of the business meeting, but there they are never-the-less.  You'll be hearing from me again before too much longer, so without further delay...

Sláinte,