Caol Ila Sold at Martini Park

For those who like Talisker, among other smokey single Malts, Martini Park sells it. SMWS sells bottles from selected single casks in limited quantities. Of the Smokey scotches, I have yet to try Clynleish, which is supposed to be more peaty than the others according to some. Of the smokey single malts, I have tended to prefer 1992 Talisker Distillers Choice at this point.

Does anyone have other recommendations for a smokey single malt similar or arguably better than Talisker Distillers Choice? Are there any single casks of Talisker or the other Smokies that are more worthy?

Talisker Distillers Choice 1992 and Cantelope

I was toying with this combination this evening. It is worth the effort. Cantalope absorbs the Talisker Distillers Choice very well. Just make sure that the Talisker hits the center of your tongue.

I have also tried Dalmore's Cigar Malt with chocolate at the 2007 SMWS Extravanganza in Chicago. Has anyone had success with matching single malt scotch with fruit or other foods?

SMWS Annual Chicago Event October 2, 2008 and Tasting Thoughts

This will be my fourth Scotch Malt Whiskey Extravanganza in October. There are well over a hundred and fifty different bottles to imbibe, one from Glenrothes retailed for over $1000; most don't. If you thought that scotch is an obnoxious and pretentious drink with very little variety, then think again. My interest started when a colleague brought me to Delilah's on Lincoln Avenue.

The nose (scent) on a unique cask of scotch is distinct. Most single malt scotches have significantly more flavor than blended scotch, IMHO. I was never a Chivas Regal nor Johnny Walker drinker. However, I will try a high end blend this year to confirm my preference. Keeping an open mind, I attended the 2005 event. Since than I purchased Michael Jackson's book and recently secured a used copy of David Wishart's "Whiskey Classified" on half.com for around $11 plus $3.99 shipping.

Wishart is the most useful to me, but Jackson has more listings. If you prefer a particular distillery's scotch, then Wishart's book will refer you to others that are 'similar' in nose and taste. After my third year at the Extravanganza, I finally bought my first bottle last fall. I now have 12 bottles, some of which I inherited from family that visited Scotland, but chose not to open their Glenfarclas and Glen Grant. I did, but will likely hold onto them for others. Not all of my restaurant scotch orders have resulted in preferred discoveries. I find that the events make it easier for me to choose.

Personal Interests from 2005-2008

In 2005, I tended to prefer Balvenie, because it promoted its stock that was aged in Port infused, among other uniquely infused wood casks. Over the years, I found that other distilleries also used re-used casks. In the last year, I tend to prefer Talisker's Distiller's Choice and Glenrothe 1972, which are both distinct. I have tried the others, but tend to gravitate to those distilleries. However, I also felt it worthwhile to secure a bottle of Abelour "Abundah," which I also drink, as well.

I recently bought two more bottles for the Society's reserved casks that were chosen from Caol Ila (pronounced "kowel-EEL-ah") and Auchroisk (pronounced "oth-RUSK"). The former was chosen, because it had the same taste pattern as Talisker. I have secured a bottle of 1977 Dallas Dhu; this distillery was demolished and is no longer in production. However, the remaining Dallas Dhu casks are stored or already bottled by Signatory, among others, and remain affordable for the time being. Unlike wine, scotch has a following, but not as much and the bottles 'usually' last much longer.

Using a Glencairn Glass seems to make drinking a dram of scotch more enjoyable. The base makes it easier to agitate your dram to test the nose. If you allow scotch to touch the tip of your tongue, it can be unpleasant. You want the scotch to land in the center of your tongue based upon my experience and reading. It may look questionable, but it works. This glass makes it easier to position the scotch, so your tastebuds actually work. Although some insist on drinking scotch with some water, I have tended to drink it 'neat.' The society has downloads that help those with an interest to learn how to appreciate single malt scotch.

If you drink responsibly, that is a dram or two, a day, then it seems easier to appreciate and understand it. However, it is probably best appreciated in the right settings with others. The Society's events include a buffet of food geared to the scotch. Those who who study and are keen to this may try to select food to match the scotch. I have yet to figure the food thing out. I have the same challenges with matching food to tea when I follow Pettigrew's directions on drinking bulk teas.

Last year, Dalmore encouraged members to drink its Cigar Malt with chocolate. That was different, but amazing and it seemed to work. Since I gave up smoking manduros in 1997, the chocolate was better appreciated. In addition, the distilleries pass out anything from golf towels, polo shirts, and other Scotch knick knacks. The Society issues each guest a tasting glass and other items depending upon the year. In addition, it also has books, shirts, and bottles for sale to members and guests based upon my recollection.

Will I give up the hobby? I don't know. I hope that I can find the time to visit Leith. However, the Annual SMWS Chicago Events allow me a chance to appreciate this acquired taste and the unexpected varieties. Hopefully, others in Rogers Park will appreciate scotch. This way, we may eventually plan our own event with the interest and support of the SMWS.

SMWSA - Three Years and One Annual Event or Road Trips

Last Fall marked my third Chicago Scotch Malt Whiskey Society Event. The Union League Club of Chicago has hosted the event for the last three years. However, the Scotch Malt Whiskey Society and The Robb Report sponsors the event along with the membership and guests who attend. I finally joined SMWSA and purchased about 6 bottles from Binny's based upon my tastes. I am not into blends and can't stomach Chivas Regal unlike old grandad. In spite of the local political babble, I soon realized that my thirst for a good single malt scotch has not disappeared as long as I have someone in tow.

Contrary to popular belief, scotch drinkers are not all stodgy old pickled characters with monicles. I found that it is how you drink scotch whiskey and which scotch is selected that can make or break interest. To this day, my dad thinks that scotch is for WASPs and that it tastes as good as formaldehyde. I guess that we have different tastes, but try to avoid drinking alone. I thought that encouraging a bit of interest in something other than the debatable length of Joe Moore's nose might be a good thing.

I was pitted between appreciating the challenges of The Heartland Cafe and Craig's desire to keep eager rats out of the alleys, among other questionable characters east of Clark and Morse, among other places. Of course, I realized that my nearby neighbors to the west don't know the difference between a rat and an oppossum.

Having signs repeatedly pronged into our parkway lawn and watching one political incumbent enter a nursing home at the time that it served as a polling place created some wind of concern. I also got tired of seeing important issues over looked for the sake of a city-wide foie gras ban possibly co-sponsored by Loretta Swit. Eventually, Kevin Erskine ran dry on Delilah's, so this may be where I pick up Chicago's interest in scotch whiskey.

I think that every party or position has someone who advocates on its behalf. That is why "politics makes for strange bed fellows." However, if I read or write too many political rants about some screwed up political endorsement or inconsiderate political trespass, then I think that I am going to choke on the verbal vernacular. Believe me, good scotch won't do it.

I am searching for scotch afficionados, who 'will' put down their political sceptors (if there is an inclination) and refrain from comments for a dram or two. I have an undying fondness for my neighborhood and its diversity. I think that people who remain in the neighborhood want the same, but my hope is that neighbors can find common ground and not spew frustration. In an effort to encourage comments from locals about single malt scotch and Chicago/Rogers Park retailers, I have started this blog. I am also interested in the descriptions of and preferences for certain untapped casks of Balvenie, Highland Park, The Glenrothes, Talisker, among others. I will gratuitously post my choices. In fact, I may go into the tea direction, as well, since I drink more tea than scotch these days.

To start, I point out one of Rogers Park's more fascinating scotch whiskey finds, which is located at Rogers Park Fine Wine and Spirits at 6733 N. Clark, which is on the northeast corner of Clark and Columbia. The owner is down to earth and it is a good option to a road trip to Binny's in Skokie complete with driver. I also want to point out Delilah's

I also encourage those in Chicago, who want to find a common location to do comparisons, schedule an even plan an event at Binny's or 6733 N. Clark, to begin to open up communication. This offer is open to all, even to our Alderman, among others, with the promise to push no buttons other than to pay a bill.

It may also offers some businesses and restaurants the option to make some money on food or rental of their space. I understand that we can now seal our open bottles and take them home. Perhaps, bars or restaurants can charge for corking and sealing unfinished scotch bottles, but I have not reviewed the newer Illinois Statute, yet. Perhaps, someone can eventually host. However, you can't house all scotch under one roof.

I am open to suggestions, but my intention is to post preferences, discuss how to use your nose and tongue, evaluate some local retailer's selections, perhaps, and do what I can to promote a few who want to share a few bottles. Over the years, I have amassed about four high grade bourbons and fifteen scotch whiskeys, among a variety of vintages that may have turned to vinegar over the years. Perhaps, there are others with the same experience, since it seems like the brothers from the University have gone in different directions.