Oct 18 2010
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Photo from nytimes.com by Adithya Sambamurthy/The Bay Citizen
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SEWC in NYT...sort of
Hectorine, Shirley, and Olga recently attended a scotch tasting at Omnivore Books in San Francisco. Very informative, and helped turn the corner on taste for Scotch whisky. Turns out, Scotch can be quite delicious and complex, and doesn’t necessarily require such a strong peaty flavor that only makes you wish you had some marshmellows to roast over the campfire in your glass. Also, a very interesting tip the speaker at the event, a nice kilt-sporting gentleman named Mark, provided was for people to add a very small drop of water to the side of the glass (not the center, as that would “disturb” the whiskey too much) in order to open the flavor of the Scotch. We tested it out, and sure enough, a new flavor was definitely noticed. Like two Scotches for the price of one. Thanks, Mark!
Blah, blah, blah, educational stuff…most important thing to note is that Hectorine & Shirely got featured on in the NYTimes.com article covering the tasting! Super famous. Sort of famous. More famous than they were before this article came out since surely at least one person clicked to enlarge the image and noted the two beauties in the front.
May 09 2010
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4.25.2010 Meeting @ Broken Record
Minutes for Sunday Evening Whiskey Club: April 25, 2010
Attendees: Shirley, Helen, Hectorine, Olga, Ingeborge, & Rosie.
Highlights:
- Holy crap. I haven’t written a blog post in 2 months, so writing this is a highlight in itself.
- Broken Record. An adventure to an area of the city no on ever goes to even though its still part of the 7x7. We at SEWC like to show everyone our love, especially when they offer comfort good with their whiskey.
- Fighting Cock whiskey has the best marketing name ever. You can have a horrible tasting whiskey, but realize that enough will still sell just for the “pun-factor”
- Began soon-to-be tradition of naming our “high point” and “low point” for the week. This ensures that your happiness will immediately be replaced with depression. Fun for everyone!
- Biscuits!! And buffalo wings, and pulled pork, and fries, and spicy mayo. Unrelated, my heart seems to stop beating every now and then due to some sort of clog.
Whiskey Tasted:
1. Old Charter 13 yr.
2. 4 Roses (previously tasted, previously enjoyed)
3. St. George
4. Van Winkle
5. Old Fitzgerald
Follow-Ups:
- May 16th is BTB, so SWEC will not be held, but must determine location for May 23rd. Time for a few SEWC members in SF is dwindling, so must try to fit in meetings when possible.
Lessons:
- Greatest lesson is that I cannot wait weeks after a meeting to actually write a blog post because I am left with notes that spark only muffled memories; I know these stories were probably hilarious at the time, but now they just leave me head-scratching. Examples:
» “Judge book by cover.” Such an old, tired joke. I am ashamed that I felt it was worthy of writing. We have better standards at SEWC.
» “[Shirley] is a mood killer.” Surely noted for its irony, but what did she say/do?! Who drinks less whiskey than me and still has brain cells left to remember these very important conversation points?
» “Minestrone: just right moment. No minestrone involved in my hooking up.” Huh? The dating scene has changed so much since I was last active in it.
Next Meeting:
Location TBD
May 23rd
4:00pm-ish
Cheers,
Olga
Mar 03 2010
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2.28.2010
*Photo courtesy Shirley
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[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]
The Smiths - I know it’s over
(via iamnotthewalrus)
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2.28.2010
*Photo courtesy Shirley
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2.28.2010 Meeting @ Benders
Minutes for Sunday Evening Whiskey Club: February 28, 2010
Attendees: Shirley, Helen, Hectorine, Olga, Ingeborge, & Rosie.
Highlights:
- Missed February 21 meeting due to SEWC being out at Thieves too late Saturday into February 21st morning. Only excuse for canceling whiskey club is because you were busy drinking whiskey.
- Free bbq. Damien is a good man. He’ll hook you up with a burger (if you are really nice, might get offered a double) and mussels. Just watch out that the pigeon in the box next to the condiments doesn’t try to nibble on your bun. And the scary Scottish woman will grab all the mussels if you aren’t quick to pick up your share. Hey, I said this was free food…doesn’t mean you don’t have to work for it.
- Whiskey selection was rather mediocre. Bartender lacked any knowledge of selection (fellow patron jumped in to provide whiskey recommendation) or she did not feel my floral top paired with her leather attire and just did not want to encourage us to stay. Well too bad Ms.Too Cool, ‘cause it’s Sunday, and we need a drink.
- “You can crack an egg on that ass & it would deep fry.” - Shirley, regarding barely-legal boy
- Shirley surprised the crew with Underberg shots. “Look, no hands!”
Whiskey Tasted:
1. Blanton’s bourbon
(Rather lame number, but as mentioned, so was the selection & service. She actually called it “Planton’s” whiskey.)
Follow-Ups:
- Buy these Goudas asap: 3yr UnieKaas. 1.5 yr Beemster & Rembrant.
Lessons:
- Benders Bloody Marys may be the healthiest meal you have all week. Tomatoes, meat, olives, onions, beans, and vodka to kill bad germs.
- Dates are now also covered by your insurance as chiropractic care. Face to face back cracking.
- Dolphins, didgeridoo….vibratos that make one happy.
Next Meeting:
Ingeborge & Shirley’s (sub Oscars theme)
March 7
4:00pm
Cheers,
Olga
Mar 01 2010
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[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]
Dr. Dog - 100 Years
This one goes out to Helen, who also has taste for the Rebel Yell
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Hudson Four Grain
I am the main author of this blog, so I get to play favorites. And Hudson, you are my favorite. I love you. I tried the Four Grain and and Manhattan Rye and Baby Bourbon. All were delicious, but at least this evening, I went swayed to the Four Grain. Full of flavors that had a richness I had never experienced before in other whiskeys. The rye was heavy, given complexity with sweet corn, dry wheat, and malted barley.
Note you may think to get a Manhattan with the Manhattan Rye. Well, skip the sweet vermouth & bitters, because that bourbon has the a deep sweet floral intact, providing you with the Manhattan cocktail taste you love, but in a subtle manner that only the perfect bartender could master. And that master seems to be the Tuthillitown distillery.
Feb 18 2010
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2.14.2010
*Photo courtesy Shirley
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Feb 17 2010
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2.14.2010
*Photo courtesy Shirley
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2.14.10 Meeting @ Thieves
Minutes for Sunday Evening Whiskey Club: February 14, 2010
Attendees: Shirley, Helen, Hectorine & Olga
Highlights:
- Our bartender and in-my-head-only best friend, Tommy. What is with bars with “Thieves” naming that brings us such amazing service & company? When we get around to Dirty Thieves, is John Jameson himself going to serve us there? I apologize in advance for the abundance of Tommy references below.
- Thieves’ incredible range of whiskey, each of which Tommy was more than happy to allow us to take a gander at testing. We took full advantage (see 1-8 below. and I am certain I did not write down some, so that’s not a full list).
- Happy Valentine’s Day. There were chocolate cupckaes with sprinkle hearts welcoming us upon entering the bar. A questionable presentation given the skew of clientele looking more like they just worked on their motorcycle/bicycle vs. put tiny red sprinkles in a device that makes heart shapes.
- Helen’s ballsy downing of Rebel Yell. Tommy said she deserved a plaque. Impress Tommy = happy place.
- Tommy to Shirley: “Would you like baby?” Further clarification determined he was asking if she wanted to try the Hudson Baby Bourbon. But no matter what way that question was asked, the answer is yes.
- You know we were feeling good and had tried enough when we started a tickle fight. I am sure the motorcycle/bicycle crew was loving us.
- After just reading about Hudson’s distillery, low-and-behold, there were 4 kinds at Thieves. They. Were. Nice. They did not have it there, but can’t wait to try the Hudson New York Corn (their white whiskey).
Whiskey Tasted:
1. 4 Roses
2. Hudson Four Grain
3. Johnny Drumm (single malt)
4. Hudson Manhattan Rye
5. Rebel Yell
6. Kentucky Vintage
7. Redbreast Irish Whiskey
8. Hudson Baby Bourbon
Follow-Ups:
- Quit jobs, open a bar, have Steve & Tommy be the bartenders w/us. We can even have entertainment; Shirley will drum on her body, Helen will ballet dance (every bar has to bring something new, right?), and Hectorine will twirl.
Lessons:
- Thieves should be frequented often due to good location, choice of whiskey, service, atmosphere, and baked goods.
- Pitcher of margaritas @ Puerto Alegre after hefty portions of whiskey at Thieves…fantastic idea.
- Say “suckle” to Helen as often as possible.
Next Meeting:
Benders
February 21
4:00pm
Cheers,
Olga
