Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/5037
SPECIAL REPORT: WHISKYFEST 2009 Accent on Brown Spirits The Dalmore: Educating the Trade W illie Tait, the U.S. Brand Ambassador for The Dalmore, believes in educating the front lines, a philosophy shared by THE TASTING PANEL magazine. "It's the buyers who must know first, what they are drinking and selling," states Tait, who has been in the business of Scotch whisky for 37 years. "To be able to sell a dram to a novice or a seasoned drinker, you need to understand the profile of the whisky. Even if it's served up in a cocktail, the bartender cannot make a balanced or quality drink without knowing what nuances will come through, when combined with other ingredients." Describing aromas from whis- kies as "memories," Tait can associate everything from special oc- casions to childhood moments when his nose takes in the smells. He retrieved a bottle from his booth at the event, King Alex- ander, a rare single malt from The Dalmore aged in six different woods. "This is truly the luxury side of our portfolio. Our 1263 King Alexander III is a celebration of our heroic past, crafted in the pres- ent and an inspiration to our exciting future." The Dalmore Master Distiller, Richard Paterson, filled a variety of wood—French wine casks, Mediterranean madeira drums, sherry butts from Jerez de la Frontera, marsala barrels from Sicily, port pipes from the Douro and sweet bourbon barrels from Kentucky— with The Dalmore spirit. The result is balance, complexity and character—a harmony of aromas and flavors. When Tait noses the complex whisky, he can conjure up the scent of a freshly baked Christmas cake. "I even see my mother in the kitchen, baking the cake," he says, his eyes closed. Baked fruits, cinnamon and almond paste is generously offered in this masterful whisky. —Meridith May Whyte & MacKay for ShaW roSS IMporterS W hen WhiskyFest came to San Francisco in October, THE TASTING PANEL was there. Capturing the essence of these expressions—single malts and blends, new bottlings and old friends—is the part of the job that makes it all worthwhile. Here are notes on the stand-outs from Meridith May, Camper English and Tim Teichgraeber. From Scottish brogue to Southern drawl, the talk and tasting was on all things whisk(e)y photos by Cathy Twigg-Blumel In 1263, with a single arrow, the ancestor of Clan Mackenzie saved King Alexander III from being gored by a stag. The grateful King grant- ed him the right to bear a stag's head in his coat of arms, with the motto "Help the King" (Cuidich 'N Righ). The Dalmore Distillery was long owned by the Macken- zie family, and every bottle of The Dalmore is adorned with this noble stag's head emblem. The Dalmore's Willie Tait hams it up and hikes it up at WhiskyFest in San Francisco. 56 / the tasting panel / december 2009