The Tasting Panel magazine

October 2015

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THE MESSAGE 18  /  the tasting panel  /  october 2015 W hiskey and beer have become fast friends with Jameson Irish Whiskey's new Drinking Buddies program, in which the Irish distillery joined forces with five craft breweries around the country to create some unique collaborations. Last month, we went to Angel City Brewery in Downtown Los Angeles to taste their Imperial Irish Ale, a red ale aged in Jameson barrels. We first joined Ciarán O'Donovan, Pernod Ricard USA Irish Whiskey Ambassador for a tasting of Jameson—along with some deliciously refreshing whiskey cream gelato we snagged on the way. Then we ventured into the heart of the brewery with Brewmaster Jon Carpenter for a tasting of the three different beers that were blended to make the final product: 15 percent of Angel City's base Imperial Irish Red, 40 percent of their Imperial Irish Ale that had been aged for four months in Jameson barrels, and 45 percent of an Imperial Irish Ale that had been also aged in Jameson barrels, along with French oak spirals infused with Spanish Sherry. The final blend is a dark, rich beer with fig and toffee notes. At 15.0% ABV, this wasn't a beer for the weak of heart! With only fifteen barrels of this limited-edition beer being made, we felt lucky to taste the wonderful and unexpected blend of flavors Ireland and Los Angeles made together. —Jesse Hom-Dawson When Barley and Hops Collide Angel City Brewery's Brewmaster Jon Carpenter, left, and Ciarán O'Donovan, Pernod Ricard USA Irish Whiskey Ambassador. PHOTO COURTESY OF TWO PADDOCKS Angel City Brewery's Brewmaster Jon Carpenter, A Taste of Two Paddocks "P eople talk about terroir, grapes, root stock, climate; the most important part is the people," declared Two Paddocks proprietor Sam Neill at a tasting of his wines at The District by Hannah An in Los Angeles in July. If the name sounds familiar, you might recognize Neill from The Hunt for Red October or the original Jurassic Park. The versatile actor has also put his skills to use starring in quirky MAXiMOViES on the brand's website. "I never imagined that I would get into the industry, let alone produce wine," Neill said. Two Paddocks has been a small grower of premium Pinot Noir in Central Otago since 1992. Neill's great-grandfather founded Neill & Co., importers of wines and spirits, in 1861; technically, his family has had a presence in the South Island of New Zealand for a century and a half. We came to taste the brand's upcoming new releases—Two Paddocks 2014 Estate Riesling, Two Paddocks 2013 Estate Pinot Noir, Two Paddocks 2013 The First Paddock Pinot Noir and Two Paddocks 2012 The Last Chance Pinot Noir—but were charmed by Neill's humility in the process. "I really enjoy acting; that's been my career. But, I love everything about wine production," Neill said. "Both have been very rewarding to me." —Becky Tsadik Two Paddocks proprietor Sam Neill rests on his personal truck with a bottle of his Estate Pinot Noir. PHOTO: DUSTIN DOWNING

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