Filed Under : 
Aug.20,2010I really want to get back to my various reviews; however, I have another adventure I would like to take a moment to share—Whiskyfest Chicago.
I can honestly this was one of those trips of a lifetime. I got the chance to meet online friends that I have never met in person, and make a few friends along the way. And meeting the staff of Ardbeg was truly spectacular. It was like being 12 and meeting your favorite rock star. I am old enough to keep the illusion of cool, but, still giddy enough to make sure I got a picture with Mickey Heads!
There were so many people and so many drams, quite frankly, I could run on for pages and bore every reader into a coma so I will really attempt to keep this brief. The other Highlights included dramming with Tim Puett
who is the sacred keeper of Ardbeg bottling lore, and a hell of a gracious and warm individual. I also got a moment to talk to John Hansell. John is really quite kind and unbelievably approachable. He even indulged my fanboyism with this photograph.
Ok, I want to keep running on; however, I am gonna reel this in a bit and take a moment to mention the Ardbeg 10th anniversary party. The party was a whole lot more than I bargained for. From the tasting of drams not yet in production at the time, to the live music and games, it was something that should not have been missed by any diehard fan.
Oh yeah… I did manage to taste some scotch wile I was there.
Ardmore 30 was the stunner of the show for me. A warm and vibrant blast of spices and cinnamon was both complex and alive as any young dram with all of the wonderful highlights that age imparts. I only wish I could buy this bottle for less than $400.00
You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Hey Brian! Thanks for the kind words, and it was a pleasure hanging out with you as well. I can’t wait for Scotland in 2011!
Great start to your blog, and keep up the legendary Ardbeg support you’ve become known for now.
Cheers…
Tim
Well, thank you Sir. Had you lived in Florida, I would be bumped to a permanent number two spot for Ardbeg purchases.
certainly like your web site but you need to take a look at the spelling on
several of your posts. A number of them are rife with spelling problems and I find it very bothersome to tell the truth nevertheless I will surely come again again.