The pictures speak for themselves really... I am sure you can guess who carved what :)

So... While I work at getting all the photos from the Whiskies of the World event (attended by over 12 of the 3DC this weekend) in order and published, I figured I'd give you a fun sneak peak at the 3DC founders at the past 3 WOW events:

WOW, 2006. Our first time in SF for Whiskies of the World:


WOW, 2007. Year number 2; old hats by this point:


WOW, 2008. Year 3 and the dawn of a new era for the 3DC. This time we showed up with a posse (photo of the posse to come soon):



This year was indeed another milestone for the 3 Drunken Celts. My more lengthy blog will be posted at some point in the next week hopefully. I have a lot to do and say, both 3DC-wise and work-wise, which means I need to focus on my priorities for the moment and get some stuff caught up before I delve into a full blown picture rich recap of the Whiskies of the World... but hold tight, it IS coming.

Just in time for the holidays! As posted to www.3DrunkenCelts.com

Are you close to a Whiskey, Whisky, or Scotch lover? Do you want to get them the perfect bottle as a holiday gift? Do you have no idea how to shop for a bottle of whiskies?

Because of my love for whiskies and my involvement with the 3 Drunken Celts, I am often asked for suggestions as to which bottle would be a good gift for a friend, family member, or boss. To this end I present: “Seamus’ Opinionated Guide to buying Whiskies as Gifts”

 
When accosted for a recommendation, my initial response is: “Find a bottle of ‘The Balvenie’ which suits your price point and buy it. You won’t go wrong…”

However, I have found that not everyone is as enamoured with the distillery as I am (cough, Raz, cough). So in a vain attempt to help out those recipients who don’t always prefer The Balvenie, I will attempt to provide some basic guidelines to choosing a suitable bottle as a gift. (If you just want Seamus’ top picks for each price point, scroll to the bottom past all the drivel in between…)

Ok, if you are still with me, let’s get to the substance of this article:

First and foremost, figure out what your price point is. There is no use finding the perfect bottle, only to realize it is way out of your range. Price can be used as a general guideline: the more costly, odds are it will be better than the cheaper stuff. But don’t let that get you down; there are some GREAT whiskies on the market which far outshine their lower price points. Just remember, there ARE deals to be had! Find some whiskies in the price range you are comfortable with, and then begin narrowing down from there.

Like price, Age is also a decent guideline where the older is typically better. On general principal a 21 year old whisky will be smoother than a 10 year old whisky. This guideline, however, tends to only stand up within the same distillery. Once you begin comparing differing distilleries and differing ages, the guideline begins to break down with too many exceptions.

When using Age as a guideline, it is also best to add Region in as well. You may well find a great 22yr Single Malt, only to discover it is from a region known for its brine when your recipient prefers peat.

If at all possible, you should try to determine of the recipient has any specific preferences when it comes to his/her whiskies. If so, you have it easy… stick with those preferences. Straying from a preferred distillery/region can be a risky venture as most connoisseurs are quite particular with their drams.

Assuming that the recipient has no particular preferences, you’ll have your work cut out for you. At the least, try to determine if he/she likes the smoky, peaty, briny, or sweeter whiskies. This will help you narrow down to a smaller regional subset and progress from there.

Some general regional characteristics to help you along the way:

Highlands - Arguably the most popular region appealing to the widest range of tastes including peat, brine, and smoke.

Speyside - A very popular and quite prolific region. Sweet, delicately complex; some with a refined smokiness, some with fruity finishes.

Islay (pronounced “Eye-la”) - Gives the Highlands a run at most popular. Challenging, Peat, brine, smoke and sometimes a tinge of salty seaweed

Skye and Orkney - Similar in character to the Islays but tend to be softer on the pallet. The Peat on the Orkneys is from heather which imparts a honey like flavor.

Lowlands - This region no longer boasts the copious number of distilleries as it once did. Soft, smooth and mild. A little of the peat and brine of the Highland malts, but much more subtle.

Campbeltown - This also use to be a prolific region, but is now in rarity. Slightly briny but not as aggressive as the Islay malts.

Irish - Not as popular as Scotch malts but this is a developing malting region its blends are quite popular. Distinguished by the un-malted barley used along with malted barley. Smooth, complex and frequently with some fruity flavor. Once known for peated whiskies, this is rarely done now.

Bourbon - From the Bourbon County, KY area of the US. Sour, sweet and smoky

American - Not from the Bourbon County area. Many are quite new to the market place with varying differences in flavours.

Assuming you have a set price range, you can really start narrowing down your selection set based on Age/Year, region, and the particular palette imparted by each bottling. Of course none of this can take the place of experience (i.e. sampling and knowing how each tastes); but if you knew already, then you wouldn’t need this guide would you?

At this point the internet is your best friend. You can find some great tasting notes on darn near any bottle ever produced! Start your searches on some on-line liquor retailer websites to find the bottles in your price range, and then do a few Google searches to find tasting notes and ratings on each. You should have a short-list selection in no time. From there, either order your choice from one of the sites who will ship to you (even with shipping you can get some wonderful deals on the internet), or take your list to your local purveyor of spirits to fill your order.

Now, it seems that even after I espouse my diatribe above, people still look at me and ask “…well that’s fine and all, but what do YOU recommend?”. I have two answers to that question:

1. If you are asking this question, then you haven’t understood a word I have said. Whiskies are a complicated thing and can be very personal for each drinker. You are best to follow the advice above, lest you buy a bottle which doesn’t meet the recipient’s desires…

2. If you are still going to demand a particular bottle recommendation, and were buying said bottle for MY palette, here you go:

 

Seamus’ Top Picks by Price Point (2 bottles each category):

$250 and higher: 

The Balvenie 25 year  /  Bowmore 35yr

$120 - $249:     

The Balvenie 21yr Port Wood / Edradour 22yr Port Wood

 

$100 - $119:     

Midleton Very Rare / Compass Box Hedonism

 

$75 - $99:       

Compass Box Flaming Heart / GlenRothes 1987

 

$50 - $74:      

Oban 14yr / GlenRothes 1991 14yr

 

$30 - $49:       

Sheep Dip / Knappogue Castle 1992

 

$10 - $29:       

Aberlour 10yr / John, Mark, & Robbo’s The Rich Spicy One

 

Other picks…

For the Bourbon lover: Bulleit Bourbon is an amazing distillation, which at $15 can’t be beat at all!

For a fun grab-bag type surprise, choose any Bruichladdich bottling (pronounced ‘brook’- ‘law’-'day’). NONE are the same and will challenge the connoisseur’s palette and expectations. You never know what you’re going to get!

Cross posted to www.3DrunkenCelts.com

I knew there was a reason I was drawn to the Pacific North West. In the latest issue of Food & Wine magazine, I ran across an article highlighting “America’s Best New Whiskeys” which, to my surprise, focused entirely on four Portland area distilleries. The full article can be found here: Food & Wine America’s Best New Whiskeys (and don’t forget to check out the side-bar for the contact info for the distilleries: Food & Wine Oregon’s Best Places to Buy Local Spirits )

Unfortunately, only two of the four are at a point where they are selling finished products. The other two are still (get it, STILL, ah, I kill me) working and waiting for their respective whiskies to be completed before putting them on the market. In either case I am dying to go visit the distilleries and hopefully get a taste of their various products. Rest assure when this happens there WILL be articles posted!

Since Clear Creek Distillery looks to be holding an Open House on Thanksgiving Weekend, I think this may be a good time and excuse to get John, Mary and Colleen (who will be visiting that weekend) into the city and enjoying something entirely new: Oregon peated whiskey!

So, it looks like I have some tasting work cut out for me in the months ahead. But I’ll jump on that grenade for you all and report back with my findings. I’m a giver like that.

Love him or hate him, you can not deny his profound influence on the worlds of liquor. It is with mourning that I pass on the news of Michael Jackson's passing as announced on http://www.allaboutbeer.com/

For clarification: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Jackson_(writer)

Mr. Jackson was a world renowned author who had devoted his life to liquors of all sorts, though he is most famous for his work in the Beer and Whiskies circles. His insight, wisdom, and humour will be missed... even if he could be (what Jim Murray referred to as) a "prat".

Yes, the title does seem a bit egotistical, but that isn't the intent. Really, these past 3 weeks I have not had much time to think for myself, let alone about what all is happening in my life...

I apologize, faithful readers, for the lack of communications since we accepted an offer on our house and began making all necessary arrangements for the impending move. I can assure you more frequent updates will be seen once the move is complete. And fear not, the thrilling continuation of the 3DC's trip to the Whiskies of the World Expo in SF will be forthcoming once things have settled a bit.

For now, some minor life updates will have to suffice:
First, and probably most importantly, our last day in Southern California is set to be May 18th. That is when the movers show up and take all our crap. We actually drive out on the 19th so we can be in Beaverton, Oregon by 10am on the 21st without rushing or in fear of missing our scheduled appointment with the property management group to sign paperwork and pickup our new keys for the rental.

My last day in the Irvine office will be May 16th. Because of this, I am dealing with a bit of short-timer's disease even though I am not leaving the company, just moving into a home office. This past week, and presumably the coming week as well, I just don't feel like working. I know this will change once I have settled in the new place, but it is really annoying me currently as there is a metric ton of work to be done and a decided lack of motivation to do it.

In the midst of all this hustle and bustle, I picked up a new ride last Wednesday: a 2007 Honda ST1300A with only 10 miles on the odometer.



This has replaced my 1998 Honda VFR800Fi, as the riding position on that bike was a bit too hard on my wrists. Because I have mild carpal-tunnel/tendonitis in my right wrist, riding the VFR was becoming painful and difficult to handle for more than an hour or so at a time. I realized after my last ride out with John that I would need to do something if I wanted to continue riding AND working. So, as much as it pained me, I traded the VFR in for the ST which has a much more relaxed riding position and takes the weight off my wrists. I can now continue to both work AND ride without fear of further damaging my wrists.

This new purchase will also allow me to ride up to Oregon instead of shipping my bike as I had previously arranged with the VFR. Setting out on a ride like this is something John and I have been talking about for a while now, and is a nice precursor to the Alaska trip we plan to make in the future. In fact, just yesterday I purchased my plane ticket down from PDX so I can come pickup the bike from John's on June 8th and ride her up to our new home over that weekend!

Other than that, life around the house (and at work) has been keeping me unbelievably busy, with very little time to read LJ, let alone comment. For that I apologize. I am sure my internet habits will return to normalcy after the next few weeks have passed. With this move to Oregon taking us away from all of our friends and family, I will be counting on LJ and Email to keep us in touch and up to date with everyone. Big adventures are ahead of us, so keep an eye out for my posts detailing the journey!

For now, I need to return to work...

Last week was Estrella War XXIII, an SCA event which takes place in Arizona. As many of you know, the 3 Drunken Celts got their start in the SCA at Great Western War, and have since been expanding our empire both inside and outside of the SCA.

Well, last week was the first tasting in which the 3 original members were not in charge, and in fact only one was able to even attend! Our "East Coast" contingent (see that's funny cause Arizona is east of California, but no where near the east coast) decided to take the reigns this go around and put on an Irish Whiskey Tasting as an Official 3DC event.

To hear people talk about it, this tasting was on par with the first one we held some 6 years ago, which will always hold a special place in my heart. This entire week I have been amazed at the feedback I have heard about the Irish tasting, and have been all smiles to think something I had a hand in starting has grown so much, to the point where it is beginning to run its self (ie. without intervention by myself, Raz, or Fergus). It is kind of like watching your child grow up, I suspect... I feel like quite a proud pappa right now.

With that said, the following link will take you to the summary of the tasting event along with the text of the presentation given to begin the tasting and introduce the whiskies provided.

http://3drunkencelts.com/Mambo/content/view/44/2/

While the write-up is indeed a bit lengthy, it does contain some wonderful bits of information about Irish Whiskies specifically which should help to educate any burgeoning taster.