WhiskyFest - We're Almost There...

KKKKKKKKKKKKKKan you believe how well Tim Lincecum pitched last night?  Thank God I was manning the door at our intimate Amrut Single Malt tasting and had full view of Elixer's television.  Because I was checking names off the list I didn't get a chance to partake in the experience but the word was that Rakshit did a great job with the tasting.  This week has been such a busy one and I am really on my last legs here, but I think I can make it through one more night.  We had Rachel Barrie from Ardbeg all to ourselves at Heaven's Dog the other night and got to ask her everything we could think of.  She was politely vague concerning just about everything, but a true pleasure to be around.  How cool is it that we got to drink a glass of Ardbeg with the woman who made it?  That's awesome and I can't believe more people didn't show up.  However, as one person said, if more people had come we wouldn't have gotten that amazing intimate experience.  Tuesday was a blast at Martin's West in Redwood City where we posed next to the choppers and took back a few drams.  We had an enthusiastic crowd and I had a great time chatting with everyone.  Yesterday I went out to lunch with Stan Morrison and Frances Dupuy from A.D. Rattray and we discussed some future projects they're working on.  I got to taste a new whiskey they're currently vatting, which includes Lowland, Highland, Speyside, and Islay whiskies.  Even though so many people seem to shy away from blends, I am still going to stand by the idea that people want good whisky at a good price.  Plus, they're going to release it at cask strength which should catch most people off guard.  When has anyone released a blend at cask strength?  Last night, before the Amrut tasting started, I was setting up at Elixer and got to have a few beers with the Malt Advocate group including Mr. John Hansell.  Getting to kick back and just chit chat with people in our industry who aren't trying to sell you something is a rare treat these days.  Even though the bar was swarming with brand reps as well, I got to spend a good twenty minutes just BSing about whiskey and whiskeyblogging with a guy who knows a whole lot about both.  We both have been communicating via blog posts and emails for a few months now so it was fun to meet in person and sip on a cold pint together.  And now, here we are, a few hours out from the biggest whisky event of the year.  I'm looking foward to tasting everything, chatting with people about booze, and hanging out in the city, but man am I ready for it to be over as well.  Hopefully I'll see some of you there. -David Driscoll