Thursday, July 22, 2010
Drink Tales of the Cocktail begins! (for me, anyway)
Posted by Scott Henry @ScottTheHenry on Thu, Jul 22, 2010 at 1:23 PM
- Scott Henry
The five-day event began Wednesday, but like many attendees, I rolled in this morning — just in time for a tasting seminar led by Paul Pacult, who has one of the best jobs in the world. As publisher of the Spirit Journal booze-letter, Pacult spends his days — mornings, actually, he says — sampling and reviewing every conceivable type of distilled beverage. Billed as "America's foremost expert on distilled spirits," he leads the ballroom through tastings of several prominent liquors:
>> 100-proof Absolute, like the regular, but moreso
>> Plymouth gin, which Pacult cites as one of top two or three gins now produced
>> Jameson — did you know Irish whiskey is the fastest-growing spirit category of the past decade? I didn't.
>> Chivas Regal 12 yr blended scotch, smooth and stately
>> Scarpa single-malt scotch, surprisingly light and fruity
>> Remy Martin XO — aka, "The Good Stuff." I'm not a cognac drinker, but this is pleasingly floral and caramel-y
As a professional taster, Pacult tells us he never swallows — the better to avoid the "palate fatigue" that comes from sampling multiple distillants — but we, the audience, are under no such constraints.
Is the sampled spirit dry, sweet, acidic, aromatic, smoky, fruity or some combination of the above? (Ideally, yes, a combination that balances these flavors). Can we detect the taste of a baking spice, such as cinnamon or clove? What about a cooking spice, like ginger or allspice? Perhaps it's herbal or draws its essence from a seed, like a caraway-based Scandinavian aquavit? Floral? Earthy? Nutty? Does it taste like 'shrooms, for Christ's sake?
As Atlantans who've followed the city's cocktail renaissance are already aware, there's a world of flavors beyond Jack & Coke. Over the next few days, I hope to take part in a whirlwind tour of international libations mixed by some of the top bartenders from across the U.S. and points beyond. Bottoms up!
Latest in Omnivore
-
Local restaurants honor the late Warren Bruno
Percentage of sales will be donated in Warren Bruno's honor.
-
Weekend food events, May 25-27: 3B Fest, a patio party, and more
Weekend events for Friday May 25 to Sunday May 27.
-
Waiting on Shaun Doty's chicken at Ansley Mall
It's a game of retail dominoes
- More »
More by Author
-
Mayor Reed signs airport contracts after judge denies injunction
Judge clears way for mayor to sign airport contracts
-
First Slice 3/8/12: Social engineering in the Georgia Senate
Lawmakers did more in one day to disenfranchise and humiliate women and poor people than you'll do all month
- More »
Comments (0)