Category: Wisdom & Opinions

SMWS Whisky Dinner with Franz Scheurer & Brent Savage

Whisky dinners are a dime a dozen these days.

Actually, that’s not true…I concede they’re not that frequent, and they definitely cost more than a dime.  However, where they often become tiresome is that they are usually just no more than a regular dinner with some whiskies thrown into the equation – rarely with much thought (or expertise) being applied to match the two.

Anyone can match a whisky to a dish.  It’s relatively easy to taste a dish and then reach for your nearest whisky that vaguely shares commonalities.  The classics get wheeled out all the time – smoked salmon with Talisker; venison with Glenmorangie; Ardbeg with dark chocolate; etc.  Yawn.

Where real skill lies is to actually match the food to the whisky.  Did you catch the distinction?  Who out there can taste a whisky, and then go off and create or re-shape a dish that is built around the whisky’s flavours; builds or contrasts against the malt’s texture, depth, and alcohol; and then – most amazingly of all – create a pairing where the whisky improves the dish, and the dish improves the whisky?   I know of only one man who can do this.  And his name is Franz Scheurer. Continue reading “SMWS Whisky Dinner with Franz Scheurer & Brent Savage”

Lagavulin or Laphroaig – which is better?

It’s the question every Islay whisky fan asks themselves at some point in their whisky journey:  Laphroaig or Lagavulin – which one is better?  Is there a definitive answer?  Yes, there’s some juicy stuff we can explore over the next minute or two…

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Whisky fairs – from the other side of the table

Whisky enthusiasts in Australia (and the rest of the world!)  will no doubt be aware of the rise of various whisk(e)y fairs, expos, and shows being put on in various capital cities around the country.  From the original MWSoA Convention Expo in Canberra in 2003 (and its subsequent incarnations in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide in 2005, 2007, and 2013 respectively) to the emergence of Whisky Live in 2009 in Sydney and it subsequently becoming a capital city road show in more recent years; there are more shows around than ever before.  Sydney this year actually has three big shows – The Whisky Show, Whisky Live, and The Whisky Fair, in that order, respectively.

To those not familiar with the set up, such fairs & expos offer punters a tremendous opportunity to taste and experience a huge range of different whiskies.  Typically held in halls or function centre venues, local exhibitors and distributors all set up their own tables/stands and showcase their portfolio and range of whiskies for all and sundry to taste.   Imagine walking into a huge room and being confronted with anywhere between 50 and 200 different whiskies to taste at your own pace and discretion!  The phrase “kid in a lolly shop” is an apt comparison!

Continue reading “Whisky fairs – from the other side of the table”

First blog – fresh off the stills?

So I’ve been writing about whisky professionally for over 10 years.  I’ve written for & been published in Whisky Magazine, Tumbler Magazine, Unfiltered, Australian Gourmet Traveller Wine magazine, and a dozen or so other printed mags and periodicals for numerous organisations (e.g. Virgin inflight mag, Seniors mag, etc).  And also other printed media, such as the Sydney Morning Herald.

I’ve also written about whisky for a tonne of other organisations’ or other people’s online or internet-based publications.  (e.g. Australian Gourmet Pages).

And, it goes without saying, I’ve written a thousand articles, reviews, profiles and distillery feature pieces for the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, both in print (e.g. Outturn, Unfiltered) and online.  (Well, maybe not a thousand but it sure feels like that).

But I’ve never created or written my own blog.  Until now.  I’m looking forward to this….for starters, it will be nice to use more than 140 characters, which is what Twitter has been reducing me to for the last few years! 😉

Looking forward to sharing all that I have in a new forum and outlet.

Cheers,
AD