On Tuesday, January 24th, Liquor.com and the Los Angeles Times are presenting an exclusive tasting of The Glenrothes, taking place in the Basement Tavern’s Attic Bar at The Victorian in Santa Monica. The tasting will be hosted by The Glenrothes brand ambassadors Johnnie Mundell and Victoria Canty.

For $45, guests will be among the first in LA to sample the 1988 vintage of The Glenrothes. Other releases in the tasting include the 1998, 1994, 1975, Alba Reserve and Robur Reserve bottlings. Cocktails featuring The Glenrothes Select Reserve will round out the evening. Between tastes, attendees can learn about the whisky production process and enjoy gourmet hors d’oeuvres.

If this sounds like a great event, it’s about to get better: Liquor.com is offering a discount to Thirsty in LA readers! Use the promo code TILTGLA at checkout for 20% off the ticket price.

For more information and to purchase online tickets: liquor.com/glenrothes-tasting-basement-tavern-la.

The Glenrothes Tasting
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
7pm-9pm
21 and over
Online ticket: $45
Info and tickets: liquor.com/glenrothes-tasting-basement-tavern-la
Featuring:

• Tastings of The Glenrothes 1988, 1998, 1994, 1975, Alba Reserve & Robur Reserve
• Cocktails featuring The Glenrothes Select Reserve
• Hors d’oeuvres

Attic Bar at Basement Tavern
The Victorian
2640 Main Street (between Hill and Ocean Park)
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 396-2469
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BasementTavern
Twitter: @BasementTavern

L to R: distinctive bartenders Jason Bran, Lindsay Nader and Joseph Brooke. | Photo courtesy The Black Grouse

Baratunde Thurston

Lindsay Nader (Harvard & Stone), Jason Bran (Roger Room) and Joseph Brooke (Next Door Lounge) created cocktails to showcase The Black Grouse, which was awarded 94 points (out of 100) and described as a “real treasure” in Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible. The event was hosted by comedian Baratunde Thurston, Digital Director for The Onion and author of How to Be Black.

Lindsay Nader makes her welcome cocktail, which featured The Famous Grouse.

The Bird with the Crystal Plumage

We were welcomed with Nader’s The Bird with the Crystal Plumage, made with The Famous Grouse, Pineau Cherantes (French fortified wine), pineapple juice, lemon juice, sugar and Angostura Bitters, topped with soda. To go with the welcome cocktail, we noshed on appetizers from Made by Meg.

Sean Connery at the Beach

Each bartender featured two Black Grouse cocktails. Guests were asked to vote for “the most distinctive” of each pair of drinks by leaving straws in the appropriate cup. Judging from the overflow of straws, Nader’s Sean Connery at the Beach was the landslide favorite of her two cocktails. Made with Black Grouse, lime, coconut syrup, Passao passionfruit liqueur and topped with toasted coconut shavings, it definitely embodies the “distinctive” spirit by showcasing the whisky in a fun, tropical context.

The Aspiring Gentleman

Despite its pummeling in the polls, I enjoyed Nader’s other cocktail, The Aspiring Gentleman: Black Grouse infused with cardamom and sarsaparilla, Cocchi Americano, Gran Classico Bitter, topped with cava.

Jason Bran

Smoked Cherry Sour

Next up was Bran, whose Smoked Cherry Sour was deemed the most distinctive. A nice variation on a whiskey sour, the Smoked Cherry Sour is made with Black Grouse, lemon juice, Marasca cherry syrup, egg white, Fee Brothers Aztec Chocolate Bitters and cracked clove.

Black Celebration

As far as return sips go, his Black Celebration (Black Grouse, Amaro Nonino, Fernet Branca, Regan’s orange bitters) was right up my flavor profile alley.

Joseph Brooke

Como Whisky Para Chocolate

And last but not least, Brooke’s most distinctive Como Whisky Para Chocolate: Black Grouse, Solerno Blood Orange Liqueur, Marie Brizard Creme de Cacao, celery bitters.

Scot's Pear

Just as sippable (though apparently not as “distinctive”) was his Scot’s Pear, made with Black Grouse, pear juice, lemon, ginger syrup, tawny port and simple syrup.

More photos from the Distinctive Bartenders Tour can be viewed at the Thirsty in LA Facebook page.

Smoked Cherry Sour | Photo courtesy The Black Grouse

Following are the recipes for the Black Grouse cocktails chosen as the Most Distinctive by straw vote.

Sean Connery at the Beach
Created by Lindsay Nader
Ingredients:

• 2 oz The Black Grouse
• .5 oz Fresh Lime Juice
• .5 oz Coconut Syrup
• .5 oz Passao Passionfruit Liqueur

Preparation:

• Shake and strain over fresh ice in a rocks glass.
• Garnish with toasted coconut shavings, lime wheel and umbrella.

Smoked Cherry Sour
Created by Jason Bran
Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz The Black Grouse
• .75 oz Lemon Juice
• .75 oz Marasca Cherry Syrup
• .75 oz Egg White
• 2 Dashes Fee Bros Aztec Chocolate Bitters
• 1 Turn Fresh Cracked Clove

Preparation:

• Shake hard and strain into chilled goblet.
• Dash with Fee Brothers Aztec Chocolate Bitters and 2 twists of cracked clove.

Como Whisky Para Chocolate
Created by Joseph Brooke
Ingredients:

• 2 oz The Black Grouse
• .5 oz Solerno Blood Orange Liqueur
• .25 oz Marie Brizard Creme de Cacao
• 2 Dashes Celery Bitters

Preparation:

• Stir all and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
• Garnish with small lemon peel.

Akilah Kamaria, Founder and CEO of Hemancipation.

Today is Memorial Day, a day to commemorate the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, as well as a time to honor and thank those who are currently serving around the world. As the summer unofficially begins and we head to the beach or to backyard BBQs, it’s a perfect time to introduce Akilah Kamaria, a former Marine with a passion for spirits and cigars, and an unwavering commitment to raising funds for her fellow veterans.

Kamaria is the Founder and CEO of Hemancipation, a Los Angeles-based lifestyle management firm that specializes in assisting men in transition during challenging times in their lives. Kamaria’s experience as an IT consultant for global financial institutions gave her the business knowledge she needed to found Hemancipation in 2005. Since its inception, Hemancipation has sponsored events and organizations that support our troops and assists veterans.

I had the pleasure of meeting Kamaria recently at Caña Rum Bar, where she was doing a walkthrough for Let’s Get Lit, a weekly networking mixer hosted by SoCal Cigar Club that launched last Wednesday (see below). Kamaria was kind enough to invite me to Cars, Bars & Cigars (CBC), which took place at Tesla Motors Los Angeles. The event at Tesla Motors was the latest in a series of Hemancipation benefits that have previously taken place in Beverly Hills, San Francisco, Chicago and Maui.

Cars, Bars & Cigars was a fundraiser for New Directions, which provides comprehensive services to thousands of veterans in Los Angeles County. Through its Operation Welcome Home program, New Directions assists veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan as they transition back to civilian life.

Cars...

...bars...

...and cigars.

For $250, Benefactor ticketholders could enjoy Pisco Portón cocktails, hand rolled cigars, and a spread that included artisan cheeses, carving station, hors d’oeuvres and desserts. Cigar Aficionado tickets were $350 and included all of the Benefactor benefits, plus rare Habano cigars and a separate bar pouring drams of single malt Scotches, including the Highland Park 18, The Balvenie 21 PortWood, Springbank 18, Auchentoshan Three Wood, and Lagavulin 16.

Comme Ça bartender Yuval Soffer

I arrived late, but got there in time to join Caña GM Allan Katz, bartender Danielle Crouch and 213 Nightlife Proprietor Cedd Moses for a few cocktails in the lounge. The Gate, a pisco-honey syrup-Laphroaig cocktail created by Comme Ça bartender Yuval Soffer, was a standout. Although CBC was a fundraiser, the New Directions presence was low key, aside from brochures discreetly placed throughout the event. There may have been a speech or two given earlier, but personally I appreciated the soft sell approach.

For more photos from Cars, Bars & Cigars at Tesla Motors, check out Ryan Michael Hackett’s Flickr album.

Cigar aficionados and cocktail enthusiasts will get to share their interests at Let’s Get Lit, a weekly networking mixer taking place every Wednesday at Caña. Guests can purchase cigars at Caña or BYOC to enjoy with the bar’s signature cocktails. Let’s Get Lit is free, but sign-up for online tickets is required.

Let’s Get Lit
Hosted by SoCal Cigar Club
Every Wednesday
6pm-9pm
Free limited tickets: letsgetlit-eorg.eventbrite.com

Caña Rum Bar
714 W. Olympic Blvd. (entrance at Flower)
Los Angeles, CA 90015
(213) 745-7090
www.canarumbar.com

The Cask of Dreams soaks up some sun at LACMA. | Photo: Glenfiddich

Earlier this month, Glenfiddich hosted the official launch of its nationwide “Cask of Dreams” road tour with an exclusive event at the Viceroy Santa Monica. Following on its One Day You Will global campaign, the Cask of Dreams is an aspirational initiative that features Glenfiddich Brand Ambassadors Heather Greene, Freddy May and Mitch Bechard “rolling” 12 casks through major U.S. cities, starting in Los Angeles and ending in New York in May. In each city, the Glenfiddich team will hit the streets and encourage people to write their dreams on the empty casks, as well as enter for the chance to win one of a series of dream trips. Sadly, California and Tennessee residents aren’t eligible for the sweepstakes, but we can still put pen to cask. (Please see the Official Rules.) After public barrel rolls and cask signings, each stop on the tour culminates with a VIP event, where attendees sample various Glenfiddich expressions and are given an opportunity to write on the cask.

The Cask of Dreams goes Hollywood. | Photo: Glenfiddich

If the casks don’t make it to your city, you can still post your life ambitions on the dedicated Cask of Dreams website. For every dream posted, Glenfiddich will donate $1 to the National Geographic Explorer program, which funds scientists, adventurers and others. And, like those who write on the casks in person, those who post to the site will be entered to win a dream trip. At the end of the tour, the inscribed casks will be sent to the Glenfiddich distillery, where they will be used to finish a special limited edition expression of Glenfiddich, which will be sold in the U.S. in early 2012.

Guests sign the Cask of Dreams at the Viceroy launch event. | Photo: Michael Scot

The Viceroy launch event began with a cocktail hour, featuring Glenfiddich-fueled drinks like The Ruby Bean: Glenfiddich 12-Year, Lillet Rouge, Licor 43 and orange juice. It was a nice take on a Blood and Sand and a good pairing with the passed apps. Bechard then introduced the Cask of Dreams campaign and invited us to sign the cask, which had already made appearances at the Santa Monica Pier and the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Besides tasting various Glenfiddich expressions (including the 15-, 18- and 21-Year Olds), the highlight of the event was a sneak preview of the Cask of Dreams whisky itself. The dram was from a test batch of next year’s limited edition release, which will be made of whiskies from 14 to 16 years old. The final product will of course be different than what we tasted, but the sample hinted at a rich, spicy and oaky expression that will surely appear in the dreams of many a Scotch aficionado in the months ahead.

For more information, visit www.glenfiddich.com.

Chivas Regal and Christian Lacroix are collaborating once again and releasing a limited edition bottle of the Chivas Regal 18 Year Old Scotch Whisky. The Lacroix-designed Chivas 18-Year is limited to 3000 bottles worldwide, with only 100 available in the United States. The Lacroix Chivas 18 will be available at select retailers in Los Angeles, New York, Illinois, Florida and Texas beginning in June, at the suggested retail price of $495. With around one third of its production allocated to the duty free market, the Lacroix Chivas 18 made its world premiere at Charles de Gaulle Airport in November before being introduced to key airports in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East earlier this year.

JC Iglesias, brand director for Scotch and Cognac for Pernod Ricard USA: “Both Chivas Regal and Christian Lacroix share values of creativity and exuberance which are perfectly represented in this dramatic new bottle. We are honored to include such an extraordinary piece of art in the Chivas Regal limited edition range.”

The Christian Lacroix presentation box strikes a pose.

Although the Lacroix Chivas 18 won’t be released stateside for a couple of months, I had an opportunity to check out the ornately designed bottle in person when I met with Chivas Brand Ambassador Richard Varga in the lounge at Rolling Stone L.A. The newly-opened restaurant’s design nod to the magazine’s jet set, rock n’ roll pedigree made for an appropriate setting. Even before I sat down with Varga, the richly-decorated brocade presentation box caught my eye.

The gold-stamped, embroidered bottle of Chivas 18 is revealed in its mirrored display case.

Wrapped in embroidered jacquard fabric, the box opens to reveal a mirrored interior that houses the specially-designed bottle of Chivas 18. Following on the French fashion house’s award-winning design for the Chivas 12 Year Old magnum, the new release uses a laser “metallization” technique to create an intricate etched pattern on the bottle. To match the presentation box, the bottle’s label is also embroidered in jacquard.

The gold-stamped, embroidered bottle certainly embodies the famously over-the-top Christian Lacroix aesthetic: “We believe we have conveyed the spirit of chivalry that is dear to both our brands, whilst maintaining the quintessence of luxury and exuberance inherent to the House of Christian Lacroix,” said Sacha Walckhoff, Creative Director for Christian Lacroix and the bottle’s primary designer.

Varga said that California is expected to receive 25-28 bottles of the Lacroix Chivas 18. The press release touts the limited edition Chivas as the “perfect gift for Father’s Day, graduations or fashion collectors,” though personally I only see that last one as a possibility. (Maybe Patsy and Edina would want one?) A more likely scenario would be a restaurant, bar or hotel obtaining one of the rare bottles for display purposes.

Of course, all of that opulent design and limited availability would mean nothing if the whisky in the bottle doesn’t deliver. Sipping drams of Chivas 18 with Varga was a reminder that underneath that luxe exterior is a great blended Scotch, made from over twenty single malt whiskies aged at least 18 years. The spicy nose opens with honey and orange peel, developing to vanilla, cinnamon and oak. The full-bodied palate is a complex mix of fruit and spice, with chocolate and caramel notes. Dried fruit and oak are prominent in the warm, silky finish.

As F. Paul Pacult wrote in his 2007 five-star (Highest Recommendation) review for Spirit Journal, the Chivas Regal 18 Year Old “defines the art of blending as well as any Scotch in the world.” It might be dressed in French haute couture, but at the end of the day it’s the same excellent blended Scotch you’ll find at BevMo in off-the-rack threads.

While Los Angeles suffers through yet another gorgeous 80-degree January day, Angelenos can at least imagine it’s a winter wonderland at the Wine House, which has an upcoming tasting event focused on that most wintry of spirits, single malt Scotch.

On Friday, January 28th, the Wine House presents Whiskies That Aren’t Household Names, a single malt tasting featuring an eclectic selection of whiskies that newbies and longtime Scotch enthusiasts alike will appreciate. “Resident Scotch hound and general all-around whisky aficionado” Coffield Appiah will lead a tasting of drams from some of the best expressions you may not have heard of yet.

Following is a list of the whiskies scheduled to be poured at the tasting (with retail price):

• Dalmore 15 ($85.99)
• Highland Park 18 ($95.99)
• Glenkinchie 12 ($49.99)
• Yamazaki 12 ($39.99)
• Bruichladdich Organic 2003 ($79.99)
• Scapa 16 ($65.99)
• Aberlour A’bunadh Cask Strength ($65.99)
• Tomintoul 10 ($55.99)
• Talisker 10 ($59.99)

Tickets are $49 each. As with other Wine House tasting events, this one will feature bar bites by Upstairs 2 Executive Chef Todd Barrie. All white tag bottles sampled that evening will be on sale at 10% off the Wine House’s regular retail price. Ticketholders who want to dine at Upstairs 2 before or after the whisky tasting can make a reservation and receive 10% off the dinner bill.

Whiskies That Aren’t Household Names
Friday, January 28, 2011
Event starts at 7:30pm
$49 online tickets: winehouse.com/product.php?sku=whiskey
Featuring:

• Single malt tasting with Coffield Appiah
• Bar bites by Upstairs 2 Executive Chef Todd Barrie
• Select bottles available for 10% off retail price

The Wine House
2311 Cotner Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90064
(310) 479-3731
www.winehouse.com

On a brisk evening that felt more like spring than winter, Scotch enthusiasts gathered at Craft for a preview tasting of the Glenfiddich Snow Phoenix, at an intimate event hosted by Mitch Bechard (Glenfiddich Ambassador, Western U.S.). The Snow Phoenix is a one-time 2010 bottling of cask strength, non-chill-filtered Glenfiddich whiskies of different finishes and ages (from 13 to 30 years). Record snowfall and a subsequent warehouse roof collapse at the Glenfiddich distillery forced the limited edition Snow Phoenix into production.

As the event began, guests mingled on the patio for passed appetizer trays and a trio of Scotch-fueled cocktails. Bechard recommended the Smoke on the Orchard: Glenfiddich 12-Year, cold smoked Bramley apple, winter spiced maple syrup, lemon juice, egg white and mole bitters. It was a good call; nice smoke and depth, well-balanced between sweet and sour. After the cocktail hour we gathered in the tasting room, where we would learn the story behind the creation of the Glenfiddich Snow Phoenix.

In January 2010, after weeks of heavy snowfall and record low temperatures, several warehouse roofs at the Glenfiddich distillery collapsed under the weight of four feet of snow. Bechard noted that Glenfiddich wasn’t the only distillery that sustained damage that winter; the Press & Journal reported that the roofs of twenty-one Chivas Regal warehouses collapsed because of heavy snow.

With hundreds of maturing casks of Glenfiddich exposed to the unforgiving winter weather, Glenfiddich Malt Master Brian Kinsman assessed the situation and found inspiration. Kinsman selected casks of different ages and finishes (including Oloroso sherry and American oak) to create a non-aged single malt whisky. The Snow Phoenix has not been chill-filtered and is bottled at 47.6% ABV. Unlike its namesake, the Snow Phoenix will not rise again; the distillery has hopefully ensured that the circumstances that led to the Snow Phoenix’s creation won’t be repeated.

The Snow Phoenix name was inspired by photos taken of the warehouse roof collapse. In one picture, the light shining through the hole in the roof resembles a phoenix; that photo is on the front of the Snow Phoenix presentation tin. The light shafts are used as design elements, evoked with cuts in the tin’s foam insert as well as in promotional graphics.

Having worked around the clock in harsh conditions to save their whisky, the Glenfiddich distillery team had a newfound appreciation for the Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team (CMRT), an all-volunteer group of mountaineers who battle extreme weather to save lives in the Scottish Highlands. Glenfiddich subsequently dedicated Snow Phoenix to the CMRT and became a sponsor of the nonprofit. To celebrate this partnership, Kinsman invited a group of CMRT team members to a mid-mountain tasting, where the Snow Phoenix tasting notes were developed.

Before we sampled the Snow Phoenix, Bechard warmed us up with drams of the Glenfiddich 12 Year Old and the 15-Year. In a nod to the Snow Phoenix, the effect of cold on Scotch whisky was demonstrated with second drams of the 12 and 15. The Glenfiddich 12 Year was kept in the freezer for 24 hours, softening its signature pear notes and mellowing its already-smooth and creamy mouthfeel. The 15 Year Old was served with an ice ball, in a glass with a chilled base. Interestingly, the 15’s honey and sherry notes developed a spicier profile, while the finish was warm and likewise spiced.

The Snow Phoenix (front) and L to R: Glenfiddich 12 Year Old, chilled 12-Year, the 15-Year and the 15 with ice.

Tasting glasses of the Snow Phoenix were then placed before us; it was time to meet the star of the show. As we nosed the gold-colored expression, notes of vanilla, apple and pear greeted us. On the rich and creamy palate, we tasted roasted apples, honey and chocolate, and hints of coffee and smoke. The wonderfully long finish rewarded us with sweet notes of sherry and spice. The distillery’s Robbie Dhu spring water has tempered the heat of the Snow Phoenix, which is surprisingly mellow for a 95.2 proof whisky.

One thousand bottles of the Snow Phoenix were initially made available exclusively to members of the Glenfiddich Explorers online club. A total of only 12,000 bottles will be in circulation. Bechard said he was surprised when he was told the Snow Phoenix would retail for $89.99. Given the Snow Phoenix’s uniqueness and limited bottling, Bechard said it could have been priced at least twice its list. Bechard said the Snow Phoenix’s pricing makes it possible to buy one bottle to enjoy now, and another to keep. Entrepreneurial types are taking advantage of the Snow Phoenix’s scarcity and affordability; bottles have already started showing up on eBay UK.

Whether you buy one bottle or several, the Glenfiddich Snow Phoenix is a singular release well worth seeking out. Born from adversity and inspired by myth, the Snow Phoenix will land in stores only briefly before it passes into lore on its likely path to cult status.

Glenfiddich Snow Phoenix

• 95.2 proof (47.6% ABV)
• Non-aged single malt
• Non-chill-filtered
• Limited edition 2010 bottling
• Retail price: $89.99

For more information, visit www.glenfiddich.com.

Last month, the eighth iteration of Esquire magazine’s Signature Space program debuted in the “Bird Streets” of the exclusive Doheny Estates in the Hollywood Hills. Elaine Culotti (Porta Bella Design) and a team of top designers rebuilt a family home from the ground up, transforming it into the 2010 Esquire House, a contemporary indoor-outdoor lifestyle property. Dubbed “The Ultimate Bachelor Pad,” the 8,600 square foot home features 11 rooms, nine baths and a two-story pool house, with each room sponsored by a different Esquire advertiser. Since the first Esquire House debuted in 2003, the Signature Spaces have alternated each year between New York and Los Angeles.

"The Ultimate Bachelor Pad"

There is substance to go with the jet set style of the Esquire House, which each year is the site of several star-studded charity events. The October 15th launch party was a benefit for International Medical Corps, hosted by Sienna Miller. “Songs of Hope VI,” featuring a silent auction and live acoustic performances by the Doobie Brothers, Kenny Loggins, Randy Newman and more, took place on November 4th to benefit City of Hope. Still to come are events for Oceana and Oxfam America.

On a recent Friday afternoon, the Esquire House opened its doors for a tasting and tour hosted by Glenfiddich, part of a series of VIP tasting experiences that took place in New York, California and Dallas. Hosted by Glenfiddich Master Distiller Brian Kinsman, as well as regional Glenfiddich Ambassadors, the tasting events coincided with the introduction of the Glenfiddich One Day You Will advertising and marketing campaign that launched in October.

“As a whisky that has always been at the forefront, we at Glenfiddich are proud to be constantly pushing the envelope for the single malt category,” said Caspar MacRae, Category Director – Scotch Whisky, William Grant & Sons USA. “This new campaign and creative speaks directly to our target consumers, a group of individuals who strive to make the most of life’s adventures, invoking the pioneering spirit that is at the heart of Glenfiddich and rousing them to pursue their dreams.”

A painting by Jean-Michel Basquiat, in the Great Room.

After a short shuttle ride from Sunset Blvd, guests entered the Esquire House and walked into the Great Room, designed by Elaine Culotti for Hugo Boss. Culotti took inspiration from the clothing line and incorporated the brand’s textiles into her design. The sectional couch, dining room chairs, and barstools all feature winter cashmeres from Hugo Boss, along with other exclusive fabrics. Standout pieces include an eight-foot-long painting by Jean-Michel Basquiat and a collection of 18th century swords and sabers. Immediately ahead was a panoramic view of the Los Angeles skyline so breathtaking one could almost miss the circular bar and the tasting glasses of Glenfiddich. Almost.

The Terrace

We helped ourselves to drams of the Glenfiddich 12 Year Old and then walked outside to the expansive Terrace, designed by Kyle Schuneman (Live Well Designs) for DonQ Rum. Schuneman says he wanted to create “a sexy outdoor area that sets a backdrop for a real, authentic good time in the L.A. sun—or nighttime cityscape. To me, the brand is all about ‘real fun,’ and so that is where it started.” Of the outdoor furnishings, he says that DonQ’s “masculine colors of gray, black, white—with pops of blue—were a big jumping-off point for the design. The materials are natural woods, teaks, and stainless steel to really add a young, hip vibe.”

MacRae welcomed us and then introduced Laurel Chrumka, who would lead the guided tour through the Esquire House. Along the way, we would taste through the Glenfiddich range in key rooms of the property, culminating with a dram of the Glenfiddich 40 Year Old. Chrumka told us that the property is indeed for sale, for $18.9 million. No comment on whether the Basquiat is included in the purchase price.

Drams of the Glenfiddich 15 Year Old await tasting in the Music Lounge.

From the Main House we entered the first floor of the pool house and gathered in the Music Lounge, designed by Lisa Delena (Lisa Delena Design) and Obscura Digital for Heineken. To create the design for the asymmetrical space (no two walls are alike), Delena took inspiration from rock ’n’ roll clothing, concert staging, and musical instruments. A vintage mandolin (showcased on the shelves above the bar) inspired Delena’s color and material palette, while a custom leather banquette is shaped like the head of a Fender guitar. The Music Lounge is near the infinity pool and hot tub, overlooking the city. After all, this is the Ultimate Bachelor Pad.

Glenfiddich Ambassador Mitch Bechard

Glenfiddich Ambassador Mitch Bechard led us through a tasting of the Glenfiddich 15 Year Old, an expression created using the Glenfiddich Solera System. During the Solera process, the 15 year old malt is matured in three different types of oak cask: sherry, traditional bourbon and new oak. The whisky is then brought together in the wooden Solera Vat, which is kept at least half full to ensure a consistent, balanced single malt. The process is completed by a settling period (marrying) in smaller Solera Tuns. The resulting whisky conveys notes of sweet honey, vanilla and raisin, a silky, rich palate of sherry and spices and a long, sweet finish.

Master Bedroom

After a visit to the fully functional, state-of-the-art Recording Studio upstairs, it was back to the Main House and the Master Bedroom, located on the second level and designed by Annette English (Annette English & Associates) for Salvatore Ferragamo. Here we sipped the Glenfiddich 18 Year Old, matured in Oloroso sherry casks and traditional bourbon casks. The 18 Year benefits from a touch of sweetness from the sherry wood, balanced by the oakiness from the traditional casks. The nose is rich with baked apple, cinnamon and oak; notes of dried fruit, citrus peel, dates and a hint of smoke are on the palate. The finish is warm and long.

The Manhattan Bar

“Our inspiration came from Ferragamo’s strong Florentine heritage and its unique ability to reinvent age-old trades and materials,” says English. “We incorporated these into our space by taking traditional elements of a room interior and reinventing them in a completely new way.” As a nod to Ferragamo’s craftsman history, English uses handmade materials throughout the space, such as the glass installation that forms the bed’s headboard.

Down the hall is the Office, by John Everage (Everage Design) for Esquire Home. Designed with input from Esquire Editor-in-Chief David Granger and Fashion Director Nick Sullivan, the Esquire Home line is inspired by men’s wear and reflects the magazine’s passion for fine spirits. Pieces are named after classic cocktails (e.g. the Martini Armchair and the Clover Club Barstool), while Don Draper himself would likely do his “office work” with the Manhattan Bar, a steel trunk with compartments for liquor, wine, glasses, and tumblers.

We were then seated in the nearby Media Room, designed by Amy Matthews for DIY Network. While we were blinded by the sun streaming into the space, automated blackout shades lowered and Bechard led our tasting of the Glenfiddich 30 Year Old. The nose has a substantial oakiness, and intense fruit and sherry notes. The complex, woody palate is enhanced by a sweet floral quality, and the honeyed finish is quite long and velvety.

The Media Room is actually two bedrooms and baths that were gutted to create the new entertainment space. Banks of flatscreens line two walls, while rows of captains chairs are set on a carousel that rotates the seating to face one wall or the other, depending on what media is going to be engaged. Matthews explains her concept: “It’s about creating a high-technology space that is also comfortable and dynamic—on a turntable that brings the media to the participants rather than the participants to the media!”

MacRae welcomed us to what he nicknamed the “Blofeld Room” and introduced Glenfiddich Senior Brand Manager David Bitran, who showed us videos from the One Day You Will campaign. A montage of time-lapse urban scenes and soaring land and seascapes were set to The Temper Trap‘s “Sweet Disposition,” and as overused as that song is, the desired inspirational effect is still achieved. As Bitran mentioned, it’s a far cry from the typical staid ad campaign with a Scotch bottle on a black background and a list of awards.

Tasting glasses of the Glenfiddich 40 Year Old.

Then it was back downstairs to the Great Room, and the climactic tasting of the Glenfiddich 40 Year Old. This year marks the sixth release of the Glenfiddich 40 Year, with only 600 bottles available worldwide at a retail price of $2,799 per bottle. Just by looking at the dark mahogany drams that were lined up at the bar, it was apparent that we were about to encounter a remarkable spirit. As the sun began to set we gathered on the Terrace, where Bechard introduced Brian Kinsman, who led us in a tasting of the 40.

Mitch Bechard (L) looks on as Master Distiller Brian Kinsman conjures fire.

The nose is beautifully rich and aromatic, with layers of dried fruits, dark chocolate, roasted coffee and black cherries. Hints of smoke, leather and cloves were also present. As the dram opened up the nose evolved, to the delight of guests who shared their thoughts. The palate is rich with intense flavors of dried fruit, dates, raisins and apples. Then, oak notes appear with hints of bitter chocolate and a little bit of peat. The finish is incredibly long and complex.

And with that, it was sadly time to leave the Esquire House before they released the hounds. As we waited for the shuttle to arrive, I asked the bartender for a dram of the Glenfiddich 21 Year Old, an expression that wasn’t part of the tour. The 21 Year completes its maturation process in casks that previously held Caribbean rum. The nose is an intense vanilla, with sweet and floral notes, hints of banana, figs and toffee. The palate has notes of pepper, smoke, oak, ginger and spices. The finish is very long, warm and spicy.

Thoughts of missing the shuttle were dismissed and we were whisked away, down the hill to the Sunset Strip and back to reality.

For more information, visit www.glenfiddich.com.

For a slideshow of the 2010 Esquire House LA: esquire.com/features/esquire-house/esquire-house-la-2010

A slideshow of 9280 Nightingale Drive before the renovation: http://www.9280nightingale.com/

Glenfiddich 12 Year Old
The Booze Fairy must want me to get started on achieving my dreams, because not long after the Esquire House tasting, a bottle of the Glenfiddich 12 Year Old, the expression that kicked off the tour, arrived on my doorstep. Glenfiddich notes that the 12 Year is “the world’s favorite single malt Scotch whisky,” aged for at least 12 years in oak barrels before it’s bottled and exported to over 180 countries around the world.

Glenfiddich 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky

• Retail price: $29.99
• 80 proof (40% ABV)
• 750ml

TASTING NOTES

• Nose: Bright and fruity with a hint of pear.
• Palate: Creamy mouthfeel with sweet and fruity notes of pear, butterscotch, malt and subtle oak.
• Finish: Long, smooth and mellow.

The Macallan in Lalique: Cire Perdue at Sotheby's Los Angeles. | Photo: M Booth

A remarkable crystal decanter, containing some of the rarest single malt Scotch whisky in the world, arrived in Los Angeles yesterday for the penultimate stop of its global fundraising journey. Earlier this year, The Macallan and Lalique partnered to produce the one-of-a-kind decanter, made using the ancient cire perdue (“lost wax”) method. Created in conjunction with the 150th anniversary of René Lalique’s birth, this decanter holds the oldest and rarest Macallan ever bottled by the renowned Speyside distillery. The Macallan in Lalique: Cire Perdue decanter contains 1.5 liters of 64-year-old Macallan that has been vatted together from three casks, all built from sherry-seasoned Spanish oak. The first was filled in 1942, the second in 1945 and the third in January 1946, from which the age of this special Macallan has been taken.

The Cire Perdue decanter is the latest in a series of Macallan in Lalique decanters that began in 2004. These acclaimed decanters, which hold Macallan whiskies of 50, 55 and 57 years old, have become highly sought after by whisky aficionados and Lalique collectors alike.

After a Paris launch event in April 2010, the Cire Perdue decanter embarked on a 10-city traveling exhibit and fundraising tour around the world. At events in each city, 10 cl tastes from very limited reserves of The Macallan 64 Years Old were auctioned, with proceeds benefiting charity: water. The non-profit organization has funded over 2,900 water projects in 17 countries, bringing clean and safe drinking water to over a million people in developing nations.

Last night, The Macallan in Lalique: Cire Perdue decanter made its U.S. debut at Sotheby’s Los Angeles, where the final 10 cl of the 64-year Macallan was sold for a winning bid of $16,000. Prior to the auction, guests enjoyed drams of The Macallan, cocktails featuring various Macallan expressions, and passed trays of bites from Bouchon Beverly Hills. Besides two classics (the Rob Roy and the Blood & Sand), guests could choose from one of two Nouvelle Cocktails created by Bouchon mixologist Jason Navasartian: the Mac N’ Mary and the Golden Promise (recipes below).

Mmm...Macallan pork belly...

For my first cocktail I opted for the Blood & Sand (The Macallan Fine Oak 10 Years Old, Cherry Heering, Carpano Antica, orange juice) and went to look at the Cire Perdue decanter up close. Pictures can capture some of its beauty, but seeing the decanter on display in person brought an entirely new level of appreciation for the skill and craftsmanship that went into its creation.

The Cire Perdue decanter evokes The Macallan's 150 hectare estate by the river Spey.

Next was the Mac N’ Mary: The Macallan Sherry Oak 12 Years Old, Green Chartreuse, lemon juice, rosemary and ginger-infused honey, tea, topped with ginger beer. With the temperature rising in the crowded room this tall cocktail was especially refreshing. Some guests congregated outside to escape the heat, but it wasn’t long before we were called back in for the auction to begin.

This 10 cl taste of The Macallan 64 Years Old sold for $16,000.

After a brief video and message from charity: water founder Scott Harrison, The Macallan’s US Brand Ambassador Eden Algie (resplendent in jacket and tartan pants) opened the bidding. In no time the bid had reached $4000. After a bit of goading from Algie, someone shouted a bid of $5000 if Algie would “lose the pants.” Thankfully, Algie stopped after taking off his belt.

Eden Algie fuels the bidding by offering tastes of the entire Macallan range and a home-cooked Bouchon dinner.

To up the ante, Algie included a tasting of the ENTIRE Macallan range for the winning bidder and twenty friends. He sweetened the offer even further when he said the winner would also get a Thomas Keller-designed dinner at home, cooked by Bouchon Beverly Hills. Bouchon’s Chef de Cuisine Rory Herrmann encouraged the final bids by noting that he and his team “are never out of the kitchen” and this was truly a unique opportunity. With two bids at $7500 and $8000, Algie offered to kick in $500 of his own to seal the deal. And with that, the 10 cl of The Macallan 64 Years Old was sold for $16,000.

Bouchon's Leslie Lopez serves drams of The Macallan 25 Years Old.

To celebrate the winning bid, guests were served drams of The Macallan 25 Years Old. (Don’t tell anyone, but I double-fisted mine.) To go with the 25-year-old Macallan, Bouchon Pastry Chef Sharon Wang made an incredible caramel with The Macallan 18-year, a standout from an evening filled with remarkable food and high end whisky.

The Golden Promise, featuring The Macallan Fine Oak 10 Years Old.

The evening concluded with the Golden Promise, made with The Macallan Fine Oak 10 Years Old, Drambuie, Carpano Antica, and Cinnamon Caramel Syrup. All of the cocktails were very good, but the Golden Promise was the winner of the night.

Last night’s winning bid of $16,000 brings the total funds raised by The Macallan and Lalique to approximately $145,000. The proceeds will fund more than 29 specific, long-term charity: water projects and will serve more than 7,250 people with potable water. The final stop will be New York, where the decanter (and its precious contents) will be auctioned by Sotheby’s on November 15, 2010. All proceeds from the sale of the Cire Perdue decanter will be donated to charity: water.

Jason Navasartian

Following is a list of the winning bids from the decanter’s Tour du Monde:

• Los Angeles, Nov. 3: $16,000 USD
• Osaka, Oct. 22: ¥1,100,000 (about $13,600)
• Singapore, Oct. 7: Sg$15,000 (about $11,470)
• Shanghai, Sep. 24: ¥101,888 (about $15,200)
• Taipei, Sep. 9: NT$1,300,000 (about $41,000)
• Seoul, Aug. 11: KRW 7,000,000 (about $5,900)
• Hong Kong, Jul. 17:  HK$135,000 (about $17,300)
• Moscow, May 26: R180,000 (about $5,650)
• London, May 10: ₤6,000 (about $8,880)
• Paris, Apr. 6: €3,800 (about $5,000)

The question that comes to mind: if 10 cl tastes of the Macallan 64-year have sold for up to five figures, what price will 1.5 liters of the 64 and the exquisite Lalique decanter command? Consider that The Macallan is one of the most sought-after single malt whiskies in the rare whiskies auction market: a 60-year-old Macallan, distilled in 1926, sold for $75,000 to a South Korean buyer in 2005. The Cire Perdue decanter contains an even older expression, so there is a strong possibility that the sale price for the 60-year will be surpassed.

Lalique is also highly sought after by collectors around the world, with recent sales prices significantly exceeding pre-sale estimates. “Chardons,” a 1903 René Lalique jewel, sold for US$363,000 in October 2006 in New York. In October 2009, an Art Nouveau multi-gem and enamel pendant necklace by René Lalique was auctioned in New York for a world record US$554,500 (against an estimate of US$400,000).

The New York auction of The Macallan in Lalique: Cire Perdue promises to be an historic event. For more information and to register for the auction, visit: themacallan.com/the-partnerships/cire-perdue.

For images of other auctions around the world, the Cire Perdue decanter and more, visit The Macallan on Flickr.

Eden Algie shows his appreciation for Rory Herrmann's wonderful appetizers.

Mac N' Mary

Mac N’ Mary by Jason Navasartian
Ingredients

• 1 3/4 oz The Macallan Sherry Oak 12 Years Old
• 1/4 oz Green Chartreuse
• 1/2 oz Lemon juice
• 1/2 oz Rosemary and ginger-infused honey
• Tea

Preparation

• Shake and strain into a highball glass filled with ice.
• Top with ginger beer and garnish with a rosemary sprig.

Golden Promise by Jason Navasartian
Ingredients

• 2 oz The Macallan Fine Oak 10 Years Old
• 1/4 oz Drambuie
• 1/2 oz Carpano Antica Formula
• 1/4 oz Cinnamon Caramel Syrup

Preparation

• Stir and strain into a coupe.
• Garnish with an orange peel.

On Wednesday, October 13th, Whisky Live LA invites Angelenos to taste whiskies from all over the world in a luxurious setting in the heart of Beverly Hills. Now in its second year, Whisky Live LA has moved from the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium to the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, located at the intersection of Rodeo Drive and Wilshire Boulevard. Ticketholders will sample everything from scotch to bourbon, meet distillers, sample gourmet bites, and much more. Online ticket sales are live, and tickets will also be available at the door.

Whisky Live LA
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Featuring:

• Tasting Hall
• Oban Whisky Experience
• Whisky Live Stage
• Master Classes

Beverly Wilshire Hotel
9500 Wilshire Blvd.
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
(310) 275-5200
www.fourseasons.com/beverlywilshire

VIP Ticket: $129

• 5:30pm-10pm
• 10 sample vouchers
• Tasting glass
• Show guide
• Food, tea, coffee and water

Evening Ticket: $99

• 6.30pm-10pm
• 6 sample vouchers
• Tasting glass
• Show guide
• Food, tea, coffee and water

*Ticket prices include VAT and exclude booking fee

Sample Vouchers: $2

• Extra vouchers available at $2.00 each.
• All samples are available only in exchange for vouchers.
• Each sample may require a different number of vouchers depending on the age of the whisky.

Tickets at the Door

• VIP Ticket: $149
• Standard Ticket: $119

Master Classes: $10 each (with valid entrance ticket)

• MC1: Maker’s Mark
• MC2: High West
• MC3: Johnnie Walker
• MC4: Heaven Hill

For tickets and more information, including exhibitors and event schedules, visit: whiskylive.com/usa/12/los-angeles-2010.

Photo by ozjimbo, used with permission through CC BY-NC 2.0