Irene Tan – Whisky Mentor

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Author: Irene Tan

EVENTS

Good things happen in threes…

…at the American Distilling Institute’s Spirits competition, Silver shined on all three of my entries. While not gold, it’s not too shabby for my first rodeo.

Kings Code Batch 1 Riona

Boston Harbor Distillery Lawley’s Barrel Aged Gin “Je Ne Sais Quoi”.

Locke+Co Landmark Series Rye “Pikes Peak”.

I created three different categories of spirits. They all made an impression on the judges. To say I’m pleased with the results is an understatement. But I already knew that from the positive feedback from my loyal customers.

About 2 years ago, after purchasing over 100 single barrels of spirits for my store, Canterbury Liquors, I started to think that there must be a better way than just “stealing’ the top one percent of spirits from a distillery. Picking a great single barrel is like shooting fish in a barrel if you have a good palate and nose. In the process, I felt like I was robbing the distillery of the ability to make their core products better by taking away the “best” barrels.

So I started a personal mission to “Make whiskey better by blending”. Word got out that I was doing this and before long, it was no longer a hobby or a personal mission. Albeit part time, I have a handful of distilleries that I am working with to make their core whiskies better and to create special releases.

During a recent email exchange with John Glaser of Compass Box, the GOAT of whiskey blending, he asked if he could steal my line about making whiskey. He’s certainly been an inspiration for me in my blending endeavors.

One Last Word, pun intended, the gin projects I’m working on have their own line – “Making Gins with a Purpose”. Je Ne Sais Quoi is the first in the lineup. A barreled aged gin crafted to be in an Old Fashioned Cocktail in place of whiskey. If you still claim you don’t like gin but you like Old Fashioned cocktails, just come see me. I will break your “Gin Aversion Meter”.. I have been known to break “Peat Meters”. Just ask my crew.

Where to buy:

Kings Code Batch 1 is available in Canterbury Liquors, CT, RI, MA and at kingscountydistillery.com.

Boston Harbor Distillery Lawley’s Barrel Aged Gin “Je Ne Sais Quoi”. is available at Canterbury Liquors and at Boston Harbor Distillery

Locke+Co Landmark Series Rye “Pikes Peak”.is available in CO and at Canterbury Liquors this summer. Stay tuned.

#ADIISC @americandistilling @kingscountydistillery @lockecodistilling @bostonarbordisti @drinkwithfood

Irene Tan

May 8, 2024

Gin, Limited Edition Whiskies

awards, barrel aged gin, rye, whissky
Go for the gold they said…

so I did and that’s what I got at the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2024. Kings Code Batch 1 Riona snagged a Gold Medal in this year’s competition. If you haven’t met Riona (Gaelic for Queen), you should. Kings Code is a project in collaboration with Kings County Distillery in Brooklyn, NY. It started as a proof of concept project that Colin Spoelman, Laura Graham and I came up with to see if it would fly. Well, fly I did, to Europe, Cork, Ireland in particular to buy some exceptional whiskies to put in the blend. Then off I went to Lovingston, Virginia, to scoop up some of the best American Single Malts I could lay my palate on.

Back at the Blending Lab (aka spare bedroom), I tasted and drew some cryptic diagrams. I concocted this blend to grab your attention. From the start, she lures you in with the prettiest nose from the American Single Malt in an STR cask. She fills and arrests your palate with American Single Malts in ex-bourbon cask and Pedro Ximénez cask. Her finish is powered by Clonakilty Irish Whiskey finished in Chateau d’Yquem Sauternes cask. Delicate stone fruit, peach and nectarine, white flowers linger in the back. Despite the youth of the components, this blend shows balance, elegance and complexity.

Grab a bottle or two while they are still available. I made only 800 of them. You can buy them in fine whisky stores in CT, MA, RI and at Kings County Distillery. You can get a pour at the bars that know their whiskies.

In CT, The Store Bar & Grill in Torrington, The Engine room in Mystic, Vinted in West Hartford, Zinc in New Haven, Flinders in Stamford.

In RI, the Courtland Club and the GCB (Graduate Center Bar) at Brown University.

PS look for Kings Code Batch 2 A Touch of Bessie this June. She’s smoking hot and older than Riona.

Irene Tan

April 30, 2024

Limited Edition Whiskies

blended whiskey, limited edition, whissky
The Quarterly Report

It’s been a “very busy” while since I last posted. If you’ve been following me on social media, you already have a clue as to what I’ve been up to. Regardless, here are some highlights for you. My recent trip to Down Under has been very fruitful. I brought seven delicious Australian Single Malt samples back with me and I’m trying to decide which ones will play nice together for a future blending project. One sample in particular stands out as a single barrel pick for Canterbury Liquors and the only hint I can give you right now is that there are hints of smoke.

On the US front, in NYC, Kings Code Batch 2 “Touch of Bessie” has been blended and is patiently vatting at Kings County Distillery. We will be launching it Sunday April 21, 2024 at the distillery. There will be tours of the distillery at 1 pm if you’re interested. This blend comprises of Irish Whiskey, Single Malt Scotch from Islay and American Single Malt from Virginia Distillery and Kings County. My pocket whisky sample of this blend was well received overseas. Kings Code Batch 1 “Riona” is getting low on stock. If you can’t make it out here to buy a bottle you can buy it online at Kings County Distillery website soon.

Blanco, Texas, another American Single Malt, Stryker from Andalusia, will be getting bottled up soon. I just got a sample and I’m calling it QS01 “Brisket”. This whisky was finished in a twice used port barrel. Forney, Texas, sad news that there won’t be a Flambeaux 2 because the distillery is currently closed. I’ve already formulated the blend as of late December but who knows, if and when they do reopen, it’ll be a different tasting whiskey.

Denver, Colorado on April 4th, 2024 I’ll be launching the first of the Landmark Series “Pikes Peak” for Locke+ Co Aspen aged rye. This is a blend of three MGP 95/5 rye, two Aspen aged barrels and one Barolo wine cask finish. This blend has been vatting for more than a year and the result is spectacular. Details of location and time will be posted soon.

Early spring in Kentucky, visits to Buzzards Roost, Puncher’s Chance (Wolf Spirit) and a couple of other TBD spots should turn up some good tasting bourbons/ryes for the summer.

When mud season is over in VT, a visit to Mad River Distillery to make a very special Rum 44 for you. If you enjoyed Rum Cake, you are going to want this next one. It’ will be aged in an ex-American Single Malt STR cask.

Also, dropping any day now is our first Japanese single barrel pick from Kaiyo and a small batch Pechuga mezcal.

If you’re around this Saturday, don’t forget to stop in and taste some Clonakilty Irish Whiskies with us. Cheers!

Irene Tan

March 7, 2024

Limited Edition Whiskies, Single Barrel Picks, Store Events
Putting the cart before the horse

I just completed a 3 day Blending and Maturation course with Nancy Fraley and the American Distilling Institute. The class was hosted by the very generous and talented folks at Ironroot Republic Distillery. As you all know, I just launched my Kings Code Batch 1 Riona with Kings Country Distillery just before Thanksgiving. When I signed up for the course, I had wondered if I was putting the cart before the course (pun intended) . As it turns out, it was quite a self-affirming experience for me. The unique way I’ve developed in the last couple of years to pick crowd pleasing single barrels and to make my whiskey blends, was validated by what I learned in class.

There was much to learn from Nancy, a true Master Blender, but we connected on quite a few different levels. The glee on our faces and the obsidian spirit in our glasses, our “first collab”, tells me that this will not be the last we see of each other. So stay tuned with bated breath on what develops. But in the meantime, drink some whisky, Glen Scotia Single Malt Whisky in particular. QS01 An Epiphany a 9 yr old in ex-bourbon cask from Campbeltown. Need I say more .. Oh ok, this Saturday from 1 to 3 pm. No need to sign up.

Irene Tan

December 7, 2023

Limited Edition Whiskies, Single Barrel Picks, Store Events, Whisky Travel
Now that the cat’s out of the bag

If you’re a Magnificent Bastard, you already know what the cat dragged out. If not, read on and watch this video.

For what it seems like months, even though it’s only been six weeks, I’ve had to self-induce a silence as loud as the magnificent news I had to share. On the heels of a successful blending project called Kings Code with Kings County Distillery, came an opportunity that only dreams are made of.

The last five years I have spent some “vacation time” at the Wizard Academy in Austin. The vortex of energy that you feel when you walk on campus opens your mind in ways you can never imagine. I believe they call it Portals. This is where I dreamt the impossible dream. I dreamt that I would be able to make whiskey someday. But without the financial means to build a distillery nor time to wait for the products to mature, my only option was to make whiskey better ( or make gin, check out my barrel-aged Lawleys Gin Je Ne Sais Quoi).

At the first ever crowd-sourced distillery in the world, Crowded Barrel Whiskey Company, I have been named the Spirit Hunter. In this role, I vow to bring you great spirits from near and far.

Some will be blended and others will be alliances with distilleries. Stay tuned to this website and the Whiskey Tribe Channel and subscribe if you haven’t yet to keep up with my hunting adventures. Slainte!

Irene Tan

November 12, 2023

Limited Edition Whiskies, Single Barrel Picks, Whisky Travel
Back to back tastings

You all know I’m always busy and this season is no exception. I’ve been up to my ears with several projects and always working on bringing you the best wines and spirits that I can find out there in the world. It’s always nice to return to this beautiful view from the back door of our store. So, pour yourself your favorite sip and read on. I’ve found so many wonderful things to share with you that I can’t possibly fit them all in one weekend. Also, some of it I can’t tell about yet or I’ll have so vanquish if I do. But we’re going to do a whole bunch of back to back tastings of wines and spirits on Saturdays from 1 to 5 pm. For those of you coming from a distant state or land, or even from the other side of CT, this should help make the trip “worthwhile” , yeah right, like you need an excuse to visit us to get a taste of our extensive, exclusive but not always expensive wines and spirits. So buckle up and come see us.

What’s on this weekend?

1 to 3 pm Holiday Wine Tasting with Jessica McClure from Winebow who is a WSET Level 3 Wines Specialist. Jessica has an exquisite palate and a head full of knowledge about wines and cocktails and other things, just too many to mention here. You should come meet her and find out.

Winebow Holiday Wines

3 to 5 pm Barrell Bourbon Tasting with Chris Riesbeck who can tell you a LOT about whiskey. I won’t steal his thunder so you’ll just have to come and find out. Also, the grey and gold label bottlings will be on SALE! Not fire dumpster sale prices but I think you’ll be pleased with what we’ve priced it at for you.

barrell

What to do for next weekend?

Nov 17th 4 to 6 pm More holiday wine tastings with Stephanie Smith. She’ll walk you through tasty wines will fit your mood and you will impress whoever is at your dinner table.

Nov 18th 1 pm to 3pm Ungrafted Selection’s Kimberly Kunzik will take your nose and palate on an incredible journey with spirts, vermouths and apertifs. Invites will go out next week, after a get a few zzzz.

Nov 18th 4 to 7 pm Exquisite Tasting event of additive-free Tequila and Mezcal. Details to follow. If you like agave-based spirits, DO NOT MISS this event. Invites will go out next week after a nice long bath.

What’s new with us for whiskey?

November 19th, 1 to 3 pm Kings Code Batch 1 Riona launch at Kings County Distillery, Brooklyn NY. Colin Spoelman and I will get to taste this first batch of Kings Code whiskey I’ve blended for the distillery. And ok, if you show up, we’ll let you have a dram too. There are only 48 bottles available for sale at this event. The entire batch was only 820 bottles. At Canterbury Liquors, we brought in 60 bottles and those are definitely more than half gone.

If you haven’t picked up a bottle of our Fireside Double Down Single barrel from Denver, Colorado, you can freeze your butt off this winter and I won’t be able to help you. This is a 6 yr old hazmat (over 140 PF) bourbon that was finished in a rye cask for over a year, mile high in the sky. If you’re a high rye bourbon drinker, you’ll thoroughly enjoy this bottling. If you’re a rye fan, your nose will betray you and make you think you’re sniffing rye but I am convinced you will not be disappointed and, devil forbid, you cannot say you don’t like bourbon anymore. If you’re a gin drinker, you’ll find some familiar notes to explore and enjoy. Despite the high proof, you’ll find that this whiskey gives you a nice Colorado Hug without assaulting your palate (after the first small sip). If you’re a bit of a whiskey snob and only drink malts, then just get yourself some Kings Code Riona.

What’s new for Whisky Mentors around the state?

Nov 17th 5:30 to 7:30 pm, I’m hosting a fundraiser for Playhouse on Park. You can get tickets here.

https://www.broadwayworld.com/connecticut/article/Playhouse-On-Park-To-Hold-CUE-THE-WHISKEY-Fundraiser-At-The-REC-Room-20231107?fbclid=IwAR0r9Rgon2DLfoMYqp0I0Dj1KBm4vZEiAmu06r1Gqp1Vz5TXLWVBs7_mitU

Dec 2 1 to 3 pm I’ll be whiskey talking (better than trash talking) at https://www.facebook.com/littledipperct. Check out the link for details that will get updated soon.

Well, that’s a wrap. Now I’m going to pour myself a dram and give my fingers a rest. Cheers and I hope to see you all several times before the end of the year.

Irene Tan

November 10, 2023

Limited Edition Whiskies, Single Barrel Picks, Store Events, Whisky Tasting, Wine Tasting
Single Malt Whisky from Tel Aviv, Israel

Earlier in the year we procured a single cask of ex-bourbon and peated single malt from the Milk and Honey (M&H) Distillery called Bee in my Bonnet. I named it that because this is an absolutely delicious and powerful single malt whisky that we should all be talking about and sharing sips with, It is lightly peated, so it’s a great gateway whisky for those trying to learn about peated whisky. It’s not a phenolic peat so those of you who think peated whiskies smell like bandaids, you will appreciate this. In addition, being ex-bourbon casked brings loads of honeyed sweetness and vanilla as well as a good level of char from being aged near the Dead Sea. The massive diurnal temperature change in the area is akin to aging whiskies in Texas so we know this whisky is going to be flavorful despite its youth.

On October 12th, 2023, Thursday evening from 6 to 7 pm, stop in for a taste of our pick as well as the core range from the distillery and meet Tal Chotiner. the M&H VP of international sales with close to 25 years of experience in the world of whisky. Tal used to work for Diageo in Israel and was a Johnnie walker Brand ambassador for the Middle east and “single malt advocate” from Diageo. When Tal is in Israel his job is to interrupt Tomer’s (Head Distiller & Blender) work with crazy ideas and stupid questions… I’m sure he has cool stories for us.

Irene Tan

October 3, 2023

Limited Edition Whiskies, Single Barrel Picks, Store Events, Whisky Tasting

cask strength, limited edition, store events, whisky, whissky
A new chapter is about to begin in the life of Whisky Mentors

Many of you came from far and near this past weekend to get a chance to purchase an allocated or unicorn bottle of whiskey. You were treated to a taste of 4 whiskies from our private barrel collection. Thank you for doing this to support our local community in Canterbury, CT. Some of you came because you already know about the care with which we select our whiskies and others came based on word of mouth. Regardless, you know we do not compromise on quality. Purchasing single barrels of whiskey, gin, rum, tequila and any other spirits seems to be something many retail liquor stores clamor to do. We stopped counting how many barrels we have purchased in the 4 short years we have been opened once we got past one hundred of them. It’s not because we are now jaded. Rather it’s because we realize that we are taking the top 1% of the distillery’s product when we do that. This practice tends to hurt the craft distillery more than it helps then in the long run. At the end of the day, what do we really want? We all want to drink good whiskey and great whiskey on occasion.

As part of this effort, we have started collaborating with various distilleries to bring you great whiskey by blending. The very first of a commercially available blend, Kings Code, is available this fall in the Northeast and it is in collaboration with Kings County Distillery.

Irene Tan

September 10, 2023

Limited Edition Whiskies

blended barrel, limited edition, whisky
Project Interrupted 2 – Whiskey Tasting Part 1, 2 and 3

Join us for a special whiskey event this Saturday. There will be 3 separate tasting events from 1 to 1:20 pm (Part 1), 1:30 to 1:50 pm (Part 2) and 2: to 2:20 pm (Part 3) . We will taste a bourbon, a rye, a single malt and an Irish whiskey for each event. There are only 50 spots available for each tasting. You can only sign up for one of the 3 tastings so everyone can get a chance to try some good whiskies. The whiskies to be tasted have not been determined yet but you can be sure they will be good. As part of attending this FREE event, you will receive a raffle ticket at the door which you want to hang on to for dear life for Project Interrupted 2 that will take place promptly at 2:30 pm and end at 3:30 pm. When your raffle ticket gets called, you will have a chance to select from over 100 bottles of rare and allocated whiskies. For that privilege, we ask that you donate $25 for each allocated bottle you purchase ( in case there are fewer people than bottles) and this donation will go directly to our local non-profit organizations ( volunteer fire department, school and library) as we have done in previous years.

Irene Tan

September 1, 2023

Charity Events, Limited Edition Whiskies, Single Barrel Picks, Store Events, Whisky Tasting
666 The Devil is in the details

QS04 The Rye’d Choice is a 6 year old Putnam Rye at 66 ABV from Boston Harbor Distillery is being released this Friday Aug 4th 2023. If you already know about my Putnam Rye picks, you know what to do. If you don’t, and you chase cask strength ryes of allocated status, then you might want to come see us. Also, to be perfectly evil, we are introducing you to another brown spirit category, barrel-aged gins.

QS03 Je Ne Sais Quoi is a gin we formulated a year and four months ago to become a great sipping gin and also to make an incredible gin Old Fashioned.

5 pm to 6:30 pm this Friday, Aug 4 meet the Founder, Rhonda Kallman and Head Distiller, John Stark, of Boston Harbor Distillery. They’ll be available to autograph your bottles and answer any whiskey questions you may have.

Irene Tan

July 31, 2023

Gin, Single Barrel Picks, Store Events, Whisky Tasting

barrel aged gin, cask strength, rye, store events, whisky