WHISKY SUMMIT

@paddockjudge Looks like we're turning the page on your summit plan...

@BlueNote has expressed an interest in attending the Whisky Summit.

How does October in New Mexico sound? I've been told by more than one Connosr member that the landscape is stunningly beautiful...and the autumn weather is perfect.

Interested Members: @Benancio, @Nozinan, @Robert99, @paddockjudge, @Maltactivist, @newreverie, @Victor, @mscottydunc, @sorren, @JayRain, @BlueNote.

@Robert99 has gone silent. I hope all is well.

Anyone else interested?

This is such a great idea. I've been following the discussion and I'm really interested to see how plans develop...

@paddockjudge Please add me to the interested list... pending finalization of date& location. I have some good Canadian whiskies that might come with me... Lot 40 (2012), Pike Creek, Gooderham & Worts, Stalk & Barrel, a full suite of the Forty Creek annual releases from the original Small Batch reserve through to this year's Harmony. Also have some interesting single cask single malts tasted & purchased through the Companions of the Quaich. brought. Will be hard to decide...

(Assuming the location is in the US, suggestions on logistics for packing?)

@tfahey1298, Good to hear from you. I think the first event will be in the U.S., perhaps the second in Canada, and who knows where number three will be? Details to follow.

I like the way you are thinking. Forty Creek and Alberta Distillers are two of my favourites.

Interested Members: @Benancio, @Nozinan, @Robert99, @paddockjudge, @Maltactivist, @newreverie, @Victor, @mscottydunc, @sorren, @JayRain, @BlueNote, @tfahey1298

@Jean-Luc, perhaps we will someday be adding your name to the roster. I think this event will be a lot of fun.

Great idea!! @Jean-Luc. But for those not in the Americas a bit difficult. In the website upgrade sugestions in April 2014 I wrote: "I liked what tjb wrote about the map location thing (green dots online, red ones offline). Or a function "Members located close to you" that would give the potential of physicaly creating members groups to get together and organize tastings." I think it's relevant to the whisky summit idea. Jean Luc please consider.

As these type of events take time to unfold, what is the plan to plan the Summit? Happy to help in anyway

If @Benancio is truly going to host, then maybe he can give us feedback on some dates that would work best for him. I still put forth my desire to summit in Park City, Utah Skiing into High West Distillery and ordering A Midwinter Night's Dram should be a bucket list item for every connosr.

I'd also be happy to coordinate a Texas Summit either for this round or in the future. I offer to host at my lakehouse at Medina Lake near San Antonio. The lakehouse sleeps 8 in bunks and there is other lodging nearby. It isn't a big or flashy place inside, but we'd have a pool table, darts, bass boat, large fire pit, good sized deck, and about 1.5 acres of hilltop to ourselves. If desired, a road trip to Garrison Brothers Distillery would take up a full day. October-May is the best time for the area as June-September is rather hot.

Also as a sweetener on the Lakehouse since i'd be saving money on plane tickets, I'll thrown in at least 2 dinners of the best BBQ you've ever had*.

*I'm serious, my brisket and ribs are world class.

@newreverie

Keep talking...

@newreverie I am on board, this sounds like an amazing time!

@Nozinan If we summit in October it will coincide with the GB bottling time line. I don't suggest we volunteer for bottling because it is a 2 day commitment, but it would give us the opportunity to see their process: dumping barrels, reducing proof, wax dip of the bottles, ect.

If we would rather April, then there is a celebration of CORN in nearby Helotes, complete with Rodeo. www.cornyval.org

Also nearby and open year round is the legendary John T Floore's Country store. www.liveatfloores.com/about/

Perhaps the most awesome day trip/summit imaginable would be to have a tasting while we tube the Guadalupe River. Although glass isn't allowed that wouldn't stop us from repackaging some choice spirits. We'd then set out on a 4-6 hour float. All the tubes have plastic bottoms so your butt doesn't drag on any rocks. We get an extra tube or two that is dedicated to holding a cooler. If we summit in April, we could cap the day off by seeing Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard.

October 2016 is looking good to me...

I think @Benancio has been bitten by the golf bug. Give him some time, he'll come around.

I like the idea of Texas, it was originally my first choice.

@newreverie, you'll have to go easy on us old guys. We can sit and sip all night long, but if you work us too hard during the day, we''ll be to bed early...which only means an early start the next day...nothing like smoked ham and bourbon for breakfast.

@paddockjudge Floating the Guadalupe is considered a right of passage for most Texans. The river is typically a place for 20 somethings to drink cheap beer, jello shots, and sangria/margaritas from a bag. Along with that are floating stereo systems blasting rock and country music and girls in (and out of) bikinis. Thousands float every weekend in the warm months.

The novelty of floating whilst drinking fine scotch and bourbon tickles me in the same way as a grey poupon commercial. Picturing myself floating down the river with a connosr crew, GSI stemless glass in hand, nosing some monster islay.... It fits so perfectly into my refined redneck/cowboy persona that I'm ashamed I haven't done it already.

For the record, if you haven't noticed already, i'm a bit over the top in most activities. Feel free to restrain me from getting too far out there. I'm perfectly happy to build a fire, make some BBQ, and drink whiskey. That is a typical weekend around my house. My personality tends to lead me down paths of adventure. I plan to be sipping on my flask while hiking 100 miles of the Appalachian Trail later this year.

@newreverie, I'd be the last one to reel you in. No harm in a little fun...or a wee nip.

@paddockjudge , @newreverie, and All It is true I have been bitten by the golf bug. I can't tell you how much fun I'm having, I always bring a flask of whiskey. I still check in on the site.

Back to business: I did and Still offer my hacienda in Albuquerque for a 2 day event, Friday, Saturday. October 7, 8, 2016.

These dates to coincide with the 2016 International Balloon fiesta in Albuquerque. Its a must do once in a life time experience.
www.balloonfiesta.com#

I'm a 55 minute drive from the wonderful Santa Fe NM and 1-1/2 from spiritual Taos NM

Ask @Victor for info on Toas , he's been there more than I have.

Maybe we can all play 9 holes of golf. NM has amazing golf courses.

Its up to the group where we meet.
I'm not sure what the total number is right now.

I am still in, where ever we decide to have meet.

@newreverie has made a Serious, extremely generous and inviting offer. Thank you Sir!

Thank You, Ben

October 7, 8, 2016 Friday, Saturday. @Benancio, thanks for providing a firm date. This is Canadian Thanksgiving Weekend. It is a big deal up north, but pales in comparison to the American Thanksgiving pageantry.

I have no problem celebrating Canadian Thanksgiving in New Mexico. Let's wait for a response from the Canadian members.

@newreverie, your offer is extremely generous. I have a hunch we may be celebrating the Whisky Summit often. Let's walk through this one with @Benancio and see where it takes us. Travel, accommodation, and transportation are some of the finer points that we need to address as well.

This is a good opportunity for me to explore a part of N. America that I might otherwise not visit...and enjoy the company of some like minded Connosrs.

WHO IS UP FOR OCTOBER IN NEW MEXICO? October 7, 8, 2016 Friday, Saturday.

@paddockjudge

I don't suppose it would be possible to make it a Saturday and Sunday?

@Nozinan, I will be traveling a great distance and plan to experience more than two days of whiskEy research and development. Rest assured something will transpire on the Sunday as well. Deferring the Friday event may be difficult; nonetheless, an event on the Sunday may prove to be popular. I am inclined to spend a week or more in New Mexico/Southwest.

@Benancio has generously offered this hacienda for a two day event. I trust that he will 'guide' us on our visit to the Albuquerque area and help us to make some sound choices.

• @Benancio has generously offered his hacienda for a two day event.

@paddockjudge My intention is to schedule it so that everyone can take advantage of the 2016 International Balloon fiesta October 1-9. I also need to go to work on Monday so I'll need Sunday to clean up, sober up and play 18 holes of golf.

Everyone is welcome to join me in Whiskey Summit Golfing Sunday. So if you don't play, you all summer to dust off your clubs. I'm not very good, I just started in September, but I'm totally hooked.

There is an alternate set of Dates Friday and Saturday September 30 and October 1. This would give everyone a full week to explore the Fiesta, Santa Fe, ect... I have a list of things that you should do while you are in New Mexico.

These dates also doesn't coincide with Canada's Thanksgiving.

We can also plan to meet for dinner and drinks after people get back from there excursions. Possibly at my house but that I will have to approve with the boss. She's a bourbon girl.

Give me your feedback. Friday and Saturday September 30 and October 1

@Benancio first - thank you for your generosity; second, the non-conflict w thanksgiving are more appealing to me

I forgot that Canadian Thanksgiving Weekend was a Black Out date.

@Benancio, I'm super stoked for a Whisky Summit in New Mexico. Your generosity is overwhelming.

New Mexico is gorgeous in the early autumn. And the hill country north of San Antonio, Texas would be thoroughly delightful then, too.

Like a few others, I suspect, I am interested in seeing how all of this discussion shakes out before having any realistic chance to appraise it as to whether I/we can/will realistically take the trip.

Practical questions: @Benancio, are Albuquerque airfares and hotel rates jacked up around the time of the Balloon Festival? Yes, I know, one can usually stay VERY reasonably in Albuquerque...but this is THE week of the year for which Albuquerque is most famous.

@newreverie, have you made the definite offer to provide lodging for at least 6 visitors at your place?

Rental cars would be necessary for both locations, though they could be shared.

If this comes to pass, I would recommend first time visitors take at least 3 to 4 days, or more, to see the sights, particularly in Northern New Mexico. (As the New Mexicans like to say, "If God had meant Texas to have a mountain, He would have given it one.") No slight to Texas (well, not much of one)...San Antone is one of my favourite places in the USA.

@paddockjudge I am still alive and over my overdose of English. But like Victor, I am waiting to get more infos to figure if it is realistic for me to go. As a teacher, October is not the best time but since I am not working in a regular school, that is really not a big problem.

I think I would need help to pick a good and rare bottle as well. Quebec is not the kingdom of Whisky and the price are very high (Although not that much for pricier whisky). Do you think Teeling 21 yo Silver Reserve single malt would be a good choice?

@paddockjudge Thank you for your kind words Sir. I’m super stoked as well about the first WHISKEY SUMMIT. I’m in. The dates don’t really concern me. I can always change them to avoid the Fiesta. August and September are real nice months. October can have bad weather and I’ve seen most of a Balloon Fiestas canceled because of the weather.

@Victor is right, the entire city and surrounding areas sell out, some hotels double their rates. I’m sure airfare is more as well. @Victor is also correct there is a ton to do in “The Land of Enchantment”, New Mexico.

@newreverie For the record I love San Antonio and you have made an extremely generous offer as well. I’m sure @newreverie would also be disappointed if he wasn’t hosting the first WHISKEY SUMMIT.

We are all getting together for a WHISKEY SUMMIT not a Balloon Fiesta, it was a suggestion.

Details: sometime in August or September. Whiskey: Scotch, Bourbon, Rye, Canadian, Irish, Miscellaneous. No real limitation I will pay to have the dinners catered.

I have a few bottles in my collection that I will donate to the SUMMIT. I’m sure others do as well. As we get people committed we can develop a menu of expressions.

@Robert99 I think Teeling 21 yo Silver Reserve single malt would be a great choice. You can always purchase here as well.

Friday 4:00 pm to 12:00 am Bourbon 4 to 7, dinner, Rye 8 to 11

Saturday 4:00 pm to 12:00 am Scotch 4 to 7, dinner, Canadian 8 to 11 I’m sure we can fit in some time for a whiskey exchange.

Sunday 18 hole WHISKEY SUMMIT Golf Sunday.

Weekday excursions around the state followed by meetups for dinner and drinks. I can put together a liquor buying tour, I know the best local places.

@Victor I know your involvement would be instrumental in the participation. You have a big following and we all would like to meet and drink with you.

Let’s see who is serious about attending and we can find date that works for the majority.
It looks @paddockjudge, @newreverie, @tfahet1298, @mscottydunc, @Nozinan, @JayRain, @Victor, @Robbert99 and myself have shown interest. I’m sure there are others. Looks like a good start. I hope there will be some spouses as well. Like I said my wife is a bourbon girl.

That’s the best details I can put together right now until we get definite participants.
Cheers, Ben

A few places I’d suggest you see, I have many others too. Taos NM Santa Fe NM Roswell NM if you’re into UFOs

Chaco Canyon www.nps.gov/chcu/index.htm

El Rancho de las Golondrinas golondrinas.org/index.html

The Very Large Array www.vla.nrao.edu

The first offer as host was was put forth by @Benancio on August 14th with @newreverie adding some excellent suggestions and also offering to host this initiative. Without attempting to polarize our loose confederacy of enthusiasts, I am promoting the Albuquerque/Santa Fe area as the site for the Whisky Summit. I believe the 'seniority' card should be played as @newreverie will likely be hosting future Whisky Summits long after Ben and I have departed this earth for the 'Big Tasting Session In the Sky'.

It would also be my wish that @newreverie have dibs on hosting the second Summit, if he so desires. I hope the Summit will eventually be held in Canada, preferably near Toronto and that our European friends can be involved some day too. Not to be excluded, the Pan Pacific group, and our Dubai connection, are certainly welcome...and yes, last time I checked, planes were flying both ways.

The date for this event has not been fixed and further discussion is welcomed. September might in fact be a better time than October when we consider weather and logistics.

I am committed to this event regardless of the final details. I will begin to compile a list of dedicated members who will attend regardless of date and venue. Structure for the sessions and events will determined by a committee consisting of @Benancio, @newreverie, @paddockjudge, @JayRain. Input from all interested participants is welcomed. Please consider 'fringe' events which could proceed or follow the target dates.