World Whisky Day May 21

Probably nothing much out of the ordinary. WWD is like Valentine's day, a holiday created by industry for the purpose of promoting the product.

This day should not be confused with International Whisk(e)y day in March. I'm not sure how commercial that one is.

I think the underlying question is whether we exist for whisky or whether it exists for us.

I am a firm believer in the latter. So I'll enjoy my whisky when it's convenient for me, when I can do so with friends.

@ajjarrett, Connosr has a large variety within its membership with respect to attitudes toward whisky. We have lots of extreme romantics, lots of good-times fans with gradual continued on-going exploration, and also a few hard-assed skeptics of the industry. Your question will elicit different responses from members of these three groups.

That's great that you are organising a tasting. We do lots of that here, too. Whisky is a wonderful social activity, anywhere, and any day of the year.

Every day is World Whisky Day at my house!

@ajjarrett, those are excellent themes, any or all would put a smile on my face. There is one glaring omission; no mention of Canada, the home of 2015 World Whisky of the Year. I suggest Wiser's Legacy.

International Whisk(e)y Day is on March 27th. It started in 2008 to honour the late, legendary whisky journalist, Michael Jackson, and to raise money for research into Parkinson's Disease, the disease that claimed Jackson's life in 2007. Every self-respecting whisky lover should have a copy of MJ's definitive book on whisky, Malt Whisky Companion.

I think Nozinan is right about WWD which is much more about industry self-interest. A good excuse to enjoy a dram or two, nonetheless.

@ajjarrett Notwithstanding @Paddockjudge's comment (yes we have world whisky of 2015 but I agree Wiser's Legacy is a better choice), I think hosting a tasting is a great idea, and I like your ideas.

Your first could definitely include whiskies from at least three continents.

Your second could include Kavalan in addition to Japanese for a truer east meets west, and I can imagine great contrast between the Asian whiskies, something from Islay and a bourbon or rye.

The last one could include some Indian single malt and perhaps something from the European mainland, as well as a Canadian and US contribution. Be aware though that if you choose a bourbon, rye fans will be disappointed, and similarly if you choose a rye, people will ask "where is the bourbon"

Cheers Lechaim salute Slainte Kam-pei

I just don't necessarily feel you need to restrict yourself to WWD.

so much for sentence order...

@Victor

Thanks for the reply. I am definitely open to the variety of view points and encourage open discourse. I look forward to the replies and hope that whisky lovers express their thoughts. In the end, it is all about the drink and why and how we enjoy it.

Cheers.

@paddockjudge I will certainly look for a Canadian whisky, and thank you for the recommendation. Unfortunately, where I am located the availability might be a bit limited, but I will see what I can find.

@Nozinan Thanks for the suggestions. Do you have any suggestion on which Kavalan would be a 'good' choice, especially for a person on a budget?

As for ryes and bourbons, I will have to think of one or two I can get a hold of. I haven't really acquired the taste for ryes, but I do enjoy a bourbon on occasion.

I agree, no reason to restrict ourselves to a particular day to host a tasting. Whisky, friends, and some food usually makes for a good combination.

@BlueNote

Good to hear from you. Actually, come to think of it having one of these two books at the tasting would add a bit to the chatter that goes with a tasting.

@ajjarrett I have only tasted Kavalan at a whisky festival. It is very expensive in Ontario, when available (not right now). I enjoyed the Solist bourbon cask the best. The sherry was good. The Barrique wasn't bad.

World Whisk(e)y Day 2021 is tomorrow (it's always the 3rd Saturday in May)...anyone have any interesting flights in mind?

@YakLord I'm having @thewalkingdad over for a tasting on the 22nd since we couldn't get together tomorrow. But we always try to combine our "newest" bottles for each other to try, or ones that the other person hasn't tried yet. It will mostly be Scotch this round from what we've talked about so far.

My line-up for a small World Whisk(e) Day Tasting, to be undertaken late this afternoon / early evening: Canadian, Irish, Scottish, and American...most are bottles that are in need of finishing...

@YakLord Would love to a have a world whisky day tasting but seem to have nothing but Scotch! Need to expand my collection as keep reading here about these lovely Canadian drams and American bourbons. Usually got an Indian whisky around but nothing doing at the mo. Hope you have a good day. Cheers.

@Timp Sadly(?), we keep a lot of the good Canadian stuff at home...

@Timp - I'll send some bourbon and rye samples your way.

Happy World Whisk(e)y Day! After tasting all four, from left to right, my preference is Canadian Club 20 year-old, The Walking Dead Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Bushmills Black Bush, Mortlach Six Kingdoms 15 year-old.

@RianC Thanks mate that’s a very generous offer. Hope your recovery is going well. Cheers.