by Shane Campbell » Mon Dec 05, 2011 2:26 pm
What a blast! Stephen D is a rock star! He put on a tasting extravaganza for about fifteen of us at Majid's on Sunday. Here's what happened.
My two best drinking buddies and I crossed that big old river early to make sure we'd have no problem getting to the event. We arrived a Majid's at 1:30 and entered the lounge. Jason stated; somewhat puzzled that the sign over the door did not say PT's Showclub. No, it doesn't, I agreed. Stephen and his assistant for the event, Joey were well into setting up when we arrived.
We were early to the bar so we knew just what to do. We took comfortable seats on couches and ordered beers. I quickly noticed a row of whiskies on the bar and sprang up to take a look. I got there at the same time as another couple who were in the bar for brunch. They too had noticed the impressive lineup. The petite brunette asked “What is this all for?” “We're calling it the Whiskey Roulette,” I said, and briefly explained what was going on. Then she asked “Why is there no Four Roses?” “Oh,” I said. “No pedestrian stuff is allowed here.” They clearly didn't get that I was just being flip and said “What do you mean by that?” Oops. “I was only kidding,” I said. There are way too many great bourbons to include them all, and this isn't a bourbon tasting but rather a whiskey tasting.
Only slightly mollified the man said “Are you a bourbon drinker?” “Yes I am.” “How do you drink your bourbon?” he asked. I said, “Neat with a couple of ice chips usually.” He seemed to approve of that and walked away without saying anything more. The brunette said, “Sorry. He's a sales rep for Four Roses.” Of course he is, I thought. Me and my big mouth.
The man walked back and said, “let me buy you a shot of the Four Roses single barrel.” I thought, oh great he has to prove to me that his whiskey should be in the tasting. I said, “Look I was only kidding about the pedestrian thing and I've had Four Roses before. I turned to where Chris was sitting and said, “Hey Chris, which Four Roses do you have?” He said “the small batch.” I turned back to the man thanking him and declined the drink saying that I would be sampling plenty of whiskey later. What are the odds?
People began to arrive as we were halfway through our second beer. First Holly, then DebH and Brian. I resisted the urge to greet Deb as “KitchGirl,” as I didn't want a punch in the mouth from Brian. Robin and Mary were next. I tried not to fawn too much over Robin. He is a foodie icon, so to speak, and has become my foodie hero; ever since that bastard Bourdain got the restraining order that is. Also, I noticed that Mary kept her hand in her purse the whole time I was near. I suspect her hand was on one of those short metal batons so handy to beat off would be hangers-on. Antonia and Tim were next. Here is where that disconnect between on-line personas and real life persons can give you a jolt.
I admire Antonia's posts and her avatar of a charming Victorian house insists to me that she lives in such a place surrounded by antiques with the smell of lemony furniture polish in the air. Her posts also suggest to me that she is world-wise, does not suffer fools, and is probably about fifty. I was shocked to the point that I'm quite sure I stammered when I asked her to confirm that I had heard correctly; that this slender and quite beautiful young woman was in fact Antonia. I know I said something foolish at that point (wincing inwardly) about how much I enjoyed her posts. This was surreal. Oh, and her husband,Tim, was there as well. I mention him only because he had the temerity to sit between me and the lovely Antonia. Just kidding! He did sit next to me and he was excellent company. He is a teacher at a prestigious school and is very well traveled and wise himself. I suspect he sat next to me to ensure Antonia did not have to suffer a fool.
I met Gayle, who was delightfully friendly, and even came over to where I was sitting later which I appreciated greatly. I suspect Gayle is the type of person who quite naturally facilitates social gatherings with her grace and self confidence. She will ease that uncomfortable moment effortlessly with the perfect comment that gets the rest of us back on track.
Brad was there and I'm really disappointed that I did not get to speak with him except to say hello. He did not bring his (bourbon loving wife) but was accompanied by an older gentleman who may have been his father. Brad, when I think of you now I'll forever think of you as the guy with the wife who “loves to drink bourbon” (which is really cool btw). I hope to get to meet you both properly sometime.
So, I met them as they came in. It was great fun to finally put faces to names. We had already taken our seats when my (everyones) favorite Hotbyter finally arrived. JackieR strolled in, just a bit late, and I was relieved to finally get to meet her. I rushed from my seat yelling her name and wrapped her up in a big hug before she could get away. She smiled and looked a bit dazed as I released her. She more or less fled towards a seat next to Gayle and Mary, who I'm pretty sure was getting that baton out of her purse. I returned to my seat and we began.
Stephen laid out a dizzying array of small items including mint leaves, vanilla strips, candied walnuts, bacon crumbles, lemon drops, orange and lemon slices, ginger, and a few other items I don't recall. Majid himself came around with trays of appetizers. We had large serving spoons upon which Stephen placed drops of scented oils. We had tall wine glasses which also held scented liquids. Finally, a mushroom (soup?) topped with soy foam that everyone agreed was the bomb! I wasn't the only one slurping it right from the bowl.
Stephen and Joey started each round with three filled whiskey glasses. When I say filled, I mean about a finger's worth of whiskey diluted with water. He would describe each whiskey in detail including originating location, distiller, and processes by which it was produced. For most, he had an interesting story that involved someone connected to that spirit. I listened carefully to all this and was astonished when he said that he took a full glass of whiskey with his breakfast cereal each morning (bravo Stephen!) He also talked about spirits in general and gave us a useful primer on some of the common terms we often hear, but don't always understand. I'd thought that Whiskey and bondage was something else entirely. Slightly disappointing that.
Stephen began the first round by demonstrating the most accepted method for taking in the bouquet and how to drink the whiskey to best take in its complex flavors and characteristics. Rim to the top of the nose and chew it a bit. Who knew that pinching the nose and throwing it back like you were swallowing a raw oyster was not the best method for evaluating expensive whiskey? Later Stephen told me that my method was acceptable if I'd actually dropped a raw oyster in my whiskey. Who hasn't?
I have to admit, that at first I was a little dubious at the whole watering down of the whiskey process. As we went on, however, I realized that these whiskeys were tasting more complex this way. While I was missing that most favorite characteristic that for me defines good whiskey; namely that delicious initial burn and lingering warm glow, I was by golly able to discern some of those flavor notes that Stephen was pointing out. Again, who knew? Stephen, obviously.
As each whiskey was sampled, we were encouraged to have a bit of any of the other food stuffs that were on the trays scattered in front of us. Sometimes Stephen would suggest one; other times someone else in the room would as well. When one was especially well paired, Stephen would point out aspects of that whiskey that lent it to that particular pairing. All in all, this was fascinating. Bacon by the way goes with them all. Who knew? Everyone
We had finished our last whiskey, which was I believe, a craft offering from Washington state when I got a text from my wife. I had arranged for her to swoop in and collect my friends and I at the end of this event. I had assumed that, after tasting ten whiskeys, I would be in no shape to drive. To my surprise, I realized that while I had been happily sitting at a bar and drinking whiskey for over two hours, I was not even slightly “insert your own favorite term for inebriated here) winded. My friend Chris suggested that I slurrrrrrr my text back to her. He's always very helpful with the suggestions. I called, so she could hear that I was not slurrringing, and told her we would be fine to drive home. We wrapped up by visiting with each other. Majid came around and thanked us for coming.
On the contrary, thank you Majid for having us to your beautiful restaurant and making us feel like cared for friends. Majids' is a lovely restaurant and the staff are terrific. Majid is Iranian and some of his menu items are based on historic Persian fare. I will return soon for the rack of lamb.
Stephen was the consummate professional and a delightful entertainer on Sunday afternoon. He provided us with an event that was satisfying on multiple levels. I think an event such as conceived by Stephen could be held regularly and, if properly advertised, would consistently draw crowds who want to learn about spirits, experience delightful taste combinations, and be entertained while doing it. I could see this type of tasting being implemented by major distillers to better showcase their stable of offerings. I also think it is applicable for other beverages with complex tastes such as craft beer and yes, even wine (Kool-Aid). Where were you Heather? To carry it a bit further, this event could then transition into a dinner for the attendees who cared to indulge further, allowing them to select from a full menu including their new favorite drinks from the Roulette.
Thank you StephenD for having us to your house on Sunday and making the Whiskey Roulette into a truly noteworthy event!
Post Script:
As we were driving home through the rain my friends, Chris and Jason were quite lavish in their praise for the event (after we got past the accusations of false pretenses). They quite enjoyed themselves it seemed; I was relieved. They were especially appreciative of the striking bar vixen who appeared near the end to set up for the regular service. It seems she was quite active just in front of those two and the very tight low cut top she was mostly wearing provided them with a visual encore to the experience that the rest of us missed. Stephen, perhaps even this perfect event could be improved upon?
Cheers all!
Last edited by Shane Campbell on Mon Dec 05, 2011 5:45 pm, edited 1 time in total.
I'm a bitter drinker....I just prefer it that way
