The world’s most noteworthy celebration of California Pinot Noir, Pinot Days, gets going on June 27th, and if you’re a Pinot fan it’s a place you need to be.
And Drinkhacker wants to ease the financial burden of your attendance. When you purchase tickets, use the coupon code DRNKHKRSF10 and you’ll save 15% off the $60 purchase price.
The event is on from 1pm to 5pm on Sunday June 27th. Be there!
Posted in Upcoming Events, Wine
Food and wine go together like Brad and Angelina — but few wine-focused events do the combination well.
Wine Enthusiast‘s Toast of the Town event is the exception, combining exceptional and eclectic wine choices with a selection of outstanding restaurants in just the right proportions. Last year’s TotT stands as one of the top wine events I attended in 2009.
Toast of the Town 2010 is coming back to San Francisco’s War Memorial Opera House on April 22, and my mouth is already watering. Top wineries pouring include Archery Summit, Antinori, Beaulieu, Pine Ridge, Graham’s Port, and Dow’s Port. Restaurants serving small dishes include Farallon, The Girl and the Fig, Cliff House, Rose Pistola, and the inimitable House of Chicken and Waffles.
Event runs from 5pm (VIP tickets, $169) or 7pm (standard tickets, $89) to 10pm on April 22, 2010. Early bird discounts are available on both tickets if you purchase before April 1. Space is limited. The event benefits the San Francisco Food Bank.
Get tickets here, and say hi if you see me on the floor!
Posted in Upcoming Events, Wine
Hey folks — turns out there’s a third whisky show in town in addition to WhiskyFest and Whiskies of the World. The Single Malt & Scotch Whisky Extravaganza actually hits 13 cities this year, beginning with Atlanta in March and winding its way to San Francisco in November. The itinerary is a familiar one… in the words of the event planners:
Ladies and Gentlemen are cordially invited to enjoy a connoisseur’s evening featuring over 100 rare & exceptional single malt and Scotch whiskies. The evening includes a delicious dinner buffet as well as a selection of premium imported cigars for our guests’ later enjoyment. The Single Malt & Scotch Whisky Extravaganza brings the discerning enthusiast the opportunity to sample the participating whiskies in a sophisticated and elegant environment with genuine camaraderie and knowledgeable representatives from each participating distillery.
A full schedule can be found here.
Want to attend? Drinkhacker readers can get a break on the price of a ticket — your first two can be had at the “member price,” which is $15 off the cost for non-members. Just visit this page to purchase tix and use promotional code TDH2010. Remember you only get two at the discounted price, so get your thirsty friends to buy their own.
Hope to see you at the SF event!
Posted in Scotch, Upcoming Events, Whiskey
Not into whiskey? How about Zin? San Francisco’s monumental ZAP Zinfandel Tasting is a mere few weeks away, and we’ve got four tickets (two pairs of two tickets) to give to you, dear reader. A total value of $236!
This year the event will be held on January 30, 2010 at the usual Fort Mason location, where hundreds of wineries will be pouring literally thousands of wines. And we want you to join us!
We’ve got 2 pairs of tickets (retail value: $118 per pair) to give away to our loyal readers. All you have to do to win them is tell us that you want to go! Drop a line to [CONTEST COMPLETED] and provide the following information: Your name, complete mailing address, and email contact information. You must be a U.S. resident and 21 years old to win.
We’ll pick two winners at random (two tickets per winner) on January 22, 2010. Winners will be notified by email, and tickets will be held at will call at the entrance to the event. Please don’t enter if you aren’t certain you can be in San Francisco on January 30th. Travel and lodging are not included in the giveaway!
Good luck, and I hope to see you there!
The fine print: Contests and giveaways are open only to readers 21 years old and up, with a U.S. mailing address. One prize per person per giveaway. We reserve the right to cancel any giveaway at our sole discretion. We are not responsible for lost, misdirected, or late entries. Not open to employees/contributors or immediate family members of Drinkhacker employees/contributors, its affiliates, or advertising/promotion agencies and their respective parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, directors, officers, employees, and agents. This offer is void wherever prohibited or restricted by national, state, or any governmental laws. We are not responsible for late, lost, or damaged prize packages. We do not use your mailing address for any other purpose than sending prizes; addresses are not kept on file. One entry per contestant — your entry is good for the length of each giveaway. Duplicate entries will disqualify the entrant.
UPDATE: Congrats to Hector Maldonado and Gary McDonald, chosen randomly as winners for the contest!
Posted in Upcoming Events, Wine
If you like whiskey, Whiskies of the World Expo, an annual tasting event in San Francisco, is an essential night you’d be insane to miss out on. Hundreds of spirits will be on hand to sample, plus educational seminars, delicious foodstuffs, and a generally awesome night to be had by all.
This year the event will be held on March 27, 2010 at the glamorous Hotel Nikko, and Drinkhacker wants to get you there!
We’ve got 3 pairs of VIP tickets (retail value: $240 per pair) to give away to our loyal readers. All you have to do to win them is tell us that you want to go! Drop a line to contest@drinkhacker.com and provide the following information: Your name, complete mailing address, and email contact information. You must be a U.S. resident and 21 years old to win.
We’ll pick three winners at random (two tickets per winner) on March 1, 2010. Winners will be notified by email, and tickets will be mailed to you shortly thereafter. Please don’t enter if you aren’t certain you can be in San Francisco on March 27th. Travel and lodging are not included in the giveaway!
Good luck, and I hope to see you there!
The fine print: Contests and giveaways are open only to readers age 21 and up with a U.S. mailing address. One prize per person per giveaway. We reserve the right to cancel any giveaway at our sole discretion. We are not responsible for lost, misdirected, or late entries. Not open to employees/contributors or immediate family members of Drinkhacker employees/contributors, its affiliates, or advertising/promotion agencies and their respective parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, directors, officers, employees, and agents. This offer is void wherever prohibited or restricted by national, state, or any governmental laws. We are not responsible for late, lost, or damaged prize packages. We do not use your mailing address for any other purpose than sending prizes; addresses are not kept on file. One entry per contestant — your entry is good for the length of each giveaway. Duplicate entries will disqualify the entrant.
Posted in Contests, Upcoming Events, Whiskey
Booze: The gift that keeps on giving, whether you like it or not. It’s now tradition at Drinkhacker to look back at the best new spirits of the year, offering our suggestions on our favorite tipples — and the stuff that’s most likely to impress your holiday giftee should he find a neatly wrapped bottle under the tree. As always, we’ve tried to offer suggestions in a variety of price ranges, with a focus on spirits a bit out of the ordinary — as long as, no matter what the price, it’s the best stuff on the shelf.
Also check out our 2008 holiday guide.
Bourbon – Old Rip Van Winkle Family Reserve 23 Years Old (2009 Edition) – $350 – A hugely expensive and hugely delicious bourbon that will impress your giftee until he’s three sheets to the wind. More affordable choices include Evan Williams Single Barrel 2000 Edition, a complete steal at $26, or the always-good George T. Stagg limited edition bourbon; the 2009 is a real standout.
Scotch – Macallan 1824 Collection — prices vary — This collection of four different whiskys was bviously not distilled in 1824 (it’s just an homage), but your giftee doesn’t have to know that. For a real splurge: Laphroaig 25 Years Old is a rare knockout.
Absinthe – Vieux Carre – $60 - The absinthe craze is finally on the wane, and fewer new brands popped up in 2009 than last year. Vieux Carre, made in Philadelphia, is arguably the best.
Gin – Bulldog - $25 – I love everything about this gin, which is light, fresh, and inexpensive. Also check out Citadelle Reserve, which is aged and unique — any gin drinker will find it quite the departure from Tanqueray.
Vodka – Any tea-infused vodka– less than $20 – Tea-flavored vodkas are the booze trend of the year, and for good reason, they taste great! Firefly and Jeremiah Weed are both outstanding. For a good unflavored vodka pick, check out Van Gogh Blue or Vermont Gold.
Rum – Appleton Reserve — $24 – You won’t find a better rum at this price level on the market. Brugal Extra Viejo is comparable in price and quality. For Captain Morgan fans, hook them up with The Kraken and you’ll blow their mind.
Brandy – Bache-Gabrielsen Hors d’Age Cognac — $400 – Not just a killer cognac, it’s the best sub-$1,000 spirit I tried this year. I have one, sad, half-ounce drop left in the sample I received at the end of September. I can’t bring myself to finish it off.
Tequila – Casa Noble - $40 to $60 – This line of tequilas is both delicious across the board, from blanco to anejo, and the bottles are pretty enough to gift without wrapping. 901 is good for a silver. Or try mezcal: Mijes Joven is the best I tried in ’09.
Liqueur – J. Witty Chamomile Liqueur - $25 – Continuing the tea craze is this exotic and very spicy liqueur, flavored with chamomile leaves and other essences. For fans of the bitter stuff, look into Root Liqueur. I also wholeheartedly recommend just about anything from the Thatcher’s Organic line.
Need another custom gift idea? Drop me a line or leave a comment here and I’ll offer my best advice!
Ever wonder how blended Scotch whisky is made? Well tomorrow I get the opportunity to find out firsthand by blending my own. Johnnie Walker sent this awesome kit (see right, click for large version) full of single malt and grain whiskeys, and during an hour-long session we’ll be blending our own Black Label under the tutelage of the company’s master distillers.
We’re blending this afternoon. Will report back when we’re finished and let you know how my whisky turned out!
UPDATE: Wow, that was fun and informative, and getting to taste six different malt whiskys from six different parts of Scotland (plus a grain whisky), side by side, was quite eye-opening. Real Black Label is blended from about 40 different whiskys, but even working with these seven to concoct my own spirit.
The blend I eventually used looks like this:
25% grain whisky
10% Lowland malt
10% Speyside malt
20% sherry cask malt
25% Highland malt
10% island malt
I skipped adding the heavily peaty Islay malt for my blend. Results? Perfectly palatable but surprisingly light considering how much Highland and sherry cask malt made up the blend. Typical blended whiskys have more than 50% grain whisky in the mix, but frankly I could have done with none at all.
Thanks to Johnnie Walker for an extremely informative, fun, and — as you can see from the photo below — involved experience.
Posted in Scotch, Upcoming Events, Whiskey
I can’t make it to any Whisky Live events this year, but my loss is your gain. Here are some discount codes for three of the upcoming sessions. Use them in good health!
Los Angeles, Oct. 20th, Discount code for 20% is la09web219
Toronto, Oct. 23rd, Discount code for 10% is to09web119
Ft. Lauderdale, Oct. 28th, Discount code for 20% is ft09web219
Posted in Upcoming Events, Whiskey
The single best night of the year in spirits approaches — we’re just three months away from San Francisco’s WhiskyFest. I’m going, and so should you. Here’s everything you need to know to get there!
WhiskyFest San Francisco
America’s largest whisky celebration returns to San Francisco for the 3rd year with over 200 of the rarest – and most expensive – whiskies from around the globe available for tasting. Put on by Malt Advocate, the premiere magazine for the whisky enthusiast, WhiskyFest will again feature an educational focus that will let distillers not only explain how whisky is made, but also how to identify, sniff, swirl, and enjoy one of the most revered spirits in the world.
Event Details
The 3rd Annual WhiskyFest San Francisco will take place at the San Francisco Marriott on Friday, October 16, 2009 from 6:30pm – 9:30pm. Attendees will be given the opportunity to sample over 200 of the most exclusive whiskies in the world, enjoy a gourmet buffet, and learn about whiskies from master blenders and distillery managers.
The goal of WhiskyFest is to educate the public about whisky through industry leading speakers and thought-provoking seminars. A full list of speakers and seminar times will be available soon on the WhiskyFest website.
WhiskyWeek, the week leading up to WhiskyFest, will feature whisky-related events and promotions throughout the city at popular nightspots, restaurants, and bars. Details on specific venues will be available soon at WhiskyFest San Francisco.
Why
“We are looking to continue to educate consumers and connoisseurs alike about whisky. In addition, we hope to raise some funds for charity by having some extremely rare whiskies available for sampling for a small charitable donation (details on the whiskies being poured will be available in the coming weeks). We will also involve the community with dinners and tastings leading up the event and give whisky enthusiasts the chance to taste some incredibly rare whiskies and meet the makers behind the barrels. That’s exactly what will occur at WhiskyFest San Francisco on October 16, 2009.” – John Hansell, Publisher, Malt Advocate magazine
Who
WhiskyFest is brought to you by Malt Advocate magazine.
Sponsors
WhiskyFest is sponsored by the Wall Street Journal.
Tickets
Regular Admission: $105 (includes Scottish crystal tasting glass, 1-year subscription to Malt Advocate magazine, event program with tasting notes section, all seminars, gourmet buffet and beverages throughout the evening)
VIP Admission: $150 (includes all of the above plus one hour early admission with limited ticketing, special VIP hour only whiskies, and canvas tote bag).
For more information on ticket sales or event information, visit www.WhiskyFest.com
Posted in Upcoming Events, Whiskey
I have no idea if these “cinco fun facts” about Cinco de Mayo are 100% accurate — Herradura sent them along — but they’re fun to read while you’re sipping tequila, Pacifico, or whatever else floats your boat on this fine drinking day.
1. Cinco de Mayo commemorates the 1862 Battle of Puebla where Mexico defeated French troops that outnumbered them almost two-to-one – after only two hours of fighting! The holiday has been celebrated in California since 1863, as a symbol of solidarity in response to the French occupation of Mexico from 1863-1867.
2. Cinco de Mayo is the largest tequila consumption day in the U.S. In fact, Americans can’t get enough of Mexico’s native spirit. Since 2002, U.S. imports of tequila have grown 48% – an average rate of 6.7% per year. In 2008 alone, more than 10.6 million 9-liter cases were sold. Tequila volume continues to grow despite the current recession.
3. Cinco de Mayo is so popular in Texas, that the State Legislation only allows the sale of fireworks on New Year’s Eve, 4th of July, Texas’ Independence Day in June, and, in some border areas, for the Cinco de Mayo celebrations.
4. The spirit of Cinco de Mayo can be seen across U.S. pop culture; in fact, War released a music hit from its 1982 Outlaw album titled “Cinco de Mayo” and in 1998, the U.S. Postal Service released a postage stamp to commemorate the holiday.
5. During the French occupation, Mexico’s cuisine absorbed French culinary tradition leading to the creation of many delicacies still popular today. Some examples are the chiles en nogada (stuffed chilies in a walnut sauce), conejo en mostaza (rabbit in mustard sauce) and volovanes (puffy pastries based on the French vol-au-vent).
Posted in Beer, Tequila, Upcoming Events
