Macallan Summer Style Lounge: A Moment of Indulgence

Date: May 3, 2012
Location: Dream Hotel, NYC
Presidential Penthouse

It was a beautiful, warm, and sunny day in Manhattan when I arrived at the Style Lounge hosted by Macallan. Upon entry I was greeted with chocolate covered bacon bits and the 25 y.o. dram.

Great start I say, but then I noticed some creative ties designed by Mr. Duncan Quinn, the designer of the new Macallan tie collection. A smart and perfect purchase for that whisky loving father!

Next up was the shoe shine service that made my pythons revive back to life! (That's not me in the pix)

In the next room was the golfing experience to perfect your swing. I must admit that I did horrible and I am no way close to Tiger....maybe kitty cat. Any who, the 18 y.o. made me feel a lot better after that embarrassing moment.

Upstairs was the outdoor BBQ to catch some rays and relax with the 12 y.o. poured over the perfected "Macallan Ice Ball". (See initial photo at top)

What a great way to kick off the summer and celebrate the men in our lives for Father's Day. So don't hesistate to get that special dad a bottle of whisky, golfing lessons/package, a proper shoe shine, an exquisite tie, and/or a relaxing day with friends and family with a BBQ.

THANK YOU MACALLAN and HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!!!


SLAANDJIVAA,
Carmen

Photo Credit: mbooth.com

Operetta and the Manhattan Cocktail Classic Part 2

Hiya,


Now that I have my weekend planned out for the Manhattan Cocktail Classic (MCC), I need to let all of you whisky lovers know about a really awesome event on Monday from BOWMORE single malt whisky.

Bowmore has a new campaign called, "Magic Happens on the Darkest Nights". This campaign is supporting the growth of the Bowmore 15 year old "Darkest".

On Monday in conjunction with the MCC, the Darkest Night: Bowmore's Evening at the McKittrick Hotel with a performance of Sleep No More by PunchDrunk will be performed.

Here is the link for the tickets.

Also, you will be able to imbibe on great Bowmore cocktails from Fred Sarkis (Sable Kitchen-Chicago)
and you will be able to have an amazing punch by the legendary spirits historian, Mr. David Wondrich!!!!

If that's not enough, it will be food pairings along with chocolates and a fantastic raw oyster bar.

Slainte,
Carmen


Photo Credit:
Single Malt Whisky Shop 

Operetta and the Manhattan Cocktail Classic Pt.1

Hiya,

It's that time of year again when the cocktail world descend on NYC's door steps. Yes, it is the MANHATTAN COCKTAIL CLASSIC (MCC). Yours truly will be getting involved in a few events and attending a handful too!

1st up is tonight at the Prince George ballroom for the Speed Rack NYC finals. I'll be serving some tasty Pink Pigeon rum punch for all of the attendees.

Between all of the festivities you can see me all weekend long coming in and out of the Industry Invitational Happy Hour for the MCC. I will be imbibing on fantastic cocktails presented by the amazing CHARLOTTE VOISEY, which she is showcasing the past, present, and future of cocktails for the lucky. Thank you Small Screen Network for helping to put this event together.

Also, it's the one and only GALA tomorrow at the NY Public Library on 42nd and fifth avenue. I have attended each one, but unfortunately this year I am out of luck. I will have to hear all about it the following day. Congrats If you have a ticket, because those sold out quickly!!

2nd, I'll head down to Brooklyn to the Dick and Jane's Bar to learn from the host, Charlotte Voisey.

She will explain some of the details that goes into the drink and deconstructs the cocktail experience looking for special touches along the way. I highly recommend you to get your ticket now for this, because it's only a few left! Order tickets here and I'll see you at 1pm with a glass in hand and some delicious Hors D’oeuvres in the other!

3rd, you can visit me at the Andaz hotel on Sunday presenting the GLENROTHES. I'll be pouring the 1978, 1988, 1995, and the Select Reserve along with the Anchor Distilling team. 

Afterwards, I will consume some great Japanese BBQ for the SUNTORY whisky Cocktails and BBQ event at The Summit Bar. Here is the ticket info. 

I think that will do it for my weekend! It is massive amounts of  other events, therefore you can look forward to my MCC Part 2 by Sunday for my Monday and Tuesday event plans. Plus the MCC wrap up that following week, in order to find out why the Manhattan Cocktail Classic is not to be missed!

Cheers,

Carmen Operetta

Photo Credits: 

Glenrothes "Highland Fling" cocktail: Danielle Katz at Exposure.net

Charlotte Voisey: artintheage.com  

Concannon Irish-American Whisky

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I thought I would like to share an Irish American whisky you might want to imbibe on this particular day.

Concannon whisky is available ONLY in the USA and it is the first Irish distillery to distill a blend of malted barley and corn then matured in bourbon barrels for about 4 years.

The Petite Sirah barrels are then transported from the Livermore Valley vineyards (California) to the Cooley distillery in Ireland. A portion of the whisky is finished for about 4 months in those beautiful barrels.

So what does it taste like? I think it is a great mixing whisky for cocktails, such as the Tipperary Cocktail.

3/4 oz Concannon

3/4 oz Green Chartreuse

3/4 oz Sweet Vermouth

Shake all ingredients well with ice and pour into a coupe.

I choose this cocktail to pay homage to the location where my clan originated in Ireland. My blended background is diverse and being part Irish and from the Carroll Clan is a great honor!

If you like to try it neat or as I prefer with ice, here is what you might pick up from the dram.

Color: Dark Honey

Nose: Lemon, honey, oak, sour grapes, and black pepper

Palate: Caramel, Brown Sugar, Vanilla, orange perserves

Finish: Medium fade with slight undertones of pepper

Enjoy today and please drink responsible.

Slainte,

Carmen

Photo Credit: Erin O'Leary, Drink PR

Back on the Blog!

Feb. 10,2012

Here here to the return of my writings about whisky! The last entry was about 6 months ago and during that gap I was contemplating about how I should structure this blog as the new transitions in my career was developing.

I am in the making of creating a book about my experiences in Scotland and NYC. It will explain how I went from stumbling into the industry and then making my passion for whisky my life long mission to educate everyone possible on the spirit.

With that being said, I have decided to simply write about anything interesting pertaining to whisky and any affiliation pertinent to the category.

Currently, I have returned to Bonnie Scotland for my 2nd leg of my private and independent whisky distillation/cultural research tour.

I am learning so much and I am so excited to share my knowledge upon my return to NYC next month. So please visit my blog page regularly for all of the exciting launches, events, competitions, and everything WHISKY!!

Slainte,

Carmen

Photo Credits: wickedvintagetees.com

May 19th: Islay Bound pt.2

There was that blue virtuous Bruichladdich van! I saw the distillery manager waving his hand with a gentle smile. I had introduced myself to Allen (mng), and then he took me took to the Bruichladdich Academy house.

This is the accommodations for my stay, while I am in Islay researching whisky all over Islay and the surrounding islands.

Allen gave me a tour of the lovely home and showed me to my room. When he left I was in such a state of felicity! I felt that my dreams has come true with all that Jim McEwan and the Bruichladdich team has blessed me with for my research work!

The house was beautiful, peaceful, and right next door to the distillery grounds! It has a live fire place, large kitchen, sun room, 2 living rooms, large dining room, back yard with a picnic table, and surrounded by lush vegetation and hills!

It was so peaceful, all you could hear was the water from the nearby stream.

Next, I got settled in my room and then noticed two guys in a camper standing outside in the parking area. I had noticed them earlier when I arrived to the house, because they pulled up at the same time and spoke to Allen briefly about some business.

The gents seemed like they was on a normal curve, therefore I waved over at them gesturing to come over to the house.

Then it all started..... I met the most AWESOME Belgium gentlemen, Mr. Olav Verhoeven and Mr. Dersou De Moor. The gentlemen was in Islay to promote Olav's DVD/Blue Ray series, WHISKY: ISLAY EDITION: http://www.whiskyseries.com/. I will go into detail about this movie on a solo blog post, along with my 2011 NYC Whisky LIVE coverage.

In the meanwhile, you can check out the trailers on the website. It's probably the best depiction of Islay available. The romance between whisky and the creator of this documentary shines through like a love sick woman waiting for her man to come back to her after a long departure from home.

Any who, we basically had a great evening together drinking drams and telling stories about each other and what we hope/expect this week at the Feis Ile.

At a certain point, it was time to retire. I went to my room to slumber, but a re-occurring dream set in and this time I saw just flashes of that young girl. It was no sound. I felt no distinctive emotions, but just flashes of innocence, happiness, and I felt a warm sensation all over my skin. Suddenly, I was fast asleep recharging my body for my first official full day on Islay.

Pleasant Dreams,

Carmen Operetta

May 19th: Islay bound!! Pt.1

I finally pulled myself out from bed in time to spatter my items into 1 suit case to take over to Islay. I had to leave my other belongings with Cara, because I couldn't bare to take anymore along with me and the lock up pricing in Glasgow was a bit too pricey for my UK budget.

As we dashed into the street, I bet It was the most manic feverishness behavior displayed on the Great Westeren road, as we attempted to catch a taxi to the Buchanan bus station! I had about 5 minutes left to get a ride or I would of reached the point of waiting for the next bus.

I did not want to do that, because that would of set a tone in my heart and a psychosis of dilatory. I was in a despondent state of mind after each minute that expired away!

I was telling myself that I couldn't believe I have come all this way to push it to the last minute! If I miss this bus, I would then missed the ferry, which was the last one for the night.

Disappointment was taking over my emotions until the last second I had left to my expiration point.

A taxi driver that was OFF DUTY picked me up and rapidly rushed me to the station after I told him the situation.

I will never forget him and I will always appreciate his support! Thank you Mr. Taxi man, that would of probably not had happened to me in NYC!

At the bus station, I felt a sense of cheerfulness. I gave my belongings to the driver and explained my ordeal on how I just made it there at the skin of my teeth! The driver was full of cheer with my contentment and the importance I emphasized on how I desperately needed to get to Islay.

I would not forget how rosy his cheeks became and how he softly giggled like a young school boy.

The bus ride was nice and smooth. I took a nap for the majority of the trip. I almost missed my stop, but thankfully I woke up 10 minutes before my Kennacraig destination!

The boat ride was just as comforting, as I relaxed with a large plate of mac+cheese and an Islay Ale steak pie with potatoes and veggies.

I got thirsty after all that rich cuisine, therefore I imbibed on an Islay Ale and my first dram of Kilchoman whisky. This whisky was a pleasant experience. It was lightly golden, lightly peated, and exploded with citrus. My hopes wasn't let down!

Next, I began to speak to some of the passengers and the bartender halfway through the trip. Everyone was excited to come for the Feis Ile this year, especially the individuals who came for the first time.

The last hour I took some photos/videos of the lovely hills and ocean as we approached Port Askaig.

As we grew near to the port, I raced down to pick up my suit case and waited excitedly at the exit ramp area! I wanted to be the first one off the boat and to meet the distillery manager who came to pick me up!

There was those countless days/nights of thoughts that was rushing through my heart and mind as the ferry arrived closer and closer to the port.

I felt the tears rushing towards my eye lens. The watering began and I shrugged my shoulders a bit and poked my lips out and told myself to "MAN UP"! It was my time and no more of this mushy gushy stuff for now!

I dried my eyes and then the ferry finally arrived to the ramp.

To be continued..........

Slainte,

Carmen