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