January Tasting Notes

Again gentleman, great event last month. Remember to use the poll on the right hand side to let us know what date works best for you. Only two hours left, so if you don't make it in time leave it as a comment. If you are getting this in an auto-email then you need to click on the blue title to take you to the web version were you can vote. The poll will close at the end of the month, so make sure you let us know what works best for you.

Use the link to see the tasting notes from the last event. We hosted six different bourbons that included Jack Daniels, Jim Beam Black, Jameson Irish Whiskey, Templeton Rye, Whipper Snapper, and Booker's. Click here for the tasting notes.

More photos from Sole Patch Tasting.

Guys, don't forget to vote for the next bourbon club event in February. If your interested in hosting or have a cool venue in mind just send us an email or call us on our cellular telephones.

Great First Event, Gentlemen.

It was great to see everyone on Saturday night and enjoy some great bourbon. The evening really got me excited for the next event. If you couldn't make it, you missed a good time!

We have come up with two possible dates for our next gentlemen-only event: February 16 (this is a Saturday and it would be a later event) and  February 21 (this is a Thursday and would be more like happy hour times). Each month we are going to try and offer a weekend date, as well as, a weeknight date to allow for some variety for all of the different schedules.

If you look to the right, you will see a poll where you can vote on which date would work best for you. The poll will close on January 31 in the evening, so make sure that you vote by then. Once we have decided on a date, you will have until the week before to RSVP (pay your dues for the month). That way, we will have an idea on how many guys will be there and how much food and drink to get.

As always if you have any questions, comments, or concerns please leave a comment below, and Joe or I will get back to you. If you are on Twitter you can follow @GreaterKCBC to receive information.

Bourbon Education Series: Volume 1

Be an expert: The 7 secrets of bourbon tasting

 

Here are some finer points of bourbon tasting, as explained by Jerry Dalton, a former Marine reservist and current master distiller for Jim Beam.

 

1. LOOK IT OVER — Pour yourself a drink and take some time to study the color. A darker color tends to mean longer storage time, higher proof or some combination of the two, Dalton said.

2. GIVE IT A TWIRL — Get a firm grip on the glass and swish the bourbon around, a move called aerating. “Bourbon whiskey is robust stuff,” Dalton said. “You’re not going to hurt it.” What you will do is allow the drink to breathe a bit, which makes for a better tasting experience.

3. TAKE A DEEP BREATH — Part your lips, place your nose deep into the glass, and give the brew a sniff. By opening your mouth slightly while inhaling, you can avoid being overpowered by the alcohol, Dalton said. The smell gives a preview to the taste.

4. TAKE A DRINK — To get a complete flavor profile, take a large sip from the glass and work it around to coat the inside of your mouth, a “Kentucky chew,” Dalton said. This allows the mix to hit different parts of the tongue, from the sweet-sensing tip to the sour-sensing sides.

5. OK, NOW SWALLOW — Pay careful attention to the flavors as the brew slides down your throat. Be on the lookout for an exceptional “finish,” a test of how long those flavors linger. For quality bourbon, the taste should hang around for 15 or 20 seconds.

6. WATER IT DOWN — Imagine the flavor of undiluted bourbon as a closed fist. Adding in a dose of water to your mix will help you customize the flavor, Dalton said, like opening the fingers of the hand. That means more intense flavors than drinking the mix uncut.

7. ON THE ROCKS — Try pouring the bourbon over ice. “The first drink is almost neat,” or undiluted, Dalton said. As you slowly sip the beverage, the ice begins to melt, a move akin to slowly adding water. This gentle movement allows the drinker to slowly experience a full range of the bourbon’s flavor.

The folks at Jim Beam also recommend opening and serving bourbon at room temperature, unchilled, in tulip-shaped wine glasses or snifters, the traditional method for tasting bourbon.

Open House - January 19th: Info & Directions - Sole Patch Barbershop

Gentlemen,

If you were fortunate enough to receive an invitation to our open house on the 19th you may need some directions to Sole Patch Barbershop.  Many thanks to Ron Mayer, owner of Sole Patch Barbershop, for allowing our first event to be held in his rockin barbershop/guitar lounge.

Sole Patch is located in the Corinth Square Mall near the intersection of 83rd Street and Mission Road in Prairie Village, Kansas; directly across the parking lot from Hen House Market with a lighted sign so you can't miss it.

Below we have included the link to Sole Patch's website and google map directions if you're viewing from your PC.    

Really looking forward to seeing everyone and don't hesitate to call Max or myself if you have trouble finding it.  If you are planning to go solo or do not have a sober driver we will be happy to help with arrangements to get you home safely after the event.

www.solepatchbarbers.com
8235 Corinth Mall
Prairie Village, Kansas 66208

Google Map of Sole Patch Barbershop

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Coming from the North:

Take I-35 or I-635 south to 69 Hwy/Metcalf Avenue and go south to 83rd Street

Turn left onto 83rd Street and then take your first left after Somerset Drive

between Arby's and Bank of America into Corinth Square Mall

(park in the Hen House parking lot)

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Coming from the South:

Take I-435 to Metcalf Avenue and go north to 83rd Street

Turn right onto 83rd Street and then take your first left after Somerset Drive

between Arby's and Bank of America into Corinth Square Mall.

(park in the Hen House parking lot)

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Coming from the East:
Take I-435 to State Line Road and go north to 83rd Street
Turn left onto 83rd Street and then take your first right between
Arby's and Bank of America into Corinth Square Mall
(park in the Hen House parking lot)

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Coming from the West:

Take I-435 to Metcalf Avenue and go north to 83rd Street
Turn right onto 83rd Street and then take your first left after Somerset Drive
between Arby's and Bank of America into Corinth Square Mall

(park in the Hen House parking lot)