by Jay Erisman, EQ Wine & Spirits Manager

The great Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, changed their name in 1999 from the George T. Stagg Distillery to Buffalo Trace. But in fact, for much of the 20th century they were popularly called the Ancient Age Distillery, due to their flagship brand. Ancient Age Bourbon is one of those old-school Bourbons that your grandfather drank, but it has always been excellent whiskey. The top of the line is Ancient Ancient Age, or “Triple-A” for short. It’s bottled at 10 years and 86 proof, and is not sold outside Kentucky. It’s long been a favorite of mine and many Bourbon lovers–writer Jim Murray is one noted adherent–but now there is possibly the best triple-A yet, available only at The Party Source. That would be our latest Private Barrel, the first ever Ancient Ancient Age single barrel bottling.

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By Jay Erisman, EQ Wine and Spirits Manager

By now the craft beer revolution in America is complete, as microbreweries and brewpubs have changed the way we think of beer. Now a similar movement is trickling along in distilled spirits. American craft distillers are producing a huge range of spirits, from maple syrup vodkas to tea liqueurs to wild whiskeys and brandies of every stripe. These small stills are truly “micro,” little start-up operations working out of barns and sheds, basements and old airplane hangars.

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By Jay Erisman, EQ Wine and Spirits Manager

Well, our Manhattan seminar has come and gone. Our EQ students had a terrific time tasting not only five varieties of Manhattan, but all the different components in this classic cocktail. We had (small thimbleful) tastes of three whiskeys, three vermouths, a bunch of bitters—basically, we did the Manhattan to death. We finished with an all-new Manhattan recipe—plus I shared with the students the secret of making excellent cocktails in bulk quantities. Party Read on…

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By Jay Erisman, EQ Wine and Spirits Manager

Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day, we’ve taken delivery of some new usige beatha* from Éire. These choice new whiskeys rate among the best from the original whiskey island, but I also want to hip you to some of my favorite value Irish drams, and a couple of all-time classics.

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Class Type: Tasting
Instructor: Jay Erisman
$20.00

So many Glens to choose from in Scotland—Glenlivet, Glen Grant, Glenlossie. You could drink ‘til forever and never run out of Glens. While Scotland’s Glens are scattered all over the country, in tonight’s tasting, you’ll be able to taste a variety of single malts from different regions without having to leave the country. And they all come from a Glen Get beyond Glenfiddich!