Bourbon Seminar in Ann Arbor, MI

[OscarV]

Here's some fun news I stumbled upon.

Filson Bourbon Academy at The Raven's Club in Ann Arbor, MI.

Conducted by the Filson Historical Society's own Mike Veach.

Friday July 12.

More info thru the link below.

http://filsonhistorical.org/event/filson-bourbon-academy-the-ravens-club-ann-arbor-mi/

[Tony]

Thanks Oscar, have already signed up and looking forward to it.

Best regards, Tony

[cowdery]

Sponsored by Diageo, by the way.

[GaryT]

They don't let you know what is on the menu for the tasting though?

[Richnimrod]

....Nor for the 'box-lunch'.?? Might be great fun, but without knowing exactly for what I'm signing up, at a cost of $125, and an investment of (basically) an entire day of my life; I think I'll pass. I may regret it, but a chance I'm willing to take.

[nd2005]

....Nor for the 'box-lunch'.?? Might be great fun, but without knowing exactly for what I'm signing up, at a cost of $125, and an investment of (basically) an entire day of my life; I think I'll pass. I may regret it, but a chance I'm willing to take.

That's kind of where I ended up.

I'm so back and forth on The Raven Club. Best bourbon selection in town, easily. Very good to excellent cocktails, depending on the bartender. Ambitious (sometimes to a fault) food menu.

But their prices on anything except bottom to middle shelf bourbons are borderline insane (they were charging like ~$50 for a one ounce pour of Barterhouse). And often nonsensical (Parker's heritage - promise of hope is more expensive than any of the older releases?). Despite their expansive range of options (as of this week they have WLW, Stagg, ER17, 2 editions of Parkers, 4R SMB2013, Hirsch 16 yr, and many other hard to find bottles I can't think of off the top of my head) - I never end up trying any of them, sticking to my usual middle tier favorites instead.

[bourbonv]

I am unaware of Diageo being a sponsor other than they a re a member of the KDA. The class is sponsored by the KDA, Louisville CVB and Bourbon Review magazine.

It is an 8 hour class of history and tasting. It seems like a long time, but Bill Thomas at Jack Rose in DC told me that he was surprised as to how quickly that time passed. You do get to taste 7 whiskeys (not all Bourbon since I use a rye and a Tennessee whisky for comparison). I cover the history from the Whiskey rebellion to the 21st century. I think it is a good time.

Mike Veach

[cowdery]

I assumed Diageo was involved because Ewan Morgan pushes them so hard. My apologies. I hope it goes well for you.

[Josh]

Cool! I'll try to sign up myself.

[Josh]

Unfortunately we have a prior commitment. Have fun kids!

[bourbonv]

Chuck,

I have reveived a lot of support from Ewan and Kyle and other of Diageo's "Masters of Whiskey", but this has been done more out of friendship and not out of a sponsorship. They have taken the class and enjoyed it very much. I also have received some support from other Brand Ambassadors from other companies as well. It is as brand neutral as I can make it, promoting Bourbon and its heritage, but not any one brand.

Mike Veach

[nd2005]

Chuck,

I have reveived a lot of support from Ewan and Kyle and other of Diageo's "Masters of Whiskey", but this has been done more out of friendship and not out of a sponsorship. They have taken the class and enjoyed it very much. I also have received some support from other Brand Ambassadors from other companies as well. It is as brand neutral as I can make it, promoting Bourbon and its heritage, but not any one brand.

Mike Veach

Mike - thanks for contributing. Do you have any information about what will be offered for the tasting portion?

[bourbonv]

I always do for the first tasting a traditional Bourbon and a wheated Bourbon. I have Old Forester Signature and Larceny for this. The second tasting is a Tennessee and a rye whiskey. Dickel No. 12 and Wild Turkey 81 proof rye are what I have on hand. The third tasting segment is single barrel and small batch Bourbons with Four Roses Single Barrel and Knob Creek. The final tasting is a blind tasting. The only thing I will say is that it is always different and not one of the products tasted earlier that day. This is always fun. I had several people in one city tell me they thought they were drinking a rye whiskey when it was Maker's Mark. At another tasting I had people say they thought it was Tennessee whiskey when it was Old Bardstown. Blind tastings very quickly make you realise how difficult it can be to pick a correct style, let alone the brand.

Mike Veach

[OscarV]

It happens in about a month, how's it going Mike?

[bourbonv]

We only have 5 people signed up so far, but it is still early. I am looking forward to coming up for this class and seeing some old friends.

Mike Veach

[Tony]

We only have 5 people signed up so far, but it is still early. I am looking forward to coming up for this class and seeing some old friends.

Mike Veach

That is surprising, I assumed it would fill up pretty quickly.

Looking forward to the seminar.

Best regards, Tony

[OscarV]

Here's some fun news I stumbled upon.

Filson Bourbon Academy at The Raven's Club in Ann Arbor, MI.

Conducted by the Filson Historical Society's own Mike Veach.

Friday July 12.

More info thru the link below.

http://filsonhistorical.org/event/filson-bourbon-academy-the-ravens-club-ann-arbor-mi/

I posted Friday July 12,....WRONG.

July 12 is a Saturday.

[Tony]

Looking forward to this event this weekend. Anybody else here going?

Best regards, Tony

[Richnimrod]

Looking forward to this event this weekend. Anybody else here going?

Best regards, Tony

[Tony]

This event has been cancelled as they did not get enough folks to sign up for it. I find that to be quite the bummer for our area. Was really looking forward to this event.

Best regards, Tony

[Josh]

Rats. I hope this doesn't hurt our chances of getting another one in the near future.

[nd2005]

Rats. I hope this doesn't hurt our chances of getting another one in the near future.

I can't see a way in which it doesn't hurt...

But I guess I'm part of the problem. I was unwilling to put down that much money based on the description of the event and what we'd be sampling.

[Josh]

It was pricey, but I would have been willing to go for it based on my respect for Mike and the positive reviews I've heard of other such events. I just already had plans.

[nd2005]

It was pricey, but I would have been willing to go for it based on my respect for Mike and the positive reviews I've heard of other such events. I just already had plans.

This may sound petty...but knowing what Raven has on their shelves, I just would have expected some more unique and/or top-shelf pours for the price.

[Josh]

Mike brings a lot of added value.