Clueless "Bourbon Class"

[youngmc]

Just wanted to share an experience I had last night when I dragged my wife to a "bourbon class"/tasting at the local Total Wine. I'm not sure quite what I expected. I certainly didn't expect to taste any outstanding or limited edition bourbons, but about half of the 10 selections were complete swill.

The thing that really bothered me was the guy was completely clueless about bourbon. I would estimate that about 2/3 of what he was saying was completely false. You'd think he would have spent a little time at least learning the definition of bourbon and the basics. It's not that hard to find. There were comments such as "bourbon is aged in all kinds of different barrels like cedar, maple, etc." "This Maker's Mark tastes so smooth because it is the only one up here aged in new American oak barrels". "Woodford Reserve is aged in copper pots". That's just the tip of the iceburg. While we were tasting this swill called Hayes Parker, he said something like "If you like this, you'll really like the spice flavored version. It's great."

I don't know if he was misinformed or just making stuff up as he went along.

Anyway. Sorry for the rant. It just really bothers me that most of the people there are going to walk away believing whatever this guy was saying. It seems like a diservice to the industry.

[squire]

I vote for making stuff up, he couldn't be that wrong from misunderstanding alone.

[Tony Santana]

It would be very hard for me to bite my tongue in that situation.

[t44tq]

Just wanted to share an experience I had last night when I dragged my wife to a "bourbon class"/tasting at the local Total Wine. I'm not sure quite what I expected. I certainly didn't expect to taste any outstanding or limited edition bourbons, but about half of the 10 selections were complete swill.

The thing that really bothered me was the guy was completely clueless about bourbon. I would estimate that about 2/3 of what he was saying was completely false. You'd think he would have spent a little time at least learning the definition of bourbon and the basics. It's not that hard to find. There were comments such as "bourbon is aged in all kinds of different barrels like cedar, maple, etc." "This Maker's Mark tastes so smooth because it is the only one up here aged in new American oak barrels". "Woodford Reserve is aged in copper pots". That's just the tip of the iceburg. While we were tasting this swill called Hayes Parker, he said something like "If you like this, you'll really like the spice flavored version. It's great."

I don't know if he was misinformed or just making stuff up as he went along.

Anyway. Sorry for the rant. It just really bothers me that most of the people there are going to walk away believing whatever this guy was saying. It seems like a diservice to the industry.

There's no way that I would just sit there and be silent if it was that wrong- I'd either say something right away or call a manager over and explain the situation. That's terrible. I'm sure the bourbon companies would like to know that their products are aged in cedar and in copper pots! :-)

[squire]

I'm waiting for a whisky aged in cherry wood from the tree George Washington chopped down.

[Chris m]

I take it you guys haven't heard of Woodford Double Coppered?

[flahute]

Total Wine is flush with that Hayes Parker crap and they are always pushing it or one of the other NDP's when I'm in there. Every time I have a conversation with one of their employees in the aisle it becomes clear after about 15 seconds (seriously) that I know their products far better than they do.

[squire]

Perhaps product knowledge is a detriment when what you really need is a happy, chatty, personable clerk who can quickly guide the customer to a sale.

[flahute]

From a big box retailer's perspective, that makes perfect sense squire.

[Richnimrod]

I'm waiting for a whisky aged in cherry wood from the tree George Washington chopped down.

Now, THAT is a historical convergence of great import. I'm amazed some enterprising 'crafter' or NDP hasn't thought of it... or maybe nobody has had the balls to to release it .....so far.

[youngmc]

There's no way that I would just sit there and be silent if it was that wrong- I'd either say something right away or call a manager over and explain the situation. That's terrible. I'm sure the bourbon companies would like to know that their products are aged in cedar and in copper pots! :-)

I think the double whammy reasons of not wanting to embarrass my wife and the shear quantity of corrections needed were why I didn't say much.

[GaryT]

I think I would have struggled to not correct some of the worst flaws, although then you risk the person becoming MORE confident in what they're saying. Best you could do is secretly write down www.straightbourbon.com on cocktail napkins and pass out to folks. "The secret lies within . . . oh, and it ain't really a secret"

[Flyfish]

I've been repeatedly disappointed by Total Wine (and yet hope springs eternal). They seem to have only two kinds of bourbon: The stuff I don't want and really good stuff on sale at really good prices--but it is out of stock.

[dcbt]

You can't beat Total Wine's prices on staples. I'm fortunate in that I've never once been bothered by a sales associate. Frankly I've never even seen one in the bourbon aisle. Easy in and out for staples and good beer selections.

[GAbiker]

Your host sounds truly uninformed. Given my personality, I would have to speak up in the face of such egregious ignorance. He may just be an ordinary guy, albeit clueless, who was saddled with the role by the liquor store, so he awkwardly muddled through it. The way you portray him though, he actually seemed proud of his knowledge and would consider himself an "insider". Clearly, Total Wine should never have assigned him to the task. The fault lies primarily with them.

At my liquor store, the level of expertise varies. There is usually someone on hand who knows what they are talking about. The college kids who cashier and stock shelves could use some more training regarding their employment. One in particular educated me on the fact that bourbon has to be made in Kentucky. Because it is such a common misconception, I let it slide. If he had only looked over his shoulder at all of the exceptions, he would have hastily corrected himself.

[tanstaafl2]

You might want to share your knowledge with your website staff and let them know that Jack Daniels is NOT a bourbon and has never claimed to be.

Just sayin

[weller_tex]

Total Wine is flush with that Hayes Parker crap and they are always pushing it or one of the other NDP's when I'm in there. Every time I have a conversation with one of their employees in the aisle it becomes clear after about 15 seconds (seriously) that I know their products far better than they do.

That is why I started looking for places other than Spec's..same thing there.

[CaskStrength77]

Hope you didn't pay (too much) for the class!

[Josh]

Given the cranky mood I've been in recently, I probably would have ripped into the poor ignorant git. That's why I don't usually go to things like that or discussions about history or any other topic I know a bit about. Not worth the aggravation. SB is all the bourbon class anybody needs!