About anyone can pour whiskey and tell you what they think it tastes like. In fact, the tasting notes from some “experts” can border on the ridiculous. For example, you might read a tasting note on a whiskey suggesting “Cracked brown toffee and a big bag of doughnuts.” One might ask the question, “Does the toffee taste different if it isn’t “cracked”?” Can a whiskey really taste like a “big bag of sugared doughnuts?” Language can be fun, but the power of suggestion can be very powerful and your words describing what you taste will be very different than someone else!
Rod Clark’s approach is not about reading the script from the marketing department at the distillery. Rod’s tasting experiences are centered on helping YOU discover your own tastes and preferences, not those of his or anyone else’s. Sometimes the most fun is simply saying “I like this better than that one!” and with Rod Clark’s Whiskey Experience you can taste, enjoy, and discover without wondering whether your “tasting expert” is being paid by someone else to push a brand. Your tasting experience will be centered on YOU.
Rod offers a host of tasting experiences. You can be assured that your event will be tailor made to the interests of the host and that of your guests be it a short sampling of new whiskies on the market or more extended events paired with food, snacks, or other fully catered events.
Discover the history of Whisky and its great whisky traditions. Learn to appreciate the various styles of American, Irish, Scotch and Canadian whiskies and decide on your favorites. You will discover what makes each style unique and may find you like some styles you have never tried! This tasting includes entertaining information about how whiskey is made, its history, and the ingredients that make it unique from other distilled spirits. A great place to start if you are just learning about whiskey!
Whisky starts with grain and the kind of grain makes all the difference! You will discover the unique tastes of whiskey as we explore the unique flavors of corn, rye, wheat, single malt barley, quinoa, sorghum whiskies one grain at a time. They are all unique and delicious. This tasting includes entertaining information about how whiskey is made, its history, and the ingredients that make it unique from other distilled spirits. Discover your favorite!
All scotch comes from Scotland, but you will discover that regional styles vary from sweet/honeyed, heavily smoked (peated), light and flowery, and great all-rounders. If you think you don’t like scotch, you just haven’t found the scotch you like yet! We will discover the traditional scotch regions of Speyside, Highland, Lowland, Islay, Campbelltown/Island malts. We will discover Scottish history and culture as we taste our way through magical Scotland!
Discover whiskey’s origins in a tasting that takes us through the Emerald Isle! Put your green on and enjoy the unique style and flavors of one of the hottest styles of whiskey. Come to appreciate the romance and history of Irish whiskey making while we explore whiskey’s early origins.
Bourbon. Nothing congers up American drinking enthusiasts quite like bourbon. History, passion, rivalry, and an explosion of experimentation and styles has made bourbon the hottest world-wide spirit. What makes bourbon, bourbon? We will discuss definitions and laws regarding bourbon, how it is made, and where it is made while we taste bourbons of varying styles, location, and age. You will be challenged to discover new favorites and find whiskey that will match your interest – be it cocktails, cigars, or just sipping neat!