For the third year in a row, we’ve had the opportunity to attend The Balvenie’s Raw Craft Collection curated by Anthony Bourdain, which has been a sensory blend of my favorite single malt scotch whisky and featured hand craft artisans.
This year (and last year) the event was held at the Majestic Metro in Downtown Houston, a fitting venue in an old theatre built in 1926. Upon arrival, we enjoyed a dram of Balvenie DoubleWood 12 year while we waited for the Season 3 Episode Twelve screening of Max Hazan.
The Balvenie Brand Ambassador Jonathan Wingo led our tasting of DoubleWood 12 year, Caribbean Cask 14 year, and PortWood 21 year while we viewed Episode Twelve featuring Max Hazan’s hand crafted motorcycles (and of course Anthony Bourdain’s charming wit…I seriously would love to drink with that guy).
My favorite is the 21 year PortWood, but I would keep that one in the “special occasion” category like my favorite wine, Brunello di Montalcino. My every day go-to scotch whisky remains the more affordable 12 year DoubleWood, just as I prefer Chianti for the “every day”.
To see this and other episodes in the Raw Craft series, visit The Balvenie (here). Until next season, slàinte mhath!