During my previous attendance at the Whiskey in the Winter (WinW) event I came across a booth run by the Missouri Whiskey Society. I talked with the rep at the table and took down the website information and later decided to join. They had promised trips to Kentucky Bourbon land so that was enough to get me interested. It was $30 for a “lifetime” membership. In course I received a wooden coin that was to be the membership ID and going to the Gamlin Whiskey House in the Central West End (CWE) of St Louis the coin would entitle me to drink specials and special tastings.
I decided to go the monthly meeting in January. I really wanted to try the restaurant as well so I needed to get there a bit early in the evening and this meant a quick trip home from work and patting the kitty on the head and then dressing with a quick spritz of Obsession to take off the factory smell. The traffic was light but the area of the CWE is very busy with diners and parking is not easy. Sorry but I don’t do valet parking especially since the valet companies can treat your car with disdain with no recompense I sought out my own parking. I found a city garage a block away and though it cost me 3 bucks I thought it a better choice.
I entered the establishment and right away goofed up. The bar was slammed with people and I didn’t see a space so I headed in the direction of the dining area and whoops the check in area was behind me so a kind waiter took care of checking me in and at the same time I noticed society officials checking people in. I get back to them after my meal. I was seated in a for two table. We singles always get screwed on table choice. Some of the corners I have been stuffed into have really sucked from view point and sometimes the staff forgets about you. That was not to be the case tonight. The wait staff was very attentive. Waiters not even assigned to me would come by and greet me. As a member of the Missouri Whiskey Society when you come you are to place your coin on the table and it is a signal to the staff who you are. I actually had a card for a free drink from the Society as well (an annual thing) so I was already rapidly making my $30 membership fee back. I ordered a Jameson Black Barrel Irish Whiskey and when I did the waiter confused me. “Would you like 1.5 or 2.5?” Um…in my mind I was thinking what the heck are you asking me. Took me a few seconds to realize ohhhhhhh what size of whiskey 1.5 ounces or 2.5 ounces. I told him just the 1.5 and then made my food order of a steak.
Quickly he returned with my Jameson. The glasses for whiskey here are very nice – not a real tasting glass but just the right size for a modest amount of whiskey – smaller than a regular old fashioned glass but larger than a shot glass. Just right sez goldilocks. I was enjoying reading the lengthy separate whiskey menu (over 300 different ones) when another of the staff brought over a special tasting of a Jim Beam Craft Bourbon that was to be a part of the meeting tonight. There is a separate book on their wines and even a book on Whiskey themed drinks so non straight whiskey drinker would have options for everybody. Even on non-meeting nights if you come in and put the coin down they are more than likely as not to bring over a special tasting for members. Again the value of the $30 membership is being cut into.
Just two pages of the whiskey menu
I had not finished the tasting sample when a bar back arrived with my meal. I ordered the 8oz Strip Steak Oscar style, sweet and spicy rub, mashed potatoes, grilled asparagus, crab meat and hollandaise. The speed of delivery was amazing – I had thought about asking for expedited service from the waiter as I wanted to get into the meeting room but no need. If it was 5 minutes from order to table I would be surprised. The plate looked amazing. I took the asparagus on a whim as I am not a fan but the steak was delicious and tender, and the potatoes with hollandaise great. I did eat the asparagus tips and again – not a fan. I was stuffed! I need to find something smaller next time for sure but this steak was excellent. Bit pricey but this is the CWE in the evening.
My lovely steak
After settling up my check I went back to the front to check in with the Society folks and get my name tag – Blargh! Oh well good way to meet folks I guess but I hate them as they don’t stick to me well. I enter the meeting room which has its own bar and find an out of the way spot to sit. There was a welcome drink and I went to the bar to get mine which was a Jim Beam Signature Whiskey the came from small than usual barrels. What does that mean? Well the exposed portion of whiskey to the barrel wood in smaller barrels is more concentrated so the flavor given by the barrel will be greater. Keep in mind that might not end up a good thing LOL. Bourbon must be 51% corn by law but the whiskey I was having the other part of the grain used was red wheat. I could have had that made into a cocktail but I chose to drink it neat! Ok this was a $12 drink by the book price we are rapidly approach value for the membership fee paid.
Found my seat and soon others joined me at my table and we discussed the local whiskey scene. The meeting started with two videos. One was a scotch company doing a blind test with some folks. Some were not scotch drinkers and their reaction was actually pretty funny – kind of like my reaction to scotch. “Hmmm that tastes like iodine” They then revealed the name and they tried pronouncing it – Laphroaig – hilarious You can view it for yourself at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_ivP4xqeZo
The next video was actually folks from the society being interviewed by Laphroaig so a little local flavor. Next a member of the group brought two whiskeys to show us that he obtained in Amsterdam as they are not available in the US from Blanton’s distillery in Kentucky. Both bourbons of course but VERY expensive. They didn’t hand out samples unfortunately but at $700 a bottle I can understand why. Not sure I would even bring it to the meeting.
They talked about the club trip to Bourbon land. Tonight was the last night you could sign up – I want to go but the trip costs $450 for an overnight and it’s not all inclusive. I can fly out to Denver for several days for that kind of money. I was hoping I would hear others like me who objected to the price but I didn’t really here it voiced. I do know they only had 15 people signed up and there was probably 50 in the meeting. The growth of the club was discussed as well. Next month they will change to two sessions with one starting at 5:30 – 6:30 and then the same meeting following that as the group is outgrowing the room. I would prefer the early group but I would have to bring my clothes etc. and do some planning but later when its warmer I might want to go later.
Business settled it was on to the tastings. Tonight was to be an all Jim Beam Signature Craft Bourbon night. Each one created with a different sub grain. Red Wheat, Triticale, High Rye, Rolled Oats and Brown Rice. To my knowledge this was my first rice grain whiskey although I suspect the Japanese scotch I had at the WinW event likely had rice in it. The tastings were samples but the value of it has made the membership fee paid for in my calculations. These are not available in the market yet either so the Society members get to try them first another nice advantage. And members were offered all of these whiskies in the small bottle for sale at a special price – $40 per. The bottles were about 400ml so not an inexpensive whiskey. I am guessing we members will receive such offers throughout all the meetings. I make no illusions – this society is a marketing tool for Gamlin House as I would likely not come over in the middle of the week in the winter to the CWE but so far I am not feeling abused. I could have easily limited my visit to the $3 parking and spent nothing else. I even could have made a meal of the free hors d’oeuvre but was much happier with my steak.
After the last tasting was served I decided it was time to head back home. Glad the tastings were not full drinks as I would have been unable to drive home. I was thankful for the walk back to the car to breathe the fresh air and burn a little energy. I got out of the area rather easily as I expected delays and even faster across the bridge and home
Pretty much the same look just change the name of the different sub grain
safetymikecsp 