Written by Nick Leonetti, June 12 2018

Whisky Wednesday at Passion Vines Spirt and Wine Co. is an event that always makes for a fun and educational experience.  Friend and resident whisky expert, Dave Baldwin, has made it his mission to make sure Passion Vines bar is well-stocked with the best selection of whisky in the area, and I’d say he’s achieved his goal.

Before I began my tenure at Passion Vines I didn’t know a thing about whisky, not even the rudimentary difference between scotch and bourbon (one is distilled in Scotland; the other in Kentucky).  It all came in two flavors for me: gross and really gross.  I had no idea that, like wine, whisky is something that takes time for your pallet to get used to and enjoy.  And, like wine (something else I absolutely abhorred at first), I grew to love whisky and respect the delicate intricacies and personalities each kind offers.

Everyone has their own personal taste, and I have always preferred scotch over bourbon.  I discovered that I absolutely love peat (basically, the intense smokiness found in some scotches caused by the time the barley grain is exposed to peat smoke during drying), as well as the smooth, warm mouth-feel that can only be achieved from years of fine oak-barrel aging.  Bourbon rarely sits well with me, unfortunately, but I do love Angel’s Envy when it's available.

Highland Park has become one of the brands that I have got to know and trust.  My personal favorite is Dark Origins: a scotch with a taste as intense and wicked as the history behind it.  Long story short, in 1798, Magnus Eunson was a man of the cloth by day and a bootlegger by night.  This recipe is his own, one that has only been perfected over the ages.  It is very hard for me to stray away from this particular brand, but when Dave recommended to me the 12-Year-Old in its swanky new Viking-influenced bottle with Celtic knots etched in its glass, I really had no choice but to try it.

Man, am I glad I did.

According to thewhiskyexchange.com, Highland Park’s 12-Year-Old “remains one of the gold-standard malts for other distillery bottlings to aspire to,” and I couldn’t agree more with this assessment.  Right from the beginning, 12 is sweet but not cloying.  It immediately warms the mouth and isn’t harsh at all.  The whole experience is as smooth as a silken devil’s tongue.  There are caramel and honey notes throughout, and the finish is a delicate balance that is all but perfect.

So, I’m enjoying my dram (obviously), not even realizing the real reason there isn’t a seat left at the bar: Pappy Van Winkle, one of the rarest whiskeys out there, was being showcased… the complete Family Reserve!  Only 7,000 cases are released from the distillery, which equals about 84,000 bottles.  Yes, PV has this stuff on its shelf!  Any whisky enthusiast who has yet to try any of the product from this distillery big time!

Another whisky involved in some very intense situations, Pappy Van Winkle took part in one of the largest alcohol heists in history.  From 2008 to 2015 17 barrels of bourbon and 20 cases of Pappy Van Winkle was stolen by Gilbert Julia Curtsinger.  The saddest part: most of it was destroyed when it was recovered.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. 

There are so many different and exciting choices to choose from.  Everything from Lagavulin to Macallan, from Eagle Rare to Woodford.  If you haven’t already, stop by Passion Vines in Somers Point and see for yourself. 

Trust me: it’s worth it.