A Spirited World.

The Advanced Mixology and Culinary Academy has been a very educational and enriching experience for me, both professionally and personally. It has been an experience that has taken me to meet the people and experience the place that imbibe our lives. It has been an experience that has given me skills practical, intellectual and spiritual. It has been an experience that has changed my perspective and opened my eyes to a diversity of opportunities and possibilities. It has been an experience that has provided me friends and memories to last a life time. It has been an experience that has been one hell of a good time. It has been an experience that has exposed me to a spirited world.

My journey delving into the spirited world began twelve weeks ago. I was riding on the blue line to O’hare early on a sunday morning, preparing myself to embark on a week long extranvaganza across the Atlantic Ocean to what some would argue is the heart of the whisky or whiskey (depending on your vernacular) world, Scotland. A well planned bottle of savignon blanc brought by my travel buddy for the train ride was a decided aide in the travel preparations for the day.

Long flight. Longer Layover. Short Flight. Bus ride through the Scottish countryside. Boat ride across Loch Ness. Attempted Nessie sighting (to no avail) with Talisker in hand.

Finally we arrive at the Glenmorangie House. Four days filled with experiences and educational opportunities that would have not otherwise been possible. From our first evening of nectar d’or old fashions, dessert eating expositions and wearing wellies to the seaside late night to earn out new adopted “Mac” names, I was in awe. Days were filled with tours and tastings.

Personal highlight…drinking from the Glenmo water source. The light effervescence of the crisp, mineral enriched water that morning helped to cool the whiskey fueled fire in my soul. It focused my attention away from dionysian revelry of nights before and focused my attention on the experience that was unfolding in front of me.

My attention turned away from the products I had used as tools for mere imbibing entertainment and toward all that goes into crafting these spirits that fuel my debaucherous exploits.

The people and their heritages of passion. The craft, so beloved and sacred, that it has been passed down with guarded reserve from generation to generation. The spirit, that is on one hand spiritual and the other hand tangible.

It was an experience that excited me through a personal revelation of the depth of opportunity possible. It was an experience that humbled me out of the reverance felt toward all those generations before me whose collective efforts provided the opportunity for this moment to exist.

Similar experiences of revelation and reverance would continue to reveal themselves. Week after week, my mind and spirit alike would be educated my academically, philosophically and emotionally.

Academically, I learned how to brew beer, professionally handle knives (THAT’S MY ROOMMATE!), barrel age cocktails, run a solera system and understand the inner workings of distillation, coopering and aging.

Philosophically, I was introduced to the concepts of ” bar zen” and “one chance, one encounter”. I have been granted the perspective to see the spirited world beyond the tappers and shakers and truly embrace everything it is and can become.

Emotionally, I had the opportunity to spend time and experiences with 30 people who I barely knew prior to embarking on my journey into the spirited world, but that I now consider friends.

For this I am blessed and grateful.

I know that even though this session of the AMCA is over, my adventures are just beginning.

The possibilities will continue to expand, the opportunities will continue to multiply and the destinations will be continually changing. But through all of this, I sincerely hope that the faces don’t.

If you ever need to find me, I will be belly up.

Cheers.