At an auction last year we purchased a Scotch
tasting and dinner and we were treated to an awesome evening last night
at JACK ROSE DINING SALOON (www.jackrosediningsaloon.com)
located at 18th & Florida Sts, NW just below Adam's morgan. The
establishment has been there for 4 years and I never even noticed it in
my many passings of this block! On arrival Roberto Cofino, the Scotch
malt Whisky Tasting Advisor introduced himself and started us on our
journey. Each of the five of us explained our likes and dislikes and he
proceeded to bring over bottles and taste that were different per our
requests.
We mentioned that we like the peaty intense Scotches
we have had over the last 5 years since we first tasted Highland park
at the distillery. We named some we liked and some we did not like as
much, and also mentioned we were headed to Ireland next summer and would
love to know more about Irish Whiskey.
A tasty amuse of warm
goat cheese puffs arrived with pickled cauliflower and veggies and then
the plate of various appetizers we ordered came and kept us busy for
quite some time.
The platter is for two and can easily feed three and includes:
Deviled Eggs
Deviled Eggs
Pickled Eggs
Spiced Nuts & Kettle Corn (pecan, almonds and peanuts)
Marinated Olives
4 Bros. Pickled Veggies
Goat Cheese & Ritz Crackers
Roberto returned and we began the EXPERIENCE:
A.D.
RATTRAY (he called it Dewer Rattray as the Irish do) is a 12 year aged
single cask Irish Whiskey from Cooley Distillery. He explained that the
Connemara "style," which this was, is much more peaty. Only 212 bottles
are made of this gorgeous liquor and we were all quite happy.
We
looked around and noticed the long bar on one side stretching from
front to rear has hundreds and hundreds of bottles each displayed on the
wall library style with a sliding ladder(that screeched too much) to
access them. Our side of the room was raised on step and had comfy
leather booths that fit 4-6 and behind us was another wall of whisk(e)y
that had us inspecting at length. There is an adorable original tin
ceiling that sadly adds to the noisy din.
We
proceeded to 12 year old LAGAVULIN 2010 Edition from Islay in Scotland
that was another superb treat, but the winner was the potent potion,
nay, the unctuous nectar of KILCHOMAN 4 years also from Islay, but
bottled by the Jewish Whisky Society and only 245 bottles were made of
this Single Cask Nation using Bourbon barrels and ringing in at 58.4%
alcohol.
How odd that Roberto chose this as we were hosted by our rabbi and this was an item purchased at our synagogue auction!
I
had a taste of the BALVENIE 15 year made in sherry casks and the
GLENDONA made in Pedro Ximinez sherry casks (only 643 bottles) both of
which had a wonderful sweetness to them.
We gave
Roberto a run for our money when we asked him to pair a whisky with our
main courses. Mine was the ultra-lemony STEAK TARTARE with Serrano
Chili(not spicy), Homemade Potato Ruffles and a very vinegary but yummy
side salad. His choice of DAILUANE The Scotch Malt Whisky Society's
Single Cask 41.58 was amazing. The label called it juicy, juicy tart and
fruity and it worked with the intense lemon for sure.
The
fries here are Boardwalk style and super salty, but excellent. With the
burger you might wish to try the BRUICHLADDICH The Laddie 10 (aged 10
years) but it is unpeated and hence alone is not my style, though it
paired well.
It was an extremely fun night and I
even got to have a small sip of WHITE ARMAGNAC which I had not had in
years thanks to our generous server.
Now we can't wait to go to Ireland!
