Laphroaig Tasting in Fort Worth

**MadMouser** · 9th November 11, 07:49 PM

I got to go to the Laphroaig tasting at Lonesome Dove over in the Fort Worth Stockyards tonight and had a blast. John Campbell and Simon Brooking were there, along with a number of other Laphroaig and Beam Brands people, plus quite a few fans. They had kilts waiting for the attendees, but I wore my own and rocked it!

The tasting was great, as was the food. If you get a chance, please try to make it to one. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Here's a pic of John, me, and Simon.

**Mickey** · 9th November 11, 07:57 PM

Great pic! But please, what's your review of the tasting? Can you describe it? In great detail please!

**MadMouser** · 9th November 11, 08:12 PM

Sorry, you're right. I'm beat, it's been a long few months here and this was me playing hooky from work and school. My brain's mush right about now.

I got there a little late thanks to highway construction traffic. When I got to the back of the restaurant I was greeted by some of the Beam Brands folks who were getting the tasting portion going. They were surprised that I wore my own kilt, and directed me towards where Simon, John, and the guests had gone. They were down at the Stockyards watching the cattle drive.

I made my way over there and met up with the group. The Scots were pretty amused that I showed up wearing my own kilt and we had a pretty interesting discussion about state tartans.

After watching the longhorns get herded down the street we went back to Lonesome Dove and enjoyed a dram of the 10 year old. It's the classic, still the best in my mind (though the cask strength does give it a run for its money). After that they did some line dancing lessons, which I attempted, but bailed after the first round. I have two left feet, and it was apparent that someone was going to get hurt if I stayed on the dance floor. The rest of the crew and guests had a good time though.

We then got in line to get our food, which, in Lonesome Dove tradition was delicious. There was a black bean medley, some spicy potato salad, their signature cole slaw, wild boar ribs, pulled pork, and a berry cobbler.

Paired with the meal were four different scotches; 10 year cask strength, triple wood, quarter cask, and the 18 year. Simon and John gave small talks about pairing each of them with parts of the meal (the triple wood went very well with the cobbler) and floated around the room talking and taking pictures.

As things were winding down, I was talking to some of the Beam Brands folks who were in from Chicago and pointed a couple of them over to USA Kilts. As I was leaving they gave me one of the kilts they'd brought for the guests to wear. It turns out that they were supposed to be taken home by everyone, so now I've got a Sport Kilt in Gordon Modern added to the collection!

**Spartan Tartan** · 9th November 11, 08:14 PM

How often are these tastings? My wife's sister lives in Fort Worth and I would happily make the drive to participate in such an event!

**MadMouser** · 9th November 11, 08:17 PM

I've been to two in the last few months. They're pretty regular occurrences because, as I found out tonight, the Dallas/Fort Worth area is the #2 market for Laphroaig in the U.S.

The best thing to do is to join the Friends of Laphroaig and subscribe to the email notifications. This event was for FoL members only (no non-FoL guests) and filled up pretty quickly.

**Mickey** · 9th November 11, 08:21 PM

Sounds like a really good time! Thanks for the details!

**KiltedDixon** · 9th November 11, 09:02 PM

Thanks for the pic and the good info.

**Standard** · 9th November 11, 09:18 PM

Wow, wish I was down in your neck of the woods, would love to attend one of these events. I'm definately a fan of Laphroaig. Sounds like a fun event. And, what a nice surprise to get to come home with a new kilt!

**chewse** · 10th November 11, 06:25 AM

What....I'm a Friend of Laphroaig. Why didn't the FOLs in the area get e-mails about the tasting?

Marius at Trinity Hall (Dallas) is not carrying Laphroaig anymore because the distributor "snubbed" the pub and did not provide him any of this year's Cairdeas. So no more Laphroaig and no more Laphroaig tastings at Trinity Hall. I wonder if John Campbell knows this.

**MadMouser** · 10th November 11, 11:58 AM

Originally Posted by chewse

What....I'm a Friend of Laphroaig. Why didn't the FOLs in the area get e-mails about the tasting?

Marius at Trinity Hall (Dallas) is not carrying Laphroaig anymore because the distributor "snubbed" the pub and did not provide him any of this year's Cairdeas. So no more Laphroaig and no more Laphroaig tastings at Trinity Hall. I wonder if John Campbell knows this.

I'm not sure, because I did get an email. Maybe head over to the FoL site and check your subscription preferences?

As for the distributor snubbing them, I would suggest letting Simon know, he's the ambassador and would be in a better position to talk to Beam Brands...