A couple weeks ago, Bucks Happening attended a fantastic Scotch pairing dinner at Earl’s Bucks County. Not only did we sample rare spirits and feast on delicious local food, but we were also in for an unexpected treat- meeting the Bucks County Top Shelf Tasters. This local club is a Scotch and craft beer enthusiast’s mecca, meeting every few weeks to sample beverages from an IMPRESSIVE collective (see image below).
The Top Shelf Tasters go way beyond a group of friends enjoying select Scotch, though. Their impressive website keeps notes on years of tastings and even provides recommended reading material. These guys and gals mean business! I was lucky enough to get to pick the brain of Top Shelf Taster’s Keeper of “the Closet” Key, Bill Stefanowicz. Check out our interview below:
B
H: How did you become interested in tasting scotch and craft beers?
TST: I was always a beer drinker (who isn’t?) and dabbled in Scotch blends mostly. On my 50th birthday I received a few bottles of single malt Scotch and enjoyed them without an educated approach. In 2003 a friend gave me the “The Malt Whisky File” by John Lamond & Robin Tucek. That started education and the hunt for single malt’s, starting out with about 5 and now at 300.
BH: You’ve spent all of this time building up an impressive collection of “top shelf” scotch. How did you decide you wanted to share it?
TST: As my collection grew it became evident that I would never drink all this myself, and seeing the interest of some of my friends, I decided to roll out the club, incorporating single malt and beer tasting in an evening, rating our selections and posting them.
BH: What’s your favorite thing about the tasting club?
TST: Enjoying the company of our friends, and sharing the journey. The club ranges in various experience levels and it is also great to “bring them along” into a more in depth appreciation for not only the Single Malts but the beer as well.
BH: Which scotch have you enjoyed most? Which craft beer?
TST: There have been so many great ones it is hard to pick just one in either category. Till now the Balvenie 1972 Vintage Cask has been the most memorable single malt (and the most expensive), and the Harviestoun “Ola Dubh 30” Special Reserve beer. Although I drink Balvenie 21 yr Portwood and the Lagavulin 16 on a regular basis, and Sam Smith’s Taddy Porter as well (just to name a few), this may all change as our next tasting has 6 – 40 year old and a 54 year old single malt that may prove to be even more memorable.
BH: Do the Top Shelf Tasters follow any specific rules or criteria at a monthly tasty meeting? Or is it a more laid back approach?
TST: I think it falls right in the middle – relaxed, fun, and informative. We do discuss each selection as a group and make notes accordingly.
BH: Do you enjoy pairing beer and scotch with food?
TST: During the tastings we do not usually go down that road however I am planning a strictly Single Malt Whisky & Food pairing dinner where whisky is used in the preparation of the food as well as paired with each dish.
BH: What advice would you give to someone who is interested in joining or starting a tasting club?
TST: You’ve got to have a passion and an open “tasting mindfulness” whether joining or starting a club. If you want to start your own club however it will take a few $’s to get a collection going. We offer tasting events if you wish to get an idea on how to go about it, or attend one of our tastings.
BH: What’s next on the agenda for the Top Shelf Tasters?
TST: Scotland. We are looking forward to our trip and have planned a number of whisky tastings at 10 different distilleries, and will post our trip on the website upon our return.
Slainte!
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