Good Morning,
This past Thursday I had a unique opportunity when I attended a Whiskey Tasting for Laphroaig Distillery and their Single Malt products. John Campbell, the Distillery Manager and their Master Ambassador, Simon Brooking, were in town for the event. This taste testing, though, took place at another wonderful establishment, a bourbon distillery, Makers Mark. These two companies each have a passion for their products and focus on making one product at the best of their ability.
Members of the Louisville Pipe and Drum band were in attendance as well to lend the sounds of
During the event, we toured parts of the Makers Mark Distillery and enjoyed bourbon themed foods as well as complimentary drinks of Laphroaig. While I had never tasted Laphroaig, and I was generally not a fan of Islay Scotch (smoky tasting scotch), I became an instant fan with my first sip of the 15 year Laphroaig scotch (I later bought my own bottle and signed up to be a 'Friend of Laphroaig'). This will go well with being a Makers Mark Ambassador.
When we started the tour we learned about how Makers Mark bourbon is made. After the intro one of the guests asked John Campbell of Laphroaig what the process was with making his scotch. His answer was that the process is almost identical. In fact, partly because Laphroaig and Makers Mark are so similar in passion of their products and the pursuit of quality they became business partners. Makers Mark sells Laphroaig their used bourbon casks. It is one of the reasons that Laphroaig is so distinctively wonderful.
Everyone in attendance was allowed to sign recently emptied cask of Makers Mark due to be shipped out to Scotland and used for aging a Laphroaig scotch (we will have to wait 10 to 18 years but I plan on getting a bottle of it!).
The highlight of the event was the actual taste testing. In the line up were three types of Laphroaig as well as Makers Mark. Danny, the Assistant Manager of Makers Mark gave the taste presentation for the bourbon and everyone participated. We even heard thoughts and commentary from John Campbell and Simon Brooking. This was followed by John and Simon bringing us through the taste testing of the 10 Year Aged, 18 Year Aged and 25 year Aged Laphroaig as well as their base spirit (the scotch before it is aged). Then Danny, the expert on Bourbon was asked to share his thoughts and he compared the Scotch to the Bourbon and how they were similar and different from the viewpoint of a master bourbon distiller. It was a once in a lifetime experience hearing and tasting and sharing.
The synergistic combining of two different entities to create one experience is very powerful, and is not limited to scotch and bourbon. It could be many different things from front line staff of a company to ivory tower management. When two or more groups get together and share their thoughts and experiences in a positive and supportive manner, the synergy created opens the door to many opportunities for everyone.
We can all create this synergy by asking questions in areas we are unfamiliar and at the same time share our knowledge and experience in return.
For me this event will be a life long reminder of how two different companies and industries can combine and share with each other.
What a wonderful experience.
Enjoy!
Sanford@berenberg.net
http://learnandgrowdaily.com/ ←-Click here to order: "Learn And Grow Daily!"
http://sanfordberenberg.blogspot.com/
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