Agave Spirits+ Journey

Spirits are best shared – that’s what they’re for. Bottles aren’t for people to stare at on the shelf.

I’m preparing a set of 21 sample bottles of selected tequilas and whiskies (all single malts) for two folks, one who likes tequila but who hasn’t yet delved too far into traditionally-made tequilas and the other who loves peated scotch but hasn’t had may American single malts or the two scotches I’m sharing samples of.

Both of the recipients are good people who are serving their country – there’s no one better than they to share samples with. It’s a stark contrast to the 45 sample bottles I shared with folks in May – over half of those (23) went to someone who later revealed a side of himself I didn’t know was there. It’s taken three months, but I now realize that he did me a favor in the long run.

I wrote briefly – and mildly – about the experience in a 31 May Instagram post and I may write a much more frank, updated account of the lessons I’ve learned from that unfortunate experience in the future. Suffice it to say I’m embarrassed at how much time, energy, and effort I spent on someone who absolutely doesn’t deserve any at all.

Over the past month and a half I’ve thought a lot about the folks I have the privilege to work with and teach – these are the types of people that deserve my time, energy, and effort – folks who willing to serve for something above and beyond themselves, not the petulant and truth-challenged.

Spirits being shared include this round include El Mayor Añejo, El Tesoro Añejo, Tequila Ocho Añejo – Mirandillas agave estate (2024), Código 1530 Añejo, Cenote Añejo, El Tesoro Reposado – VA ABC Single Barrel (2024), San Matías Gran Reserva Extra Añejo – Single Barrel (90 proof), Patrón VA ABC Barrel Select Añejo (barrel no. 46 aged in American White Oak), Tromba Tequila Añejo, Corazón de Agave Reposado, Storywood Tequila Reposado & Añejo, Highland Park 12 Year Scotch, Bruichladdich The Classic Laddie Scottish Barley Scotch, Virginia Distillery Company – VDC Port Cask Reserve, Virginia Distillery Company – The Brewer’s Coalition series – Hardywood Gingerbread Stout Cask Finished, Virginia Distillery Company – Courage & Conviction series – Double Cask Reserve, Virginia Distillery Company – The Brewer’s Coalition series – Boulevard Proper Pour Stout Cask Finished, Virginia Distillery Company – VDC Cabernet Cask Reserve, Virginia Distillery Company – Courage & Conviction series – Sherry Cask, Mijenta Reposado Tequila, Dulce Vida Añejo Tequila, Tequila Partida Añejo, El Tequileño Platinum Blanco Tequila, and El Tequileño Reposado Gran Reserva Tequila.

Half the below samples were wasted, but such is life. I do hope the other just-under half of the 45 sample bottles did get to the person they were intended for, though I doubt they did.

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1792 Bourbon Agave Spirits American Single Malts American Whisky ArteNOM Añejo Tequila Blanco Tequila Blended Whisky Bourbon Whisky Bruichladdich Buffalo Trace Cocktails Código 1530 (Codigo 1530) Dulce Vida E.H. Taylor Elijah Craig El Tesoro Extra Añejo Tequila Four Roses Gin Glassware Glenlivet Irish Whisky Limestone Branch Distillery Liqueurs Lost Lore Maker's Mark Mezcal Mijenta Mt. Defiance Distillery Patrón Penelope Reposado Tequila Reviews Rye Whisky Scotch Whisky Siempre Single Malt Whisky Spirits Tequila Tequila Ocho Tequila Partida Virginia Virginia Distillery Company Whisky