Free (And Not-So-Free) Scotch!!

By Chuck Sudo in Food on Sep 20, 2005 2:50PM

To quote Ron Burgundy, "I love scotch, scotchy scotch scotch"- we prefer bourbon. And as we've mentioned before, our motto for drinking is "If it's free, it's for me." So if you like drinking for free, drinking scotch, or both, that headline is not a typo.

Through September 29th the fine folks at Johnnie Walker are hosting a "Journey of taste" at the Grand Ballroom at Union Station, and it's free! The event is really nothing more than a unique way to pimp Johnnie Walker Black Label, but they do it so wonderfully. Under the guidance of tartan-clad "ambassadors of taste" attendees get a crash course in the history of scotch distillation, sample the five single-malts used to make Black Label, then compare the individual single malts to Black Label. Select groups will be afforded the opportunity to sample the pricey Johnnie Walker Blue Label.

Chicagoist has" taken the journey" a couple times and woke up the next morning wondering how the journey didn't end with a visit to the porcelain throne. The catch is that you have to become a member of the Johnnie Walker "Striding Man Society" in order to attend. An easy enough task since all you have to do is register at the Johnnie Walker website.

If you don't want to take the time to go through all that, then head to the Sofitel Hotel (20 East Chestnut) Thursday night. The Sofitel will host its own fall whisky seminar with Martin C. Duffy, the Master of Scotch for Johnnie Walker and The Classic Malts. The event will feature food pairings with an exhaustive list of single-malts and blended scotches. The $36 fee does not include tax and tip, sorry, gratuity, but is a bargain nonetheless. Reservations are required and can be made by calling the Sofitel at (312) 324-4000.