American Single Malt Whiskeys

When you think of Single Malt Whiskey, you probably think Scotch.  Some great Single Malts are popping up throughout the U.S. including Westland made in the city of Seattle, Washington.  We talk with Master Distiller Matt Hoffman.

Listen with the audio player on this page on the Bartender Journey Web Site or Subscribe on iTunes or Android.  You can also listen on Stitcher Radio.

Matt Hofmann is co-founder and master distiller at Seattle’s Westland Distillery. Westland has become America’s leading single malt distiller, which won the title “2015 Craft Whiskey of the Year” at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and was named the “2015 Whiskey of the Year” by the American Distilling Institute.

Book of the Week:
Tasting Whiskey: An Insider's Guide to the Unique Pleasures of the World's Finest Spirits
 by Lew Bryson, forward by David Wondrich

Cocktail of the Week:
Penicillin Cocktail

• 2 oz. blended Scotch whiskey

• ¾ oz. fresh lemon juice

• ¾ oz. honey syrup
• 2-3 quarter-size slices fresh ginger

• ¼ oz. smoky Islay single-malt Scotch whiskey or Westland Peated American Single Malt
  
  Directions:  Muddle ginger in mixing glass.  Add honey syrup.  Muddle again briefly.  Add blended Scotch and lemon juice.  Shake with ice.  Double strain into an old fashioned glass with fresh ice.  Float smoky whiskey on top.  Garnish with candied ginger or lemon twist.

Foot Problems for Bartenders and others who stand at work.
Spending long periods of time on your feet can cause discomfort or worse!
Find quality work shoes at Shoes For Crews and get $10 off your first order by using this link.
Other helpful ideas:

• Make sure you have rubber mats on the floor behind the bar.
• Change your socks, and maybe your shoes halfway through your shift.
• Alternating shoes one day to the next may help.  Shoes take up to 48 hours to dry out completely.
• Compression socks
• Remember, shoes don’t last forever.  It might be time to buy new ones!
• Stretch and exercise - especially core muscles.
• Raise up one leg when possible.  The reason for the rail that runs along the front of the bar is to make it more comfortable to stand for long periods of time so that patrons will stay longer.  The same concept may be useful behind the bar.
• Losing weight can help.
• OSHA Document: Stay Safe in the Restaurant

Toast of the Week:
May your home always be too small to hold all of your friends.