The Macallan and Lalique: $460K for Charity:Water

I popped by Southeby's for a glimpse (wish it was a taste) of a rare single malt Macallan that was being auctioned off to benefit one of my favorite charities. The Macallan and Lalique set a record for a bottle of whisky sold at auction, with all proceeds going to charity: water, an organization that provides access to clean, safe drinking water to people in developing nations. The Macallan 64 Year Old in Lalique: Cire Perdue sold for $460,000. It's one of the most unique collaborations to date between The Macallan and Lalique, with 100 percent of the proceeds benefitting Scott Harrison's (founder) non-profit. Lalique’s bespoke, one-of-a kind crystal decanter, created using the “cire perdue” or “lost wax” method, houses the oldest and rarest Macallan ever bottled by the distillery, a 64-year-old single malt whisky. It's been on a 12-city “tour du monde” since April, and each stop along the way has raised funds and awareness for charity: water.

Rémy Martin Hosts Mad Men Dinner

Paying homage to the classic gentlemen, Rémy Martin, a cognac best known as an after dinner drink, reinvented their time honored spirit and incorporated it into fine cocktails. Gone are the days when Rémy is sipped neat post-dinner - it's a lovely base spirit that can be and should be used as the foundation of a classic cocktail (Sidecar or Manhattan). I'm currently obsessed with the Gold Rush (Remy 1738 Accord Royal, Lime Juice and Honey). The intimate seated dinner at the Lambs Club was an exclusive tasting of Rémy Martin's 1738 Accord Royal hosted by Mad Men's Vincent Kartheiser and the show's Emmy Award-Winning Costume Designer, Janie Bryant. Loved it. For additional deets on the evening check out the recap's from Blackbook and the Wall Street Journal.

2010 Stella Artois World Draft Master Competition

I had the privilege of being one of five U.S. media to travel to London to experience the Stella Artois Draft Master Competition. It was three days filled with fish & chips, pub crawls, beer drinking and a mastering of the 9-Step Pouring ritual. Stella takes pouring beer seriously. It's an art form; similar to decanting wine, pouring a beer in specific manner will reap the most flavor rewards. Chris Meyers from Madison, Wisconsin was crowned the winner and he’ll be traveling around the world educating culinary types re: the 9 - Step Pouring Ritual.

2010 Stella Artois World Draft Master Competition