Real Chemistry’s Post

I'm honored to have been chosen as a spirits judge for the American Craft Spirits Association's annual Spirits Competition, this year to be held in Washington, DC. This is the 4th separate panel I've been on and in each, my goal is to maintain as much neutrality as humanly possible when encountering the vast array of spirits that are presented to the panel. The samples are presented blindly, so other than the category we're judging, we do not know what's exactly in the glass. We do a visual and olfactory evaluation of the spirit, assessing the entire experience from eyes to nose, past the palate to the finish. The entrants are counting on our professionalism to give them feedback that will affect their production techniques as well as their marketing success. No good judge ever swallows, so spitting and cleansing the palate regularly with water or crackers are best practices. Other best practices are not wearing any scented sprays or perfumes; refraining from smoking; limiting the diet to blander offerings prior to the judging; limiting the amount of samples in any one sitting; respecting the need for quiet; and getting a good night's rest before. To the outsider, judging spirits sounds like a joyride, but its actually hard work as its a test of one's vocabulary as well as one's organoleptic skills. Many people don't know that the olfactory nerve is embedded in the limbic system of our brains, so smell is directly associated with our memory. This allows a judge to probe the human part of a smell or taste, linking it directly to a memory or feeling. Some people don't use words, they use colors or shapes to describe a taste. They're all legitimate, but for scoring and communication, we tend to use numbers and words, which translate better. I'm looking forward to being part of the panel and I want the brands who are submitting samples for scores know that, at least on my end, I'll be holding myself to the same high standard I'll be holding them to. American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA) #craftspirits #wineandspirits #spiritsjudging #evaluation #nosing

Savoury dishes, Sunday roasts, desserts, tea and brewing, pastries and baked goods - sugar is in them all. Learn more in Sugar’s influence on English cuisine and drinking culture: https://lnkd.in/e6GrJQRG #Ragus #PureSugars #goldensyrup #tea #PureSugarsManufacture #worldfood

It's summertime! For many people, warmer weather and vacations mean frosés by the pool, daiquiris on the beach, beer at cookouts. For the 85% of us that choose to drink, finding and maintaining the balance is key. Check out my blog for tips on how to know if your drinking is tipping toward too much: https://loom.ly/AQw7sOU

Very interesting course on Whiskeys developed by Gallo Academy. It explains the history of this drink, as well as the production process and the most important types of Whiskeys (Scotch, Irish, Bourbon, Canadian and Japanese). #gallowines #whiskey #whisky

DO NOT EAT CRISPS ON YOUR CONFERENCE CALL. 🚫🍿 It sounds obvious, but I have actually once given the advice to not eat a croissant whilst presenting. 🚫 🥐 True story. And that’s your FREE FRIDAY TIP 🌈 #advice #qualityadvice #presentationtips

☕📖 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮'𝘀 𝗪𝗶𝘀𝗱𝗼𝗺: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝘄 - 𝗔 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 🌟 Join our wise barista, Ella, as she shares a heartwarming parable about patience and the journey to achieving one's goals. Just like brewing the perfect cup of coffee, good things take time. ☕✨ 📺 Watch the full video now: [https://lnkd.in/e8Gh7mbv] 💬 Share your thoughts and reflections in the comments below! #BaristasWisdom #AIStorytelling #PatienceParable #LifeLessons #AIOracle #SpiritualTeaching #MotivationalStories #AnimatedShorts #CoffeeShopWisdom

Pizza, Pain, and Performance! A slice of life, a pinch of pain, and a whole lot of rock n roll! Discover Constantine Maroulis in Rock N Roll Man NYC. https://lnkd.in/gi_VRcGQ

Is There An Aging Time & Taste Difference For Whiskey In American Oak vs. French Oak?: Discover the intricacies of whiskey aging in American vs. French oak barrels. From bold vanillas to subtle spices, learn how wood variety shapes the essence of your favorite spirit. Unveil the secrets behind the taste difference as whiskey matures within these oaks... The post Is There An Aging Time & Taste Difference For Whiskey In American Oak vs. French Oak? appeared first on White Dog Barrels.

💡 Here's a summer drinking tip! Respect others' choices when it comes to drinking. If someone declines an alcoholic beverage, there's no need to ask why. Simply offer a non-alcoholic alternative and move on. Remember, their reasons are personal, and respecting their choice is key to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment. Learn more about speaking volumes at: https://lnkd.in/gmpYaig7

R and R time - Reflection and red wine! There is a lot of positive posts about the importance of psychological safety in teams/departments/companies and the competitive advantage it can bring in terms of accountability, learning and creativity. It is not easy to create though. That’s why I have been particularly recently proud of the members of my Vistage UK groups, both of whom have welcomed debutants in the last month. On each occasion, the debutant felt able to table a key issue they were faced with, including with significant emotional impact for them. Then, have the group support them with questions and insights. At the heart of this, is having the right quality of people, as members in the room. Key qualities for me are humbleness and empathetic. Further to this, there is no formula or set prices for creating psychological safety. Some activities we do to seek to create it are: We create values and then, critically go deeper and discuss what they look and feel like as behaviours. We then make them explicit and review. Our recruitment critically includes those who can display the behaviours and place value on them. And sometimes in this psychological safe space, challenge to someone’s thinking is needed with honest and direct feedback. “Tough love” as we call it in one of the groups. Red wine 🍷- not a bottle to recommend but a shout out to The Wine Society who I have been a member of for many years. Great wines and service.