The prior week, I finally had the chance to play some golf with some friends. It had been awhile since playing due to life getting in the way, as normal, the standard “$5 front, back, overall, 2-down auto, and $1 junk” was in effect.
Yada, yada, yada…my new nickname is “ATM”.
After the round, I immediately sought help, advice and comfort from Mr. Cold Frosty Mug. I have spent many-a-day drowning my sorrows about the ‘wouldas, couldas, shouldas” after a round of golf over-analyzing and explaining to anyone that would listen, that I didn’t deserve the score I had and that I was the victim of fate and unlucky bounces.
I’m sure you know what I’m talking about as many if not all of us have done it at some point in time in our golf career.
My usual beverage after an “under-whelming” round of golf is a cold beer. It’s refreshing on a hot day and something I can drink rather quickly to quench my thirst and provide some quick relief.
However, yesterday, I played really well; everything was easy, all good bounces and the hole look like an all-you-can-eat buffet plate. After the round, I was trying to decide my beverage choice to celebrate such a great day. What will help me savor the win? What tastes like “victory”?
It begged the question, “What is my “go-to” after a really good day?” What would be my choice of beverage if I wanted to “taste” the moment and bask in the glory, as fleeting as it may be? After some soul-searching of the drink menu, I gravitated to my favorite, Ardbeg 10 Scotch Whisky. It’s a smokey peaty single malt that is great sipping, just pour and I’m good. It’s the perfect drink to sit back and prolong my gloating.
This got me thinking, “I wonder what other people’s ‘go-to’ scotch/whiskey…or beverage is,” so I poled some golfer friends and here is what their “go-to” scotch/whisky to celebrate a great round of golf is:
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"After a day in the office it’s great to chill out with a Scotch, usually a Chivas 18 year. But after a good 18 holes, I like to reward myself with a couple Johnny Blues!”
Preferred method to enjoy: 2 fingers, 4 ice cubes, Waterford tumbler
Dennis Short
President
BMW of Honolulu / Mini of Hawaii
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"Had a wonderful round with family on a beautiful late summer day and nothing could have made it better than a celebratory beverage to relax and reminisce with them. After a tasting of different Scotches and Whiskey from Pappy Van Winkle 15 yr to Hibiki and Ardberg Single Malt (with several other in between), the overall winner for me was the Macallan 15. Nice, smooth, flavorful, not too smokey, well balanced. Will seek this out to drink with some friends after I get my first hole-in-one, when that finally happens! Play more golf!"
Preferred method to enjoy: Slightly chilled
Paul Ogawa, PGA
Executive Director
Hawaii State Golf Association
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"After any significant event a quality dram is always warranted. Whether it be a career low score or celebrating a major life event with friends on the links, the choice of drink that is shared after the round can cement the day in your memory. My drink of choice after a great round of golf is the Balvenie 15yr Single Barrel Sherry Cask. I especially enjoy this Scotch because of the subtle sweetness imparted due to the extended maturation in the ex-Sherry casks. It has a full balanced body with minimal heat that is followed by a smooth finish with that subtle reminder of the Sherry influence.
The price also makes it a drink you don’t order as an everyday sipper but can also enjoy it occasionally bringing back those great memories of the round, without breaking the bank. I believe that Scotch is much like golf in that who you share it with enhances the experience."
Preferred method to enjoy: Neat
Ian Parrish
Hawaii Representative
Travis Mathews
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"As the perfect after work drink, I like to relax at home with a glass of Macallan 12, which I always have on hand. As a treat to myself I will often order a Macallan 18 or Macallan 25 with a single large ice rock. This was the case after my most recent hole in one. After golf, I headed straight to the grill and ordered a glass of Macallan 18. I prefer Islay varietals with less peat and more depth of flavor & cask notability."
Preferred method to enjoy: Single large rock
Dane Kanehira
Food & Beverage Manager
Pearl Country Club
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"Scotch and the game of golf go back a long way to when the game was first being organized. To settle on the number of holes that are to be played in a “round”, they turned to a bottle of scotch. They determined that there’s 18 shots to a bottle of scotch, so if they took a shot on each hole, they could finish the bottle thus they settled on playing 18 holes.
To follow up with that, my go to drink after a great round is to start off with a blend, usually a shot of OLD PAR SCOTCH, 12 or 15 years old. I enjoy blends because they’re usually easier to drink. Drink it neat or on the rocks (one or two cubes).
Next, I’ll pour some 15-year-old DALWHINNIE, a Highland Single Malt Scotch. It’s very smooth and affordable. Drink this neat or on the rocks (one cube).
Finally, I finish my celebration with a very peaty but smooth LAGAVULIN Islay Single Malt 16-year-old scotch. If you enjoy the peaty smokey taste, you’ll love this! Drink this neat!
I forgot to mention that I also enjoy a nice mild cigar while sipping, not drinking, my scotch! The only thing that could make it better, is shooting more good rounds!
Aloha and remember, every drop counts!"
Preferred method to enjoy: Neat
Les Tamashiro
Titleist Sales Rep (Retired)
Honorary Lifetime PGA Member
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"My go-to whisky after a good round of golf would be Hibiki. The Harmony Blend is moderately priced yet offers a very good flavor profile with a smooth finish. Some flavor notes that come from this whisky are oak, honey, chocolate, vanilla, burnt caramel along with some floral flavor notes. Pair it up with a nice Cohiba cigar and celebrate to good times!"
Preferred method to enjoy: Neat
Jason Sakamoto
President
Over The Top, Inc
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"When Ed asked me to give him some of my whiskey favorites, my question to him was when do you need this because I could give you a list as long as some of Bryson Dechambeau’s drives. Keeping the golf thought in mind, I decided to break it down into categories based on the occasion.
Played well but didn’t take any of Ed’s money:
- Scotch – Macallan 12; medium oak and spice with slight hint of vanilla
- Bourbon – Maker’s Mark; butterscotch and vanilla
Career Round:
- Scotch – Caol Ila 12; moderate peat smoke with hints of caramel & oak
- Bourbon – Colonel E.H Taylor Small Batch; butterscotch and spices
Hole in One:
- Scotch – Johnnie Walker Blue; vanilla and honey, sherry and chocolate
- Whiskey – Johnnie Walker Sinatra Select; oak with smooth vanilla
Preferred method to enjoy: Neat or with an ice ball. Either way, can’t be wrong.
Neil Ozaki
Member, Class A Professional
Aloha Section PGA
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"My go to scotch after a great round of golf is Macallan 12. Nothing beats a great scotch alongside a great cigar. For the price…you cannot beat the quality of Macallan. You can taste the passion the company puts into their product. The careful selection of the hand-picked sherry oak casks…to the maturing of the spirit for the necessary number of years. Nothing beats it.
But I have to say…having the right company that enjoys a great spirit and a great cigar is key. That is what makes a great round of golf…even if you shot the worst score of your life"
Preferred method to enjoy: Neat
Colonel Toma
Director of Sales
Republic National Distributing Company
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"I have always been very competitive on the course and focused on scoring. For years I never consumed alcohol while playing as I felt it was more of a distraction. But as I matured over the years, I begin to realize playing golf is less about score and more about the experience. Being with a group of great friends, listening to music, enjoying a cigar, and after my round, a neat glass of whisky. My everyday preference is Johnnie Blue, but on special occasions my go to favorites are from Yamazaki; preferably the 18-year aged, 2017 Single Malt Yamazaki Mizunara from Japanese Oak.
At the end of the day it doesn’t matter what you drink, it’s who you enjoy it with and how it’s enjoyed responsibly."
Preferred method to enjoy: Neat
Wes Wailehua
Executive Director/CEO
PGA of America - Aloha Section
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"My favorite “everyday” go-to scotch is Aberlour 12-Year-Old Scotch, it’s one of my favorites. Aberlour is made next to a shortbread cookie factory in Scotland. The smells from the factory are said to seep through the barrels giving it a butterscotch flavor.
However, always in stock in my home bar for special occasions with friends is, Midleton Very Rare Vintage Release 2018. This Irish Whiskey provides a complexity of flavors in every sip…and it is a “rare” find."
Preferred method to enjoy: Neat
Elisa Smithers
Regional Manager
Pernod Ricard USA
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I share the same sentiments as many of my colleagues, enjoying a good scotch whisky is all about the experience. Like life, scotch should be sipped, savored and appreciated for all of its nuance, uniqueness and variations. It’s about quality not quantity…and who you enjoy it with.
On March 19th, Pearl Country Club will be hosting “Scotch & Cigars” event from 6:00pm – 8:00pm. Participants will be able to taste our featured scotches/whiskies along with a few sticks. For this evening Derek Yeung, CSS of Young’s Market will be showcasing many of their finer labels.
To reserve your spot, please contact Jez Feria at (808) 487-2460 x 2 or jferia@pearlcc.com. Space is limited to 20 people.
All participants and guest must be 21 years or older. Please consider rideshare options.
Enjoy responsibly!