This month’s Society Life features a tenured American member from St. Simon’s Island off the coast of Georgia. On a personal note, my dad used to take us kids to St. Simon’s when we visited him in Southern Georgia each year. It’s a pleasure to revisit that beautiful place in my memories as I sit with Mr. Joe Combs II.
Joe has been a member since 2022, and he is one of those folks you feel like you know quite well even if you haven’t met in person. Such is the case with me and Joe. We’ve spoken on the phone countless times over the last few years but have never shaken hands. Joe is a consummate sharer. He was always plotting ways to broaden his circle of whisky enthusiasts by hosting his own events. Just two weeks ago, he and Scott hosted a lovely tasting in St. Simon’s Island for a very enthusiastic group of people. More than half of the attendees became members on the spot! His enthusiasm is an example to us all.
Joe has never been to Scotland, yet his devotion to and adoration for Scotch is unwavering (another example to us all!). He will get there one day, and I hope to shake his hand then…. right before a dram at The Bowmore Hotel.
Pour your favorite malt and get to know Mr. Joe Combs II!
TS: Hi Joe, please tell us a bit about yourself….
JC: Family and friends come first, and everything else enhances those relationships. I’ve got a degree in Architecture and have worked as a contract administrator for an architectural firm for over 35 years. During which time, I also served with the local fire department retiring in 2021 with 28-years’ service. I met my wife, Aimee in 1996 and have been married for 28 years. She’s always been supportive of my passions through the years. I enjoy a dram weekly at the Village Pub with friends and I try to host a local tasting every couple of months, primarily Scotch but also other spirits. I’m always looking for ways to further my knowledge of the whisky, the production process, and expand my palate. Several years ago, on a whim, I decided to name my extensive collection of whisk[e]y, Joes Whisk[e]y Den and enjoy sharing my experiences with others.
TS: What is it about whisky that interests you the most?
JC: In a nutshell, the people and experiences. I find it interesting how you can essentially make a product using the same ingredients, processes and end up with totally different experiences. Additionally, how your current situation and those you’re sharing it with can influence how whisky is perceived. It’s always changing and interesting, if you take the time to appreciate it. I’ll have to say that the Single Malt that started my journey was the Glenlivet 15 French Oak Reserve. It’s been non-stop exploration for me since.
TS: What has been your most memorable whisky experience to date?
JC: Hands down the most memorable, and personal, experience would be an impromptu tasting I had with my Dad in May 2023. To provide a little background I had been staying with my Dad taking care of him as his mental health has been failing him and he could no longer take care of himself. It was during the Bruichladdich 2023 Rock'ndaal Masterclass live stream that my Dad and I were watching when he asked if I could explain what was going on, as it appeared that everyone was having a good time and enjoying themselves. This question was not a surprise to me as he claims to have NEVER had a drink of any sort of alcohol in his life, and as such would not have had any exposure to this sort of event. At any rate, I explained what was going on and how a tasting was typically performed and the roles of the presenter as well as the participants. The request he made next totally shocked me. He asked if I would be able to do a tasting with him. Of course, the answer was yes, and I had the perfect expression for the occasion. (especially since I knew I wasn't going to make a whisky lover out of him) The expression I selected was the Bruichladdich Rock'ndaal 01.1 from 2021. While the results of the tasting were as I expected, what I didn’t expect was the impact that this simple moment would have on me and my outlook on how whisky can enhance the moment. This is definitely my most memorable whisky moment.
TS: You're stranded on a desert island with one bottle of whisky for an entire month, what is it?
JC: Funny since I live on an Island, I’d have to say that for an official bottling I’d go with the Talisker 18. An enjoyable dram that is easy to sip and somewhat complex so it’s not boring. For a SMWS offering I’d go with the SMWS Distillery 93 Rare Release ‘Changes Faster Than A Chameleon’ from 2022. I’ve always enjoyed this one, as it does seem to ‘change’ as you drink it, making it a fun whisky to explore.
TS: What is your favorite distillery to visit and why?
JC: The distillery I want to visit the most would be Bruichladdich. For reasons previously stated, my experience of communicating with the staff, other knowledge of the distillery and staff, along with the fact I love most everything they produce, places Bruichladdich at the top of my list.
TS: Why did you decide to become a member of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society?
JC: I’d have to say it was not single item, but a combination of several events that came together and made the decision easy for me. First there was my journey, and the realization that locally my selection of Single Malt Scotch was very limited. Then hearing about the SMWS being mentioned on Scotch Test Dummies (YouTube) and Whiskey Tribe (YouTube), both talking about the idea of exploration of hard-to-get whisky. With no other resources, I did some research and decided to give it a try figuring that the worst case I’d be out the first year’s membership and the cost of a few bottles. I haven’t regretted the decision since.
TS: What has been the highlight of your membership experience so far?
JC: The people, experiences and exploration. Meeting and sharing experiences with others at events like the recent private SMWS tasting at the Village Pub makes the journey memorable. Additionally, one event that I really enjoyed was the SMWS Virtual Drams from several years ago where members and SMWS staff could meet and share a dram virtually via Zoon sessions. I felt this was a great way to get to know the staff and handful of other members and really enjoyed the experience, especially realizing I’m not in an area with many other opportunities to meet other SMWS members.
TS: Any advice for the other Society members?
JC: Enjoy the Journey. Don’t be afraid to try something outside of your comfort zone or from a distillery you’re not familiar with as the world of whisky is full of surprises. If you find something that you really enjoy, seek out the official bottlings from the distillery (if they exist) and explore them. And lastly, enjoy yourself, the memories and the experiences.
Thank you so much for your thoughts, Joe, and thank you reader for spending some time with us.
