April’s Society Life takes us to the City of Angels where I sat down with a pillar of the Los Angeles Society community – Wayne Upton. If you just joined the Society (or life slowed down enough for you to be reading this for the first time!), we launched this series in January and each edition features an interview that I've conducted with a fellow Society member.
If you talk to anyone at our partner bar Tam O’Shanter in LA, they will likely tell you a fun story about Wayne. When we first met in 2019 at the Tasting Panel Experience, Wayne immediately took the lead in the discussion offering up descriptor after descriptor - Charlie MacLean and I could barely keep up. That’s the passion Wayne brings to each endeavor he embarks upon. His precise palate and creative mind combine for wildly fun interactions on all things spiritous. In fact, Wayne’s been known to get like-minded individuals together in the various parking lots of greater Los Angeles for none other than…. rum tastings! I’ll let you ask him about that the next time you find yourself sitting at “The Tam” next to a handsome red-headed man with impeccable taste in all things scotch (and rum). Take it away, Wayne…..
TS: Hi Wayne, please tell us a bit about yourself….
WU: One could say that I still love learning, which can be a strong driving force. During the day, I design medical imaging devices. At night, anything and everything I can get my hands on, from tinkering on my classic car, to antique French gypsy jazz guitars, to writing stories. Variety and adventure are what I seek.
TS: What is it about whisky that interests you the most?
WU: What interests me about Scotch whisky is rather simply put: flavor. I enjoy the variety; it feels more complex to me in this regard than other spirits. Certainly, there are wide flavor profiles available in others, rum for instance, but Scotch brings my ester-hunt to a new level. I love how one cask might bring a sense of a hot fudge sundae, and the next a hit of jalapeño. It’s never a dull moment.
TS: What has been your most memorable whisky experience to date?
WU: My discovery of Society cask 50.102 certainly comes to mind. That first sip felt like a fireworks show in my mouth -- reality was likely a bit more like Pop Rocks. I brought a couple of friends for a follow-up tasting, and that sparked a quest to acquire a bottle, which mushroomed into finding every Society bottling from that particular day of Distillery 50’s production: January 26, 1990. There will be a party (and hopefully soon).
TS: You're stranded on a desert island with one bottle of whisky for an entire month, what is it?
WU: I’m going openly controversially and will choose Mannochmore’s Loch Dhu. First, there was a 1.5L bottling, and would thus last twice as long. Second, while many consider it an abomination, I find there’s always something new in the palate. The first time I tried it, I felt like a teenager watching the Rolling Stones perform a Beatles tribute concert. That sort of thing is transformational.
TS: What is your favorite distillery to visit and why?
WU: The one I’ve wanted to build in my back garden? In real life, I think the one I most strongly want to visit is Glenturret. History is one of my jams, and Glenturret must have a million stories tucked away in the dusty corners. Full immersion, putting yourself into that perspective – that’s what turns me on.
TS: Why did you decide to become a member of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society?
WU: It was a way to continue my “whisky education” with a community spirit. After I had attended a few outturn meetings, it felt a little sad sipping whisky at the bar by myself; sharing the experience with others, talking about it, even arguing about it… that drew me in.
TS: What has been the highlight of your membership experience so far?
WU: The 2023 Gathering in San Francisco fits that bill, surrounded by other members drams-in-hands, mesmerized by stories of Pip Hills. I found it a bit comical at attempts that were made to keep his stories brief, when all of us would have happily invested another couple of hours.
TS: Any advice for the other Society members?
WU: Keep in mind that it’s your society. Treat it that way. Participate, suggest, explore. If you’re just sipping the whisky, you’re missing the experience.
Thanks, Wayne, for your thoughts and thank you reader for spending some time with us!
