Charlie Rodman

Whisk(e)y in truth is just fermented grain distilled and, typically, aged.  But from three base ingredients – grain, yeast, and water – a rich, diverse set of histories and a thriving contemporary culture have emerged in this most refined spirit.  You will learn proper tasting methods and tactics for comparison, accompanied by a live tasting (where permissible).  But, because spirits are a convivial element of socializing, and are heightened by a good story, you will learn what makes each regional whisk(e)y unique, its history, and the trends guiding what is happening in that industry at present.  This will enable you to appreciate the whiskies in new ways, while bringing home a new understanding to guide your next pour.

Note: Fee includes a consultation to arrange a list of whiskies to accompany the course tailored to the tastes and experience level of the audience

Charlie’s career has been seemingly non-linear: from hedge fund research analyst, to consultant, on into various facets of the beverage industry.  But while it may look non-linear from the outside, each step was intensely considered and experientially informed – guided by a close, conscious investigation of what provided excitement and fulfillment in work, which aspects were motivating versus depleting, and envisioning what a successful versus a failed career would look like in retrospect.  The purpose of this session is to provide participants with a framework for unlocking how to tie their personal interests into their professional pursuits to not only be a better worker, but a happier one.  Charlie will reference his own experiences in first identifying his true passion then turning that into a career, to help you get the most out of your work life.

Note: Where permissible, the presentation can be accompanied by a tasting to provide enhanced sensory allusion of the points being made and to promote multisensory associative recall of the presentation’s contents.

Are you interested in a specific subset of the world of whisk(e)y?  Charlie’s broad experience across the world of whisk(e)y and in working with personalities from all facets of the industry empower him to create a completely bespoke, one-of-a-kind experience to suit your interest.  It could be something as broad as “pairing whiskies with food” to something more nuanced like “exploring the taste impact of different conflagrants in making smoked whisk(e)y” or something more novel and conceptual like “sampling whiskies that connote our corporate identity.”  Charlie will work directly with you to design a spirited curriculum that will plum the depths of your category of interest in a lively, interactive, and fun atmosphere that can be as fun, or as formal, as desired.

Note: Fully bespoke presentations will require an additional $1,500 for consultation and production of custom materials