On the Westin Kierland, you’ll be able to get pleasure from a style of Scotland in Scottsdale

With practically 150 energetic whisky distilleries unfold throughout Scotland, a wee dram isn’t too far out of attain. However for these of us watching this yr’s Open Championship motion from Royal Troon on the American facet of the Atlantic, there’s nonetheless a approach to have an genuine Scotch-drinking expertise.

The truth is, 5,000 miles from the supply, you could discover extra premium Scotch in Scottsdale than in Scotland, because of the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa’s Scotch Library.

Man Sporbert is the Westin Kierland’s senior Scotch ambassador, and he has been part of the Library because it opened 10 years in the past. He and his colleagues lead weekly tastings and assist company dwelling in on the best Scotch for his or her style. Sporbert was just lately licensed as a Grasp of Scotch by the Council of Whiskey Masters — the primary and, up to now, solely individual in Arizona to obtain such a designation.

Regardless of the huge choice of Scotch on provide, the Library will not be a full-service bar. It’s extra of an expertise. With solely 5 tables obtainable, the area is intimate. Visitor reservations are spaced out by at the least half-hour so Sporbert and his fellow ambassadors may give every individual or group the suitable consideration and steerage.

Fans and newbies alike shall be impressed by the stock obtainable. A group of 370 bottles features a 62-year-old Macallan, a 50-year-old Glenfiddich and a 50-year-old Balvenie, a style of which prices hundreds.

“What you pay for within the whisky world is rarity,” Sporbert says. “Only a few whiskies get in previous the 18- to 30-year vary. There are so few bottles of it, and, particularly if there’s any demand, it’s going to be very expensive.”

Nonetheless, Sporbert says he’s had loads of takers over time. The attract is hard to withstand. Sporbert will get it. “I drink whisky every day,” he says with a smile. “It’s the very best job on this planet.”

Golf.com Editor

As a four-year member of Columbia’s inaugural class of feminine varsity golfers, Jessica can out-birdie everybody on the masthead. She will out-hustle them within the workplace, too, the place she’s primarily accountable for producing each print and on-line options, and overseeing main particular tasks, comparable to GOLF’s inaugural Model Is­sue, which debuted in February 2018. Her origi­nal interview collection, “A Spherical With,” debuted in November of 2015, and appeared in each within the journal and in video type on GOLF.com.