BartendersTour.blogspot.com

  I immediately recognize the expression when I come into the whiskey aisle: A customer is standing back, just staring at the wall of bottles in front of them. Furrowed brow. Befuddlement. Angst. I am the certified Spirits Professional for the local location of a large national chain wine and spirits store. My job, essentially, is to work with customers who need some advice, want to talk spirits or - like the person in front of me - are completely at a loss. “Can I help you?” I ask. I get a relieved expression almost immediately. “Yes, if you don’t mind. I’m looking for a (fill in the blank) present for (fill in the blank…husband, wife, friend, boss). All I know is he/she/they like whiskey.” It’s a common conversation. The selection in our store is huge, and if you don’t know the category, it can be overwhelming. Plus, the term whiskey can refer to a number of things. I usually start these conversations with a series of questions designed to help me dig down a bit deeper.  D