Chicago Polish Bar - Midway Bar - Chicago Tavern - Angie's Bar

Last night I went to a Macallan Tasting event.  The event was free and I expected us to get a sales pitch at the end to buy up some scotch!  Well, it was awesome.
The event was at 6:30, at the Exchange West,  and we took the Grand bus to Ogden where we continued on foot towards 445(?) Ogden.  At first it seemed like we were headed in the direction of nothing, and the bum(with the most amazing bed setup on the sidewalk I had ever seen) we passed on the way signified that.  We arrived at what looked like an apartment building, but the small mass of people entering the building led us to believe we had arrived at our location, the 'Exchange West'.  After I realized the event was not being held at a bar, my interest picqued and we entered.  We were immediately greeted by a spiffy looking gentleman and several pretty faces that seemed to serve the purpose of being eye candy, and checking us in, in that order.  We checked in an recieved a golden token for our first drink at the bar, a fine oak 10 year Macallan.
During the course of the 10-year we feasted on some hour d'oeuvres that were quite good, my favorite being the smoked salmon on the crostini.  It was at this point that the Brand Ambassador(Ian?) for Macallan was introduced onto the stage and informed us that we would be learnign all about whisky and be enjoying several years that night.  Now, up until this point, I thought this was going to be the kind of event where you walk up to someone pushing some year of their whisky, and ask for a drink, this way we could have a few and be on our way to dinner.  This was not the case. This 'scotch tasting' was a full on scotch history viewing engagement, with pointers on why Macallan is unique,  interrupted by a new whisky every 10 minutes or so.  At this point, tokens were not handed out, but every year they presented was brought to your table, and everyone gets a drink.  Everyone is the keyword because Laura does not drink scotch!  Which meant, most people enjoyed(in years) a 10, 12, 15, 17, 18.  I on the other hand enjoyed a 10,10, 12, 12, 15, 15,17,17, 18,18.  I was feeling good afterwards but not drunk, which was nice.  You should never get drunk off of fine whisky, unless you have been drinking it for hours and hours!  Sip and enjoy.
Anyway, the whisky was great, my favorite was the 17 year old, I believe(didn't take notes).  It was the very oaky/smoky one, american barrels I believe.  If you haven't yet, check out scotch whisky, it is the nectar of gods.  The event was thrown in a comfortable setting, Ian was friendly and outgoing, and everyone had fun.  We were seated with three other people who we did not know prior(Mica, Dan, and Azz-something?), all three of which we knew by the end and were great fun.  Overall, the event was spot on.  Good job Macallan.
 
Now, for my shameless plug and dedicating our bar's first blog to you guys, feel free to send some Fine and Rare to:
Angie's Bar
c/o Steve Krzysiak
5221 S. Cicero
Chicago, IL 60632