www.montereycountynow.com JANUARY 30-FEBRUARY 5, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 31 CHILL A sizable cardboard box opens to reveal another box, this one padded for safe shipping. Inside the second box is a third container, covered with a linen bag to protect it from dust and debris. It also comes with a pair of gloves to prevent fingerprints from marring the package. The final piece is sturdy and decorative, inlaid with a numbered print from artist Alfredo Rios. All of this for a bottle of scotch. The unveiling took place at The Whisky Club in Monterey. The bottle in question is the third edition of Macallan’s Distil Your World series, this one representing Mexico—more specifically the artistry and passion of that country’s Day of the Dead ceremonies. Only 2,500 bottles were released. Whisky Club owner Mitchel Sawhney, a Macallan insider, says this is the last one on the market in California. The price? You don’t worry about such things if you want in on this series. Those who have sampled it (and Sawhney is not about to open the rare bottle for a pour) mention notes of chocolate, the nuanced layers of mole, vanilla, sweet smoke reminiscent of charred pineapple and a pleasant orange-tinged bread, not unlike pan de muerto—although bottles of this magnitude are generally stored in collections. Macallan went all out, sending distiller Diane Stuart to accompany Joan Roca, chef of Spain’s world-class El Celler de can Roca to Mexico, even recording a documentary. One person can buy it. As for the rest of us, at least it’s nice to look at. The Whisky Club, 425 Alvarado St., Monterey. 241-6713, twc11.com. Case Study Already known for rare bottles, The Whisky Club adds a hard-to-find Macallan. By Dave Faries SEND IDEAS TO: chill@montereycountynow.com DAVE FARIES ♦ 3 Card Poker ♠ Century 21st No Bust Black Jack ♣ Texas Hold’em ♥ Baccarat FULL BAR! BLACKJACK BONUS POINTS PAYS UP TO $20,000 SMALL TOWN BIG PAYOUTS! 1-800-Gambler • Gega-003846, Gega-Gega-003703, Gega-000889 Gega-000891 Gega-002838 The Marina Club Casino ensures the safety and security of all guests and team members at all times, while providing exceptional service. 204 Carmel Ave. Marina 831-384-0925 casinomonterey.com ♠ ♣ ♥ ♦ Just minutes from Downtown Monterey Where Monterey Comes To Play INDOOR AND OUTDOOR DINING AND TAKEOUT Eat + Drink OPEN EVERYDAY for DINNER at 4:30pm Offering all your favorites plus wine, cocktails, bottle and draft beers. 763 Wave St., Monterey 831.373.3778 thewhalingstation.com ’24 Best Steak Wood Fired Pizzas, Burgers, Pasta, salads, sandWiches and more 11:30am mon-Fri, 10am Sat & Sun melvilletav.com 484 Washington St., Downtown Monterey 831.643.9525 haPPY hour Food & drinK sPecials Sun-Thurs 4-6pm WEEKEND BRUNCH WITH BOTTOMLESS MIMOSAS Indoor and Outdoor Dining on the Dog Friendly Patio Tapas (Happy) Hour 4:30–6pm Nightly Saturday & Sunday Brunch 9am–1:30pm 700 Munras Ave., Monterey | 831-375-0176 | estebanrestaurant.com ’24 Best Appetizers/ Small Plates 57 Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey 831-373-1851 www.abalonetti.com ’24 LUNCH & DINNER SERVED DAILY from 11:30am-8:30pm Monterey County’s Best Calamari Fisherman’s Wharf’s Newest Restaurant Serving Fresh Seafood, Pasta, Steaks, Sandwiches Open Daily at 11:30am Great views at the end of the Wharf #1 www.rockfishmonterey.com • 831.324.4375 ’24 BEST RESTAURANT IN MONTEREY! JOIN US NIGHTLY FOR DINNER AT 5PM TWO HAPPY HOURS DAILY 5-6PM & 8-9PM Call or go to sardinefactory.com for details, reservations. 701 Wave Street, Monterey, 831-373-3775 BEACH HOUSE RESTAURANT + BAR @ LOVERS POINT ★ CASUAL CALIFORNIA DINING INDOOR & PATIO DAILY AT 4:30PM 620 OCEAN VIEW BLVD. PACIFIC GROVE 831-375-2345 • BEACHHOUSEPG.COM LOVERS POINT BEACH CAFE OPEN DAILY, 9AM–4PM ’24 Best Restaurant in Pacific Grove Monterey’s MOST Recommended Pizzeria Open at 4pm Mon-Thurs • Open at 3pm Fri Open at 12pm Sat.& Sun. 725 Lighthouse Ave, Monterey giannispizzamonterey.com 831-649-1500 Best Pizza ’98-’24
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