To quote our favorite Celtic band, MacTalla Mór Celtic Roots Band, "The pipes are calling resistance is futile," although this could easily have been the refrain for aficionados who attended WhiskyLive 2009 in New York to taste a wee dram or two of the good stuff.

As we begin 2009, Luxury Experience looks back to 1997 to appreciate the nuances of Rhum J.M. Vieux 1997, a banner year for films (Titanic, As Good as it Gets), music (Change the World - Eric Clapton, High Life - Wayne Shorter)  and rhum agricole from Martinique.

As a whisky (as well as whiskey) aficionado, Malt Advocate's WhiskyFest 2008, held in New York City, was a night to remember with over 120 brands representing more than 200 products, and 11 educational seminars.

Tall, sleek, numbered, and wearing a sexy gold medallion inscribed with CHARBAY California around its neck, CHARBAY Whiskey Release II is a limited edition for dedicated whiskey connoisseurs from CHARBAY® Winery & Distillery. Flavored with hops, CHARBAY Whiskey Release II is an exceptional winner that stands out when you want to celebrate life at its finest.

Do you know the difference between rum, ron, and rhum? Dori Bryant's annual Polished Palate RumFest 2008 brought New York rum aficionados out in droves for an exciting evening of education and spirits tasting, and of course, Luxury Experience Magazine was there.

Edward Hamilton had New Yorkers "Setting Sail for the Islands" with his New York Ministry Of Rum Festival 2008 held at Papillon Bistro & Bar where we had the opportunity to experience 60 delicious rums.

Tales of the Cocktail 2008 in New Orleans, Louisiana took the cocktail world to new levels with an exciting line-up of over 130 culinary and cocktail events including seminars with some of the top industry professionals including Dale DeGroff, Tony Abou-Ganin, and Audrey Saunders.

The Spirited Travelers aka Debra C. Argen and Edward F. Nesta of Luxury Experience Magazine share their cocktail recipes from their guest appearance as Bar Chefs at Ralph's on the Park in New Orleans for a spirited evening of cocktail and food pairing during Tales of the Cocktail.

Luxury Experience Magazine presents exciting cocktail recipes from the Tales of the Cocktail 2008 that was held in New Orleans, Louisiana.

When Ed Hamilton, Ministry of Rum, asked us if we would like to be rum judges for the 2008 Ministry of Rum Tasting Competition as part of the Tales of the Cocktail  in New Orleans, we readily agreed to participate.

The Spirited Travelers aka Debra C. Argen and Edward F. Nesta present a seminar on Cognac and Armagnac: Understanding the Nuances of the Spirits at the Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Created in the 1930s, B&B Liqueur celebrates its 70^th anniversary in 2008, and Luxury Experience Magazine is already starting the party! B&B is the "grandson" of Bénédictine Liqueur, which was created in 1510. Both of these spirits combine herbs and spices for a unique taste all their own.

I first "discovered" cachaça, the national spirit of Brazil made with fresh sugar cane juice, many years ago when I lived there, and since then, I am always on the lookout for outstanding new cachaças. My latest cachaça discovery is Sagatiba Cachaça manufactured in the state of São Paulo, Brazil.

The esteemed Brandy Library in New York was the perfect venue for a memorable evening of Delamain Cognac tasting with Delamain descendant, Charles Braastad, which was definitely a luxury experience.

Café Bohême is a delicious liqueur made with a blend of coffee, French vodka, vanilla, and cream, that after taking a sip had me toasting "C'est magnifique!"

Peru has been making pisco since the 16^th century, and experiencing BarSol Pisco, I felt that I was not only drinking a well-crafted spirit, but also drinking in Peruvian culture and history.

An interesting look at cocktail trends with fourth generation Joe Fee of Fee Brothers, the famous line of cocktail mixes used throughout the hospitality industry.

Joe Fee of Fee Brothers calls their line of bitters the "spice rack behind the bar," which is all well and good for cocktails, but I believe that chefs should revolt and add Fee Brothers Bitters to their own culinary spice racks in the kitchen!

The 1995 Knappogue Castle Irish Whiskey has a pale golden color, a lingering silkiness on the palate, and is pure Irish magic.

Delamain Cognac, one of the oldest names in the Cognac region, is where 200 years of history meets elegance.

Tales of the Cocktail celebrated its 5th anniversary from July 18 - 22, 2007 in New Orleans, and the "tales" have never been better!

The 2007 Tales of the Cocktail hosted many great seminars, two of which included Spirited Women Past and Present and Sake to Me!

If  2007 Tales of the Cocktail attendees at the South American Spirits Seminar on pisco and cachaça only learned one thing; it would be that these spirits are the new cocktail darlings.

Does sampling 53 rums over 2 days sound like a dream job to you? Join us as we take you through judging rums at the 2007 Ministry of Rum Tasting Competition as part of Tales of the Cocktail.

It was an evening of shake, rattle, and roll as top mixologists competed in the Rhum Clément Cocktail Challenge.

Summertime is here and with it, the desire to enjoy long drinks sitting by the pool, after a game of golf or tennis, or a day out sailing, and Celtic Crossing Liqueur from Ireland is perfect anytime.

Bison Grass Vodka is a Polish vodka with a clean taste and herbal notes from the bison grass extract purported to have possible aphrodisiac qualities.

Rhum J.M., an exqusite rum distilled on the smallest estate on Martinique, is located in the northeast in Macouba, where the sugar cane grows on 28-degree vertical slopes in rich volcanic soil at the foot of Mount Pelée.

The Swiss have perfected watch and chocolate making, and now DIWISA has perfected the art and science of making vodka.

While Edward F. Nesta and I were in Martinique, we visited Distillerie Clément and discovered their excellent line of rhums.