Page 2 of Whiskey Darling
Again, I explain there are courses that will enhance one’s knowledge of bourbons and whiskeys. Women ask the majority of questions about how I became a freelance whiskey ambassador. Curious to know how much money I make. How many free drinks I score. If guys hit on me all the time.
There’s an important element my audience should know. “It helps if you like whiskey and showcase your enthusiasm,” I say. “Distilleries, and places like The Glenn, are always searching for the Four Ps. Passionate People Promoting their Products.”
“That’s why she’s known as Whiskey Darling, folks,” Jade interjects. “Lucky for me, Allie always needs an assistant. And I’m always happy to help.”
“We’ll try scotch next week.” I grin because Jade hates scotch. “I’m not quite as proficient at identifying those, so it will be a challenge.”
Jade groans good-naturedly as the dispersing crowd laughs. The bachelorette party discusses their tab while planning the next bar hop.
“Be sure you catch our Facebook and Instagram feeds.” I give the camera set-up a warm smile. “If you’re in Nashville, reserve your spot for Monday and Wednesday sampling nights here at The Glenn. See you next time on A Whiskey Journey, with me, Allie Darling, and my lovely assistant and friend, Jade Beaudette.”
Since returning from Ireland a year ago, I’ve worked at The Glenn. Sitting on the outskirts of Nashville’s Broadway scene, the bar is a popular hangout for downtown residents. Upscale, muted-roar loud, and crowded just enough with a ‘place to be’ vibe, it’s always packed with graduate students, professionals, and musicians. Social media touts it as a local hot spot offering upscale whiskey samplings, so you can bet on random tourists popping in as well.
My online feeds have amplified attendance and popularity. The Instagram page recently hit seventy-two thousand followers. I’m responsible for more than half of that number.
Signing off with my signature raised tumbler, I scribble out my list of the whiskeys. Which ones elicited enthusiasm with the crowd. Which proved lackluster. How many people finished their samples.
Jade stacks the highball glasses three high into two towers. We work silently until one of the towers goes toppling over. Remnants of whiskey spills across my journal page.
Elbows bracing on the table’s polished surface, the guy who bumped our table sniggers while I mop at the liquid with a bar napkin. Thankfully, there’s not much damage.
“Doing shots, ladies?”
He’s not bad looking, just drunk. Sloppy. Grinning like he just hit the jackpot, he waves at his three friends who are grabbing seats at a vacant table.
He spares a glance at The Bride and Seven Bachelorettes, and I can see the cogs of his mind churning. He’s calculating how much striking up a conversation with them might cost his wallet.
More than he can spare, apparently, because his attention centers on me. Out of the corner of my eye, I see his buddies give him the thumbs up.
“Whatcha got… rum? Vodka?” He picks up one of the glasses and sniffs it.
Obviously, he missed the whole whiskey sampling.
“Piss off, mate,” Jade says breezily, her accent making me smile.
With her mixed heritage, Jade is blessed with an exotic beauty. It’s intimidating, and she’s neither Australian nor British. She just likes messing with people and trying out phony accents.
She’s been my best friend since high school. Pretty terrifying when she wants to be. Right now, she’s tipsyandterrifying. Drunk Guy shrinks back, but instead of giving up, he plants his feet.
“We were sampling whiskey, but show’s over now.” I soften the blow of rejection, but he’s blitzed. Five minutes from now, he won’t remember us. “No more shots, but thanks for the offer.”
“Whiskey?” he sputters, burying his nose in the tumbler again. “That’s hardcore. What’s that shit you women usually like? Combos, right?”
Idiot.I smile, even though it’s tight.“I think you mean Cosmo.”
Do all men think whiskey is reserved exclusively for the male species?
“Whatever. Always thought of whiskey as a man’s drink. How ‘bout I get the next round? Whatcha drinking, sweet thing?” He sees Jade is a bit unsteady on her feet. Her quick wit remains intact, however.
“Didn’t you say you wanted a Cosmo?” Jade’s eyes widen innocently to his question before she turns, flashing me a quick smile. Her eyes comically cross as she mouths,“What a dick.”
Drunk Guy leers at her, completely ignorant of the insult.
“My friend’s not so sweet,” I confess to him with a low laugh. “Anyway, we’re done drinking tonight.”
“Aw, come on. We’ll stick with whiskey if ya want.” He leans so heavily on our table, it’s in danger of toppling. Cutting his eyes at me, he adds, “Don’t be such a downer, sweetheart.”
“What part of ‘piss off’ do you not understand?” I snap back, then disappointment curls inside me. Chasing off customers isn’t my goal. I usually keep my cool with drunk, misogynist fools, but this guy is making it hard to do that.
