Seattle Area's Woodmark Hotel Honored as One of The Best in the World

Woodmark Hotel

For the second time in as many months, The Woodmark Hotel & Spa has been ranked as one of the best hotels in the world in Travel + Leisure Magazine. This award announced just on the heels of the Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Award voting the Woodmark Hotel among the top properties in the World last month.

The Travel + Leisure 'World's Best' list is based on a comprehensive reader survey that rates each property on their facilities, location, service and culinary fare. As one of only three hotels in Washington to make the list, The Woodmark offers exclusive waterfront views and is well known for its personalized guest experience, array of amenities and fitness activities, and fresh local dining at bin on the lake and Beach Cafe.

"It is incredibly humbling to have the voice of our valued Woodmark guests' evolve into a Best in the World designation," notes Howard Jacobs, general manager of The Woodmark Hotel & Spa. "Our team of dedicated associates bring their passion and commitment for our guests each and every day and we couldn't be more proud of their efforts."

Touted as a popular urban property, the hotel's focus on unique touches that improve the comfort of each guest was a key component in both awards. Whether it's complimentary late night snacks, in-room martini bar, or cruising Lake Washington on board Woodmark II, it's clear that guests of The Woodmark love the broad array of offerings.

In November, The Woodmark Hotel & Spa was voted one of the best properties in the world in the annual Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards for the second year in a row, with almost 80,000 votes cast.

Bringing together a host of fitness activities and amenities, The Woodmark Hotel welcomes each guest with an uncommon blend of inspired personalized service and a serene lakeside setting just minutes from Seattle, Redmond and Bellevue.

The property features 100 expertly crafted guestrooms and suites, rejuvenating spa treatments at Northwest Face Spa and delectable culinary offerings at two on-property waterfront dining venues - bin on the lake and Beach Café. For those with a more active agenda, The Woodmark offers a variety of activities from paddle boarding and kayaking to on-site customized fitness programs with their Director of Adrenaline.

For more information about the Woodmark and to make reservations, call 425-822-3700 or visit TheWoodmark.com.

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a tequila enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

Fado Irish Pub in Seattle Hosts Launch Party for KCCO Black Lager

WHAT: Resignation Brewery, the new extension from the multi-faceted entertainment and digital media company, Resignation Media (theCHIVE.com, theCHIVERY.com), is hosting an exclusive launch party at Fadó Irish Pub this Saturday to kick off the release of its highly-anticipated beer, KCCO Black Lager, in Seattle. Tickets for the event sold out in just two minutes as fans jumped at the chance to be some of the first to sample the native beer which is brewed at the Redhook Brewery in Woodinville, WA.

WHEN: Saturday, November 23 from 6-9pm

WHERE: Fadó Irish Pub - 801 1st Street - Seattle, WA 98104
FadoIrishPub.com/Seattle/

BACKGROUND: KCCO Black Lager has mild notes of coffee and chocolate with a waft of smoke, but is very crisp and clean with a dry finish. The beer debunks the myth that that all dark beers are heavy and high in alcohol content, making it the perfect beer for any gathering.

PHOTO AND INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES: Learn first-hand what it means to be a Chiver and sample KCCO Black Lager. Photo and interview opportunities are available upon request only. Space is extremely limited to this sold out event, so all requests must be arranged prior to the event.

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a beer enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

Westland Distillery Releases Its Flagship American Single Malt Whiskey

Seattle, WA

On Sunday, October 27th, 2013 Seattle-based Westland Distillery released the first bottling of its flagship American Single Malt Whiskey at their facility in SoDo, located at 2931 First Avenue South.

Westland’s American Single Malt Whiskey serves as the core expression of the Distillery’s house style. Made from a grain bill of five different malted barleys and matured in heavily charred new American oak casks, the whiskey offers a uniquely American-style single malt to the market. "The Pacific Northwest has all the ingredients needed to create a single malt that can stand with the best whiskies in the world," says Westland’s President Emerson Lamb. "It is home to some of the best barley growing regions and highest quality water sources found on earth. For us, Seattle was a natural place to build our single malt whiskey distillery."

Westland’s 13,000 square foot distillery in SoDo houses a 5,000-liter mash house, five 10,000-liter fermenters, and two copper pot stills (7,570-liter and 5,670-liter, respectively). On this system Master Distiller Matt Hofmann oversees production of approximately 100 full-sized casks of single malt whiskey each month. He describes Westland’s house style as distinct in the global category of single malt. "Our whiskey is distilled in the Scottish tradition, but matured in the American style," says Hofmann. "This approach gives us a flavor profile marked by a sweetness and ease on the palate accompanied by a fruity and complex but ultimately grain-focused finish."

Westland’s American Single Malt Whiskey is now available at bars, restaurants and stores around the state. Tasting Room hours are Tuesday thru Sunday, 11am – 6pm and tours are available by appointment.

About Westland Distillery

Founded in 2010 in Seattle, WA, Westland Distillery mashes, distills, matures and bottles American Single Malt Whiskey in the heart of the Pacific Northwest. Tours of the Distillery are available Thursday thru Sunday by appointment.

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a whisky enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

The Single Malt & Scotch Whisky Extravaganza in Seattle, Washington on November 8th

The Single Malt & Scotch Whisky Extravaganza® is held in 12 major markets around the United States, including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, Seattle and Washington, DC.

Both Novice & Enthusiasts

The Extravaganza was the first and is the only tasting event that offers both the novice and most discerning enthusiast the opportunity to properly sample the participating whiskies in a sophisticated and elegant environment, with an array of sumptuous foods that greatly enhance the attendees' enjoyment.

Single Malt & Scotch Whisky

The Extravaganza provides our attendees an unusually wide range of the most prestigious single malt, premium Scotch and other unique whiskies in joyous camaraderie. Presented by whisky professionals, our goal is to educate our attendees in the discerning consumption of the finest spirits known to mankind. Unlike any other "whisky event", the Extravaganza focuses exclusively on single malt & Scotch whiskies as well as unique expressions from distilleries around the world. No other category of alcoholic beverages is included in our events.

Unique Whiskies From Scotland and Around the World

The gala evening event features a sampling of Scotland's most prestigious single malt & Scotch whiskies as well as unique expressions from around the world. At evening's end, a selection of premium, imported cigars are presented for the attendees' enjoyment after the event. Please note - smoking is not permitted within the confines of the venue.

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a whiskey enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.