'Whiskey is a quality point of American culture'
New Campus Club
Edward Gildea
Issue date: 4/11/03 Section: Features
On Monday, April 7, the founding meeting of the Holy Cross Whiskey Society took place. The founding members are Kevin M. Roche, chair; John F. Lucey, treasurer; Dean W. Sattler, aficionado; Michael J. Grandone, director of ambiance and music; and Edward J. Gildea, who serves as the scribe and historian. Gregory Fulham serves as the group's alumnus consultant.
Kevin Roche was elected chair unanimously. He defined the Whiskey Society as "A forum meant to stimulate intellectual conversation, as well as an appreciation for the finer points of life. We hope to provide a springboard for a wider understanding of this truly great spirit.
"Whiskey is a quality point of American culture. Enjoying it responsibly in the company of good friends and good people is the ultimate goal of this society."
A key point of this society is its encouragement of responsible drinking. Underage and excessive drinking are not condoned at the meetings, which treasurer John Lucey describes as an educational experience.
"Our top priority is an education in whiskey. There are hundreds of different brands of whiskey worldwide, and members of this society will graduate from Holy Cross with greater understanding and appreciation of the many varieties of this fine spirit.
"The group's historian and scribe will be researching the history of all brands of whisky we consume, and presenting a report on them weekly."
This society insists on maintaining a touch of class. Director of ambiance Michael Grandone points out "A coat and collar are required of our gentlemen members at all meetings."
There are currently no women in the society, but looking to avoid an Augusta National-esque controversy, Chairman Roche quickly pointed out "While there are currently no women in this society, that is not to say that we are not open to women joining us. We are a forum for any person who enjoys a good glass of whiskey and a good cigar to go along with it."
Dean Sattler spoke of his role as both whiskey and cigar aficionado.
"Cigars play a role in our responsible consumption of whiskey. This society will provide just as much an education in different brands of quality cigars as it will different brands of quality whiskey."
The society currently consists of five seniors, though in the coming weeks an open house meeting will be held for prospective students of proper age to continue the tradition of this society for years to come. If enough interest is demonstrated, the group hopes that in the future this society will become an official club, recognized by Holy Cross.
Edward Gildea, scribe and writer of this article, explains, "In the face of this allegedly rampant binge drinking on the Hill, the Whiskey Society looks to produce cultured students who advocate the responsible consumption of whiskey. A group such as this should be accepted happily in the future by both student programs and student affairs as a promoter of drinking responsibly and drinking with a purpose beyond that of simply getting wildly intoxicated. I think even Tom Clark would have loved this society."
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Kevin Roche was elected chair unanimously. He defined the Whiskey Society as "A forum meant to stimulate intellectual conversation, as well as an appreciation for the finer points of life. We hope to provide a springboard for a wider understanding of this truly great spirit.
"Whiskey is a quality point of American culture. Enjoying it responsibly in the company of good friends and good people is the ultimate goal of this society."
A key point of this society is its encouragement of responsible drinking. Underage and excessive drinking are not condoned at the meetings, which treasurer John Lucey describes as an educational experience.
"Our top priority is an education in whiskey. There are hundreds of different brands of whiskey worldwide, and members of this society will graduate from Holy Cross with greater understanding and appreciation of the many varieties of this fine spirit.
"The group's historian and scribe will be researching the history of all brands of whisky we consume, and presenting a report on them weekly."
This society insists on maintaining a touch of class. Director of ambiance Michael Grandone points out "A coat and collar are required of our gentlemen members at all meetings."
There are currently no women in the society, but looking to avoid an Augusta National-esque controversy, Chairman Roche quickly pointed out "While there are currently no women in this society, that is not to say that we are not open to women joining us. We are a forum for any person who enjoys a good glass of whiskey and a good cigar to go along with it."
Dean Sattler spoke of his role as both whiskey and cigar aficionado.
"Cigars play a role in our responsible consumption of whiskey. This society will provide just as much an education in different brands of quality cigars as it will different brands of quality whiskey."
The society currently consists of five seniors, though in the coming weeks an open house meeting will be held for prospective students of proper age to continue the tradition of this society for years to come. If enough interest is demonstrated, the group hopes that in the future this society will become an official club, recognized by Holy Cross.
Edward Gildea, scribe and writer of this article, explains, "In the face of this allegedly rampant binge drinking on the Hill, the Whiskey Society looks to produce cultured students who advocate the responsible consumption of whiskey. A group such as this should be accepted happily in the future by both student programs and student affairs as a promoter of drinking responsibly and drinking with a purpose beyond that of simply getting wildly intoxicated. I think even Tom Clark would have loved this society."
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Cigar
posted 12/15/08 @ 9:26 AM EST
You got that right, nobody ever questions whiskey as a national American mark, and I quality point, that's for sure. Good whiskey, good cigars and good company, is there a better combination than that?
Edward Gildea
posted 11/07/09 @ 12:10 AM EST
Not going to lie, I still laugh my ass of when I read this...
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