Chapter 2082: Liquor-Tasting Event
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
“Isn’t that Lady Boss Eiffie from Titan Tavern? Titan Liquor was once a famous liquor back then. It’s a pity.
“Yes. I used to frequent it back then. It’s a pity that it was lost. Only the name is left now.”
“Ican see her every year, but the Titan Liquor she brewed really can’t compare to her father’s. However, her courage and perseverance are still admirable.”
Some people recognized Eiffie, and began to softly discuss her in a lamentable tone of voice.
To the older liquor-lovers and tavern operators, the Titan Liquor of the past was really impressive.
The gold award’s winner of the very first liquor-tasting event 30 years ago was Titan Liquor. It became a much-told tale back then.
The Titan Tavern from that time was one of Rodu’s most famous taverns.
However, that legendary brewer died in a burglary 15 years ago, leaving behind a daughter who was not even 15 years old, and Titan Liquor was lost ever since.
Although Titan Tavern reopened five years later, the Titan Liquor that Eiffie released wasn’t comparable to the real Titan Liquor. It became the regret of many liquor lovers.
Of course, some of the regular customers would still patronize Titan Tavern every now and then. They deemed it taking care of an old friend’s daughter, and giving her some business.
Eiffie greeted a few regular customers, and took her seat with a smile.
Mag flicked a glance at Eiffie. He had a better understanding of this woman’s difficulties.
Making a living was only a part of it. Her real pressure was withstanding the others’ expectations and her father’s glory.
“However, what kind of tavern is that Saipan Tavern? I have never heard of this tavern before.”
“Yes. It sounds like a newly opened tavern. Otherwise, I would have known.”
“That’s because you’re ignorant. This is the latest upstart in Rodu. Not many people know it, but apparently its liquor is not bad. Even Duke Abraham frequents it.”
“There’s something like that?”
“Theard about it too. He must have come with his liquor. We’ll naturally know when the liquor is served later.”
The conversation’s topic changed to Mag, who was sitting next to Eiffie. They began to pay more attention to him.
The chapel that could accommodate a few thousand people was quickly filled up. There were even many people standing at the back.
“Baron Kurt has arrived!” someone announced.
Everyone got up.
A sprightly elderly man with white hair came in. A few equally old men followed after him.
“The one in the center is Baron Kurt. He is the vice president of the Wine and Liquor Association. He’s also one of the founders of the liquor-tasting event.
“The one with the mustache is Fergus, the president of the Wine and Liquor Association. A fair and professional elder…” Eiffie introduced the elders’ identities to Mag.
The Wine and Liquor Association was a fairly independent organization, and those elders who had their own identities and status ensured relative fairness.
Kurt, as the sponsor of the venue, gave a short speech on this year’s event on behalf of the association.
“Let’s make it short and sweet. I know you guys don’t really want to listen to an old man talking here. You only want to know if there is any new liquor that appeared in Rodu in the past year,” Kurt smilingly said. “That’s right. I want to know too. Hence, let’s start the liquor-tasting officially now. I already
can’t wait.”
Everyone smiled. This baron was indeed an interesting person.
There was a one-meter-tall platform in front of the chapel with five tables spread out in a row. The five judges took their respective seats. There was a big glass of warm water on every table.
As the name implied, a liquor-tasting event was to judge liquor and then rank it.
As for the judging criteria, every judge had 10 points to give, and they were based on the subjective opinions of the five wine aficionado judges.
Although it didn’t sound stringent enough, as long as the five judges were professional and just enough, this would already be the most just and effective method.
There were over 300 taverns taking part in this liquor-tasting event. Due to the huge number, they were split into groups of five by drawing lots, and tasting would be done in groups of five.
Furthermore, in order to reduce the other factors from affecting the judges’ discernment, the liquor would not be introduced during group presentation. Instead, the names would only be revealed after judgment.
The staff members carried a bottle and five tiny glasses out. They opened the bottle right on the spot, poured the liquor into the five glasses in front of everyone, and placed them in front of the five judges.
A faint liquor’s aroma spread out.
Mag closed his eyes and took a sniff. It was a typical sweet ratafia. It smelled alright, but there was nothing special about it. It was simply slightly better than the homemade ratafia.
All the judges lifted the glasses and sniffed it first. Some of them shook their heads, while others nodded, but they all looked very calm.
Then, they all took a small sip and put down the glass.
“This ratafia’s texture is still alright. It’s a little too sweet. It still has room for improvement.” Kurt gave a short review before raising the scorecard in front of him.
Kurt gave six points, while Fergus gave six points. The other judges awarded it five to seven points.
“The first group, the first bottle. It’s the Karoo Ratafia from the Karoo Tavern. 31 points,” the host quickly announced.
The total was 50 points, so it was a barely passable score.
Mag nodded slightly. He was rather convinced by this panel of judges’ professionalism.
A fatty seemed rather ecstatic not too far away. Although it was a normal score, it was better than the score he had gotten last year. Moreover, it was the first alcohol to go on stage, so more people were going to remember it.
The other four bottles in the first group received 30-40 points, and a judge would make a short review as advice.
The judges only took small sips when they were sampling, They would also rinse their mouth with warm water later and munch on some cakes occasionally. Although there were a lot of alcoholic drinks, their speed wasn’t slow.
“Father, when will it be our turn? And… when can we eat?” Amy asked Mag softly. Such an event was really too boring for the little one. She had already gulped a few times while staring at the cakes on the stage.
“Why don’t you go out and play for a while first, Ay and An? Mala is just outside. She can bring you to go eat nice food,” Eiffie smilingly said to Amy.
“Alright, alright.” Amy lit up her eyes, and she immediately nodded her little head.
Mag turned to look at Irina.
“Go ahead.” Irina nodded. Her spiritual power could cover this entire manor. Nothing would happen even if the children went out to play for a while.
Annie held Amy’s hand, and quietly snuck out of the chapel.
“This is Reese Tavern’s Explosive Liquor. The texture is just as the name describes, explosive. It surprises one instantly when it enters the mouth, and makes a strong impression. Furthermore, there is some improvement to the taste this year. It became smoother after going down the throat. It’s rather
surprising,” Fergus put his glass as he commented with a smile.
“Yes. It’s a liquor that one can’t pretend not to know. It has indeed improved greatly compared to last year.” Kurt also nodded with a smile.
All the judges showed their scorecards.
“The 32nd group, the third bottle. It’s the Explosive Liquor from Reese Tavern. 48 points! The highest score now!” The emcee couldn’t help raising his voice a little..