D.C. sommelier 'duels' Irish whiskey, single malt expertise

The Whiskey Room places as much importance in its whiskey education as it does in its collection. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)

WASHINGTON -- There's no doubt the local bars will be filled-to-the-brim on St. Patrick's Day with stumbling holiday enthusiasts who had their fill of green beer and cabbage.

But those looking to get a real education in a celebrated slice of Irish culture can find one on a long mahogany bar in a curved glass at R R's The Whiskey Room.

"Irish whiskey is what's new, it's what's upcoming," says Rachael Ewing, who is the whiskey sommelier at The Whiskey Room.

In addition to getting a pour -- or two -- of Irish whiskey, patrons at The Whiskey Room get a lesson in varieties from all over the world from Ewing, a whiskey expert, and her team.

"There's a lot of academic study that goes into it, but there's also a lot of sensory, hands-on work," Ewing says on learning whiskey.

Ewing's journey into whiskey is one of pure coincidence.

"Oh I completely fell into it," the 24-year-old says.

At the time, Ewing was attending college in Aberdeen, Scotland, and like most students, she needed a part-time job to get her through school. So Ewing applied for a position at a local, run-down bar, named The Grill. She soon found out The Grill is one of the top whiskey bars in the world.

Unfortunately for Ewing, she knew absolutely nothing about whiskey.

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D.C. sommelier 'duels' Irish whiskey, single malt expertise