My guest this week is Kevin Borowsky founding owner along with his wife Meahgan of The Whistling Kettle
Troy, NY proprietors Kevin and Meahgan Borowsky debuted the Whistling Kettle luxe loose leaf tea brand twenty years ago, saying farewell to high profile NYC careers. Their entrepreneurial growth story reverses the convention of the bricks and mortar leading to an online store: the duo popularized their distinct tea brand with such success that it supported their first tea focused restaurant in NY’s destination village of Ballston Spa, just south of Saratoga Springs. Three tea centric cafes located in Ballston Spa, Troy and Schenectady offer a modern interpretation of the traditional afternoon tea with a retail selection including a ‘Great Wall of tea’ with over 100 varieties. 2023 sees the opening of a new tea bar and retail shop located at their headquarters in Albany, NY. The Whistling Kettle Teas are sold nationally, and the in-house team actively sources tea from small farms from all over the world to blend their unique and continually evolving array of flavorful teas to support their mission of creating luxury teas, sustainability and at a fair price.
“Step through our doors and you’ll know we’re just not another tea shop. Our story started in 2004 when we decided to quit our jobs in New York City and follow our entrepreneurial spirits. Drinking tea became our one of our habits, but there weren’t any consumer friendly stores to buy tea locally. The tea businesses at the time were based on a 19th century model. There were plenty of coffee shops – but what about tea?” Follow on Facebook.
Good Life Guy’s Wine of the Week:
2016 Viña Gormaz Crianza from Ribera Del Duero
100% Tempranillo fermented at a controlled temperature of 83º F for 10 days. After the fermentation process, the wine is macerated for 10 days. After the malolactic fermentation is complete, the wine is transferred to French and American oak barrels (new and previously used) for 14 months. The wine is then aged for 8 months in bottle before release. ABV14%
Tasting Notes: Intense ruby red color. Ripe fruit aromas with hints of cocoa and roasted coffee. A touch of sweet fruit on the palate with a backbone of tannins and a little acidity makes this a complex and balanced crianza.
Wine Enthusiast 92!