Notes From The City: An Abundant Life - A Gentleman And A Scholar

I met Joel Liscio a few years ago when I was writing a blog about the Founders and creators of Misunderstood Whiskey, JD Recobs and Chris Buglisi. I had been following him on Instagram because somehow or other through mutual friends we had connected, but I only knew him as a Sommelier. When I was writing about Misunderstood Whiskey and the makers told me that there were several Bartenders and Mixologists around town who were making very fun and deliciously inventive creations with their whiskey, I set out to track as many of them as possible down so that I could add those people and their cocktails to the post. One of the first places I tried was Bin 14 where I had already met with JD and Chris when we sat down for our first official meeting for the blog and they had invited me to try an Old Fashioned, and after they told me that Joel was also creating something by infusing the whiskey with bacon fat, I had to go in again to meet with him. I also had lunch that day because I was planning to write about Bin 14 and the wonderful Chef and Owner Anthony Pino. While I was enjoying the meal and watching Joel create his Mixologist's masterpiece, we started talking about my history of working with Artists and I found out that Joel was an Artist as well. We kept in touch, and when I began to focus on writing the blog post about Bin 14 I was able to go in to watch and learn from Joel several times as he wore the hat of the wonderful and talented Sommelier he is. And then I attended an art show he was a part of and then another, and finally I was able to connect him into a group show I was curating where we were also serving fine wines so I could help bring both sides of his wonderfully talented personality together. In the meantime I had also introduced him to other Artists, and he had introduced me to some also, and we had many conversations about wine and about art so that whenever I am thinking of an event where I have either one of those things, I always get in touch with Joel to see if he can be a part of it.

Joel is passionate about wine and about art and he studies both with an energy that is almost seemingly impossible because he is also a father and a husband and a Manager at Bin 14. I remember one very late night into early morning when he saw that I was online and he sent me a text asking, "Do you ever sleep?" and though I know I do, I often wonder if he does. That made me laugh then and it still does now, and his sense of humor is another thing that I like and admire about Joel so much. Although he takes his work and his family responsibilities and his studies about art and wine very seriously, he also knows how to laugh and is able to make people feel comfortable not only when he is behind the bar, but when he is discussing wine at upscale events and tastings and pairings or discussing art at a gallery. And that is something that is important to me - there are many people who have knowledge, but to be able to share it with others without being condescending and to be able to share it so that people enjoy learning and want to learn more is a gift and a skill and a blessing. In my book Joel Liscio is the one I'd call any day, to share art and wine and a great conversation, to learn and discover and to plan an event, and to enjoy the art of fine wine and the art life with.

Joel Liscio

At Bin 14
1314 Washington Street

Hoboken, New Jersey
https://bin14.com/

Sabering A Champagne Bottle
At A Bubbles Tasting Event