Greetings (again) whisky drinkers,

Hi again!

Now we’re not in the business of peppering your inbox with constant emails – it just ain’t our style.

But we thought we’d better let you all know that due to technical difficulties, the HQ tasting, scheduled for this Friday (27th), regrettably has been postponed until the 17th of February. Apologies for this and we hope that any of you that had planned to come along will be able to make it to the new date – we are probably more disappointed than all of you put together! Tickets will be on sale soon, so watch this space.

Newcastle Whisky Fest Masterclasses and stuff!

- Beginner’s Class at 12.45pm with Joe Clark of the Whisky Lounge. Tickets £5
- Six of the Best – Diageo Workshop at 1pm with Colin Dunn. Tickets £10.
- The Whisky Lounge ‘Speakeasy’ – with Eddie, from 2pm-4pm (see details below)
- Balvenie – Tasting Workshop at 3.30pm. Tickets £7.50

Tickets and further info for the above can be found here. Book asap to avoid dissapointment on the day!

Introducing – The Whisky Lounge ‘Speakeasy’

This is an experimental private seated area away from the hustle and bustle of the festival, where you can come and enjoy some seriously impressive drams.

How do you get a place in this much sort after area?

Well if you’re in possesion of a Whisky Lounge membership then you can swan in, pick up three free poker chips with which to swap for fine whiskies not available in the hall, and enjoy all that the Speakeasy has to offer.

However if you’re not a member, you can still come in, but this privilege will cost you £10 – which also includes three poker chips. Now as you’re well aware, tokens in exchange for drams is not the norm for us, and just to be clear these will only be in place in the Speakeasy, not in the rest of the festival. The drams in the Speakeasy are over and above what you will find in the rest of the festival. Additional poker chips will be available in the Speakeasy at the cost of £3 for one or £5 for two.

Food (or drams) for thought.

We look forward to seeing you soon.

Slainte,
Eddie

Eddie Ludlow
Whisky Evangelist

thewhiskylounge
IWSC Spirit Panel Judge 2009-present
www.thewhiskylounge.com
eddie@thewhiskylounge.com

FSL Whisky Selectionl: Glenmorangie Artein

Hello Fellow Scotch Lovers -    

I have a real treat for you this week: the opportunity to be the first on your block to own a really exciting new whisky from one of Scotlands truly great distilleries.

Glenmorangie Artein is the third release in its award winning Private Edition range. Scots Gaelic for stone, ‘Artein’ is an intriguing assemblage of 15 and 21YO Glenmorangie, extra matured in ‘Super Tuscan’ wine casks.

Stone has always been at the heart of the making of Glenmorangie single malt Scotch whisky. Its own unique hard water source – the Tarlogie Spring – slowly filters through layers of limestone, adding rich minerals that eventually give Glenmorangie its complex fruity aromas. Close to Glenmorangie Distillery in the Scottish Highlands an ancient stone of symbolic significance was uncovered – the Hilton of Cadboll Stone – which Glenmorangie proudly adopted as its brand emblem.

A pioneer in extra maturation and with a true passion for innovation, Dr Bill Lumsden, Head of Distilling & Whisky Creation for Glenmorangie felt strong affinity with a highly talented group of ‘Super Tuscan’ wine producers. The rugged Tuscan coastal hills, built on stony foundations, are a seemingly improbable area for vineyards. However, the stones play an important role in the development of these fine wines. The vines are forced to delve deep into the soil seeking nourishment; as a result the grapes claim intense flavour from this unique terroir.

Dr Lumsden told us “Wine is one of my huge passions and I was fascinated by the role stony ground played in cultivating the vines – therefore influencing the flavour profile of the infamous ‘Super-Tuscan’ wines. I was inspired to experiment with extra maturing Glenmorangie in these wine casks and was thrilled with the result – a rich, outstandingly fragrant whisky – born of stone.”

Bottled at a strength of 46%, Glenmorangie Artein’s recipe has two thirds hand selected 15yo whisky with a special additional third of 21 year old whisky.  The spirit started its maturation in American white oak ex-bourbon casks before individually spending a period of extra maturation in Super Tuscan wine casks.

As with all of Glenmorangie’s Private Edition whiskies (Sonnalta and Finealta being the first two), this is an extremely limited production whisky, with less than 3,000 bottles coming into the US. So we sent our man “The Neck” to have a chat with the friendly folk who run Glenmorangie’s US distribution, and back he returned with our fair share of a very limited inventory. 

So its’ with great excitement that we can offer you the opportunity to pre-order your own bottle of Artein now for $84.50/ bottle. The whisky will ship in early February, so act now…as always, once its gone, its gone.

Until next Wednesday….

Doug Stone
Founder
www.ForScotchLovers.com
________________________________________________________________________

GLENMORANGIE ARTEIN SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY

 
________________________________________________________________________
TASTING NOTES: GLENMORANGIE ARTEIN PRIVATE EDITION WHISKY

Nose: sweet and heady bouquet of ripe red berries, honeysuckle and fresh mint

Taste: sun soaked baked fruits such as ripe apricots, peaches and plums harmonize gracefully with hints of spearmint and cherries in milk chocolate.

Finish: high notes of zesty, lemon sherbet and a flourish of creamy cappuccino.

NEW PRODUCTS FROM MURRAY McDAVID

Independent Specialists in Premium Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Murray McDavid Ltd is an independent bottler. Independent bottlers offer consumers the opportunity to try well known and widely available brands at a different age, a different strength, and possibly even a different type of barrel than the distillery bottled product. The tradition of independent bottling goes back 150 years and until the practice of distilleries bottling their own malts started in the 60′s, it was the only source for many of Scotland’s finest malts. Murray McDavid takes great care in its selection of its malts. They only select for bottling those casks that they feel represent the best the distillery can produce. Murray McDavid provides the drinker with the chance to sample Scotch in its most natural form.

Ardbeg 17 Year Old                  
£121.99 inc VAT               

Ardbeg 18 Year Old       
£129.98 inc VAT

Bowmore 16 Year Old
£52.99 inv VAT

Highland Park 21Year Old         
£70.00 inc VAT             

Linlithgow 25 Year Old              
£89.99 inc VAT     

Macallan 20 Year Old
£85.99 inc VAT

Mortlach 21 Year Old
£70.00 inc VAT

Rosebank 21 Year Old     
£105.00 inc VAT

Single Malts Limited | 36 Gordon Street | Huntly | Aberdeenshire | AB54 8EQ |

Whisky Review #245 – Black & White . . . www.ralfy.com gives a helping hand to a decent Blended Scotch ( a wee change from malts!)

So what’s the best whisky or scotch for Burns Night?

It’s that time of year when the haggis gets brought out and wee, sleeket, cowran, tim’rous beastie’s everywhere panic and the age-old question is asked: what’s the best whisky for Burns Night?

In my opinion, you can’t go wrong with either the Whyte & Mackay 19 year old whisky or the Whyte & Mackay 22 year old whisky (without water even) because the age and the weight of these fine drams along with the sherry styles involved make them go just fine with haggis, neeps and tatties (and if anyone’s wondering how they should drink their whisky with the haggis, let them watch this video) – in fact, you can even add the whisky when cooking the haggis or just after it’s ready, as well as using it for the toasts.

There’s a wee bit more about both these fine whiskies in the videos below – and at the end there’s a wee treat for anyone looking to cook something a little bit different with haggis.

And for the more modern amongst you looking for a bit of help with a Burns Supper, I’m told that there’s an app for phones out there complete with autocue for reading the toasts and even tells you which way to face so you’re looking at Burns homeland – regardless of where you are!

Whatever you get up to – and I see a few people are holding off until the weekend – have a great night. I see there’s already plenty chatter on the Twitters about it with #burnsnight, #burnssupper & #robertburns – great to see people coming together from all over the globe celebrating this fine Scottish poet and more importantly, having a great time.

We are pleased to announce our events for the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, which this year runs from the 3rd to the 7th of May.

Friday 4th May 2012
10.00 – 13.00
Glenfarclas – An Independent Distillery
With Ian Buxton and George Grant
Published by The Angel’s Share to commemorate the 175th anniversary of the Glenfarclas Distillery in 2011, Glenfarclas – An Independent Distillery, by renowned whisky writer Ian Buxton, is both a biography of the family owned distillery and a record of a remarkable year in the distillery’s long history, preserved for the future. Delving deep into the character and provenance of the Ballindalloch distillery, this book has been carefully presented by designer Jules Akel with original material from the distillery’s archives and newly commissioned photography by John Paul.

After a tour of the distillery join Ian Buxton and George Grant for a Glenfarclas tasting, during which Ian Buxton will share with you his experiences of researching Glenfarclas – An Independent Distillery. Included in the price of the event is your personal copy of Glenfarclas – An Independent Distillery, signed for you by Ian Buxton and George Grant.
£50.00
To book please visit http://www.spiritofspeyside.com/event_detail.php?event=830

Saturday 5th of May 2012
14.00-16.00
Glenfarclas Chairman’s Reserve Tasting
With Kate Wright
Consider this the post-175th Anniversary wrap party and an excuse to try 4 fantastic Glenfarclas, all over 40 years old! After the obligatory tour of the distillery with Kate Wright, Sales & Marketing Executive, you will try the Chairman’s Reserve, bottled in 2011 to celebrate the 175th Anniversary of the Glenfarclas Distillery, along with single cask offerings from each of the three years that went into this limited edition – 1969, 1966 and 1965.
£40.00
To book please visit http://www.spiritofspeyside.com/event_detail.php?event=952

Sunday 6th of May 2012
19.00-22.00
Glenfarclas Dinner at Cragganmill Restaurant, Grantown-on-Spey
With Graham Harvey and Robert Ransom
Enjoy a four course Glenfarclas Whisky Dinner at Craggan Mill Restaurant, Grantown-on-Spey. Graham Harvey and Sheila McConachie, chef/patrons of Craggan Mill, and co-authors of the award winning book The Whisky Kitchen, will present a four course dinner, with each course inspired by an expression of Glenfarclas. To start, the Velouté of Haggis with Glenfarclas 15 Years Old, which featured in Graham’s winning menu for the 2007 Spirit of Speyside Chef Competition. Robert Ransom, Director of Sales & Marketing, of family owned Glenfarclas, will introduce an expression of Glenfarclas to accompany each course.
£65.00
NB: Only 2 places left
To book please visit: http://www.spiritofspeyside.com/event_detail.php?event=492

Monday 7th of May 2012
10.00-12.00
The Family Casks – Help Choose the 1997 Bottling
With George Grant
The Family Casks are a unique collection of single casks whiskies, with at least one cask bottled for every year from 1952 to 1996. To select the casks for each year, George Grant has nosed over 200 different casks. Now he would like you to assist in selecting the cask for the 1997 vintage to add to the collection. After a tour of the distillery, and a tasting of a selection of The Family Casks, George Grant will introduce a short list of 1997 cask samples, for you to nose, taste, comment on and then vote on. The chosen cask will then go forward for bottling, to be released for sale later in the year.
£40.00
To book please visit http://www.spiritofspeyside.com/event_detail.php?event=708

Glenfarclas
Email: info@glenfarclas.co.uk
Website: www.glenfarclas.co.uk
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/glenfarclas/
Tel: +44 (0) 1807 500257
Fax: +44 (0) 1807 500234
Address: Glenfarclas Distillery, Ballindalloch, Banffshire AB37 9BD, UK

On 7th of March Malmaison Aberdeen will host what promises to be a truly unforgettable night of outstanding whisky and stunning food. Come along and join Richard Paterson from Whyte &Mackay for a Masterclass and Whisky Dinner for only £65.

Allow Richard Paterson 3rd Generation Master Blender, winner of “Blender of the year”, “Distiller of the year”, “Keepers of the Quaich” and many more awards to excite and enlighten you with a great selection of personally created whiskies for Whyte & Mackay including Dalmore, Fettercairn, Isle of Jura and Mackinlay’s Rare and Old Shackleton.

7.00pm start.

Love Whisky? Come along, We Dare You!

Please ask any of our bar staff or contact us on: bstaber@malmaison.com

Bernd Staber
Bar Manager
Malmaison Aberdeen
49-53 Queens Road
Aberdeen
AB15 4YP

After the success of our very first whisky and chocolate tasting collaboration with the famous chocolatier Paul A Young, we thought we’d better put another in the diary, please join us!

Whisky and Chocolate Tasting
1st March 2012, 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Milroy’s of Soho, 3 Greek Street, London W1D 4NX

Price per ticket: £50

Be taken through an extravaganza of chocolate and whisky matchings with Paul A Young’s himself and his famous chocolates. The evening will leave taste buds tantalised and chocolate lovers satisfied.

 To place an order please visit milroys.co.uk, call Elizabeth on 020 7437 2385 or email Elizabeth.Williams@jeroboams.co.uk

Our mailing address is:

Milroy’s of Soho
3 Greek Street
London, England W1D 4NX

Scotland – Single Malt Scotch

1995 Highland Park 16 Year Old A.D. Rattray Single Bourbon Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whiskey 375ml ($55.99)

Talisker 30 year old 2011 Limited Edition sle of Skye Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($399.99)

Scotland – Blended Scotch

Johnnie Walker Black Blended Scotch Whisky 750ml – 1 available ($29.99)

K&L Wine Merchants
http://www.klwines.com/
Phone: 877-KLWines (toll free 877-559-4637)
Email: wine@klwines.com
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

Whisky Live Dublin is back – building on the fantastic success from its debut in 2011. The world’s premier whisky tasting show will make a welcome return to The Round Room at The Mansion House in the heart of Dublin’s city centre on Saturday 26th May 2012.

NEW FEATURES FOR 2012 – mcleanscotland are the official tour agents for Whisky Live Dublin – and are offering the Grand Tour; 4 night’s accommodation Dublin City, 4 fully cooked Irish breakfasts, coach trips to Kilkenny Town, Cooley & Kilbeggan Distilleries and a ticket to Whisky Live! Even a castle hotel is available for those with a liking for luxury… www.mcleanscotland.co.uk/4nightwhiskylivetour.asp

Tuesday 22 May Café en Seine – whisky and food evening – whisky tasting with a wee bit of food to drive you insane! See more www.mcleanscotland.co.uk/enseine.asp

Wednesday 23 May Clontarf Castle Hotel sample drams from the Castle Brands range, Celtic Crossing, Clontarf, Knappogue Castle single malts. See more www.mcleanscotland.co.uk/clontarfmasterclass.asp

Thursday 24 May Palace Bar – whisky evening 5 Irish whiskey’s from the Cooley’s range. Not a masterclass, rather an experience with Willie and friends with humour, whiskey and of course; the craik! See more www.mcleanscotland.co.uk/dublinpalace.asp

Thursday 24 May 10am coach to The Old Kilbeggan Distillery See more www.mcleanscotland.co.uk/halfdaytrips.asp  

Friday 25 May A morning coach trip to Cooley’s Distillery, Dundalk. Unlike any other distillery, a rare chance to see into the workings of this gem with all its rough edges and non tourist tour! See more www.mcleanscotland.co.uk/halfdaytrips.asp

Friday 25 May Whiskey Tasting, Dinner & Irish Show A superb whisky tasting, 3 course dinner and a night of Irish entertainment held at the Arlington Hotel, O’Connell Bridge. See more www.mcleanscotland.co.uk/fridaydublin.asp

To book tickets for Whisky Live Event on Saturday 26th May, simply visit www.whiskylive.com .

Tickets are limited so don’t forget to book now to avoid disappointment and we very much look forward to seeing you at Whisky Live Dublin.

VIP tickets also available – hurry for these, limited supply.