Hi All,

Hope all is well and you can feel a slight spring in the air as I can!

A very quick update for you…

Website payments enabled!

Firstly, I am delighted to inform you that you are now able to book all tastings and events online (again)! This facility is very handy and means you no longer have to go through the rigmarole of emailing me and then me calling you, etc. It is still in it’s infancy, so please be patient and let me know if you have any issues with it.

Just go to www.thewhiskylounge/events.aspx and pick your event, choose how many tickets you require, then click on your cart and go to the checkout. You will, once you’ve filled in your address details, be re-directed to the HSBC secure payments site where you fill in your relevant payment details. Once your payment is processed you will be directed back to the Whisky Lounge website where you will find a confirmation page. Please print this as your ‘proof of purchase’. Enjoy!

1st Brighton Whisky Lounge Festival
Saturday 20th March 2010
The Hilton Brighton Metropole, King’s Street
12pm-6pm
£16 per ticket, £5 per masterclass

A little over 2 weeks to go before our first festival of the year. Anybody in or around the area should already have this in their diary and should get booking! Exhibitors so far confirmed…

MHUK (Ardbeg, Glenmorangie)
Balvenie
Benromach
Gordon & MacPhail
St. George’s Distillery
Compass Box
Whyte & Mackay (Dalmore, Jura)
Arran
Pernod Ricard (Glenlivet, Chivas Regal)
Amrut
Diageo (Classic Malts)
Four Roses Bourbon
Cutty Sark
Berry Brothers
Springbank, Longrow, Hazelburn
The Whisky Lounge (retail stand)
Not a bad little line up!

We also have two masterclasses – one from Balvenie and the other from Diageo.

For further details and to book tickets, please visit http://www.thewhiskylounge.com/Events.aspx?id=119 .

First Leeds Whisky Lounge tasting this Friday!

Final chance for you to taste through the fabulous set of Glenmorangies that we assembled for the first tastings of the year. Come and see what the rest of the country has been enjoying!

Glenmorangie – Innovation and Invigoration

Friday 20th March 2010
The City Inn, Granary Wharf, Leeds
7.30pm, £20 per ticket

For the last time we are tasting some sublime examples of Glenmorangie, most of which are not available on the high street. The tasting has so far attracted a great following and we’re very much looking forward to the last leg in the fantastic location of the City Inn, Leeds. For more info and to buy tickets, please click here.

Whisky Lounge on Twitter & Facebook

You can now follow my exploits on Twitter. Event updates, news and mood swings are all there! Just go to www.twitter.com/TheWhiskyLounge
I also have a Whisky Lounge Facebook group should you be so inclined. This is where I currently post past event feedback and scores.

Anyway, that will do for now. News of further festivals and tastings will be coming very soon.

Keep well!

Cheers,
Eddie

Eddie Ludlow
Whisky Evangelist

thewhiskylounge
www.thewhiskylounge.com
eddie@thewhiskylounge.com
Twitter me up
Facebook Group

07515 854210
01904 466227
IWSC Spirit Panel Judge 2009-present

GLENROTHES® ANNOUNCES SPONSORSHIP OF
THE NEW WHISKY iPHONE APP

 NEW YORK CITY (March 8, 2010)–Whisky and technology merge online with the new WhiskyCast application for iPhone users. Based on the Internet’s most successful whisky podcast, the new WhiskyCast iPhone application will allow users to listen to episodes online, check tasting notes for whiskies while at a bar or retailer, and even find whisky events while they’re traveling. Unlike other iPhone whisky apps, the WhiskyCast app is free for users thanks to sponsorship from The Glenrothes® Single Malt Scotch and its U.S. importer, Skyy Spirits.

Since the first WhiskyCast episode hit the Internet in November of 2005, more than 850,000 episodes have been downloaded, making WhiskyCast the most popular podcast devoted to whisky. Each episode features the latest news on new whiskies from around the world, along with upcoming whisky events, tasting notes from host Mark Gillespie, and interviews with distillers, authors, and other whisky experts.

“The Glenrothes is thrilled to be a part of the new WhiskyCast application for iPhone and iTouch users,” said Nathalie Phillips, Brand Manager for The Glenrothes. “This is an outstanding way for everyone from a whisky novice to a whisky expert to instantly source information on their favorite brand or an exciting new find.  It should prove an invaluable resource for whisky lovers everywhere.”

Single Malt Scotch aficionados await the arrival of each rare, new vintage from The Glenrothes, the award-winning distillery known for unparallel quality and taste, with great anticipation.  Founded in Scotland in 1879, the Glenrothes is one of only three Speyside Malts to hold ’top class’ status.  Only 2% of what is distilled each year, the very finest quality – becomes a Glenrothes vintage.  Each vintage is, by definition, rare and finite.  Each has its own unique taste and personality. 

“One of the things I’ve always wanted was to have my tasting notes with me when I visit a bar,” said Gillespie. “I’ve tasted literally hundreds of whiskies over the last few years, and this new app makes it easy to take my notes wherever I go.” As the host and producer of WhiskyCast and a member of the Malt Maniacs, an international organization of whisky lovers, Mark has had the opportunity to taste the best whiskies from Scotland, the U.S., Canada, Japan, and many other countries. “I’ve been able to take my notes and turn them into an application that other whisky connoisseurs can refer to,” Gillespie said. “What’s more, thanks to The Glenrothes, we can make the WhiskyCast application available for free. In these tough economic times, people are looking to save money wherever they can, and this is one way people can make the most of their whisky budget.”

In addition to Gillespie’s tasting notes, the WhiskyCast app will let listeners access the four most-recent episodes directly from their iPhone or iTouch without the need to download and sync their player to a computer. The application was developed by JacApps, a division of Jacobs Media, which has built similar applications for numerous radio stations and has a unique knack for programming iPhones to play streaming live audio.

WhiskyCast is available on the web at www.whiskycast.com.  More information on The Glenrothes is available at www.theglenrothes.com. The application will be available for free downloading at the iTunes App Store.
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About Skyy Spirits, LLC
Skyy Spirits, LLC is the US-based wholly owned subsidiary of Gruppo Campari (Reuters CPRI.MI – Bloomberg CPR IM) and the definitive marketer and distributor of super-premium and luxury spirits brands in North America.  Launched in 1992 with the introduction of its flagship brand, SKYY® Vodka, Skyy Spirits has grown exponentially, building a portfolio unrivaled in its quality, innovation and style, making it a top choice among distributors, retailers and consumers.  Skyy Spirits manages Gruppo Campari’s portfolio in the US of such leading brands as SKYY® Vodka, SKYY90®, SKYY Infusions®, Campari®, Wild Turkey® Straight Kentucky Bourbon, American Honey®, Russell’s Reserve®, Cabo Wabo® Tequila, Ouzo 12®, X-Rated® Fusion Liqueur® and Jean-Marc XO Vodka®.  Skyy Spirits is also the exclusive US distributor of Cutty Sark® Scotch Whisky, The Glenrothes® Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Bowmore® Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Auchentoshan® Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Glen Garioch® Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Flor de Caña® Rum, Carolans Irish Cream®, Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey®, Irish Mist® Liqueur, Midori® Melon Liqueur, ZEN Green Tea Liqueur TM, Hibiki® Whisky and The Yamazaki® Single Malt Whisky.  

Skyy Spirits was founded and is headquartered in San Francisco, California.  More information on the company can be found at www.skyyspirits.com and www.camparigroup.com.  Please enjoy Skyy Spirits brands responsibly and in moderation.

The goal of the club is two fold: 1) to introduce members to broad range (retail prices from $50-$175) of exciting whiskies from around the world without any preconceived notions as to what they’re tasting and 2) to get them to share those experiences with other whisky drinkers. There are three membership levels to the club, but regardless of which level members choose, all will have the following core benefit which is aimed at achieving the club goals:

Six (6) times a year each member will receive four (4) tasting sample bottles of amazing whiskies from around the world. These whiskies will arrive in generically-packaged bottles, with no brand or age identity. Members will also receive instructions directing them to our website, where they will be required to input their own tasting notes for each whisky, after which they will provided with the name of the whisky they tasted, and then be offered discounts on those whiskies.

You can read more about the club here; 

http://www.forscotchlovers.com/distillery_row/whisky_explorers_club

Single Malts Direct

Highland Queen Majesty 30 Year Old  Single Highland Scotch Whisky

Highland Queen has been produced in Scotland for over 100 years. It takes the name from Mary Queen of Scots, who reigned from 1545 to1567 and was executed in 1587 on the order of Elisabeth 1st, Queen of England.
 
Majesty 30 years old is the oldest and rarest expression of Highland Queen, with only 2000 bottles produced. It has exceptional elegance and softness on the nose, with the sweetness golden syrup, butterscotch and creamy toffee. Long and elegant tothe end the finish has amazing finese with gentle nut notes, hints of dates, citrus notes and the softness of vanilla creams.

SPECIAL OFFER: Save £15.00 (was £99.99)
£84.99 inc. VAT £72.33 ex. VAT

http://www.singlemaltsdirect.com/shop.php?action=full&id=2173

“Well for all Dutchies around the World, and those that can more or less practice the Dutch-language this may be an interesting forum.

It is a friendly and “open” very well structured forum.

And although a forum, it is also becoming a (Dutch-language) Whisk(e)y-Knowledgebase.”

http://www.hetwhiskyforum.nl/

“Het Whisky forum” translates as “The Whisky forum”.

Glenmorangie 10 Year Old  “The Original”
Single Malt Scotch Whisky

           $29.99 (For This week Only)

Glenmorangie The Original is the intriguing marriage of delicate spirit and long, slow maturation. The taste characteristics from the first-fill bourbon casks that permeates the majority of the aged spirit, coupled with the increased proportion of our ‘designer casks’ (made from slow-growth, air-dried American oak from the Ozark Mountains of Missouri), results in a delicious spirit that enhances the relaxed and convivial mood of the group by igniting the senses. The Original is, quite simply, the most delicate and deliciously complex single malt whisky in the world.
Score: 93 Points, Malt Advocate

Aroma
Imagine yourself in an Italian garden surrounded with mandarin, lemon, apple, pear and peach trees, their fruit ripening in the sun. Add to this the scent of vanilla ice cream, then enjoy the herbal aromas of geranium and wild mint growing nearby

Taste
Savor the fruits of the Italian garden as creamy vanilla slips like liquid silk over the tongue as peaches and cream, mandarins and lemons effervesce in the mouth Finish: The charming sweetness of delicious juices is left on the tongue pale.
 
The sale price for the Glenmorangie 10 Year Old  expires on Sunday, March 7, 2010.  Don’t miss out on this great price, buy your bottle today. Visit D&M at www.dandm.com
 

www.mcleanscotlandd.com

Scottish Whisky Tour Specialist

MCLEANSCOTLAND are recognised as one of the best (if not the best) whisky tour companies in Scotland. With vast experience and untold knowledge of the whisky industry, they design whisky tours to suit the client and then add a wee bit more fun into the blend!  Talking of which, this is a fun whisky tour they have available in October 2010; www.mcleanscotland.com/2010whiskycurlingcomp.asp

With special tastings, educational trips, whisky dinners and distillery tours, MCLEANSCOTLAND can assist you in any tour of Scotland, a blend of golf & whisky, sightseeing, historical sites, not only that, but they do exactly the same thing in Ireland!  So if Irish whiskey is your thing, allow them to look after all your needs!

At The Glenlivet Whisky School

Immediate  Release                                                                                                                                             FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:

Svend Jansen, Brown-Forman                                                                                     502-774-7825

svend_jansen@b-f.com

Woodford Reserve Bourbon honored by Whisky Magazine

Named top brand innovator in the world

March 1, 2010, Louisville, Ky. – Woodford Reserve Bourbon has been voted “Whisky Brand Innovator of the Year” for the entire world at this year’s Icons of Whisky Awards, held by Whisky Magazine.

 Woodford Reserve was recognized for its acclaimed Master’s Collection for its great innovation. The Master’s Collection has included four expressions since its inception; Four Grain, Sonoma-Cutrer Finish, Sweet Mash and Seasoned Oak Finish.

The award recognizes the company that has pushed the envelope during the year as the most innovative in the entire whiskey industry. It marks the second time Woodford Reserve has received the award.

“It’s a great honor to receive this award for a second time from Whisky Magazine,” said Chris Morris, Master Distiller for Woodford Reserve. “This top accolade is a strong endorsement of the constant innovation Woodford Reserve prides itself in. It shows the true passion everyone at the Woodford Reserve Distillery has for crafting the best bourbon in the world.”

The Icons of Whisky Awards celebrate the people and places behind the greatest whiskies in the world, with the judging process taking place in regional heats including the United States, Canada, Ireland, Japan, Scotland and India. Woodford Reserve was named Brand Innovator of the Year for the United States in early November and then went on to the world finals held in London. The winners were announced at a ceremony held on the eve of Whisky Live London on Feb 25.

Woodford Reserve is one of the fine spirits produced and marketed by Brown-Forman Corporation, a producer and marketer of fine quality beverage alcohol brands, including Jack Daniel’s, Southern Comfort, Finlandia, Fetzer, Korbel, Tequila Herradura, Sonoma-Cutrer, Chambord, Tuaca, and Bonterra. Please enjoy your bourbon responsibly. For more information on Woodford Reserve, visit www.woodfordreserve.com.

Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 45.2% Alc. by Vol., The Woodford Reserve Distillery, Versailles, KY ©2010.

 Svend Jansen

PR Manager – Woodford Reserve, Canadian Mist, Early Times & Old Forester

Brown-Forman

850 Dixie Highway

Louisville, KY 40210

Office, (502) 774-7825

Mobile, (502) 744-0462

svend_jansen@b-f.com

On-Line Shop

At long last the Glenglassaugh Internet Shop is open and ready for business. This is not the end of what has been a prolonged process but only the end of stage 1.

We have a limited quantity of products for sale which includes all of our whiskies as well as a special double 200ml pack of our IWSC trophy winning 30 and 40 year old whiskies, and at a very good discounted price and only available here. We also have our spirit drinks and a very limited range of merchandising. The next stage will be to offer more products including some more limited edition whiskies and expand the range of merchandising including rugby shirts and our book which will be available from April.

We also currently only supply to the UK and Europe but if anyone outside these countries wants to purchase anything then please contact us direct and we will try and satisfy your request.

All Octave owners should also remember that they are entitled to 10% discount on any bottled product that they purchase.

Finally the website is www.glenglassaugh.co.uk

Main Website

Over the next few days we will also be moving our main website to a new server and so on a temporary basis anyone trying to access the main site will end up at the shop. The main site will no longer be accessible and is currently being redesigned with easier navigation, more current information, better links to the blog and the shop and a new forum area where forum members can communicate with each other and us in an easy and open environment. I will keep you informed of progress on this.

This work and indeed the development of the online shop is being carried out by a local web designer, Neil Hedley, who has done a first class job. http://www.hedleyenterprises.co.uk/

Visitor Centre

We also have plans to have a small visitors centre at the distillery and we are currently in the process of awaiting planning approval from the local authority. It is unlikely that we will have the approval and conversion work completed before the end of this summer but we will be aiming to have it opened as soon as possible. As they say in the press – read all about it http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1623802?UserKey

Peter and Graeme

Many of you passed on your best wishes to Peter and Graeme following the car accident that they had on Tuesday (see my last blog) and I am now pleased to say that they are both out of hospital and recuperating at home. Hopefully Peter will be back at work on Monday but it may be a while longer before we see Graeme back. (To stop any confusion we are speaking about Graeme Morrison and not Graham Eunson, who many of you know)

That is all for now, but as always feel free to comment or email me direct

Slange

Stuart

Cooley Special! £4 Off or Buy Two, Save £10

Ireland has long held claim to being the original whiskey distilling nation. We Scots stoically affirm that while that may well be correct, we perfected it. So there, stick that up yer kilt and smoke it! Oh, the Irish also invented the kilt didn’t they? That’s why we’re truly Celtic brothers…what’s the point of having an older brother if you don’t borrow their best stuff?

Anyway, Cooley Distillers are the new school Irish whiskey. Founded in 1987, they boldly challenged the drab market dominance of Irish Distillers. Their double distilled and sometimes peated spirit is picking up more and more awards as it ages.

Visit Royal Mile Whiskies at http://www.royalmilewhiskies.com/