Best Dram Club Dinner Thursday, May 27.

Martins West in Redwood City

Martins West , 831 Main Street, Redwood City is a Gastro Pub focusing on quality and sustainability, with an ever expanding Whisky Selection.  Read (on their menu) their interesting story on how they acquired all the beautiful decor from recycled structures. The decor, the stories behind it are all real nice, but the main reason I pick an establishments is for the food. The whisky selection is less important because we can always arrange to have the whiskies we want brought in. (Case for next months dinner.)  Martins West already has an excellent Whisky selection which is rapidly expanding. The food is prepared with the highest quality of ingredients and care. However, we have a dilemma we need your assistance with. We have put together a Whisk(e)y dinner featuring the West (High West) and Europe (Compass Box). What we need help with is determining if the Whisk(ey) enhances the food, or if the food brings out flavors in the Whisk(e)y.  We have a five course dinner, with each course being paired with a Western Whiskey, or a Scotch, or both as you are guided through this multinational tasting. All this at a $70 cost including tax and tip.

$65 for Best Dram Club Members. Purchase tickets in advance to reserve your spot. Seating is limited.  Check our Website for updates and to purchase tickets:

http://www.whiskiesoftheworld.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=107

Menu:

Scottish Eggs and Caramelized Haggis Tartlette
Pork Rib Rarebit with celery and pickled beet
Petite Chicken Roast with spring vegetable champ and cider jus
Shepherds Pie – slow cooked lamb shank & goat cheese whipped potatoes
Sticky toffee pudding with almond date salad and brown butter ice cream

Whiskies:

High West: Rendezvous, Bourye, Silver Whiskey, Straight Rye 
Compass Box: Asyla, Oak Cross, Peat Monster, Spice Tree
 

Note: Recent ADI Blind Tasting Competition:
Best rye: High West Rendezvous Rye
Best un-aged whiskey: High West Silver Whiskey – Western Oat (tied for first)
Best blended: High West Bourye  (Best Craft American Whiskey!)

SPECIAL 2010 ISLAY FESTIVAL SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY BOTTLINGS ANNOUNCED BY DIAGEO

Following the tradition of recent years, Diageo has announced that two limited-edition single cask bottlings of its Islay single malt Scotch whiskies will be sold to personal visitors only at this year’s Islay Festival of Malt and Music (22-29 May: http://www.theislayfestival.co.uk).

Diageo’s single-cask Festival bottlings are highly prized, and often sell out within the week of the Festival to the hundreds of aficionados who flock each year to this famous celebration of West Coast single malt whisky.
The 2010 bottlings will be from a Lagavulin™ cask filled in August 1994 and from a Caol Ila™  cask filled in August 1999. Both malts have been bottled at natural cask strength, and will be priced at £74.99. The bottles will be rationed to one per visitor.

The Lagavulin special bottling will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis at the distillery, starting on the distillery’s open day, Saturday 22 May. The Caol Ila bottling will be sold with effect from Monday 24 May which is the Caol Ila open day.

Billy Stitchell, long-standing distillery manager, whose family connections with Caol Ila distillery go back many generations, personally chose the Caol Ila special bottling. The Lagavulin bottling was chosen once again by warehouseman Iain McArthur, renowned among enthusiasts for his sell-out warehouse tastings.

This year’s single cask bottling of Caol Ila is taken from a European oak ex-sherry cask, which has provided just 558 70cl bottles of Single Malt Scotch Whisky at 61.9% ABV.

The Lagavulin has been drawn from a European oak cask hand-picked from stocks stored at the famous Port Ellen warehouse. This edition, bottled at 52.7% ABV, consists of 528 bottles.

Nick Morgan, Diageo’s Scotch Knowledge and Heritage Director, said: “We are pleased to acknowledge the efforts that whisky lovers from all over the world make to visit Islay each year.

“These two hand-picked single cask bottlings are both fantastic examples of Islay whiskies. And I would like to think of them being savoured and enjoyed by our guests once they have made their long journey home.
“Islay is a very special place and I think it’s wonderful to be able to take a very unique part of it home with you.”

During the Festival, a series of special events will be held at both Lagavulin and Caol Ila distilleries, including tastings with the distillery manager and warehouse demonstrations. There will be also be tours of the Port Ellen Maltings.

Festival website: http://www.theislayfestival.co.uk/ . See also www.malts.com .

www.mcleanscotlandd.com

Scottish Whisky Tour Specialist

WHISKY AND CURLING October 2010; www.mcleanscotland.com/2010whiskycurlingcomp.asp

We have people coming to Perth from Canada, USA, Sweden, Finland, Norway and Germany (to be confirmed soon), not to mention Scotland! We have a few spaces remaining for teams to compete. We can also happily accept anyone who does not wish to curl, but join in the fun and the whisky!

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! 

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!

And…

MCLEANSCOTALAND of Perth, Scotland
beat the volcano cloud!
 
A WHISKY TOUR WITH A DIFFERENCE!
 
On Saturday 15 May, news broke that the cloud was back and closing airports in Ireland and Scotland. By Sunday morning most of England closed also.  MCLEANSCOTLAND were expecting a French group on Sunday flying into Glasgow.  By noon Sunday it was a no go, what to do?
 
Alternative plans were made, the group flew into Heathrow for 18.15, they arranged a local London coach to meet them as they came through arrivals at 7pm. Then the trip north, taking 7 hours to Glasgow. But, the London coach could go no further than Glasgow due to driver hours (European laws) so they arranged another coach from Denny, near Glasgow to meet the London coach and take over the journey. Paul McLean made the call  at 5pm Sunday with his cry for help, good man that he is, Ross came back half an hour later, aye he could help.  Just as well Paul knows Bryans well, in fact it is they who take care of Pauls pipe band transport, he arranges the coach each Saturday in the summer to take the band to piping competitions.  So the owner of the company agreed to pick up the French at Hamilton services at approx 2am Monday morning and drive to Inveraray approx 1.5 hours away.  Meantime, the hotel (also one of Paul’s favourite places) arranged smoked salmon, lamb, and assorted cold goodies and drinks to be available on arrival for the group.  It turned out the group arrived close to 5am.
 
The group will tour Scotland on a French speaking   WHISKY TOUR  including visits to; Oban, Tobermory, Ben Nevis, and Talisker Distilleries, not only that, but enjoy whisky dinner and plenty of fantastic scenery and great fun!
 
HOW TO BEAT A VOLCANO IN ONE EASY STEP; well, all day hard work actually!
 
Well done to MCLEANSCOTLAND
 
photos show Denny & Dunipace pipeband and
Liz and Paul with the Maclean Chief’s personal piper; Jim McLean.

Obviously the MCLEANSCOTLAND motto should be;

… www.ralfy.com ‘whisky reviews’ now on Episode 131 Part A which focuses on a walk through Kilchoman Distillery, Islay, under the guidance of new Manager John Maclellan.

This is an interesting insight into Islay’s smallest and most recent ‘craft’ Whisky maker.

The Master Blender himself comments;

As I’m sure the UK readers of the blog have noticed, we now have a Government made up of two different parties, having to blend their ideas to work together. Now, having been blending together malt and grain whiskies for the last 40 years, I think it’s fair to say I know a bit about blending together items (and besides, when do I pass up the chance to give advice…) so on the day David Cameron comes to Scotland as PM for the first time, here’s some pointers for him…

Some tips for David Cameron…

David Cameron is a fan of our Jura single malt but in order to be successful he needs to behave like a blended whisky to ensure that all of the different component parts and personalities in his cabinet work together to create a perfect unison.

I always get to know the whiskies that I put in my blends and David must do this with his government.  He needs to assess each individual’s strength’s, weaknesses, what they would bring to the party and determine how over powering they are as a rogue whisky can upset the balance and unravel the whole blend.

I always let my malts and blends meet separately as a group before I introduce them to each other.  David needs to make sure his party works together and that all of the Conservative’s ‘ducks are in a row’ before he blends them with the Lib Dems.

Whisky has warmth and although I have never met David personally I think this is a quality he displays when I see him with his wife.  He needs to project this warmth into his government and policies to win over Labour supporters.

The Conservative Party are not so popular in Scotland and this is something they need to overcome.  I often find this the same with whisky as people tell me that they don’t like it and won’t drink it.  I tell them this is not true and after I educate them in an entertaining manner on how to appreciate a good whisky, I find that they can always be swayed.  Cameron shouldn’t loose heart and should work to show his opposition that he is a good leader by inspiring them and creating a smooth and solid Government.

Whisky is popular over the world and this is something David should try to emulate.  Yes its right to get it spot on in your home country but remember that the world is watching and he needs to create policies that will not only benefit our country but make the world sit up and notice.  Whisky is popular in America and this is one place where David will need to make sure he has a strong alliance.

Whilst we take great pride in our packaging for our whisky we always make sure the liquid stands up to scrutiny and public opinion. This is something we do very well at Whyte & Mackay as we constantly receive medals for our whiskies and we were voted the best blended whisky in the world by the IWSC.  The Conservative government need remember that their policies shouldn’t just look good on the face of it but actually have some substance and can stand up to public opinion and opposition scrutiny.

And a coalition offer to the whisky trade…

In the spirit of the new Government, if there’s any other blended whisky company out there who wants to get together and make something new, drop me a line and let’s see what we can come up with…

Annabel Meikle does double duty…serving as a sensory whisky expert and educator for Glenmorangie and also serving as a member of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society’s tasting panel. We’ll discuss everything from training one’s nose to the role of women in the whisky industry in this week’s episode. In the news, Supernova comes around faster than Halley’s Comet, Forty Creek will release a rarity…a Canadian whisky using Canadian Oak, and a question about WhiskyCast advertising and conflicts of interest.

Visit WhiskyCast at www.whiskycast.com

ANNOUNCING MASTERS OF PHOTOGRAPHY II

INTRODUCING ALBERT WATSON

Today, The Macallan single malt whisky announced that the next photography partnership in their Masters of Photography series is going to be with the legendary Albert Watson.

Scots born, Watson is famous worldwide for his celebrity, fashion and art photography. Photo District News named him one of the 20 most influential photographers of all time. He has shot posters for major Hollywood movies such as ‘Kill Bill’, ‘Memoirs of a Geisha’, ‘The Da Vinci Code’, as well as shooting over 200 covers for Vogue and Rolling Stone magazine. In fact, in 2007 one large-format print of his sold for $108,000 at auction. He is also an acclaimed director with over 500 TV commercials to his name.

The Macallan Masters of Photography II will be in an entirely different style to the first edition in the series, shot by Rankin.

The subject of the project must be kept under wraps, for the moment, until shooting is complete but the key ingredients include: a dramatic and yet romantic ‘art noir’ voyage; a stylish couple and the key secret behind The Macallan.

Ken Grier, Director of Malts, The Edrington Group, said: “I am extremely excited about working with the hugely talented and influential Albert Watson. His creativity is fabulous, but not only that, he exudes an aura of charm and quiet confidence that is very much in keeping with The Macallan  

“As part of this unique project, art and whisky lovers alike can follow The Macallan shoot with Albert Watson by following my daily blog.  The blog posts will start from 31st May at www.blog.themacallan.com.

Albert Watson, added: “I am looking forward to working with The Macallan on such a prestigious project. The partnership with a premium, Scottish iconic brand will give me a once in a lifetime photographic opportunity to create a lasting legacy as part of The Macallan Masters of Photography series.”

The final result will be revealed by The Macallan at a series of glittering events later in the year.  Further details will be revealed in the months to come.

-Ends-

Please enjoy our brands responsibly.  www.drinkaware.co.uk

Notes

The first Macallan Masters of Photography was launched in 2008 with Scots photographer Rankin.  Rankin produced 1,000 individual black and white images captured on Polaroid.  Each limited edition bottle of rare 30 year old Macallan Fine Oak single malt displayed a bespoke label featuring one of Rankin’s images, accompanied by the original Polaroid.
 

The array of images featured artistic nude studies of Tuuli, Rankin’s muse and wife, contrasted by shots of the dedicated craftspeople of the distillery, and still life images of the surrounding flora and fauna at Easter Elchies Estate.

The Macallan is ranked number two by value* among the world’s top selling single malts and is recognised as being a leader within the Scotch Whisky industry when it comes to innovation.
*IWSR figures ending December 2006

American Distilling Institute

313 People Attend 2010  Conference at Huber’s  Starlight Distillery

Two teams of five judges evaluated 65 whiskeys in a blind tasting

… and the Winners are:

Single Malt or Malt Category:

    1. Chatoe Rogue Single Malt Oregon Whiskey
    2. Prichard’s Distillery Single Malt Whiskey
    3. New Holland Artisan Spirits Zeppelin Blend

Bourbon Category:

    1. Great Lakes Distillery Test Batch
    2. Tuthilltown Spirits Four Grain Bourbon whiskey
    3. Woodstone Creek Straight Bourbon whisky

Rye Category:

    1. High West Rendezvous Whiskey
    2. Tuthilltown Spirits’ Hudson Manhattan Rye Whiskey
    Tie for 3rd place:
    3. Finger Lakes Distilling McKenzie Rye
    3. Corsair Artisan Distillers 100% Rye

Wheat Category:

    1. Dry Fly Washington Wheat
    2. New Holland Artisan Spirits Brewers Straight Wheat Whiskey

Corn Whiskey Category:

    1. Balcones Distillery Baby Blue
    2. Copper Run Distillery Ozark Mountain Moonshine
    3. Colorado Gold Distillery Colorados’ Own Corn Whiskey

Un-aged Whiskey:

    Tie for first place:
    1. Koval Organic Rye Chicago Whiskey
    1. High West Silver Whiskey Western Oat
    2. Corsair Artisan Distillers Wry Moon
    3. Catoctin Creek Mosby’s Spirit

Whiskey Idiosyncratic:

    1. Ballast Point Spirits Devils Share Whiskey
    2. Prichards’ Distillery Tennessee Whiskey
    3. Corsair Artisan Distillers Rasputin Hopped

Moonshine:

    1. West Virginia Distilling Company Mountain Moonshine Old Oak Recipe
    2. Copper Run Ozark Mountain Moonshine
    3. West Virginia Distilling Company Mountain Moonshine

Cask Strength:

    1. Corsair Artisan Distillers Wormwood Wit Barrel Strength
    2. Roughstock Black Label Montana Whiskey
    3. Corsair Artisan Distillers Triple Smoke

Flavored Whiskeys and Whiskey-based Liqueurs:

    1. Prichards’ Distillery Sweet Lucy
    2. Square One Vermont Night
    3. New Holland Artisan Spirits Hatter Royale Hopquila

Blended Whiskey:

    High West Distillery Bourye

Best of Craft American Whiskey:

    High West Distillery Bourye

Packaging Award:

    Tuthilltown Spirits Manhattan Rye Whiskey

After the judging had been completed …

After the judging had been completed, and the judges were able to view the entries, Chuck Cowdery noted a serious problem: High West, the Best of Show winner, had not personally distilled their whiskey. Several whiskies that were submitted were actually blends of whiskies purchased from outside producers. A discussion immediately ensued as to how to resolve this problem.
 
The choices were two-fold: (a) disqualify all of the those entries, or (b) allow them on a one-time basis. Alan Dikty spoke up and observed that no prohibition had been placed on such whiskies in the entry forms, that the entries had been made in good faith, and that the judges had made their decisions in good faith and to the best of their abilities.
 
It was therefore unanimously decided to allow the awards to High West to stand but to make it clear in all ensuing competitions the rules would have to be changed.
 
Subsequently, Jay Erisman noted that, among very high-end and respected wine merchants, a special class of producer is allowed, the négociant[1]. It was therefore decided that a special category for négociant whiskies would be created to accommodate these specialty whiskey producers.
 
Quite simply, the winners did nothing wrong, and they qualify under the published definition of craft producers, less than 40,000 proof gallons a year. Producers and judges alike played by the rules. To re-write the rules on the spot after the fact would be unfair. Blending is also an art in and of itself and should not be discounted.
 
When contacted, High West Distilleries also agreed that the rules changes would create a necessary distinction.
 
ADI will find a way to separate, recognize and reward DSPs who produce their products from grain to bottle without discounting craft producers who finish products. Future judging rules will be changed to reflect varying levels of hands-on production by the DSP.

[1] A négociant is the French term for a wine merchant who assembles the produce of smaller growers and winemakers and sells the result under its own name.

Visit the American Distilling Institute at  http://www.distilling.com/index.html

Scotch tastings at the FMW Whisky shop

Tastings are held regularly, towards the end of each month; at the Stourbridge premises of famed Wine Merchant Nickolls and Perks (3rd oldest UK Wine Merchant; established 1797) tasting visitors seat inside our 16th century vaulted cellars and taste the very best Scotch malt whiskies brought direct from the distilleries. All events are tutored by industry specialists : Distillery managers, distillers, consultants and distributors, there to guide you and ensure an enjoyable evening for all.

You will learn about the history of Scotch and discover the rogue past of smugglers and the excise men that had to find them, Rabbie Burns the ‘bard’ did a stint at collecting himself you know!

You will also learn the tasting techniques : how to taste, and be shown whiskies from varied locations aroung Scotland and the globe

Venue : Stourbridge Shop Cellars

Time : 7:30 pm start

Duration : 2 hrs

Cost : £25

Next tasting 27th May : Malt Whiskies from bottlers Gordon & MacPhail…..John Eastam from G&M will conduct this tasting :

Highland Park 1970, a 38yo rare casks from 1st fill sherry butt (totally opaque!!) , Aberfeldy 19yo connoisseurs choice JM.95/100 + Convalmore 1984 24 yo…medium bodied well balanced dram from this silent distillery(closed 1985) + Glen Keith 1993 16 yo 46 % from refill sherry casks…from the banks of the river Isla + Royal Brackla 1991 18 yo 46% one of only three distilleries to be granted permission to use the word ‘Royal’ in its name (peaty n nutty from the southern Highlands) + Port Ellen 1982 27yo Islay whisky, closed in 1983 that ticks the boxes.

July 2nd…..Colin Dunn from Diageo help to appreciate the delights of the ‘Select Malts’

On taste : Lagavulin 16yo + 12yo cask strength…..Caol Ila 12 yo + DE (Distillers edition)…..Talisker 10 yo + 18yo (Best in World …2007)

David Gardener
Nickolls and Perks
01384 394518

Visit Nicolls and Perks at http://www.nickollsandperks.co.uk/

WHISKY AN’ A’ THAT VII SATURDAY 29TH MAY 2010
AYR TOWN HALL 1PM-6PM

 
ONLY 12 DAYS TO GO
 
If you haven’t already purchased your ticket for our annual Whisky An’ a’ That Festival, then time is running out and we only have a limited amount of tickets left.
 
For all the details on this years festival, please click on the below link with details on which companies are attending this years event and how to order your ticket for the show.
http://www.robbiesdrams.com/festival_2010.asp
 
Whisky Festival Masterclasses
 
We also have a very limited amount of masterclass tickets left, which are being held throughout the afternoon.
 
MacKillop’s Choice Masterclass 1pm-2pm
 
The first masterclass of the afternoon will be hosted by MacKillop’s Choice which is a brand owned by Angus Dundee Distillers. “MacKillops Choice” is a range of specially selected Single Malt Scotch whiskies drawn from individual casks, and are bottled at either 43% or 46% alcohol, but more predominantly at their natural cask strength, without chill-filtering or the addition of any caramel colouring, which helps preserve the malts natural characteristics of aroma and taste.
 
The tasting will be hosted by Lorne MacKillop (pictured above), who is the heir to the chief of the MacKillop Clan. After seven year’s extensive training in wines and spirits, Lorne became a member of the Institute of Masters of Wine in London in 1984, and at that time was the youngest person to be accepted as a Master of Wine. Lorne will use his comprehensive knowledge of whisky as he talks you through the following six specially selected whiskies in what should be a very interesting and entertaining session.
 
1989 17y/o Benrinnes 43%
1990 17y/o Caol Ila 56.3%
1986 17y/o Dalmore 60.1%
1991 15y/o Highland Park 53.9%
1988 18y/o Macallan 55.5%
1992 15y/o Tormore 43%
 
Balblair Masterclass 3pm-4pm

The second masterclass of the afternoon will be hosted by Balblair which is a Highland Single Malt from Edderton in Tain, Rosshire.
 
Many single malt Scotch whiskies distinguish between their expressions with an age statement, rightly proud of the long maturation their distillates have undergone.At Balblair they pursue a Vintage statement by which to differentiate their various expressions. In doing so, they take a complimentary approach between age itself and the fundamental character of the spirit that is Balblair Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky.
 
Inver House Distillers, Master Blender Stuart Harvey will be presenting this Masterclass with a full range of six Balblair expressions for you to savour.
 
Tickets are £12 per person for both classes and available on a first come first serve basis as numbers are restricted.

To reserve your ticket please phone the  TICKET HOTLINE NUMBER 01292 284279

Alternatively you can call into our shop in the Sandgate or e-mail festvial@robbiesdrams.com

Remember that tickets are limited, and only available to customers who have already purchased tickets for our Festival.

Time is running out.

Regards

Robbie