Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,

For June, we have a truly special event lined up. In light of the horrific events that devastated a proud and noble nation on the 11th March, we felt it only right to do what we do best and put on a tasting in aid of the British Red Cross Japan Tsunami Appeal. For this, we’ve teamed up with one of the most famous oriental distillers, Suntory, and their distributor in the UK – Cellar Trends, to put on an evening of Japanese delight. We are honoured indeed to have with us the maestro himself, Master Blender Dr. Koichi Inatomi, over here from Japan to take us through an all-star range of drams from their stable.

 
Suntory Charity Tasting Evening
for the Japanese Earthquake & Tsunami Appeal,
with Dr. Koichi Inatomi
Monday 20th June, 7:00pm
 
Many of you will be aware of the exploits, accolades and acclaimed awards being scooped up by Japanese whiskies in recent competitions, but for those of you who are not, or may be a touch apprehensive about the concept, here is a little background; although whisk(e)y production is something most closely associated with Scotland, Ireland and America, the Japanese have been distilling and maturing ‘the nectar’ in the same way as the Scots from as far back as 1923. And, as with so many other practices in Japan, they are obsessed with perfection and quality. The whiskies they produce are no exception.

If the idea alone of a Japanese whisky tasting wasn’t enough to get you salivating, however, everyone who attends this tasting will automatically be entered into a raffle to win a bottle of the Hibiki 30yo, which will be announced at the end of the evening. Yes, you did read that correctly! One lucky attendee will walk home with a bottle of this stunning whisky, which has regularly won ‘Best Blended Whisky in the World’ at the International Spirits Challenge! Further to this, Dr. Inatomi himself has offered up not one but two Single Cask bottles from his own personal collection – a Yamazaki 1993 Heavily Peated and a Hakushu 1993 Sherry Bodega, both long since sold out and now highly sought after, and signed by Dr. Inatomi to be auctioned off as a pair to the highest bidder. This really is a shaping up to be the tasting event of the year! The line-up, in no particular order, will be:

Hibiki 12yo ‘Highball’
Yamazaki 12yo
Yamazaki 18yo
Yamazaki Puncheon
Yamazaki 1984 Sherry Cask
Hakushu 12yo
Hakushu Heavily Peated

The Whisky Exchange will not be charging for tickets. We are, however, asking for a minimum donation of £50 in order to attend, though of course any additional contributions you may wish to make to the appeal are more than welcome. Additional raffle tickets for the Hibiki 30yo will also be available for a £20 donation. So remember to bring lots of cash, it’s for a good cause after all!

We will be releasing places for this incredible evening from 3:00pm, Monday 13th June. From that time (not a minute earlier!), you will be able to call us on +44 (0)207 403 8688 to make your donation and guarantee yourself a place at this tasting. As with all tasting events at TWE Vinopolis, places are limited to 2 per booking.
 
Sláinte,

The Team