(From John Campbell at Laphroaig in a message to the Friends of Laphroaig)

I have been talking to you for some time about our plans for the next live webcast. Well, I am extremely excited to announce that this year’s Laphroaig Live will be filmed in Sydney, against a stunning harbour-side backdrop, with views of the iconic Opera House. Views that have no doubt changed somewhat since they were first experienced many years ago by one of the founders of Laphroaig, Alexander Johnston.

As many of you will already know, Alexander Johnston and his brother, Donald Johnston, founded Laphroaig back in 1815. Together they developed the unique flavour of Laphroaig, that is adored by FOLs throughout the World. In 1836, Alexander sold his share of the distillery to Donald, for the unthinkable sum of £350, he and his family then set sail for Australia, where they began a new life.

We have managed to trace Alexander’s great-great-great granddaughter, Lin Johnston, and she will be joining me in Sydney, along with Robert Hicks and author Rebecca Varidel, for an unforgettable tasting experience. The broadcast will last around 40 minutes and include a live question and answer session, where you will be invited to put your questions to the panel via the website.

I’ll be writing to you again in the next couple of weeks, with more exciting details about this event, as well as the website address and the time of broadcast in your country. For now, I wanted to get the date firmly in your diaries – it will be broadcast on October 6th 2011.

I will also be answering any questions you may have about Laphroaig Live on my Facebook page, so please feel free to drop me a line (www.facebook.com/laphroaig).

Laphroaig 10 Year Old back in Canada
I also have some very exciting news for our Canadian friends. I know a lot of you have been writing to me about the lack of 10 Year Old in Canada; unfortunately we just didn’t have enough to meet the demand in all the markets. Our Stills have been working especially hard as we try and keep up with demand, in fact part of that production is for Canada – although in 10 years time after a lengthy sleep.

However luckily you won’t have to wait for 10 years. After a few trials and tribulations we have managed to resupply most of Canada with Laphroaig 10 year old! It should now be in all good liquor stores next to Laphroaig Quarter Cask.

I’m also very pleased to say I will have to chance to visit Canada in November. I’ll be in Toronto November 7th. It would be fantastic to see some of you there.

My colleague and friend Simon Brooking, our North America ambassador, will also be in Calgary November 17th and for the HopScotch festival in British Columbia on November 18. (subsequent information has reveal that the previous datails are in fact incorrect and are thus struck out – WI).

Stay tuned for more details of these events and I also look forward to ‘seeing’ you on October 6th at the Laphroaig Live webcast.

Slàinte,

Join the Friends of Laphroaig