Hi all,

Well at least September is better than August so far weather-wise. We’d better have a decent summer one of these years or there’s going to be trouble!

With over half of our Festivals for the year complete and roaring successes, we are fast coming up to another maiden event, this time in the lovely Stratford Upon Avon. Being in the town that birthed Shakespeare, we’re sure it will be a dram-atic event (sorry, sad I know) and the list of exhibitors and masterclasses is truly enviable by some of the bigger events…

Facts;

The 1st Stratford upon Avon Whisky Festival
Saturday 1st October 2011, 12pm-5pm
The Shakespeare Centre
Henley Street
CV37 6QW
£20 per person

As always, the event centres on a large hall in which you will find delights from all over Scotland, Ireland, Japan and the USA. Your ticket price of £20 provides you with a commemorative tasting glass, a bottle of water, a guide to the event and all of your samples. Given that there will be around 100 whiskies on show at the event, that’s great value in anyone’s book!

Masterclasses are extra, but excellent value and give you the opportunity for a near one-on-one with an industry expert. Pick their brains whilst you taste their drams!

Exhibitors confirmed at time of press;

Ardbeg
Glenmorangie
Balvenie
Glenfiddich
Glengoyne
Smokehead
Arran
Berry Brothers & Rudd
Diageo (Flavour Map, Distiller’s Editions, etc.)
Bowmore
Auchentoshan
Glen Garioch
Dalmore
Jura
Glenfarclas
Gordon & MacPhail
Glenglassaugh
Cooley (Irish Distillers)
Glenlivet
Aberlour
Longmorn
Tullibardine
Kilchoman
Jura
Dalmore
Springbank
Heaven Hill
Nikka

More than enough to shake a stick or glass at!

Masterclasses are;

12.30-1.30pm
Whisky, what’s it all about?, TWL – Eddie Ludlow £5.00
Join Eddie, founder of The Whisky Lounge, on a compact yet informative and fun tasting to help prepare you for the day to come…

1.15-2.45pm
Six of the Best, Diageo – Colin Dunn £10.00
Crowd favourite Colin comes ‘home’! Having started his whisky industry career in Leamington Spa, Colin is now one of the fore-most UK Brand Ambassadors in the UK and is a one-man whisky entertainment system. This tasting should provide something for everyone – six of Colin’s favourite whiskies from the current Diageo range, from Mortlach to Linkwood, and Caol Ila Moch to Talisker 57 North. Should be a real cracker…

3.00-4.15pm
IWSC – Gold Medal Winners – Eddie Ludlow £15.00
The International Wine & Spirits Competition is the most prestigious drinks competition in the world. Eddie Ludlow, founder of the The Whisky Lounge, has proudly sat on the spirits panel for the last three years and would now like to share his experience with you. In this special class he presents six of this years gold medal winners and takes you through the process of judging whilst keeping you entertained with his usual sledgehammer wit and manner. Not to be missed.

3.15-4.45pm
Arran – Island of Discovery – John Whatmough £7.50
One of the ‘new generation’ of distilleries having only started distilling in 1995, Arran has very quickly built a fantastic reputation amongst whisky-lovers. With a sweet, pure distillate and an interesting and innovative approach to maturation, Arran is a fascinating subject. John Whatmough will take you through a range of their whiskies including some recent special editions.

The event is being run in partnership with Vinology of Stratford and as such will feature a shop stand run by Mark and Matt who will gladly help you spend any spare cash you foolishly bring along! Their shop is also just across the road from the venue, so you’ve no chance.

Get booking now if you haven’t already!
Remember you can book online at www.thewhiskylounge.com or try giving us a call on 01904 410841.

We look forward to seeing a few of you there!

Slainte!
Eddie

PS. If you want a laugh, check out our Brighton YouTube Video. This guy is the best!

Eddie Ludlow
Whisky Evangelist

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