Celebrate the coming of Spring like the Japanese with Hakushu Semei or Hibiki Kokuu cocktails

London March 2012: The Japanese are very close to nature and mark the passage of each of their traditional 24 seasons in different ways. In April the two seasons are Semei and Kokuu.

* Semei is the period of clear and bright weather leading up to the warmer weather.

* Kokuu is the time for some rain to help develop the crops for the harvest.

Suntory celebrates each season with the 24 Seasons Cocktail menu, an appropriate cocktail created by Brand Ambassador Zoran Peric.

Hakushu Semei – clear and bright weather (4 April)

Enough to raise the spirits for a good summer!

Recipe:

50ml Hakushu 12 Year Old single malt whisky

12.5ml Luxardo Maraschino liqueur

1ml Absinthe

Lemon zest

Coat an ice cube with absinthe and stir 10 times in a mixing glass. Add rest of ingredients then stir 30 times. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with grapefruit zest

Hibiki Kokuu – rain for a good harvest (20 April)

A bright interlude among the showers

Recipe:

40ml Hibiki 17 Year Old blended whisky

25ml Prucia golden plum liqueur

Stir ingredients with ice for about 2 minutes and serve over an ice ball in an Old Fashioned glass. Garnish with Orange zest

Suntory seasons/2

Suntory Japanese whiskies are world beaters having won more than 60 international awards since 2003 including Best Blended Whisky in the World for the Hibiki 21 and 30 year old and Best Single Malt in the World for the Yamazaki 18 year old. In 2010 Suntory was named Best Distiller in the World.

Whisky connoisseurs the world over applaud the subtle aromas and delicate flavours. In Japan whisky is often drunk with food such as sushi in a combination of two to three times water with whisky.

Hakushu 12 Year Old Single Malt and Hibiki 17 year old Blended whiskies are firm favourites in Japan and here in Europe. Celebrate these 2 Japanese seasons of Semei and Kokuu with a welcoming cocktail.

Notes: Pronouncing Suntory names

Yamazaki – (Ya-ma-zarkee)

Hakushu – (Ha-koo-shoe)

Hibiki – (Hi-bi-kee)

Hakushu single malt whisky and Hibiki blended whisky are available from: Selfridges, Harvey Nichols, The Whisky Exchange, independent specialist retailers and drinkon.com priced from:

Hakushu 12 year old £49

Hibiki 17 year old £70

The Suntory range of Japanese whiskies is distributed in the UK by Cellar Trends. For all sales enquiries contact: sales@cellartrends.co.uk

How to Drink Like the Characters of Mad Men

The liquor loving characters of the Emmy award-winning show Mad Men are back March 25th on AMC for a fifth season of drama and drinking on the job. If you’re planning to throw a viewing party and want to imbibe just like the employees of Sterling Cooper Draper and Pryce, Maker’s Mark Bourbon recommends these classic cocktail recipes for a Manhattan and Old Fashioned. Both immensely popular in the 50’s and 60’s, these drinks are now coming back into style thanks to a bourbon Renaissance. Pair them with a recipe for spiked Shrimp Cocktail from Chef Franklin Becker of New York’s Abe & Arthur’s and you’ve got yourself a party Don Draper would be proud of.

Just in case you’re a stickler for historical accuracy like the producers of the show, you’ll be comforted to know that Maker’s Mark launched in 1958 and the show is presently set in 1965. Maker’s was the world’s first premium bourbon, and to that end, was the first bourbon to use warm red winter wheat instead of rye as its main flavor grain. This made it incredibly smooth, setting it apart from the harsher tasting rye whiskies of the time.

The Perfect Manhattan

Ingredients:

1 1/2 parts Maker’s Mark® Bourbon
1/2 parts Sweet Vermouth
1 tsp. Maraschino Cherry Juice
Maraschino Cherries

Directions:

Shake all together for 30 seconds. Strain into chilled Manhattan glass. Garnish with a maraschino cherry (served up, no ice).

Old Fashioned

Ingredients:

· 2 parts Maker’s Mark® Bourbon

· 3 dashes of Angostura Bitters

· 1 Sugar Cube

· 1 Orange

· Maraschino Cherries

· Soda

· Ice

Directions:

Place sugar cube into the bottom of an Old-Fashioned glass and add Angostura bitters directly to the sugar cube. Add one orange slice, one cherry, and a splash of soda and muddle thoroughly. Remove the fruit remnants. Add Maker’s Mark, ice, and top off with soda. Garnish with a fresh orange slice and a maraschino cherry.

Shrimp Cocktail with Maker’s Mark® Bourbon Cocktail Sauce

Recipe by Chef Franklin Becker, Abe & Arthur’s

Prep Time: 30 minutes. Cook Time: 30 minutes. Level: Easy

Serves 4-8

24 pc. shrimp in shell, u-10

12 cups water

1½ cups dry white wine, such as Riesling

2 lemons juiced

2 bay leaves

10 pieces whole black peppercorn

1 medium onion, peeled, halved and sliced thin ¼”

1 stalk celery, sliced thin crosswise 1/8”

1 whole leek, washed and sliced thin, white and green

3 medium carrots, peeled, sliced into 1/8” thick rounds

¼ cup kosher salt

1 recipe Maker’s Mark® Bourbon cocktail sauce (recipe below)

Lemon wedges, for garnish

1. Leaving the shell and tail intact, slice down the back of the shrimp, deveining the shrimp.

2. Bring the water, white wine, lemon juice, bay leaves, peppercorns, onion, celery, leek, carrots, and kosher salt to a boil in a large pot. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes until the vegetables are soft and the brine is flavorful. Strain through a fine mesh sieve into a new pot, discarding the solids.

3. Bring the stock back up to a simmer. Add the shrimp in shell and stir to submerge the shrimp. Remove the pot from the heat and allow the shrimp to poach for 10 minutes or until fully cooked.

4. Drain the shrimp and place the shrimp into a large bowl filled with ice. Stir the shrimp with the ice cubes and place the bowl in the freezer until the shrimp have cooled down, about 2-3 minutes.

5. Peel the shell from the shrimp, leaving the tail intact. Discard the shells. Serve the shrimp ice cold alongside the Maker’s Mark® Bourbon cocktail sauce, with fresh lemon wedges.

Maker’s Mark® Bourbon Cocktail Sauce

Makes 1½ cups

1 cup Heinz® Ketchup

1 tablespoon TABASCO® Sauce

2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

¼ cup freshly grated horseradish

1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar

2 tablespoons Maker’s Mark® Bourbon, flamed off

1. Combine all ingredients together in a small bowl. Keep chilled until needed.

For additional Maker’s Mark® Bourbon food and drink recipes, please visit www.makersmark.com

New York, NY (March, 2012) – The annual Ultimate Spirits Challenge (USC) was held at Astor Center in New York City on March 5-9, 2012. Ultimate Beverage Challenge LLC, the sponsoring company, proudly announces the top spirits in more than 30 categories (but here at Whisky Intelligence we only care about one….) USC began with a record number of contestants as more than 650 spirits were entered (up 15% from 2011) from more than 70 companies and 30 countries around the world.

Led by Ultimate Beverage Challenge (UBC) Founder and Judging Chairman F. Paul Pacult and Judging Co-Chairman Sean Ludford, fourteen of the world’s foremost distilled spirits authorities, including award-winning authors, spirits buyers, journalists, educators, bar owners and consultants rated the world’s finest distillates on USC’s innovative multilevel system, rendering the most unassailable results in the industry. This remarkable super-group of experts named 31 Ultimate Spirits Challenge Chairman’s Trophy winners and more than 80 Finalists.

Said UBC Founder F. Paul Pacult, “Since we started Ultimate Spirits Challenge we have seen double digit growth in number of entries each year. Whether a product receives a Chairman’s Trophy Winner, a Finalist or a regular score, USC entrants are able to use their credible scores and insightful tasting notes to market and sell their products to bars, retailers and ultimately the consumer. USC is in the business of helping spirits companies achieve their sales goals, not by pandering to false aspirations but by telling the truth. With USC, you know the score.”

Judges for USC 2012 were: Chairman F. Paul Pacult, Co-Chairman Sean Ludford, Jacques Bezuidenhout, Tad Carducci, James Conley, Dale DeGroff, Doug Frost, MS, MW, Jim Meehan, Steve Olson, Julie Reiner, Jack Robertiello, Andy Seymour, Marcos Tello and David Wondrich.

For a complete list of results go to www.ultimate-beverage.com/usc2012results/

For downloadable images (hi/lo res) go to www.ultimate-beverage.com/2012USCpics

VODKA – UNFLAVORED

Fuzzy’s Ultra P

2012 ULTIMATE SPIRITS CHALLENGE CHAIRMAN’S TROPHY WINNERS

WHISK(E)Y – NORTH AMERICA

AMERICAN WHISKEY: Balcones “1” Texas Single Malt

BOURBON: Blanton’s Single Barrel

RYE: Masterson’s (should be in the Canadian category – WI)

TENNESSEE WHISKEY: George Dickel Barrel Select

WHISKEY – IRELAND

BLENDED: Midleton Barry Crockett

IRISH POT STILL WHISKEY: Redbreast Cask Strength 12 Years Old

SINGLE MALT: Bushmills 16 Years Old

WHISKY – SCOTLAND

BLENDED MALT: Johnnie Walker Green Label

BLENDED: Buchanan’s Special Reserve 18 Years Old

SINGLE MALT: Caol Ila 12 Years Old

WHISKY – CANADA

Caribou Crossing Single Barrel

WHISKY – WORLD

Japan: Yamazaki Single Malt 18 Years Old

Ultimate Spirits Challenge…like no other competition and doesn’t want to be

ABOUT ULTIMATE BEVERAGE CHALLENGE

Ultimate Beverage Challenge (UBC) provides expert evaluation of wines and spirits for producers, importers and marketers through its three innovative annual competitions – Ultimate Spirits Challenge, Ultimate Wine Challenge and Ultimate Cocktail Challenge. Based on exacting standards, expert judges and rigorous methodology, UBC raises the standards of spirits and wine evaluation and supplies ratings and accolades to help companies build their brands with buyers, both industry and consumer. UBC was founded by F. Paul Pacult, Sue Woodley and David Talbot. Challenge and event photos, videos and press coverage can be found at www.ultimate-beverage.com

The Midlands Whisky Festival (Stratford-Upon-Avon) Saturday, 19th May 2012, 12pm – 5pm The Shakespeare Centre, Henley Street, Stratford-Upon-Avon

After the massive success of the very first whisky festival in Stratford-Upon-Avon, Vinology have decided they would be crazy not to do it again. So on Saturday 19th May they will once again be joining forces with the Whisky Lounge to bring you an entire day of Whisky fun!

For this they will again be taking over the entire Shakespeare Centre, opposite Vinology on Henley street, in Stratford-Upon-Avon.

Over 30 exhibitors! Over 140 Whiskies!

A full exhibitor list will be on the Vinology and Whisky Lounge websites very soon.

Masterclasses will also be taking place throughout the day, full details of these will also be on the Vinology and Whisky Lounge websites soon.

Entrance is any time after 12:00 and the event will run through until 17:00.

The entrance fee is just £25.00 per person and includes:

Entrance to the main event.
A free Glencairn Whisky tasting glass (RRP £5.99).
A bottle of mineral water.
Discount vouchers to local eateries.
Discounts on any Whisky puchases made from Vinology on the day.
No voucher system! You will not be charged anything extra for any of your drams.

Tickets are available to purchase from Vinology or from The Whisky Lounge.

Book your tickets now!

There’s also a fantasic video on youtube of last year’s event 

This is the link to the Whisky Lounge Ticket Booking Page

Whisky Ramblings Via Video #6

Check out the sixth of Belgian whisky blogger Mark Dermul’s Whisky Ramblings on video: Bushmills 21 Year Old.

Happy St Patrick’s Day!

http://youtu.be/8miukYITWUM

Hello Fellow WhiskeyLovers –

I have two exciting announcements and an AMAZING whisky for you this week.

First, the winning name for the Wemyss Malts Name That Whiskeycontest is….drum roll please….”Lemon Smoke.” Props go out to FWL member Jo Chew, who now has the distinction of having named a whiskey, and will soon have a bottle of the spirit in her hands. Nice work Jo!

Next, as many of you are already aware, yesterday I sent out a Call for Nominations for the 2012 Drammie Awards. The mission of the Drammie Awards is to put the power of “recognition” in the hands of the whiskey consumer, and we’re counting on you to participate. Nominations are being accepted for 15 different categories until midnight on Friday, March 30th. So make haste…let your voice be heard by entering your nominations today.

Finally, with all this excitement engulfing the FWL offices, Nicky The Neck and I decided to seek out a spectacular deal on a phenomenal whisky….which brings me to this weeks Whiskey Wednesday featured whiskey: Ballantine’s 30 Year Old Blended Whisky.

Ballantine’s 30 Year Old ranks as one of the world’s most exquisite and expensive blends, and is widely regarded as the ultimate super premium whisky and the pinnacle of the Ballantine’s range. With a deep gold colour, subtle sweet flavour on the nose and a complex palate of honey and vanilla, Ballantine’s 30 year old is an exceptional, rare and exclusive whisky.

At the International Spirits Challenge, Ballantine’s 30YO won a Gold Medal, an ISC Trophy (the second in four years) and was named as Category Champion for Blended Scotch Whisky. It is truly a masterpiece of blending.

Ballantine’s 30 YO normally sells for $395. But thanks to The Necks’ shrewd negotiating tactics, I am thrilled to be able to offer you this amazing whisky for $325/ bottle…a $70/bottle savings! But as always, there isn’t much product available at this price, and once it’s gone…it’s gone.

And remember, if you’re in the San Fran area later this month, you must join me at the Whiskies of the World Expo 2012 on the SF Belle, Hornblower Yacht at Pier 3 on Saturday March 31st. We have a $10 discount on your ticket in, by simply entering the code “FWL10D” in the coupon/promo code field when you’re checking out.

So this week, send in your Drammie nominations, get your WoW tickets, and take advantage of this weeks steal on an incredible whisky.

And until next week…have fun!

Doug Stone

Founder

ForWhiskeyLovers.com

_________________________________________________________________
BALLANTINE’S 30YO BLENDED SCOTCH WHISKY

_________________________________________________________________

DISTILLERS’ TASTING NOTES

COLOR: Deep old gold.

NOSE: Deep, soft fruity aromas and an elegant subtle sweetness with a luscious vanilla oakiness.

TASTE: A full, rich complex balance of honey, floral and fruity flavours, with mellow notes of vanilla, smoke and sea.

BODY: Soft yet strong, confident and luscious.

CHARACTER: Rich, oak influenced and lingering.

FINISH: Long-lasting and elegant.

The Daybreak Rotary Club of the Cowichan Valley is putting on a whisky tasting on April 28th 7 pm to 10 pm with the help of Beverly Corners Liquor Store. The fundraising event will take place from 7 pm to 10 pm at the Duncan Travel Lodge (Silver Bridge). There will be over 50 whiskies to taste, delicious edibles and door prizes.

Tickets are on sale now for $50.00 each. Tickets are limited to 200 so get yours soon!

Tickets Available at;

www.cvwhiskyfest.ca – on line

Beverly Corners Liquor Store

Duncan Travel Lodge

www.ralfy.com  hits the malt-mission button with Whisky Review #257 – Old Pulteney 12yo

Lovely stuff!

PRINCE HARRY & TEAM WIN SENTEBALE ROYAL SALUTE POLO CUP

Prince Harry’s first visit to Brazil culminated in triumph yesterday at the Sentebale Royal Salute Polo Cup, which took place at Haras Larissa, Campinas, São Paulo.

Over 500 international and Brazilian VIPs including supermodel Fernanda Motta, who presented the Prince with the trophy, gathered to watch the Sentebale team play the St. Regis team, captained by Nacho Figueras, with a final score of six to three.

Speaking of his work for Sentebale the Prince said “I hope that with the position that I’m in and the title that I have, I will continue to be able to use that to bring attention to these disadvantaged kids all over the world.”

Christian Porta, Chairman and CEO of Chivas Brothers also said: “We’re honoured to support Sentebale for the second year. It was great to witness such a well-played game, with the Prince’s team taking the Cup.

“Royal Salute World Polo has a fantastic presence in Brazil, including Triple Coroa Tournament at the Helvetia Polo Club in São Paulo. This amazing country, with a thirst for luxury is a natural home for Royal Salute and we look forward to a great future here.”

The game demonstrated the immense strength and skill of the ‘sport of kings’ with Most Valuable Player awarded by British jeweller Garrard to Calao Mello who scored three goals.

The Sentebale Royal Salute Polo Cup further highlights the Scotch whisky brand’s commitment to international polo, with recent tournaments including the Foundation Polo Challenge in California, the Royal Salute China Open Beijing, the Royal Salute Maharaja of Jodhpur Golden Jubilee Cup in India and the Royal Salute UAE Nation’s Cup, Dubai.

The Sentebale Royal Salute Polo Cup partnered with Haras Larissa (Official Host and Venue Sponsor), St. Regis Hotels and Resorts (Official Team Sponsor), Garrard (Official Jeweller, Silversmith and Most Valuable Player Award), Jaguar Land Rover (Official Vehicle Sponsor) and Nespresso (Official Coffee Sponsor).

Notes

Teams and Players

Sentebale

• Prince Harry (1)

• Calao Mello (6)

• Jose Kalil (6)

• Carlos Mansur (1) St. Regis

• Bash Kazi (1)

• Nacho Figueras (6)

• Rico Mansur (7)

• Carlinos Mansur (1)

About Sentebale

Sentebale was founded by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso from the Lesotho Royal family in response to the plight of the neediest and most vulnerable of Lesotho’s children.

About Royal Salute World Polo

In addition to the Sentebale Royal Salute Polo Cup, Royal Salute World Polo is proud to support some of the world’s most prestigious and luxurious polo tournaments.

• UAE Royal Salute Nations Cup, Dubai

• India Royal Salute Maharaja of Jodhpur Golden Jubilee Cup

• China Royal Salute Tang Polo Cup, Beijing

• China Royal Salute China Open, Beijing

• Brazil Triple Coroa Tournament, Helvetia Polo Club, São Paulo

• Australia Sydney Gold Cup, Sydney

• Korea Country Polo Club, Jeju

In 2011, Royal Salute World Polo was proud to be involved in several polo tournaments, supporting charities whose patrons include the Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry.

• USA The Foundation Polo Challenge 2011, Santa Barbara, California in aid of the U.S Friends of the Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry

• UK The Sentebale Polo Cup 2011, Coworth Park, Berkshire,

• UK Bernard Weatherhill Polo Cup, Tetbury, England

About St. Regis Hotels & Resorts

Combining classic sophistication and modern luxury, the St. Regis brand remains faithful to its commitment to excellence. Founded by John Jacob Astor IV, with the opening of the first St. Regis Hotel in New York City over a century ago, the St. Regis brand of hotels and residences is known for its unique luxury dimension, customized service and refined elegance in the best destinations worldwide. Plans for the brand to globally continue its legacy include long-awaited St. Regis hotels and resorts in Buenos Aires and the Riviera Maya. In Asia, St. Regis has also announced plans to open hotels in Changsha, Chengdu, Kuala Lumpur, Lijiang, New Delhi and Zhuhai. In Europe, Africa and the Middle East, the St. Regis brand will continue to expand in Abu Dhabi, Amman, Cairo, Doha and Mauritius. The distinctive trait of the St. Regis experience is customized service and attention to detail through signature St. Regis Butler Service, coveted locations and luxurious design. For more information on St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, please visit www.stregis.com and for the privilege of residential ownership, please visit www.stregis.com/residences.

The St. Regis brand has long been associated with the world of polo, beginning at the turn of the last century when polo matches on Manhattan’s Governors Island were the highlight of the New York social calendar and where St. Regis’ founding family, the Astors, were a prominent fixture. As St. Regis continues to grow globally, the brand expands its polo presence in nearly as many destinations: hosting spirited polo matches and marquee events in the United Kingdom, the United States, Bangkok, Singapore, Buenos Aires and now Brazil.

About Chivas Brothers

Chivas Brothers is the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard – the world’s co-leader in wine and spirits. Chivas Brothers is the global leader in luxury Scotch whisky and premium gin. Its portfolio includes Chivas Regal, Ballantine’s, Beefeater Gin, The Glenlivet, Royal Salute, Aberlour, Plymouth Gin, Longmorn, Scapa, 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and Passport.

In July 2010 Chivas Brothers launched The Age Matters campaign to help consumers understand the importance of Scotch whisky age statements.

For further information www.chivasbrothes.com