O What a Glorious Sight; Warm-reekin’, Rich!

These words from Ode to a Haggis, written by Scottish poet and whisky lover Robert Burns in 1786, will be on whisky-soaked lips around the world on Saturday 25^th January as people come together to celebrate the life of Scotland’s favourite son amidst haggis, odes and an awful lot of whisky. 

But what whisky to drink with this legendary annual feast? It’s hard to go too far wrong with the noble Haggis – this spicy, earthy meat dish, that is as delicious as it is mysterious; or rather it is a mystery that you probably don’t want to solve.

However, we would recommend the rich, elegant charms of Oak Cross whose malty, fruity subtlety complements the Haggis perfectly. 

The classic starter of Cock-a-Leekie soup should be made with prunes, soaked in our Hedonism blended grain whisky the night before, and enjoyed with the same. Meanwhile, a Typsy Laird or Crannachan made (and drunk) with Orangerie makes the perfect dessert, before you set the world to rights over a dram of the amazing Peat Monster Tenth Anniversary!

UK vlogger Joe Ellis from Whisky Wednesday reviews Cutty Sark 18 Year Old 

http://youtu.be/N0WS-vYViKk 

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BRITISH PAIR WINS THE WORLD’S TOUGHEST ROWING RACE, THE TALISKER WHISKY ATLANTIC CHALLENGE

The Inverness Whisky Festival returns for it’s fourth year this April and is proud to be part of the Scotland Homecoming 2014 celebrations!

Since its inauguration in 2011 the festival has continued to attract global interest and this year is expected to be no different. Over the course of the two days guests will have the chance to experience a dram-fuelled tour of Inverness, tasting sessions, and a traditional ceilidh.

The festival commences on Friday 4th April with a tour around some of Inverness’ best-known and oldest pubs, where guests will get to experience more than just a tasting session. The tour will encourage guests to submerse themselves in the history of our nations drink, the music and the local craic! Bruce MacGregor, founder of Blazin Fiddles (Folk Band of the Year, 2013), will lead the troops as they enjoy a selection of fine drams and some impassioned story telling which will bring history to life. The evening culminates in the award-winning Hootanannys where guests will enjoy a traditional Scottish knee’s up courtesy of Bruce and friends.

On Saturday 5^th April the event kicks off at noon and will see a whole host of distilleries descend upon Bogbain Farm for the day. Along with the exhibitions, guests will also have the chance to attend master-classes, taste some of the finest local food, and enjoy some fantastic music and entertainment in the barn.  The festival will close with a traditional Scottish ceilidh in the barn, with music courtesy of the Bruce MacGregor Ceilidh Band. It truly is a fantastic Scottish experience, it’s not every day you get to sample some of the finest malts, accompanied by some great Scottish music, in a 19^th century farm!

Tickets for the Friday tour are £30, which includes a tasting glass and dram in every pub. The Saturday tickets are priced at £25, which includes a tasting glass, all your drams, and a ceilidh (masterclass tickets will be sold separately). A weekend ticket, which gives access to all three events, can be bought for £50.

Tickets are on sale and are available from http://www.invernesswhiskyfestival.com/tickets/.

www.ralfy.com gets a bit grainy with Whisky Review 423 – Carsebridge 30yo Grain Whisky

A BONNIE BURNS NIGHT WITH A TWIST 

For one week only, 20^th – 26^th January 2014, Michelin-starred restaurant, Seven Park Place located at luxury boutique hotel, St James’s Hotel and Club in Mayfair will be hosting an exclusive six-course tasting menu from the four corners of Caledonia, which includes a dram of Highland Park single malt whisky. 

In collaboration with the Slow Food UK Chef Alliance and their partner Highland Park Whisky, Executive Chef William Drabble, member of the Chef Alliance will be offering diners world-class seasonal Scottish classics with a modern twist. 

Burns Menu

20^th – 26^th January 2013 

Uig Lodge smoked haddock soup with whisky

 * * *

Seared hand-dived Scottish scallops with garlic purée and parsley oil

* * *

Poached Scottish langoustine with braised cabbage, foie gras sauce and truffle

* * *   

Ravioli of haggis with confit of turnip, whisky and thyme jus

* * *

Saddle of Scottish highland venison with beetroot

* * *

Soufflé of Scottish raspberries with dark chocolate sauce 

Available for lunch and dinner throughout the week, this magnificent six-course menu is priced at £72 per person or £126 with paired wines, including a glass of Highland Park 18 Year Old single malt whisky at the end of the meal. 

This January, keep the memory of Burns alive at Seven Park Place, guaranteed to get your patriotic senses racing for a night to remember! 

Seven Park Place by William Drabble

St James’s Hotel & Club

7 – 8 Park Place

London

SW1A 1LS

T: 020 7316 1615

E: restaurant@stjameshotelandclub.com 

Notes

–          A complimentary glass of Highland Park single malt whisky will be served at the end of the meal.

–          Uig Lodge smoked haddock soup with whisky is dependent on availability of haddock.

–          The Burns Menu will replace the degustation menu at lunch and dinner. 

–          12.5% discretionary service charge will be added to the bill.

 About Highland Park:  

Established in 1798 on Orkney, Highland Park is one of the most remote Scotch whisky distilleries in the world.  For over 200 years, the distillery has combined time old tradition and the very best craftsmanship to achieve perfection.   Its range of 12, 18, 21, 25, 30 and 40 year old single malts is consistently acclaimed by connoisseurs and experts.  Highland Park has won a string of prestigious awards across its portfolio, most recently including ‘best new whisky release of the year 2009’ for its 40-year-old single malt and ‘best whisky in the world 2009’ for its 21-year-old expression in the World Whisky Awards, as well as four double gold awards in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2009. 

Five keystones contribute to making it the Best Spirit in the World:

•       Hand-turned malt adds to the deliciously succulent, balanced layers of aromatic character found in Highland Park single malt Scotch whisky

•       Aromatic peat gives a delectably seductive, luxuriant floral sweetness to Highland Park single malt Scotch whisky

•       Cool maturation enhances the smooth character of Highland Park single malt Scotch whisky

•       Sherry oak casks contribute to the distinctive richness and multi-dimensional complexity of Highland Park single malt Scotch whisky

•       Cask harmonisation ensures consistency and balance in Highland Park single malt Scotch whisky. 

http://www.highlandpark.co.uk/  

The eagerly anticipated Glenmorangie Companta is now available to pre order at The Whisky Shop.

The Glenmorangie Companta

A spicy palate redolent of cherries and stewed fruits, with layers of blood orange and sugar plum alongside a hint of milk chocolate, leading to a mouth-coating finish. 46% ABV, Non Chill-Filtered.

After the success of Ealanta last year, named world whisky of the year by Jim Murray’s whisky bible, Glenmorangie are launching the new Private Edition release:

Companta, is Gaelic for friendship, it is an exquisite whisky that has been extra matured in Clos de Tart casks.

Tasting Notes:
Colour: Deep cherry red.
Nose: Rich, ‘Autumnal’ scents of red berries, damp forest floors, a hint of fragrant wood smoke and some aromatic, nutty oak.
Taste: Red/stewed fruits, sugared plums, blood orange, rose-hip syrup, milk chocolate, brown sugar.
Finish: Mouth-coating finish
£69.99

Simply click here to buy

JANUARY OUTTURN UPDATE:BEAUTY’S OF A FADING NATURE…

“But pleasures are like poppies spread, You seize the flow’r, its bloom is shed; Or like the snow falls in the river, A moment white—then melts for ever;” Robert Burns’ Tam o’Shanter

Top 5 January Drams
worthy of your love poems…

No. 1: Peated

3.202 Doctors surgeries and flower shops
A 15 year old whisky from a refill ex-sherry butt
Only 19 available
BUY £64.80

No. 2: Heavily Peated

53.200 A day at the beach
An 18 year old whisky from a refill ex-sherry butt
Only 40 available
BUY £71.70

No. 3: Heavily Peated

29.150 Hand rolled Cuban cigars
An 18 year old whisky from a refill ex-bourbon barrel
Only 23 available
BUY £69.70

No. 4: Sweet, fruity & mellow

39.92 Dessert Wine and Smoking Jacket
A 23 year old whisky from a refill ex-bourbon hogshead
Only 28 available
BUY £87.20

No. 5: Spicy & sweet

9.79 Quiet Time Dram
A 22 year old whisky from a refill ex-bourbon hogshead
Only 37 available
BUY £82.80

Browse all bottlings

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm). Visit the Society at http://www.smws.co.uk/memberships for your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers.

Spot the SMWS bottles in this amusing You Tube video