THE JOHNNIE WALKER^® EXPERIENCE PITCHES UP AT THE RYDER CUP AND IS DEFINITELY NOT PAR FOR THE COURSE 

Luxury Scotch Whisky brand invites fans to celebrate the return of The Ryder Cup to Scotland with the creation of its exclusive JOHNNIE WALKER EXPERIENCE. 

Scotland, September 

Fans of whisky and golf are in for a treat when the spectacular JOHNNIE WALKER^® EXPERIENCE opens its doors at this year’s Ryder Cup at Gleneagles. While the professionals battle it out on the PGA Centenary course a short walk away, guests of the JOHNNIE WALKER EXPERIENCE can test their own golfing prowess by playing the four holes of the bespoke JOHNNIE WALKER Mini Golf Course, which is located inside the exclusive venue. 

Whether they are backing the boys from Europe or the USA, supporters’ rivalries will be left at the door as they get the opportunity to have fun and sample a ‘Free Drop’ at the bar once they have completed the course. 

Guy Escolme from Diageo, which owns JOHNNIE WALKER and Gleneagles, said: “Whisky and golf are two of Scotland greatest gifts to the world and what better way to celebrate them than with a thrilling game of Mini Golf at our spectacular pop-up house? 

“Our bespoke JOHNNIE WALKER Mini Golf Course tells the story of how our whiskies travelled from the four corners of Scotland to the four corners of the world in a fun and relaxed environment. We’re looking forward to welcoming Ryder Cup fans to experience it for themselves and advise them to book their tee-off time in advance.” 

Golf enthusiasts attending the 2014 Ryder Cup, who would like to visit the JOHNNIE WALKER EXPERIENCE for a round of Mini Golf, can book their tee-time by signing up at johnniewalkerexp.eventbrite.com. Players will receive score-cards and make their way around the course, while discovering fascinating facts about the brand’s history, before enjoying a ‘Free Drop’ at the bar when they have completed their round. 

The JOHNNIE WALKER Mini Golf Course consists of four holes (three Par 2s and a Par 5) inspired by the JOHN WALKER & SONS story. The four holes have been named: The Grocery Store; The Four Corners; Scotland’s Finest Exports and Keep Walking and each hole has been inspired by different elements of the JOHNNIE WALKER story. 

The Grocery Store is inspired by the brand’s founder, John Walker, who operated out of a grocery store in Kilmarnock in the 1800s, about 65 miles from Gleneagles. He imported rare and exotic flavours from around the world and it is thought that he used his tea blending skills to craft some of the first (and finest) blended whiskies in Scotland. 

The Four Corners tells the story of how JOHN WALKER & SONS crossed oceans and continents to export their whiskies from the four corners of Scotland to the four corners of the world. Scotland’s Finest Exports celebrates the fact that whisky and golf are two of Scotland’s greatest gifts to the world and Keep Walking references the Striding Man logo and the brand’s pioneering spirit. 

Guy Escolme said: “We’re very excited about the opening of our spectacular JOHNNIE WALKER EXPERIENCE and look forward to inviting guests to test their skills on our Mini Golf Course while the superstars from Europe and the USA face-off during what promises to be a fantastic few days of golf.” 

As part of its Ryder Cup plans, JOHNNIE WALKER is also hoping to get 25,000 people to ‘Join the Pact’ during Ryder Cup week by challenging them to make a commitment to Never Drink and Drive. 

Notes:

About Diageo

Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands across spirits, beer and wine categories.  These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B, Buchanan’s, Windsor and Bushmills whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness. 

Diageo is a global company, and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world.  The company is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO).  For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com.  Visit Diageo’s global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice. 

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere. 

The JOHNNIE WALKER words, the Striding Figure device and associated logos are trademarks © John Walker & Sons 2014. 

Please Drink Responsibly. 

PHOTO CAPTION: The iconic JOHNNIE WALKER ‘Striding Man’ is a feature of the JOHNNIE WALKER Mini Golf Course, situated inside the JOHNNIE WALKER EXPERIENCE, Gleneagles, at this year’s Ryder Cup

The Lost Blend – Available Now! 

“Distilled elixir of battle, money and high life”

We are delighted to announce the release of our new Limited Edition whisky: The Lost Blend.  This elegantly complex union of two fruity Highland single malts and one peaty Islay single malt is a homage to our own ‘lost blend’ – Eleuthera – that we sadly had to retire in 2004. Here, ethereal fruit and a sweet, herbal character is buttressed by a lovely underlying smokiness.

Whiskymaker John Glaser has long had a name that he’s been waiting to use for a project like this—The Lost Blend, inspired by the O. Henry story of the same name.  This sharp and witty portrait of life in a New York bar in the early 1900s was published in 1907 and features two business partners who try to recreate a blend of different spirits with close to supernatural properties.

We have created three different front label designs all around the same theme: lost items.  The whisky behind each label is the same, and the three labels have been randomly bottled and put into cases, which allows you an additional discovery:  which label did I get?  Contact your favourite retailer now to reserve your bottle or, alternatively, just pick one up from our UK-based web shop.

“Above All, Share & Enjoy!”

* The Lost Blend is available now in the UK and Europe, and in the next month or so in Canada, South Africa and Asia. It will be released in the US on 1^st October 2014.

DISTILLERY DEVASTATED AT TRAGIC PEAT’S PASSING

It is with great sadness that the team at The Glenturret Distillery must announce that Peat, our beloved distillery cat, has tragically passed away at just 6 months old. On the afternoon of Monday 8th September, Peat was found injured at the side of the road by a member of the Distillery team. Despite immediate veterinary care, there was nothing more that could be done to save him and he peacefully passed away in the arms of our Distillery Manager, Neil Cameron.

READ MORE HERE

This week Joe Ellis reviews the Darkness Ardbeg 21 Year Old PX Finish Master of Malt Bottling.

http://youtu.be/mt2PCKV9rTY

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https://www.facebook.com/whiskytube

New Heaven Hill Bar Opening Fall 2014 in KFC YUM! Center 

Laphroaig Live 2014 comes to Stockholm! On the beautiful island of Fjäderholmarna. Wednesday 24th September 2014, 8pm CEST

German lounge opened by Vicky

Not long now before I start my Scandinavian tour that will of course end in Stockholm and Laphroaig® Live on Sept 24th at 8.00PM local time. Before I leave I thought I would share some of the latest news.

Laphroaig 18 Year Old The 18 year old is the winner for tasting No4!

All the votes for the 4th expression are in and it seems you have expensive tastes as the fabulous 18 year old was the overwhelming winner. So we will be tasting it along with our new Laphroaig® Select, Cairdeas 2014 and the Nordic special – a great line up.

But for those of you who voted for the classic 10 year old…

I have been told about the many Laphroaig® Live tasting parties that are being set up in the US and Europe and understand that instead of the Nordic special available only in Scandinavia, you will be tasting the 10 year old. So to make sure I can also take part in all these tastings, I will be toasting you live on the night with a bottle of 10 year old!

Our extra Laphroaig® Live guest star

For the first time Laphroaig® Live is having a pre broadcast drink – why not I say!

It is to be a Swedish Laphroaig® cocktail created by one of Sweden’s most famous bartenders Madeleine Rapp. She has learnt her craft in cities such as New York, San Francisco and New Orleans and has since appeared on Swedish TV inspiring other to create cocktails. Here’s the recipe:

Cut and burn
10 ml Laphroaig® Select
40 ml Maker’s Mark
20 ml sea buckthorn purée from fresh sea buckthorn
20 ml freshly squeezed lemon juice
20 ml honey syrup
Shake all the ingredients and pour into a coupette glass

Smoked dishes on the night

Many of you have written in to ask about our ‘Smoke Fest’.

Our Swedish chef has sent me the dishes (in Swedish) which I have had translated (so apologies for any mistakes). If you have any questions about them do let me know.

• Laphroaig® smoked elk with chanterelles and apples
Rökt älg med kantarell o äpplen
• Small Skagen toast with Kalix bleak roe
Liten skagen toast med kalix löjrom
• Laphroaig® smoked salmon with spinach and fresh potatoes
Varmrökt lax med spenat och färsk potatis
• Laphroaig® marinated salmon with cider mustard and dressing
Laphroaig® gravadlax med cidersenap dressing
• Laphroaig® smoked deer filet with cloudberry compote
Rökt renfilé med hjortron kompott
• Swedish farm cheeses with Laphroaig® marmalade
Svenska gårdsostar med goda tillbehör och Laphroaig® marmelad

All very different, I think you will agree – But all sound delicious!

Join Us

If you can, please join us on the night. It’s bound to be fun!

We’re live on Sept 24th at 8.00PM local time but to get the exact time for Your location, just Click Here to access our counter. See you then and remember to keep sending in your questions Here!

Sláinte

John Campbell

Join the Friends of Laphroaig

SEPTEMBER EVENTS

Dunfermline Members Tasting, Garvock House Hotel, Dunfermline – Thu 25 Sept
Liverpool Members Tasting, Malmaison, Liverpool – Fri 26 Sept
Glasgow Members Tasting, Radisson Blu Hotel, Glasgow – Fri 26 Sept
Newcastle Members Tasting, The Caledonian Hotel, Newcastle – Fri 26 Sept
Guildford Members Tasting, Radisson Blu Edwardian Hotel, Guildford – Fri 26 Sept
Winchester Members Tasting, Winchester Royal Hotel, Winchester – Fri 26 Sept
New Members Tasting, 19 Greville St, London – Tue 30 Sept

Browse all events

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 here for membership information This is your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers!

Spot the SMWS bottles in this amusing You Tube video

VOTE FOR US!

It’s always exciting to get an award and we are delighted to be shortlisted for the Scottish Field Best Distillery Visitor Experience in the 2014 Scottish Field Whisky Challenge Awards.

Voting closes on Friday 3rd October

VOTE FOR US HERE

V

Whiskey doesn’t just come from Tennessee and Kentucky anymore! California, Washington, and Colorado are three of the many states west of the rockies that now have distilleries producing American Whiskey.

Discounted Items

Dry Fly Straight Triticale Whiskey $32.00
Colorado Gold Rye D&M Exclusive Barrel $52.99
Corbin Cash Merced Rye Whiskey $49.99
Charbay “S” Hop Flavored Whiskey -D&M Bottling $69.99
Westland American Single Malt Whiskey $77.99