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International whisky expert to headline Birmingham festival
An international whisky expert will make a headline appearance at the Whisky Birmingham festival on 7 March.
Whisky author and connoisseur Ian Buxton will host the first public signing of his new book But the Distilleries Went On: The Morrison Bowmore Story, during an exclusive masterclass on whiskies from the Bowmore distillery.
Ian Buxton is a best-selling whisky author and has spent thirty years in the industry. He is a judge for the World Whisky Awards and writes for a range of titles including Whisky Advocate and Whisky Quarterly.
He said:
“Traditionally Birmingham hasn’t been a whisky heartland, but something has happened over the past few years. There’s an exciting landscape growing, with retailers, bars and events like this one reaching a new and younger audience of whisky lovers. I’m really looking forward to being part of it.”
Ian’s other whisky honours also include the highly regarded ‘Keeper of the Quaich’ and ‘Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Distillers’.
His appearance is a coup for Whisky Birmingham, which started in 2012 with an attendance of 200.
Three years on, the festival has tripled its visitor capacity and will spread across two exhibition halls.
Amy Seton, founder of the festival, said:
“It’s a real honour to have Ian Buxton on board as he is greatly respected within the whisky world and has a wealth of knowledge to share with our visitors.”
Brands exhibiting will include BenRiach, Chivas Regal, The Glenlivet, Old Pulteney, Hard To Find Whisky and Laphroaig. There will be a special tasting session led by Highland distillery Balblair.
Local whisky expert Craig Mills will host a series of masterclasses pairing whisky with cheese, chocolate and cigars. There will also be street food by Soul Food Project and Peel and Stone.
The Whisky Birmingham 2015 festival takes place on 7 March 2015 at The Bond. Information and tickets are available at the official website.
FEBRUARY & EARLY MARCH EVENTS
Cheese and Whisky Tasting > 28 Queen St, Edinburgh – Tue 24 Feb
Birmingham Preview Tasting > Hotel du Vin, Birmingham – Fri 27 Feb
Manchester Preview Tasting > Malmaison, Manchester – Fri 27 Feb
Newcastle Preview Tasting > The Caledonian Hotel, Newcastle – Fri 27 Feb
Stirling Preview Tasting > The Golden Lion Hotel, Stirling – Fri 27 Feb
Scotland v Italy Tasting Lunch > 28 Queen St, Edinburgh – Sat 28 Feb
New List Open Tasting > 19 Greville St, London – Sat 7 Mar
Steak & Whisky Tasting > 19 Greville St, London – Mon 9 Mar
St Patrick’s Day > 19 Greville St, London – Tue 17 Mar
Irish Whiskey Tasting > The Vaults, Leith – Thu 19 Feb
NEW TO THE SOCIETY?
New Members Welcome Night > The Vaults, Leith – Thu 26 Feb.
Come on down and meet us (and each other): we’re very friendly, we don’t assume any whisky knowledge and we love sharing our passion for single cask whisky…
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
Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame and World Whiskies Awards American winners announced at the W&SC North America
In its 10th anniversary year, the World Whiskies Conference has evolved to reflect the growing trends of this dynamic sector by becoming the Whiskies & Spirits Conference.
The Whiskies and Spirits Conference North America will be held in New York City, at The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers, Pier 61, on Tuesday 24 February, 2015. The event will host global leaders with speakers from the most influential companies in the industry. A presentation of the 2015 World Whiskies Awards will take place during lunch as well as the Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame American inductees. Three remarkable individuals will be recognised for their lasting contribution to the industry:
Content has been developed by an industry panel and the program for the day will revolve around current major business issues. “The global spirits business continues to surge and this event offers a unique environment in which to learn from the best to harness growth and development of your own business,” says Damian Riley-Smith, Conference President.
Speakers at the 2015 Whiskies and Spirits Conference North America include:
Delegate booking is now open at www.whiskiesandspiritsconference.com/register.php and delegate rates start at $425.
February 2015 Auction Ends on Monday 2rd March 2015!
Our February auction is now live and will finish on March 2rd from 19:00.
This is an incredible auction with so many interesting bottles, one of which has to be this: Hanyu Monochrome Joker, distilled in 1985.
Following this we have an absolutely stunning collection of the old ‘dumpy’ Cadenhead’s bottlings. Keep an eye on the Springbank 22 year old, however there are quite a few and they range from all over Scotland: from Dallas Dhu to Teaninich and Glenury Royal to Talisker!
An absolutely legendary Bowmore, distilled in 1964 from the same batch of casks as the infamous Black Bowmore’s this incredibly stunning whisky was released at 35 years exclusively to Oddbin’s. This is bottle number 5 of only 99 and is presented alongside a ‘sample’ of the whisky.
Please remember!
There is no registration fee, our commission structure is very competitive and we offer worldwide shipping. For our terms and conditions please click here.
With over 15 years of experience in the whisky industry, Whisky Auctioneer specialises in auctioning whisky whether it be fine, old, rare, collectable or affordable. Formed in 2013 and based in Perth, central Scotland, we aim to be the most comprehensive website for the buying and selling of whisky online.
http://www.whiskyauctioneer.com/
Happy Bidding!
This Weekend Only!
Talisker 10 Year Old 45.8% ABV | 70cl
Save £5.00 (RRP £43.99)
The Talisker 10 Year Old is a single malt Scottish whisky from the Talisker distillery on the west coast of the Isle of Skye. This Talisker scotch has won many fans around the world as well as awards. The whiskey is variously described as peaty and smoky and is credited by many as being the finest 10 year old island single malt. The Talisker 10 year old is well worth a try.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Powerful peat-smoke with seawater saltiness, the liquor of fresh oysters and a citrus sweetness.
Palate: Rich dried-fruit sweetness with clouds of smoke and strong barley-malt flavours: warming and intense. At the back of the mouth.
Finish: Sweet malty flavours that blend into a smoky climax.
Price:£32.49 ex VAT £38.99 inc VAT
Blair Athol 12 Year Old Flora & Fauna 43% ABV | 70cl
Save £5.00 (RRP £51.99)
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Creamy, nutty, lightly peaty.
Palate: Full-bodied. Decidedly silky-smooth. Spiced cake. Candied lemon peels. Lots of flavour development.
Finish: Smoky, rooty, treacly. Impeccable balance between sweetness and dryness.
(Tasting Notes by Whisky Magazine)
Tasting note by whiskyfun.com
Colour: amber. Nose: starts very nutty and caramelly, with a big maltiness and hints of liquorice, developing more on notes of sherry, Seville oranges and a little peat, leather and tobacco. Rather concentrated and oily on the nose, despite the slightly ‘blendish’ character. Pleasant for sure. Mouth: the attack is even more sherried, not exactly bold but certainly satisfying. Classic fruitcake, coffee-schnapps, liquorice and orange liqueur, with hints of cherry stem tea in the background and maybe just faint hints of rubber and walnuts. An assertive dram, half-sweet, half-dry. Finish: medium long, very balanced, with an added spiciness (spices for mulled wine, cloves, Chinese anise and cinnamon.) Comments: perfect balance and profile at 43%, excellent cask selection I think. SGP:443 – 85 points.
| Price: | £39.15 ex VAT £46.99 inc VAT |
Glenmorangie Pride 1978 triumphs at design awards
The artistry of Glenmorangie’s most exclusive single malt whisky has been recognised with a prestigious design award. Glenmorangie Pride 1978 is hailed as “the most essential ingredient” in a whisky den created exclusively for Wallpaper* magazine’s annual celebration of design.
Glenmorangie Pride 1978 is the most rare and treasured creation yet to emerge from the Scottish Highland Distillery. First matured for 19 years in American oak ex-bourbon casks, Glenmorangie Pride 1978 then spent a further 15 years gaining layers of flavour from five casks which once held a Premier Grand Cru claret. The resulting limited-edition whisky is contained in a crystal decanter by designer Laurence Brabant and protected by a Wouter Scheublin-designed case of red wood, which reflects the red wine casks. Each of the 700 decanters in existence carries with it a work by the artist Idris Khan, who was inspired by the single malt’s journey.
Its artistic merit is celebrated in the annual awards of style bible Wallpaper*, which honour the year’s highest achievements in the world of design. The entry for the category ‘Best Whisky Den’ says: “The first sight of Ilse Crawford’s polished brass and oak cocktail cabinet inspired us to find a snug corner, install it, pull up a chair and create our own whisky den… The most essential ingredient though, is the Scotch from the cellars of Glenmorangie. Pride 1978 is a newly released single malt with marzipan, wood and tobacco notes. Its rareness is celebrated with a Laurence Brabant decanter bottle.”
Dr Bill Lumsden, Glenmorangie’s Head of Distilling and Whisky Creation, said: “We are delighted that the design of Glemorangie Pride 1978 has been recognised by Wallpaper*. From its beginnings, this whisky has been an inspired creation and we hope those who taste it will recognise craftsmanship in every sip.”
Tony Chambers, editor in chief of Wallpaper*, said: “This delicious, unique whisky comes in a beautifully designed decanter bottle and innovative case. The perfect kit for the contemporary epicure and a clear Wallpaper* winner.”
**UPCOMING EVENTS AT GLENFARCLAS**
Join us at the 2015 Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival from 30th April – 4th May to celebrate whisky from the Speyside area and sample some of the finest single malts at Glenfarclas. Our brand ambassadors will be hosting 4 events this year. Please go to www.spiritofspeyside.com for tickets and more information.
Thursday 30th April 3.15 – 5.15pm
The Manager’s Tour with Callum Fraser – A technical tour & selection of Glenfarclas whiskies chosen by Callum, our Distillery Production Manager. A tour made in heaven for the real whisky enthusiasts!
£60.00 per person. Over 18s only. Limited tickets available.
Friday 1st May 3.15 – 5.15pm
Back to Basics Tour & Visitor Centre Exclusive with Myriam Mackenzie, Export Sales Executive – A distillery tour and tasting including the 10, 15, 21, 25 year old & 105 from our core range whiskies, followed by the launch of our 1991 Spirit of Speyside Visitor Centre Exclusive.
£35.00 per person. Over 18s only. Limited tickets available.
Monday 4th May 10.30am – 12.30pm
Bunch of Fives Tour – Ian McWilliam, Marketing Executive, invites you on a tour of Glenfarclas followed by a tasting of The Family Cask Vintages (including Family Casks ending in 5s – 1965, 75, 85, 95 & 2005).
£85.00 per person. Over 18s only. Limited tickets available.
Monday 4th May 3.15 – 5.15pm
Selection of ‘Blue’ Family Cask 2000 Vintage with George Grant, Sales Director and 6th generation of the family – This tour invites the public to help choose the Family Cask vintage from the year 2000 and also includes an unusual ‘blue twist’ especially created for the 2015 Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival.
£60.00 per person. Over 18s only. Limited tickets available.
