ON TOUR WITH INGVAR RONDE & FRIENDS

Story and pictures by Paul McLean, driver/guide/tour manager. April 2016.

Day 1. We met up at Glasgow airport, happy smiling faces on each as they came through customs gate, I have met most of these guys on a previous tour last year. Luggage loaded off we went to Ardrossan, where we had arranged lunch (it was a late airport arrival), whilst the guys enjoyed lunch (and drinks) I ventured over to Asda for some goodies, amongst these Whisky & Haggis crisps. We were taking the 15.15 ferry to Arran – it was 20 minutes late departing, so upon arrival we were lucky to be third off but behind a large artic lorry. This turned off shortly to allow us to pass and I flew up to Arran distillery (we were late). Dropped off our group and drove doon to the ferry at Lochranza to check our last time to check in. This done, went back the mile or so and caught them up in the distillery, great tour by the way by Stewart Dunsmuir. On the ferry back to the mainland, a nice breeze, landing at Claonaig and a short drive to Tarbert where we stayed that night.

Day 2. Och an early start as we had the van in line at calmac Kennacraig for 06.20, taking the brand new ferry Finlaggan to Port Ellen. 2 hours later and off to see a wee bit of history: Kildalton Kirk derives its’ name from a stepson of one of the Macdonalds of the Isles. The Macleans and the Macdonalds fought over this land with the Macdonalds driving the Macleans out. Here endeth the history lesson, as usual there was the wee table with teas/coffee biscuits and cakes here with an honesty box. Due to a funeral staff at Bowmore were all out, so we switched the day around and took in Bunnahabhain distillery first. This was a great tour and taste and many thanks to Andrew Brown, Distillery Manager who took us around and, more importantly, set me up with wee drams to go! Over his 22 years at the distillery he’s worked every part of the Bunnahabhain and now enjoys day-to-day running of the distillery. Back to Bowmore and another distillery visit, I sat this one out as I needed to do some work for later on in this tour. Overnight Bowmore.

Day 3. An early start (again) as we depart at 8am for a visit to Bruichladdich arriving here at 8.20. The tour was taken by Allan Logan, a great first half hour just chatting about himself, his experience and tutor, the aims of the distillery etc, I learned a lot! I left Ingvar to it and went for my drivers cup of tea! Chatted to the girls in the visitor centre, learned a few more bits of knowledge, the tour group came in for their tasting, again, thanks Allan for the drams! From here to Ballygrant for soup and sandwiches, great whisky bar and a grand chat with Ewan on island whisky news. In line for the wee landing craft that is the Jura ferry. A short sail, a bumpy drive and an island distillery. Willie Cochrane started his career at the Jura distillery as a Mash/Still Operator in 1976, a week before our visit he retired! Graham took our tour, a new distillery manager who has been here many years, good tour by the way! More great drams before another road from hell journey to the ferry, I had planned getting back here early, we did. Drams and crisps (whisky and haggis) came out with some chocloates. On the ferry and back to Bowmore, day over, relax, dram and bed!

Day 4. Early start again, this time away doon to Laphroaig, where David took the tour, known him many years, tour in good hands I sat it out, did some work took some photos, drank tea (drivers share) and hung aboot. Joined them later at the tasting, am thinking they enjoyed that. A wee drive to Ardbeg, met Michael (Mickey) Heads who took the tour and a grand tour it was, relaxed, informative and – plenty of drams at the end, many thanks for my 6 driver drams! Still to sample these, saving them maybe? He sat with us for lunch chatting away, a great distillery visit. After a good fish pie and Irn Bru, I drove the wee distance for our final tour of the day, Lagavulin. Boy was this a goodun, Pinkie took us right to the warehouse for tasting, nae distillery tour. He then took the Michael out of all of us in his own strange but hilarious way, no one escaped his humour, but we did enjoy 6 great drams – and, aye, I got 6 wee pots to take away. The funniest visit on the island to be sure for all. After this, we stopped at the Machrie golf course for a peep, then the peat moss (Laphroaig) and a few drams at the Irn Bru Corner at the airport. I have named it so because we had a dram of Glen Marnoch here, with Irn Bru fudge, followed by an Edradour fairy Flag. This was voted by Ingvar as the best Edradour he has tasted! I have two bottles at home. Back at Bowmore – day ended.

Day 5. Left Bowmore at 8.30 for Port Ellen and our ferry to the mainland. On time and off at 12.05 driving for Inveraray. Brief stop here for butties and drinks before heading south to Loch Lomond. Stopping for a rendezvous at MacDonalds to meet lovely lady from Loch Lomond distillery, who handed me bottles of Inchmurrin, Glen Scotia and LL, pre arranged with a pal who works for them. Bottles on board we hit the road to Auchentoshan distillery. Iain McCallum took us around, shared drams at each step and warehouse dram. Once back in the warmth of the bar, more drams followed, a great final whisky tour for the group. We then took an hour and a half to reach the hotel in Edinburgh. Sad farewells and “see you again”’s I left my group here, but not before a very nice “thanks you envelope”, thank you all for this; Ingvar Ronde, Mats Rodenstam, Peter Rodenstam, Dag Lennartsson, Ingemar Nordblom and Hans Hulthén, I will have many happy memories of this trip. Drove home, awful traffic on the bridge, so pulled off for some grub, then home, arrived 9.15, tired but happy!

Once again Ingvar has entrusted us with his tour group, last year it was Speyside, what is it for 2017? Ireland? Thanks Ingvar, photos on the way over, see you soon.

PAUL MCLEAN   www.mcleanscotland.com/   www.whiskytours.scot

CULT MALT RECALLS ITS DARK PAST

– Ardbeg Launches Dark Cove as Ardbeg Day Turns into Ardbeg Night

Ardbeg’s island home has a dark past. Centuries ago, at the dead of night, the early distillers would smuggle their whisky from the rocky shores of Ardbeg cove, to black-painted ships moored off the coast, where it would be spirited away to the Scottish mainland.  This year, the shadowy history of Ardbeg’s homeland will be recalled as part of the annual festivities of the Islay single malt, when Ardbeg Day becomes Ardbeg Night.

The yearly celebration takes place on 28th May 2016, when Ardbeg’s loyal following – the Ardbeg Committee – and their friends will be invited to attend a series of special tasting events being held at night across the world.  As they recall Islay’s past, Committee members can smuggle in a guest to the venue. Events in the UK will be held at Whistling Shop in London and Bramble in Edinburgh, further details are to follow.

Michael (Mickey) Heads, Ardbeg Distillery Manager, said: “Distilling and smuggling whisky was once rife on Islay, and before the Ardbeg Distillery was founded, the coastline roundabout was particularly notorious as a hideout for smugglers. In true smugglers’ style we will be keeping the finer details of this year’s Ardbeg Day celebrations under wraps a little longer, but rest assured they will be as intriguing as Ardbeg’s clandestine past.  We will also have a special bottling, called Ardbeg Dark Cove – which pays homage to the shadowy past of Ardbeg’s coastline.”

Ardbeg’s latest expression Dark Cove, launches on Ardbeg Day (28^th May), it is made up of whisky matured in sherry casks, married with hallmark ex-bourbon Ardbeg. 

Ardbeg Dark Cove Tasting Notes at 46.5% ABV

Aroma At first meaty, earthy and spicy, with bold notes of dark chocolate emerging against orange, treacle toffee, coffee and oak, a smoky background and a mysterious floral note.

Taste  The mouthfeel is almost tart, with raisins, dates, ginger and pepper spice surge and waves of smouldering charcoal, wood polish and creosote notes, leading to cured smoked ham and squid ink noodles.

Finish  Long, spicy and rich with notes of toffee, coffee and tar.

Dark Cove is available as a celebration of Ardbeg Day turning into Ardbeg Night. The whisky is bottled at 46.5% ABV and non-chill filtered for extra texture and mouthfeel.

The limited edition expression will be available to purchase from 28th May 2016 at Ardbeg Embassies* for a two week exclusive period. From June 11^th, Dark Cove will be available at Ardbeg Embassies, whisky specialists and department stores with a RRP of £95.99.

Ardbeg Night will be celebrated at the distillery on Saturday 28^th May 2016 and at participating Ardbeg Embassies around the world.

http://www.ardbeg.com/

Notes to Editors: 

Ardbeg Day:

Every year, the Islay Festival of Malt and Music takes place in May or June on Ardbeg’s island home.  On the Festival’s final Saturday, Ardbeg Day, the Distillery traditionally throws open its doors to welcome fans from all over the world.  In 2012 Ardbeg Day became a global event, enabling the whisky’s passionate international following to take part in a worldwide celebration of all things Ardbeg in their own country.  Recent Ardbeg Day themes have included in 2015 celebrating the single malt’s 200th anniversary by looking forward to the next 200 years.  Fans of the whisky were invited into a retro-futuristic version of Islay in 2215, where robotic dogs were the norm at Ardbeg Distillery.  15,000 people attended 135 events around the world at the 2015 Ardbeg Day global celebrations. 

Smuggling on Islay:

So substantial was the illicit whisky trade between Islay and the mainland, which Excise officers asked for a special Revenue cutter to be stationed off the island, to intercept the smuggler boats that sailed from Islay and elsewhere.  Even after John McDougall took out a licence to make whisky legally at Ardbeg, the smuggling continued.  The Excise officers complained that they could do little to stop it – but it appears to have largely died out during the late 19^th Century.

Ardbeg:

Ardbeg prides itself on being The Ultimate Islay Single Malt Whisky.  Established in 1815, Ardbeg is revered by connoisseurs around the world as the peatiest, smokiest and most complex of all the Islay malts.  Despite its smokiness, Ardbeg is renowned for its delicious sweetness, a phenomenon that has affectionately become known as ‘the peaty paradox’.

During the 1980s and 1990s, Ardbeg suffered from an uncertain future and it was not until the brand was purchased by The Glenmorangie Company in 1997 that the Distillery was saved from extinction.  Since then, the Distillery has risen like a phoenix and today Ardbeg is well established as a niche, cult malt, with a passionate following.

Ardbeg Committee:

The legacy of the whisky was safeguarded in 2000 by the formation of the Ardbeg Committee.  The Committee is made up of thousands of Ardbeg followers worldwide who are keen to ensure that “the doors of Ardbeg never close again”. Committee members are regularly consulted on new bottlings and expressions, and are offered exclusive Committee bottlings.  Members also receive invitations to special gatherings, tastings and events.  The Committee is free to join at ardbeg.com.

The Glenmorangie Company:

The Company is one of the most renowned and innovative distillers and marketers of Scotch whisky brands worldwide and is part of Moët Hennessy, the wine and spirits division of Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton.  Headquartered in Edinburgh, Scotland, the Company produces Glenmorangie Single Highland Malt whisky and Ardbeg Single Islay Malt.

Responsible Drinking:

Ardbeg and The Glenmorangie Company advocate responsible drinking and suggest that drinkers savour Ardbeg whiskies in moderation and in line with recommended daily guidelines for alcohol consumption. 

*UK Ardbeg Embassies

You’re never far from an Ardbeg Embassy – the distillery’s homes from home. With the warmest of welcomes and the widest selection of Ardbeg, you can experience a little piece of Islay closer to home.

A network of Ardbeg customers who love and have agreed to educate their consumers on Ardbeg, the UK Embassies are:

• The Vintage House, 42 Old Compton Street, London W1D4LR http://www.sohowhisky.com/
• Royal Mile Whiskies, 379 High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1PW http://www.royalmilewhiskies.com/
• Cambridge Wine Merchants, 32 Bridge Street, Cambridge CB2 1UJ http://www.cambridgewine.com/
• The Wee Dram, 5 Portland Square, Bakewell, Derbyshire DE45 1HA http://www.weedram.co.uk/
• Luvians Bottle Shop, 93 Bonnygate, Cupar, Fife KY15 4LG  http://www.luvians.com/
• The Whisky Exchange, Vinopolis, 1 Bank End, London SE1 9BU http://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/
• Gordon & MacPhail, 58-60 South Street, Elgin, Moray, IV30 1JY http://www.gordonandmacphail.com/
• Whiski Rooms Bistro, 4,6 & 7 North Bank Street, Edinburgh, EH1 2LP http://www.whiskirooms.co.uk/

ULTIMATE SPIRITS CHALLENGE^® Announces 2016 Results

Spirits Also Assessed in USC’s Innovative Cocktail Evaluation

Ultimate Spirits Challenge^®, the world’s platinum standard for spirits competitions, proudly announces the winners and full results for the just-completed 2016 Challenge. Ultimate Spirits Challenge (USC), now in its seventh year, celebrates 40 Chairman’s Trophy winners, USC’s highest award of excellence, along with 157 Finalists. Ultimate Spirits Challenge was held at the specially designed Ultimate Beverage Challenge Evaluation Center in Hawthorne, NY.

Says UBC founder and USC judging chairman F. Paul Pacult, “One of the many advantages of having our own year-round facility is that instead of having to judge hundreds of spirits entries over a couple of days like other competitions do, we can, by design, break each category down into smaller flights. This means that USC judging panels can focus on each flight with greater in-depth attention and analytical precision, resulting in truer, more accurate assessments. This hyper-focus allows USC to provide useful, extensive and authoritative data to companies for use in building their spirits brands.”

WHISKY – CANADA

J.P. Wiser’s Red Letter 2015 Edition  

WHISKEY – IRELAND

Blended: Midleton Very Rare 2015

Irish Pot Still: Redbreast 21 Years Old

Single Grain: Teeling Single Grain

Single Malt: Egan’s 10 Years Old 

WHISKY – SCOTLAND

Blended Malt: Johnnie Walker Green Label 15 Years Old

Blended: Buchanan’s Deluxe 12 Years Old

Single Malt: Highland Park Ice Edition 17 Years Old  

WHISKEY – USA

American: Clyde May’s Special Reserve

Bourbon: Blade and Bow Limited Release 22 Years Old Kentucky Straight

Rye: Jim Beam Pre-Prohibition Style

Single Malt: Westland  

WHISKEY – WORLD

Kavalan ex-Bourbon Oak Single Malt 

WHISKEY – WORLD – FLAVORED

Knob Creek Smoked Maple 

For complete results visit www.ultimate-beverage.com/usc2016results

All products are rated on the 100-point scale by the spirits industry’s most renowned judges including award-winning authors, buyers, journalists, educators and bar owners. The judges for USC 2016 included: Founder/Judging Chairman F. Paul Pacult, Jeff Bell, Jacques Bezuidenhout, Tad Carducci, Gregg Glaser, Don Lee, Francis Schott, Joaquin Simo, Andy Seymour, Paul Tanguay and David Wondrich.

All spirits rated 80 points and higher receive an individual results page (accessed by clicking on “more” next to the product name) which provides all downloadable marketing materials for the product – including icons, shelf-talkers (where applicable) and a bottle image for easy consumer identification. Spirits rated 85 points and higher also receive a tasting note. If a spirit is recommended for the category’s assigned classic cocktail, it is also indicated on this page.

USC results are promoted globally via email and web publication to both trade buyers and consumers. In addition, high scoring products are featured in the Ultimate Beverage Challenge Guide published each year in the October issue of Beverage Media reaching more than 70,000 on- and off-premise spirits buyers. 

ULTIMATE SPIRITS CHALLENGE…Challenging Since 2010.

ABOUT ULTIMATE BEVERAGE CHALLENGE

Ultimate Beverage Challenge (UBC) provides expert evaluation of wines and spirits for producers, importers and marketers through its two innovative annual competitions: Ultimate Spirits Challenge and Ultimate Wine Challenge. UBC partners are F. Paul Pacult, Sue Woodley and David Talbot. Photos and more information can be found at http://www.ultimate-beverage.com/.

The 61st Auction is now live and waiting for you here!

This month we lay before you a plethora of fabulous bottles from all across the world offering you some of the finest whiskies the distillers and blenders of this world have to offer.

Big Peatrie is back again, excited, as always, to bring you his favourite bottles this month you can see his vLog here.

Ardbeg Special 1965 40 Year old is this month’s star. This wonderful whisky is housed in an impressive museum case and comes with a matching mini.

One fantastic lot, 26 stellar bottles it can only be the SMWS 26 Malt Collection. One of only 20 collections in the world this work of art is a collaboration between writers, designers and of course the Scotch Malt Whisky Society.

We have four bottles from the Ichiro’s Malt Card Series the Ace of Spades, Jack of Clubs, King of Diamonds and the Queen of Hearts. These single cask releases, designed to stand out from the crowd by Ichiro Akuto, have attained cult status over the years.

There are some lovely blends in this month’s auction with a showing from the 2012 Release of Johnnie Walker’s The Directors Blend . Limited to only 504 bottles this is a masterclass in the art of blending from the world’s leading blend. There is also a John Haig Gold Label bearing the crest of King George the V and a Johnnie Walker Excelsior distilled in 1947 and bottled in 1997.

Gordon & MacPhail bring us dazzling array of whiskies from across the malt spectrum including a Speymalt Macallan from 1950, a Glen Grant from 1949 and 1958, a Strathisla from 1963.

Lost distilleries this month bring us a first annual release from Port Ellen as well as the Karuizawa/Kawasaki ‘Time Slip’. Glenury arrives in the very rare form of an Old Malt Cask release distilled in 1968, one of only 26 bottles released.

Infact 1968 is very well represented this month with lovely bottles from Bowmore, Glen Grant and three from Macallan; an Over 25 Year Old Anniversary Malt,an 18 year old and a 33 year old from Duncan Taylor.

We have two different 30 year old releases from Karuizawa, one a Samurai and the other a Noh cask. Highland Park bring us impressive looking vintages from 1970, 1971 and 1976 as well as two 40 year olds.

And last but by no means least there is a bottle of beer brewed in 1902! Yup, a bottle of Bass King’s Ale makes for a wonderful example of liquid history.

As always there is a plethora of great drinking drams and great examples of liquid history available for you all to peruse at your leisure and bid away to your hearts’ content.

Just a wee reminder that if you wish to pick up and/or drop off bottles please go to our new premises at 139 Lancefield St, Glasgow, G3 8HZ . If you have any questions or queries please give use a call on 01412483226.

All the best from us here at SWA HQ!

TOMATIN WHISKY TASTING – WEDNESDAY 8TH JUNE

Having had the Scottish Icons of Whisky Brand Ambassador for 2016 come along to  present our last tasting we follow on the trend with our next tasting as it will feature the Scottish Icons Distiller of the Year – Tomatin distillery from the Highlands.  Situated in the Monadhliath Mountains just south of Inverness, this might be a large scale distillery but the whisky making is on a very personal level – with many of the families involved living on site, a most unusual occurrence nowadays and something that gives a strong sense of community and continuity to the whole process.

We are very fortunate as Alistair Mutch will be coming back to present the Tomatin whiskies to us and, as those who were present last time will testify, Alistair is a most entertaining and knowledgeable presenter.  In the four years since we had a Tomatin tasting they have garnered more than a few awards for their rich and mellow whiskies that represent the ‘softer side of the Highlands’ and there is something for most tastes as the range currently includes cask strength, port finish (which is gorgeous!) and peated expressions alongside whiskies of various ages that have matured in new oak, bourbon or sherry or a mix thereof.

Tickets are £15 per person and will be available to buy online from 1.15pm on Friday 22nd April.  Please note, no bookings will be taken before this time and because of the high demand for these tickets the maximum number per booking is 4.

See below for all the details and if you have any queries just contact us.

Sláinte! Fran and Ken Arkwrights Whisky and Wines www.whiskyandwines.com

Name Tomatin Whisky Tasting

Date Wednesday 8th June 2016

Time 7.00 for 7.30pm

Venue Stanton House Hotel, Stanton Fitzwarren SN6 7SD

Details Admission to the tasting is by ticket only, and the whiskies tasted will be available to purchase on the night.  Tickets are £15 per person, and this also entitles you to a discount of £3 against a bottle of one of the featured whiskies if bought or ordered on the night of the tasting.  Tickets are very strictly limited, and restricted to 4 per booking.  As these tastings usually sell out immediately it is best to book as soon as the tickets are released.  To buy tickets just log on to www.whiskyandwines.com from 1.15pm on Friday 22nd April and place an order for the number you require (up to a maximum of 4). Please note that tickets cannot be reserved without payment and are non-refundable.

N.B. We have negotiated special rates at Stanton House Hotel for anyone who wants to stay overnight after the tasting – just quote ‘Arkwrights whisky tasting’ when booking by ‘phone or email.

You will find listed below 3 of our favourite Glendronach drams..

You can find our full range on The Spirits Embassy: Single Malts Direct’s brand new website.

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Glendronach 12 Year Old || £32.00 incl. VAT

This superb richly sherried single malt is matured for at least 12 years in a combination of the finest spanish pedro Ximenez and Oloroso sherry casks.  In 1826 the exuberant and extroverted James Allardice founded the distillery and produced his ‘Guid GlenDronach’ single malt. Down the years, the distillery he created has thrived under the stewardship of far-sighted investors like Walter Scott in 1847 and Captain Charles Grant in 1920. In more recent times, GlenDronach was bought in 1960 by William Teacher & Sons

Glendronach 18 Year Old || £61.00 incl. VAT

The famous Glendronach 18 year old, now renamed Allardice, is the third expression in the Glendronach core range.  In 1826 the exuberant and extroverted James Allardice founded the distillery and produced his ‘Guid GlenDronach’ single malt. Down the years, the distillery he created has thrived under the stewardship of far-sighted investors like Walter Scott in 1847 and Captain Charles Grant in 1920. In more recent times, GlenDronach was bought in 1960 by William Teacher & Sons.

Glendronach 21 Year Old || £85.00 incl. VAT

Matured in a combination of the finest Oloroso and Pedro Ziminez Sherry Casks.  In 1826 the exuberant and extroverted James Allardice founded the distillery and produced his ‘Guid GlenDronach’ single malt. Down the years, the distillery he created has thrived under the stewardship of far-sighted investors like Walter Scott in 1847 and Captain Charles Grant in 1920. In more recent times, GlenDronach was bought in 1960 by William Teacher & Sons.

United Sates

• Four Roses “K&L Exclusive” Single Barrel OESF (9 years, 11 months) Cask Strength Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) ( $64.99) Another four casks of Four Roses Bourbon are upon us, this time around a nice range of various ages and styles to showcase the diversity from one of Kentucky’s finest institutions. The OESF formula whiskey is the brightest and the liveliest of the bunch, with real classic Bourbon flavor that explodes right on the first sip. Sweet vanilla tones combine with flowery and fruity accents before building towards a woody and spicy finish. At 52%, however, the whiskey is never overtly hot or out of balance. The lower proof keeps the intensity of the flavors at the forefront, allowing them to shine instead of the alcohol. A fun choice for cocktail fans who want a little punch in their punch.

• Four Roses “K&L Exclusive” Single Barrel OESK (10 years, 3 months) Cask Strength Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) ( $64.99) Another four casks of Four Roses Bourbon are upon us, this time around a nice range of various ages and styles to showcase the diversity from one of Kentucky’s finest institutions. While not the oldest of the gang, the OESK formula cask is the roundest and the smoothest on the palate. At 53.4%, there are flavors of dark cocoa and toasted vanilla that expand over the palate, before transitioning to chocolate-covered cherries and notes of earth and spice. This is going to be a very popular choice for fans of the creamier style, and with supplies as limited as they are we’re sure the word will spread fast.

K&L Wine Merchants
http://www.klwines.com
Phone: 877-KLWines (toll free 877-559-4637)
Email: wine@klwines.com
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

JOHNNIE WALKER^® & TOM DIXON:

ICONS OF TASTE AND DESIGN UNITE AT MILAN DESIGN WEEK 2016

April 15, 2016: Celebrated British designer Tom Dixon, OBE, has unveiled his immersive celebration of creative innovation with the opening of ‘The RESTAURANT by Caesarstone & Tom Dixon’ at Milan Design Week – a venue at which Johnnie Walker^® was the accompaniment of choice.

Every year, Milan Design Week sees up to half a million extra people descend on the city for the largest fair of its kind in the world. This year marks the 55^th anniversary of the prestigious festival. Its exhibitions showcase the latest in interior design and feature work from the world’s most important contemporary furniture designers.

‘The RESTAURANT’ consists of four extraordinary sculptural kitchens inspired by the elements – Earth, Fire, Water and Air – and has been created by acclaimed designer Dixon in conjunction with Caesarstone, makers of luxury quartz interior surfaces.

As well as a Johnnie Walker bar, ‘The RESTAURANT’ is also home to a stunning Johnnie Walker^® Blue Label™ bottle art installation, created and designed by Dixon, which sits in the ‘Water’ section of The RESTAURANT. The installation is a dynamic and fluid design that expresses the flow of whisky and the versatile approach to design that is necessary for creating iconic Scotch blends.

The menu at ‘The RESTAURANT’ was created and designed by Arabeschi di Latte, the Italian food design studio founded by Francesca Sarti in 2001. All guests had the opportunity to visit the Johnnie Walker bar and enjoy whisky mentoring sessions hosted by Johnnie Walker brand ambassador Tom Jones.

Speaking about the collaboration, Guy Escolme, Global Brand Director for Johnnie Walker, said: “Taste and design go hand-in-hand, so when we were approached about bringing Johnnie Walker to ‘The RESTAURANT’, and to work closely with an international designer of the calibre of Tom Dixon, we were only too happy to get involved.

“The Johnnie Walker blenders are, at heart, designers themselves. At our Blenders’ Rooms in Scotland, they experiment with flavour from a palette of more than eight million casks to create perfect Scotch blends.”

‘The RESTAURANT by Caesarstone & Tom Dixon’ is open for the duration of Milan Design Week. 

Notes

A video of designer Tom Dixon and Johnnie Walker Global Brand Ambassador, Tom Jones can be viewed here 

Photo captions:

IMAGE 1: Johnnie Walker^® Global Brand ambassador Tom Jones and celebrated British designer Tom Dixon, OBE, pictured at the Johnnie Walker^® Blue Label™ bottle art installation at ‘The RESTAURANT by Caesarstone and Tom Dixon’, part of Milan Design Week.

IMAGE 2: Johnnie Walker^® Global Brand ambassador Tom Jones and Francesca Sarti, from the Italian food design studio Arabeschi di Latte, pictured at ‘The RESTAURANT by Caesarstone and Tom Dixon’, part of Milan Design Week.

IMAGE 3: Johnnie Walker^®  Blue Label™ takes centre stage at ‘The RESTAURANT by Caesarstone and Tom Dixon’, as part of Milan Design Week.

IMAGE 4: Taste and design come together with Johnnie Walker^®  Blue Label™ at ‘The RESTAURANT by Caesarstone and Tom Dixon’, as part of Milan Design Week.

About Johnnie Walker

Johnnie Walker is the world’s number one Scotch whisky brand, enjoyed by people in over 180 countries around the world. Since the time of its founder, John Walker, those who blend its whiskies have pursued flavour and quality above else.

Six generations of skilled Master Blenders have pioneered and crafted bold new flavours that have transformed a small Scottish grocery store business, founded in 1820, into an international whisky business selling stylish, authentic, and iconic blends.

Today’s range of award-winning whiskies includes Johnnie Walker Red Label, Black Label, Double Black, Green Label, Gold Label Reserve, Platinum Label and Blue Label. Together they account for nearly 19 million cases sold annually (IWSR, 2014), making Johnnie Walker the most popular Scotch whisky in the world.

The Johnnie Walker, Keep Walking, Red Label, Black Label, Double Black, Green Label, Gold Label Reserve, Platinum Label and Blue Label words and associated logos are trademarks © John Walker & Sons 2016. 

Enjoy Johnnie Walker responsibly.

About Diageo

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

Diageo is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at http://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. 

About Tom Dixon:

Established in 2002, Tom Dixon is a British product design brand. With a commitment to innovation and a mission to revive the British furniture industry, the brand is inspired by the nation’s unique heritage and produces extraordinary objects for everyday use. www.tomdixon.net/

WORTH THE WAIT

NEWPORT, OR – Rogue Spirits is thrilled to announce the release of its first straight whiskey, Oregon Single Malt Whiskey. Ocean aged for at least two years, Oregon Single Malt Whiskey is made using Rogue Farms Risk malt grown and floor malted by hand at Rogue’s Barley Farm in Tygh Valley, OR. At the Rogue Brewery in Newport, brewmaster John Maier brews the Single Malt wash before it goes across the parking lot to age in American Oak barrels.

“The real magic takes place in the Ocean Aging Room where Oregon Single Malt Whiskey slowly ages,” said Rogue Ales President Brett Joyce. “The whiskey breathes in the rich, coastal air of the Pacific Ocean which impart unique flavors along with the oak barrels, and produces a whiskey worth the wait.”

Burnished copper in color, Oregon Single Malt Whiskey has a delicate aroma of honey on the nose that gives way to sweet malted barley and butterscotch flavors studded with citrus and smoke that is supported by a balanced finish.

Oregon Single Malt Whiskey is available at all Rogue meeting halls and at select retailers throughout the United States. For more information, please visit Rogue.com and the Rogue Spirits blog.

About Rogue Ales and Spirits

Rogue Ales & Spirits is an agri-fermenter founded in Oregon in 1988, as one of America’s first microbreweries. Rogue has won more than 1,700 awards for taste, quality and packaging and is available in all 50 states as well as 54 countries. Since 2008, Rogue has remained committed to saving the terroir of Oregon hops, barley, rye, wheat, honey, jalapenos, pumpkins and marionberries one acre at a time by growing their own.

You’re invited to our first ever after-hours Scotch Whisky tasting at the
Park Avenue Liquor Shop

Join us for an evening with the single-malts of Glengoyne & Tomintoul.

Hopefully this is the first of many!

On Thursday, May 12th at 7:30pm to 9:30-ish

The Park Avenue Liquor Shop is hosting a tasting featuring the single malts of Glengoyne and Tomintoul. But first…  Upon arrival, attendees will be given samples of Boondocks American Whiskey from Bardstown, Kentucky (95 & 127 proof).

Then, after some Sushi and Charcuterie ~

Wine & Spirits Educator, Shlomo Blashka of Royal Wines will educate attendees on the following marks…

Glengoyne: 15 & 25 year old (limit release edition).
Tomintoul: 16, 25 & 37 year old
(limit release edition).

Details:
When ~ Thursday May 12th at 7:30 to TBD
Where ~ The Park Ave Liquor Shop – 270 Madison Avenue (corner of 39th Street)
How to attend ~ Please send checks payable to ‘MMD’ for $65 per attendee. We are limiting the number of available spots to 25 so please RSVP early. On the evening of the event the ‘At the door’ price will be $75.

Cheers!
Jonathan, Eric & Marlon
The Park Avenue Liquor Shop
270 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10016
212-685-2442
jonathan@parkaveliquor.com
eric@parkaveliquor.com
whiskyconn@gmail.com (Marlon)
www.parkaveliquor.com