Tune in to listen to these upcoming interviews:

March 17, 9:10AM : Krush 92.5 FM  (Southern Monterey, San Luis Obispo)
Interview with Davorin Kuchan (Old World Spirits)
Listen online: EatDrinkExplore.com

And carrying on with the news:

Two years ago, the Expo was the first whisky-tasting event to announce the US debut of whiskies from the Lark Distillery in Australia. Distilled in the finest traditions of Scotch, Lark’s 58% (116 proof) Cask Strength Single Malt received the highest accolades from our most serious Scotch lovers who even wished they could get “more samples” as the product was still unavailable in stores. So, it’s time to welcome Lark back again with more samples and more strongly proofed single cask whiskies: the 92 proof Distillers Selection and 116 proof Cask Strength. Take a sip (you may want to water it down), and prepare to challenge the preconceptions about what constitutes a good whisky. Lark’s may become one of those antipodean whiskies (like Indian Amrut or Japanese Yamazaki) that is of premium quality and has all the superb whisky-producing components in one perfect place. See for yourself as you read the references on the bottle; note the size of cask the spirit is matured in, the temperature, humidity, and general climactic considerations—all this while “wearing no kilt.”

But it’s not even our slightest intent to encroach on the “untouchable” status of the honorable St. Patrick, Robert Burn’s et al whisky counterparts. Waltz around the tasting hall to quench your love for Scotches in their wonderful variety. From Diageo’s Classic Malts, Glenmorangie (with the new release Lasanta), and Ardbeg, to ubiquitous and congenial The Glenlivet and Laphroaig, to the kaleidoscopic Aberlour, Scapa, and Oban; try the Mackillop’s Choice and Douglas Laing while savoring the contemporary Smokehead, Kilchoman, and Isle of Sky, and many other dramming delights. Don’t disregard the blends that are not inferior to single malts: check out the range of hand blended Johnnie Walker, Clan Denny, and Douglas Laing XO; these blends will turn your head and change your mind!

“No news is good news” doesn’t relate well to WoW Expo as we announce this year’s participation of Campari America and their remarkable Bowmore, Auchentoshan, and the openly revered Glenrothes. One of Scotland’s biggest distilleries, Glenrothes is an enigmatic one, too; their exceptional Single Speyside Malt whisky has been kept a secret from those outside the industry and a small band of connoisseurs for over a hundred years. Claimed to be one of the finest and most accomplished of malt whiskies, The Glenrothes is different to many other single malts in that the bottlings are not determined by age, but by vintage; a matter of unique and excellent timing of the whisky creation. So, the Expo will give you a unique opportunity to celebrate the subtle variations in character of this impeccable malt from one year to the next, starting from 1998 and comparing it with “Select Reserve,” a recently introduced non-vintage line. And while sampling, whether you choose to talk about “the vintage moment” or try to calculate the age of the whisky, it is time well spent. 

A little Canadian gold Continuing on its journey through whisky-making countries, the Expo will present a bountiful bouquet of Canadian whiskies, including new brands and expressions. What’s so great about the whiskies from our northern neighbors? The range of styles that are available. Sample a frontier-styled cowboy, the eight-year-old 8 Seconds (what’s eight seconds for the rodeo cowboy is eight years for the whisky maker); classic Canadian Club in its wonderful varieties (from sherry cask to 30 YO special); and the elegantly designed and opulent Crown Royal. This year’s discoveries from the Great White North are the “rugged Canadian outdoorsman” with a smooth approach, Revel Stoke, and the innovative and originative Pendleton with their 100% rye whisky(still distilled in Canada).You haven’t experienced such a collection of boundary-merging whiskies yet.We couldn’t imagine that this year’s show would turn out to be so large. Let’s welcome back our local Dry Fly Distillery and its revolutionary wheat whiskey. The whisky is known for several reasons: it’s a very small batch made from 100% wheat (no other whisky is even close to that), and created by a remarkable duo of distillers and entrepreneurs. The pair, Don Poffenroth and Kent Fleischmann, in appreciation of the natural beauty of the great Northwest and the simple pleasure of fly-fishing gave life to the new distillery in Spokane, Washington. If you want to know more about Don and Kent, as well as other great distillers of our time, make sure to attend the Craft Panel discussion. Feel the pride for America in one more of its great achievements–whiskey making of the highest standard. Here, you will also meet the Corsair Artisandistiller with his experimental whiskies —a couple of which are available for sampling only at the Masterclass. (Corsair Triple Smoke – Malt Whiskey, Tennessee Bourbon, Oak Smoked Wheat Whiskey)  Yum! And onto always-popular additional features:

Always the innovator, the Expo’s expanded lineup of artisanal foods to pair with your choices of handcrafted spirits has grown into a major aspect of this year’s event. From chocolate to farmhouse cheeses, from organic beef jerky to homemade chutney, we offer you the opportunity to see whisky in an ever-expanding culinary role. Stop by the Thirsty Bear booth to taste the heavenly delicacies from its talented Spanish chef. All these devilishly gourmet nibbles will allow you to enjoy the popular pairings with whisky as described by the late Michael Jackson.

Also in the tasting halls, Bushmill’s Pipe Band will perform in concert or until they are out of breath! Sit in the comfortable dining area by the windows to watch the lights over the Bay while this world-renowned group brings the incomparable magic of Celtic music to our evening. Once again…an EXPO EXCLUSIVE! Many thanks to Diageo and our wonderful San Francisco Master of Whisky, Steve Beal, for bringing the band to us each year.

We will see you soon for the final updates—looking forward to toasting with you!

Sláinte,

WoW Team

Additional WoW Sponsored Events !!!

• Thursday, March 29, 1:30pm : Anchor Brewery and Distillery Tour and Tasting: For WoW week we have arranged a special tour of the Anchor Brewery. Special just for us, we will get to peek inside the Distillery, along with some nosing and tasting. Home to Old Potrero and Junipero Gin to name a couple of the spirits crafted there. (send email to anchor@whiskiesoftheworld.com to reserve your spot!)

• Thursday, March 29, 6:00pm : City Club SF Dinner: Isle of Arran (Euan Mitchell), Kilchoman (Anthony Wills). Our popular Thursday night dinner will combine independent distilleries and independent bottlers as we will pair whiskies from five different distilleries with seven different gourmet dishes.  (Use code WOWCCSF for a $30 discount)

Chorizo dates
Steak Tar tare en crostini, Dijon, caper
Wild Mushroom fontina
Mediterranean Olive Croquette, Lemon aioli
Lamb Polpette, puttanesca
Toasted walnut ciabatta, Fig Jam, blue Cheese
Lemongrass crusted chicken fingers, candied ginger aioli

Arran 10yr
Arran 14yr
Arran Bourbon Single Cask
Chieftain’s Aberfeldy
Chieftain’s Glenturret
Chieftain’s Mortlach
Kilchoman 2006 Vintage
Kilchoman Sherry Cask Exclusive

• Friday, March 30, 6:30pm: Dram Club Party: The Parlar, Fisherman’s Wharf Elegant Speakeasy. For our Dram Club members we have the much anticipated Dram Club Party. A relaxed atmosphere to mingle with Brand Ambassadors and sample some great whiskies from Masterson’s Rye, Prichard’s Distillery, Four Roses, Wild Geese Irish Soldiers & Heroes, Douglas Laing, Glenmorangie, and Ardbeg. (Registration: Must be a Dram Club Members)

• Saturday March 31, 9:00pm: After Party at The Cigar Bar & Grill: For those who were responsible nosers and tasters, (we expect that to be all of you!) we have arranged an after party where you can relax and swallow a few sips. No cover for the first 100 with WoW wristbands. Drinks and Cigar Specials. (send an email to cigarbar@whiskiesoftheworld.com if you plan to attend. A reservation is not required. We just want to estimate how many to plan for.)

More Events For Your Pleasure (Non WoW Events worth mentioning)
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Free House : Whisk(e)y Dinner
2700 Bancroft Way, Berkeley
Friday, March 30, 2012 :
Time: 6:30 Reception, 7:00 p.m. Educational Dinner
RSVP to Scott McCoy, 510-647-2300
Price: $65

Join Beam Global for a very special event at Free House. Let your taste buds be tantalized by the delicious creations of Executive Chef, Kevin M. Kroger as special Guest Speakers, Bernie Lubbers, Whiskey Professor and Dan Tullio, Canadian Club Ambassador walk you through the history of Whiskey in North America. From the influence of early European settlers, through Prohibition, to today’s Whiskey Craze, you’ll see first-hand how Whiskey has influenced our culture throughout the decades.

A special sampling of the following Whiskey’s will be enjoyed with dinner:

Canadian Club Classic 12 Year—Canadian Whiskey
(Ri)1—Straight Rye Whiskey
Knob Creek—Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Laphroaig Quarter Cask—Scotch Whiskey

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Bottle Signing with Simon Brooking (And get your own square foot of land at the Laphroaig Distillery)
The Whisky Shop
360 Sutter St.  San Francisco, CA 94108
Sunday April 1, 2012
1:00pm – 4:00pm
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Laphroaig Scotch Dinner
Bottle Cap
1707 Powell St.  San Francisco, CA 94133
Sunday April 1, 2012
6:00pm – 8:30pm
RSVP: Pete or Liz Ferro lzferro@gmail.com or info@bottlecapsf.com 415-529-2237
Price: $36

Laphroaig Scotch Dinner with Malt Master  Ambassador – Simon Brooking.  4 course dinner with Laphroaig Single Malt Scotch.  Food  pairing that will feature Laphroaig 10yr, Quarter Cask, 10yr Cask Strength and 18yr. Also will be sampling Laphroaig 25yr and Triple Wood.

Accommodations:
Our courtesy block of rooms are almost gone.  Once the rooms are gone, that’s it. So don’t wait. Reservations must be made by March 14 (oops, we passed the date. You can still call and ask about availability) to get the special rate.  The Hilton Financial District Hotel, which is located just a few blocks away from the Hornblower’s Pier 3, and is close to major downtown tourist destinations. WoW participants will receive an exclusive rate of $139per night+ tax, which is valid for the night of the Expo, and the two adjacent nights. We also negotiated $30 Overnight Self Parking for WoW attendees. (If you know SF, you know this is a 33% discount.)

Book online Or call the hotel directly at 800-445-8667 and mention the code WHIS.
Please note that the supply of discounted rooms is limited.