Okay, I know, it is the end of February and you’ve heard nothing from us. I’m sorry, but you’ve been busy, we’ve been busy and time marches on. You know how it is.

However, like an old friend that you never lose complete touch with, here we are to spread some whisky love to the people once again! We haven’t been sitting on our hands and we have a packed calendar of new and established events for you to get your teeth into. This is probably to most event packed Lounger we have ever sent out so it is well worth reading to the end! You never know there my be the chance of a prize for you…

You take the High Road…

   

We are extremely proud to announce our festival’s second year in Edinburgh also coincides with, and is very much part of, Scotland’s ‘Homecoming’ celebrations for 2014. Once again we are at the beautiful Hub, within a stones throw of Edinburgh Castle and right in the centre of the ‘old town’.

We are partnering with the SMWS (Scotch Malt Whisky Society) with retailers RMW (Royal Mile Whiskies) this year with all sorts of food, beer, whisky and Clan shenanigans to truly elevate this event to new heights.

If you’re in the area on that weekend, we challenge you to find something better to do for the day for £30!

We’ll take the Low Road…

 

In May we head down to London for our spring London ‘Whisky Weekend’. Never ones to do things quite the same every year, we have partnered with funky music and arts venue, Oval Space in Hackney. Of course there will be the usual Whisky Festival shenanigans, but we are planning a whole host of things to keep you there all weekend.

‘Booze in the Blitz’ tastings overlooking the last remaining Blitz site in London, an ‘East is East’ themed Friday night with Indian whisky (among others), a Speakeasy with pre-war themed activities and whisky library courtesy of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, live music and blending sessions in the evenings.

Much more is planned and being worked on as we speak so keep checking the website for further details…

We still have a few ‘Early-Bird’ 2 for £50 tickets on all sessions, but be quick as these must end this weekend!

This is going to be the most exciting London whisky event of the year!

Bluffer’s Guide To…

In an effort to reach even more interested and spirits-curious folks across the UK, we have decided to launch our Bluffer’s Guide tastings nationwide. Each session starts at 7.30pm, is an hour ½ to 2 hours and includes all samples and ‘course material’. Only £20 per person.

Our first dates in London are confirmed and we will be announcing the rest of the UK soon.

London Dates:

Thursday 20th March Bluffer’s Guide to Whisky The Red Lion, Crown Passage, SW1

Whisky? or Whiskey? UK-Wide

Never mind independence, this is the real question on everyone’s lips! Both countries have a rich tradition of distilling and both can lay legitimate claim to being the originators of ‘modern’ whisky styles. Sure, Scotland have run away with it as far as sales and sheer breadth of distilleries and styles. Surely the ‘Whisky War’ is now over?

Well… investment in whiskey from the Green Isle by new and established distilling companies (including quite a few Scottish…) is at an all time high.
This series of tastings takes a tongue in cheek look at this rivalry and its aims are simple as always – taste some damned fine drams from both countries.

Does it matter who wins? You decide…
£20 per head, please see individual listings for timings.

Ireland Vs Scotland Dates

Tuesday 25th March London The Red Lion, Crown Passage SW1
Wednesday 26th March London, The Red Lion, Crown Passage SW1
Thursday 27th March Brighton The Hilton Metropole, Kings Street
Wednesday 2nd April Liverpool Jenny’s Bar, Fenwick St., Corn Market
Thursday 3rd April Leeds The Crosskeys, Water Lane
Friday 4th April Manchester The Britons Protection, Gt. Bridgwater St.
Friday 4th April Newcastle Blackfriars, Friars Street
Saturday 5th April York The Brigantes, Micklegate

India Vs Scotland

Our latest bruising encounter is full steam ahead as we speak! Newcastle and Manchester are sold out but there are still places available in Leeds, York, Liverpool and Sheffield.

As a reminder, we have teamed up with John Distillers for this most tumultuous of blind tastings. It can’t be emphasised enough the quality of whiskies chosen from both sides…

Not only do you get to taste 6 incredible whiskies, but you also get to be among the first to taste a brand-new bottling from Paul John – all for just £15. We can’t tell you which one obviously, but get your skates on and you can still be in on it!

India Vs Scotland Dates

Tuesday 4th March Sheffield The Blake Hotel, Blake St.
Wednesday 5th March Leeds The Crosskeys, Water Lane
Wednesday 4th March Liverpool Jenny’s Bar, Fenwick St., Corn Market
Friday 7th March York The Brigantes, Micklegate

We’re Going to Islay…

You may or may not be aware of the Islay Festival of Whisky (and Music), and if you’re not, check out this video for a taste. We have a handful of spaces left on the second half (27th-31st May) of this amazing trip.

It is an incredible place at an incredible time and getting accommodation is very difficult, so let us take that particular burden off your shoulders. Click here for more.

COMPETITION TIME!

Topical as always, we have three samples of one of John Distillers newest whiskies to give away for the person/s who can answer the following in the shortest space of time…

1. Amrut produced the first single malt whisky commercially available from India.
On what date and year?
2. In what year did John Distillers first commercial bottling of single malt appear?
3. In which UK city does Amrut currently have its H.O?
4. From where does John Distillers get the peat for smoking their barley?
5. How many years maturation in Scotland does one years maturation in Bangalore equal, according to Amrut?

Once you have your answers, click here and fill them in on the email to us, along with your name and postal address. Good luck!

Congrats to Aaron Lee and Jonathon Webb who were first out of the blocks with the right answers to the Xmas comp. 20cl Oloroso Bomb and T-Shirt on its way to you soon!

THAT’S ALL FOLKS!

Phew, that’s it for now, plenty to work at there and we’ll see you at an event soon – happy dramming!

Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter – @thewhiskylounge – and like and share our Facebook page to keep bang up to date with the latest news about our events and more.

We look forward to seeing you over a dram or two soon.

Sláinte!

Eddie, Amanda & Joe
Team Whisky Lounge