Wow, so summer is here at last. We hope that you have time to enjoy the weather with your families and have some time away from the daily grind.

So much has happened and taken place for us – and I’m sure all of you – but there is still so much more to come. No rest for the wicked! In May and June we had The London Whisky Weekender, Fèis Ìle 2014, the ‘Spirit of Indie’ and Glenlivet series and more besides.

So, in this eagerly awaited instalment of ‘The Lounger’ you will find news on the next Whisky Festivals, the current and next tasting series and other events, plus industry news, an event review and of course the all-important competition…

Let’s crack on!

SINGLE MALTS OF SCOTLAND

Our current series is going great guns with the London, Leeds and Liverpool dates having already taken place. However, if you are in Sheffield, Newcastle, Brighton or York you are in luck as there are still places available! A lovely tasting of 6 single cask stunners from the ‘Single Malts of Scotland’ range.

SMOS – DATES AND VENUES:

SHEFFIELD Tuesday 15th July 7pm THE TAP, PLATFORM 1B, TRAIN STN.
BRIGHTON Thursday 17th July 7pm LORD NELSON, 36 TRAFALGAR ST.
NEWCASTLE Friday 18th July 7pm BLACKFRIARS, FRIAR STREET

SEPTEMBER WORLD WHISKY REVIEW

One of our most popular tasting series is back, bigger and better than ever!  As most of you will know, we love whiskies from everywhere as long as they are tasty. Well, more and more whiskies from all over the world qualify in this regard. So for this series, put simply, we will be tasting – blind – six whiskies from around the world in our regular venues around the country. Just click on the relevant link below to get booking.

WORLD WHISKY REVIEW – DATES AND VENUES:

LONDON Wednesday 10th Sept 7pm THE RED LION, CROWN PASSAGE
SHEFFIELD Tuesday 16th Sept 7pm THE TAP, PLATFORM 1B, TRAIN STN.
LIVERPOOL Wednesday 17th Sept 7pm JENNY’S BAR, FENWICK ST.
LEEDS Thursday 18th Sept 7pm CROSSKEYS, WATER LANE
BRIGHTON Thursday 18th Sept 7pm LORD NELSON, 36 TRAFALGAR ST. MANCHESTER Friday 19th Sept 7pm BRITONS PROTECTION
NEWCASTLE Friday 19th Sept 7pm BLACKFRIARS, FRIAR STREET
YORK Saturday 20th Sept 7pm BRIGANTES, MICKLEGATE

TASTING FROM HOME PACK

For those unwilling or unable to make a ‘physical’ tasting, we will be offering this series as a ‘tasting pac’k so you can enjoy at your leisure from home. These have been extremely popular so far and this version will be available from September – watch this space!

WHISKY (FESTIVALS) GALORE!
Early-Bird for Liverpool & York(shire)

Our ‘autumn season’ festivals will soon be upon us and we wanted to give you one final opportunity to take advantage of the early-bird tickets for Liverpool and York(shire). To that effect we will keep the 2 for £50 offer on both these festivals until this Sunday, the 12th July. After that, like Manchester, both festivals will revert to the regular price of £30 for a full day ticket or £20 for a half day’s fun. Still great value, but I’m sure you’d rather pay less! Just click on the relevant banner to be taken to the relevant festival.

We are working hard to make these the best festivals in their respective areas yet, so keep checking the website for more details on exhibitors and classes over the summer.

EVENT REVIEWS

We’ve desperately been trying to keep up with all of our events on the ‘Blog’ and so we have reviews of the amazing London Whisky Weekender, our Tall Ship tastings at the Islay Festival and our recent Glenlivet Vertical series. Worth taking a look I reckon, plus check out the video of the London Whisky Weekender – you might spot yourself!

COMPETITION TIME

Seeing as there is a small competition for teams from various nations kicking an inflated leather globe around a field at the moment, we thought we would theme our very own competition around this obscure pastime. Click here to submit your answers.

1. Which brand of whisky has ex-England Footballer David Beckham signed for as Brand Ambassador?
2. Which Islay Distillery hosted its very own World Cup at this years Fèis Ìle?
3. Which Scotch Distillery is geographically closest to Brazil, the host nation and ex-players of Football?
4. Name 4 whisky distilleries located in the World Cup finalists (2014) home countries.
5. Who famously stated that ‘this whisky has more bite than Luis Suarez’?

2 winners will receive a World Whisky Review tasting pack when we have them in September.

MUSIC FESTIVALS

You may or may not realise that last year TWL ‘did’ its first music festival – The Beacons Festival in North Yorkshire. The team took the cask bar and a complement of fine whiskies and educated, entertained and refreshed the festival-goers into the small hours over three days.

Well, so good a time did we have that we have decided to do it all again! This time Joe and team will be not only be at Beacons once more, but also the fabulous Secret Garden Party in Cambridge. So if you or anyone you know are planning a trip to either, tell them to come and say hi and try some great whiskies.

Enjoy your summer whatever you get up to and remember a whisky is not just for winter!

Sláinte,
Eddie, Amanda and Joe
The Whisky Lounge Team