Each year, our Whiskey Festival gets bigger and better. This year promises to be the better than the last! We have 16 distilleries offering over 30 expressions from all over the world with a special seminar in our back room.
Guests will enjoy:
Tastings & Knowledge of Whiskeys from all over the world Live Music Cocktail Specials Complimentary Hors D’ouevres Join us to learn about and enjoy some whiskey.
Friday, September 28th, 5-7PM:
Jura with Kimberly Drake
Learn more about the mysterious Isle of Jura distillery at this tasting, presented by whisky expert Kimberly Drake!
Originally founded in 1810, Jura Distillery is well known for their award-winning and highly sought after single malts, distinguished by their unique flavor profile and nods to Jura’s magical history. “Prophecy,” “Superstition,” and “Elixir” are some of their most beloved whiskies, leading some to believe there may be a bit of magic happening at the distillery today…
29-30 SEPTEMBER 2018
OLD BILLINGSGATE, LONDON
The Whisky Show 2018
NEW SUNDAY MASTERCLASSES
Two out of our final three masterclasses are here, and they are not to be missed!
As we celebrate 10 years of The Whisky Show, Glenlivet’s Alan Winchester celebrates 40 years of working in whisky and Andrew Symington celebrates Signatory Vintage’s 30th anniversary. Expect whiskies from over the past five decades – an unmissable opportunity to taste great whiskies with two legends of the whisky industry.
Tickets for these masterclasses will go live at 2pm on Tuesday 11 September 2018.
Our cigar pairing sessions with Glengoyne and Hunters & Frankau are now on sale – you can find details below.
&Please note: you must have a valid ticket to the appropriate day of The Whisky Show to attend these masterclasses.
A History of Glenlivet with master blender Alan Winchester
Sunday 30 September, 2.15-3.45pm
£75
Join Glenlivet blender Alan Winchester as he celebrates forty years of working in the whisky world by stepping back through four decades of whiskies from the distillery.
Signatory Vintage 30th Anniversary with founder Andrew Symington
Sunday 30 September, 2.45-4.15pm
£100
Since its founding 30 years ago, Signatory Vintage has become one of the world’s most respected independent bottlers. Join Andrew Symington to taste six of the whiskies he has bottled to celebrate the anniversary.
Cigar pairing with Glengoyne and Hunters & Frankau with Diego Lanza, Dan Pink and Jimmy McGhee
Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 September
1-2pm and 2.30-3.30pm
£15
Explore how the flavours of a cigar change over time and try three different Glengoyne whiskies, each paired with a different stage of the cigar.
Tickets for these masterclasses will go live at 2pm on Tuesday 11 September 2018. Set an alarm, as they will sell fast… Don’t forget, there are still tickets left for many of the other masterclasses taking place during the weekend.
TERMS & CONDITIONS Products are offered subject to the following terms and conditions:
Canada Distils
a new book from
After what seems an eternity of planning, traveling from coast to coast, and writing, Blair Phillips and I are overjoyed that our forthcoming book, called Canada Distils, will be published on the Appetite by Random House imprint of Penguin Random House Canada. Thank you to everyone who has helped and hosted us in our travels so far. We’re not done yet, so don’t be surprised if we call or drop by looking for information.
The book profiles of all of Canada’s operating distilleries, large and small, along with little-known details for visitors and armchair visitors alike. There is so much more between the pages, but you’ll just have to be patient to find out what.
Shortlist announced
International Wine and Spirits Competition
Spirits Communicator of the Year 2018
From IWSC media release:
“Four stars of the spirits industry have been chosen to go forward to the shortlist of the IWSC’s prestigious Spirit Communicator of the Year award.
“Amanda Victoria, Davin de Kergommeaux, Tom Sandham, and Eric Zandona were selected as the four finalists by a panel of judges which included Louisa Humm, head of brand communications at Pernod Ricard, drinks journalist Douglas Blyde, editor of just-drinks.com Olly Wehring, spirits consultant Veronika Karlova, IWSC general manager Adam Lechmere, and last year’s winner and editor/co-founder of Gin Foundry Olivier Ward.
“The Spirit Communicator of the Year award, sponsored by Chivas Brothers, recognises an individual or organisation whose communication skills have made an exceptional contribution towards promoting and increasing public awareness in spirits.
“The winner will be announced at the IWSC Awards Banquet on 14 November 2018 at the Guildhall in London.”
https://iwsc.net/news/iwsc/shortlist-announced-for-spirit-communicator-of-the-year-2018
The Strath / Shelter Point exclusives
Two new Shelter Point whiskies, both exclusive to The Strath liquor store in Victoria are well worth hunting down. Shelter Point is really coming into its own and The Strath has picked two of its honeyest honey barrels to release as single-cask whiskies. A Classic Single Malt distilled in 2011 and an Avant-Garde Barley from 2013 are both bottled at 57.3%.
Look for typical lush malty notes in the Classic, underscored by baking spices, citrus fruit and fresh bread. Avant-Garde Barley matured in a Vancouver Island blackberry wine barrel, bursts with jammy fruit, toasted grain and citrus hints.
Yukon’s Two Brewers
Meanwhile, in Whitehorse, Two Brewers continue to impress with their latest whiskies including Release 10, their first cask-strength whisky to date. Bottled at 58%, its grassy notes, sweet tobacco and cereals bask in a gentle bed of Werther’s caramel.
A Pedro Ximinez finish adds sweetness and ripe fruity tones to Release 9, which is bottled at 46%.
Canadian Rockies 17 Year Old
All the excitement about the recently released Canadian Rockies 21 may have overshadowed another real gem of a whisky. Sourced from Highwood Distillers in Alberta, Canadian Rockies 17 year old is one more example of the glories of slow maturation. Canadian Rockies 17, bottled at 50% abv, delivers all the spiciness, luscious corn and crisp clean woody notes we’ve come to expect in well-aged corn whisky.
Banff Whisky Experience
On September 28 & 29, the inaugural Banff Whisky Experience will offer 15 master classes for curious drammers who want to experience new whiskies. My two classes alone include whiskies very few people will have tasted before.
This is shaping up to be one of Canada’s premiere whisky events, and you certainly can’t complain about the location. The complete schedule is now available at https://www.banffwhiskyexperience.com.
Click “Buy Tickets” or go to: www.showpass.com/bwe/.
Space is limited, so book soon!
Canadian Whisky Awards 2019
Mark your calendars. The 2019 Canadian Whisky Awards have not yet been announced officially, but if you are planning to attend the gala presentation, reserve Thursday, January 17 at the Hotel Grand Pacific in Victoria. See you there. Invitations for producers to enter their whiskies in the awards will be forthcoming.
Blue Mountain Whisky Tasting
On November 10, 2018, Grand Central Lodge at Blue Mountain in Collingwood, Ontario, will treat whisky lovers to a grand tasting along with food, cocktails and a cigar pairing. Tickets can be purchased at eventbrite.ca or thedampub.ca.
Canadian Whisky, the book
Everything you ever wanted to know about Canadian whisky, but didn’t know where to look. Now in the second printing of its second edition. Available at bookstores across Canada and the US, and from online sellers.
Five cities will play host to the 2018 Fall Whiskey Tasting Festival happening across various venues on September 29th. Chicago, Denver, Dallas, Houston, and Minneapolis are expected to bring in crowds from each of these locations and together, elevate the experience with the best whiskeys in these cities.
“Always sad to see summer come to an end but we have a tasty brown spirit to warm the heart and bring that smile back to join a variety of brands, great venues and of course other whiskey lovers this September,” William Holdeman, Social Scene president says.
It’s fall and whiskey is waiting for you. Join the special fall whiskey tasting event that will excite your pallet and tease your taste buds! Get ready to engage your senses, connect with others and enjoy a memorable moment. Enjoy an intimate setting with whiskey reps showcasing a few of their top brands.
Package Includes
The organizers have prepared an experience that you should not miss at the 2018 Fall Whiskey Tasting Festival. Enjoy the following perk as you purchase your tickets:
You can also avail of 20% discount by using discount code DWF (Drink With Friends).
Venues & Brands
Various venues and brands are participating at the 2018 Fall Whiskey Tasting Festival. Social Scene has partnered with great spaces and connected with different whiskey brands to offer only the best to the attendees.
“We are so excited for another whiskey event, Fall Whiskey Festival Tasting and to be adding Texas to our list of markets in Dallas and Houston!” Holdeman says.
Among the participating whiskey brands are Art of the Spirits Whiskey LLC, Isanti Spirits, Koval Distillery, Tighe Brothers Distillery, Wood’s High Mountain Distillery, and more brands will be announced soon!
About Social Scene
Social Scene creates a “scene” an environment to connect people, build relationships and create memories through online campaigns and on-premise social events; focusing on providing exposure to our partnering brands, venues and clients to connect with a great social audience – Experiential Marketing.
Social Scene builds brand awareness for partnering venues and brands, connecting them with a targeted audience to build relationships and create memories. Visit BeSocialScene.com for the most up to date events and to partner on an upcoming experience.
Want to build a live or online experience around your company’s brand or venue? Email info@besocialscene.com or send a message directly at BeSocialScene.com. Be Social. Be Seen
Saturday, September 15th 11AM-5PM:
Tipperary Irish Whiskey with Co-founder Jennifer Nickerson
Join us for a taste of Tipperary Irish Whiskey with co-founder Jennifer Nickerson! A variety of new and rare whiskies will be shared with Nickerson herself present for all your whiskey questions. The daughter of internationally acclaimed whiskey expert Stuart Nickerson, Jennifer continues her family legacy through their family owned distillery and exclusively sourced Irish whiskey bottlings, with a grain-to-glass single malt scotch on the way.
RSVP to be notified as more details & pourlist are revealed.
Friday, September 14th 5-7PM
Glen Grant with Robin Coupar
Join us for Grant single malt scotch, presented by global brand ambassador and whisky expert #RobinCoupar! Established in 1840, this centuries-old Speyside malt remains one of the biggest selling single malts in the world and recently received its second-in-a-row “Best Single Malt” distinction in Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible.
Guests will be treated to rare favorites and new releases from 5-7 PM.
Louisville, KY, August 29, 2018 – All aboard! Some of the most legendary brands in the bourbon world are hitting the road together this fall for the Bourbon Legends Boxcar Tour, a first-of-its-kind bourbon pop-up experience celebrating America’s native spirit. Powered by four of the industry’s best known and pioneering brands – Jim Beam®, Maker’s Mark®, Knob Creek® and Basil Hayden’s® – the Bourbon Legends Boxcar Tour will travel to four U.S. cities in 2018, offering bourbon fans, both new and seasoned, the opportunity to explore the unique stories, distilleries, people and tastes that have shaped the modern era of bourbon.
The event itself harkens back to the mid-19th century when the railroad and boxcar transported bourbon from Kentucky to the rest of America. Now, the Bourbon Legends Boxcar Tour is traveling the country to bring an immersive bourbon experience to bourbon fans across America, welcoming attendees through a multi-sensory interpretation of Kentucky’s rolling landscapes and into its storied distilleries. Guests are encouraged to raise their “Bourbon IQ” by exploring four distinct event spaces that bring these iconic Kentucky Straight Bourbons to life for curious minds and palates.
At each Bourbon Legends Boxcar Tour event, attendees will interact with bourbon experts – and some of the legendary distillers and family members behind the bourbons in select markets – as they lead enhanced bourbon tastings that explain the notes, flavors and nuances of the featured whiskeys. From bourbon novices to connoisseurs, there is something new for everyone to discover, experience and explore. In addition to interactive bourbon experiences, visitors will enjoy bourbon tastings, bespoke cocktails, Kentucky barbeque, music and more.
The 2018 Bourbon Legends Boxcar Tour leaves the station in September—Bourbon Heritage Month— and will pull into Denver, Houston, Cleveland and New York City:
• Denver: September 12-13th, 2018
• Houston: October 3-4th, 2018
• Cleveland: October 12-13th, 2018
• New York City: November 16-17th, 2018
The Bourbon Legends Boxcar Tour is a by-invitation event for guests ages 21 years and older. Fans interested in attending must RSVP at least 24 hours in advance at www.bourbonboxcar.com to secure their spot. Space is limited. To reserve a spot, guests will need to obtain an access code through email from the Bourbon Legend’s Boxcar website. For more information on participating brands please visit: Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark, Knob Creek and Basil Hayden’s.
About the Bourbon Legends Boxcar Tour
Rooted in humble beginnings dating back centuries, the historic road of bourbon was paved through strong values of passion, innovation, resilience and craftsmanship. Today, as demand for American whiskey soars, the industry’s most legendary brands continue to push the category forward and delight bourbon fans with a steadfast commitment to innovation and quality. A multi-sensory bourbon pop-up experience, the 2018 Bourbon Legends Boxcar encourages guests to explore the world of America’s native spirit and increase their “Bourbon IQ,” by taking a distiller’s-eye-view to how bourbon is made and the defining characteristics of some of the world’s most legendary labels. The Bourbon Legends Boxcar Tour commences in September and will pull into Denver, Houston, Cleveland and New York City. For more information, please visit www.bourbonboxcar.com.
©2018 Beam Suntory Inc., Merchandise Mart, 222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza, Suite 1600, Chicago, IL 60654
Friday September 7th, 5-7PM
Benriach, Glendronach, and Glenglassaugh
One of our most popular scotch tastings returns! Benriach, Glendronach, and Glenglassaugh will be tasted at this event. Presented by distillery representatives and our own in-store whisky experts, scotch connoisseurs and newcomers to the the world of traditional scotch are sure to enjoy this tasting.
Pour list will be revealed as the event approaches.
Follow The Whisky Shop on Facebook to stay up to date!
TICKETS ON SALE FOR SECOND FIFE WHISKY FESTIVAL
The organisers of the Fife Whisky Festival have unveiled a packed programme for the showcase event which returns to the Kingdom next March.
Tickets are now on sale for the second Fife Whisky Festival which has grown from a one day to a three-day event – running from March 8-10 2019 – following the success of the 2018 festival.
It opens with a whisky-themed dinner with guest speaker Karen Betts, Chief Executive of the Scotch Whisky Association, at Lindores Abbey Distillery in Newburgh and includes tasting sessions and masterclasses.
Fife Whisky Festival was originally launched last year by Justine Hazlehurst, founder of Kask Whisky, and Karen Somerville, founder of Angels’ Share Glass, who joined forces to bring whisky back to the Kingdom of Fife.
It proved a major success, was credited with boosting the local economy and is now an annual fixture in whisky-lovers’ calendars.
Mrs Somerville said: “As soon as the 2018 event was over, festival-goers were asking when they could buy tickets for next year! Justine and I knew we had to make the festival an annual event and were determined to make it bigger and better for 2019. We’ve done that by creating a three-day weekend destination event which we hope will attract people from across Scotland and overseas to come and stay in Fife for the whole weekend.”
Ms Hazlehurst said: “After years of attending whisky festivals around the world, we wanted the chance to bring a new event to Scotland and were delighted with just how successful the inaugural festival proved to be. It exceeded all our expectations and was enjoyed by so many people. We’re now busy putting the finishing touches to the second event and looking forward to an even more exciting Fife Whisky Festival in March next year.”
The Festival begins with a banquet-style Opening Dinner on Friday March 8 which features three courses – prepared by Lindores Abbey’s award-winning chef Andrew Wilkie – each paired with a carefully selected whisky.
Whisky chief Karen Betts will speak after the dinner followed by entertainment from local musical duo The Coaltown Daisies.
The Festival, sponsored by Bruce Stevenson Insurance Brokers and legal firm MacRoberts LLP, continues on Saturday March 9 with two tasting sessions at the Corn Exchange in Cupar.
The sessions, which begin at 12.30pm and 5pm, will showcase the renaissance of whisky-making in Fife by bringing together the best whisky producers from the region and beyond.
With more than 30 exhibitors, including Springbank, Inver House Distillers, Adelphi and the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, there will be a range of whiskies to try plus two exclusive masterclasses on offer.
The famous Luvians Bottle Shop, the festival’s official retailer, will be on hand for whisky purchases and there will be food stalls throughout the day.
The final day of the Festival, Sunday March 10, features two exciting events – a special tasting hosted by the St Andrews Whisky (Quaich) Society at the town’s Hotel du Vin and an exclusive event at Kingsbarns Distillery.
Graeme Dempster, of main sponsor Bruce Stevenson Insurance Brokers, said: “As Scotland’s largest independent insurance broker, we have advised and supported many of the country’s new and established distilleries with tailored insurance programmes specifically designed to meet the whisky sector’s needs.
We also provide a specialist private whisky collection insurance policy which is a big hit with collectors. Last year, we were delighted to sponsor the first Fife Whisky Festival, which was opened by our brand ambassador and world record-breaking cycling legend, Mark Beaumont. The inaugural festival was a massive success proving Fife is an exciting and emerging whisky
producing region that will surely grow in prominence. The 2019 Festival will build on this success and as ‘Broker of Choice’ within the Scotch
Whisky industry, we are delighted to once again be involved.”
Lindores Abbey owner Drew McKenzie Smith said: “We are delighted to host the dinner for the second annual Fife whisky festival. The Kingdom has a rich history of distilling, our own going back to 1494, and being part of the new Fife whisky resurgence is an honour. The first festival was a huge success and I feel sure it was the beginning of a very popular annual event on the whisky calendar.”
To buy tickets and for more details about Fife Whisky Festival, go to www.fifewhiskyfestival.com
Notes: Fife Whisky Festival was launched in 2017 by Justine Hazlehurst and Karen Somerville and was held at the Corn Exchange in Cupar on Saturday March 10, 2018. The event attracted more than 500 whisky-lovers from across Scotland and further afield and was opened by endurance cyclist Mark Beaumont. For more details, go to www.fifewhiskyfestival.com
Notes to Editors: Angels’ Share Glass is a family-run business based in Bridge of Allan, near Stirling. The firm is co-directed by Karen Somerville and her father Tom Young – a world-renowned Master Craftsman who has been glassblowing and making lamp-work glassware for nearly 60 years. More information can be found at www.angelsshareglass.com
Justine Hazlehurst, of Kask Whisky, is a well-known whisky blogger and media influencer. She organises regular themed whisky tastings in Edinburgh and Fife as well as tailor-made tours to several distilleries. For more details about Kask Whisky, go to www.kaskwhisky.com
