Hello whiskey fans!  First, click on the video below to watch a great 3 minute recap of the 2017 Whiskey Obsession Festival.

Next, join us for a whiskey tasting at Michael’s Wine Cellar on Tuesday, May 9, 2017 at 6:30 pm, featuring four American and three Scotch whiskies, hosted by Turner C. Moore.  Tickets are $25 per person and available by clicking the blue button or by calling 941-955-2675:  Michael’s Wine Cellar whiskey tasting reservations

Finally, save the date for the Sixth Annual Whiskey Obsession Festival, April 11 – 14, 2018.  Tickets will go on sale on December 1, 2017 – we’re already working hard to create some awesome new whiskey events!

You can also view the video on Facebook and tag yourself and your friends by clicking HERE 

Our friends at The Cure Starts Now Foundation are raffling off a once-in-a-lifetime selection of whiskeys and we wanted to make sure our bourbon-loving audience is well aware of the opportunity. Don’t delay on this amazing opportunity to support a great cause. Click the link below for more info and to purchase raffle tickets directly from The Cure Starts Now.

Cheers,

-The Party Source

THE CURE STARTS NOW BOURBON RAFFLE

Spirit of Toronto returns this Saturday May 6!

Check your calendars – only 4 more sleeps to go until this year’s Spirit of Toronto, and tickets are almost sold out.

Have friends or colleagues that are still waiting to buy a ticket? Please let them know that any tickets remaining will go up to $195 come Saturday.

Let’s Celebrate!

As part of Canada’s 150th anniversary we’re beyond excited to be showcasing our whisky from past to present starting with this twenty-five year old McLaren’s ‘Scotch Whisky’ made right here in Canada in 1878 by Scottish emigré John A. McLaren.

Equally exciting is the opportunity to repatriate a bottle of 1908 Gooderham & Worts made in what’s now known as Toronto’s Distillery District, formerly home to the largest distillery in the world. This is labeled ‘Special Rye Whisky’ and it is made even more special by being brought back home so that Spirit of Toronto guests can taste a piece of liquid history.

It’s all part of our Canada150 showcase, to be presented by Canadian whisky ambassadors Johanne McInnis and Graham MacKenney. This is a ‘can’t miss’ – just look on the show floor for the fireworks!

Those of you who have yet to visit Scotland will come close courtesy of The Balvenie, who will be bringing their floor maltings to this year’s show, and Bowmore, who will be offering guests a virtual tour. In addition there will be samples on offer courtesy of a host of Scottish distilleries including Aberfeldy, Benromach, Bunnahabhain and Old Pulteney to name just a few.

Interested in expanding your palate beyond whisky? A world of discovery awaits throughout the tasting halls, including the Distilled pavilion. Issue 3 of our new magazine will be available at the show along with the opportunity to sample a number of the whiskies and finely crafted spirits featured in our first three issues. A new world of taste awaits – are you ready?

Some last minute reminders

A few things to note, particularly if you’re joining us for the first time:

• As usual our delectable beef and Yorkshire puddings cups will keep the hunger pangs at bay courtesy of our hot and cold table d’hote. Bottled water will be readily available throughout the tasting halls so when you’re feeling thirsty please remember to hydrate!
• Should you have been fortunate enough to reserve a masterclass, please do not be late. Empty seats will be allocated on a stand-by basis by the ushers 5 minutes before class starts.
• Blender’s Malt Whisky Glasses – Clearance Sale! These will be available at the show, $5 apiece or a box of 6 glasses for $30 for those looking to stock their home bar (cash sales only)
• Please don’t lose your glass! It’s yours to keep and replacements must be purchased (see above).

Our island whisky festival is back for a one-day single malt spectacular on Thursday 1st June.

Tickets are on sale now.

Designed to inspire new ways to enjoy whisky, with everything from unique tastings and island tours, to masterclasses, a long table lunch with the locals and special meet and greets with the distillery team, Tastival is a chance to join us Diurachs for a dram like no other.

The dramming bar will be open all day in the Cooperage, with a full programme of live entertainment – including live music from iconic Scots traditional music band RURA – and a world first opportunity to try and buy our festival bottling, Tastival 2017.

As a Diurach’s Own mailer subscriber, you get an exclusive first chance to buy tickets today.

Click here to buy now 

Please note: A £5 entry fee includes general access to the Cooperage and dramming bar, plus two complimentary drams, a festival brochure and souvenir glass. Ticketed sessions sold separately. Free still house tours will run on a first come, first served basis.

To avoid disappointment, please book travel early. A limited number of special crossings are available direct from Islay to the distillery from the all new Jura Jetty.

See here for more information to help plan your journey now. Raising a dram with you is a true highlight of our year, and as always, a warm welcome awaits you at Tastival. Can’t make it? Tastival may be taking place near you. A number of localised Tastival events will take place in Europe throughout the summer. Keep an eye on our social channels for updates.

We’ll see you soon,

From all at the Jura Distillery #

JuraTastival

Malcolm from World Whisky Day here. Events for this year’s celebrations (Saturday 20 May) are rolling in, and it’s looking like we’ll be conquering all seven continents once again. Slàinte to that!

I’d love to have you back again to join in the fun. As always, it’s completely free to register an event. Friendly gatherings, guided tastings, food pairings, cocktail masterclasses, street-parties – anything goes on World Whisky Day. It’s yours to do with as you please.

Head over to www.worldwhiskyday.com where you can register as a user and then register your own event. I’ll check everything over before publishing it and putting a pin on the map to mark it as official.

Drop me a line if you need any help or if you’ve got any questions. In the meantime, here’s a link to some up-to-date promotional material which you’re free to download and use as desired: http://bit.ly/2oBF82P.

Looking forward to raising a dram with you, and the world, next month!

All the best,

Malcolm 

Malcolm Triggs
World Whisky Day Event Co-ordinator
Saturday 20 May 2017
t: 0131 555 6494

w: www.worldwhiskyday.com

tw: WorldWhiskyDay

APRIL AUCTION LIVE – STARRING VINTAGE GEMS & HOT NEW RELEASES

We have a whole galaxy worth of stars to bring you this month. From some incredible vintage gems to the newest and most sought after releases and everything in between, take some time out to stargaze at our stellar April Auction, starting with the dazzlers below!

HIGHLAND PARK 1941 25 YEAR OLD / ST MAGNUS LABEL

They don’t come much more vintage or gem like than this 1941 Highland Park! A stunning bottle featuring the iconic St Magnus label, a design that dates back to the 1870s. We have it on very good authority that this tastes amazing!

MACALLAN ARCHIVAL SERIES FOLIO 2

At last it’s arrived! The second release in a range that recreates the old advertising styles of Macallan, this is a 12 year old limited to 2000 bottles. A distillery only release, don’t miss out!

MAINARDI IMPORT COLLECTION 6X70CL

Originally imported into Italy by Sestante and distributed by Mainardi Import S.R.L Milano, during the late 1980s. This colourful collection consists of some legendary bottlings, including a fantastic Clynelish 1965 24 Year Old!

ARDBEG 1965

A very rare Ardbeg, drawn from 2 casks and bottled in 2005 as one of only 261. The packaging includes a lockable glass display case, perfect for starting your very own whisky museum!

KARUIZAWA 1965 60^TH ANNIVERSARY LMDW

Exclusively sold by French retailer La Maison du Whisky in celebration of their 60th anniversary, this beautifully presented bottle sold out instantly last month. With only 60 bottles available that is perhaps not surprising!

MOON IMPORT “THE BIRDS”

A beautiful series from the independent Italian bottler. Includes, amongst others, three incredible Ardbeg 1966 bottles. All single casks and release in limited numbers. Stunning!

Auction runs Friday 28th April to Monday 8th May.

There is no registration fee, our commission structure is very competitive and we offer worldwide shipping. For our terms and conditions please click here.

Happy bidding!

Chichibu @ Maltstock

Great news! Japans most exiting distillery: Chichibu is coming to Maltstock again this year! Yumi Yoshikawa will be flying in to be with us, and share a dram in the autumn sun! Want to know anything about Japanese whisky? She can tell you tuns of stories and give you inside information about this beautifull distillery. Besides that, we are delighted to have her sparkling personality around us again!

SoS Promo tour

Spot the Maltstock promo car!

Be scared… be very scared 😉 From the 25th of April untill the 5th of May the Maltstock team can be found in Scotland! We’ll be roaming the Speyside during the Spirit of Speyside Festival again.

So… if you see us, wave, scream, shake hands with us and make a selfie with our Maltstock promo car. Responsibly of course, making selfies in front of a driving car is not safe.

Tickets

Want to know what Maltstock is all about? There is only one way to find out! Buy your Maltstock ticket and experience our unique weekend of total and utter relaxed whisky fun! They are limited so don’t wait and be disappointed!

TICKET SHOP!

Flora and Fauna with Colin Dunn May 8th

Respected whisky ambassador Colin Dunn takes us on a delightful journey showcasing some of Diageo’s most interesting single malts in the form of their wonderful Flora & Fauna single malt range.

BUY NOW

Whisky Mash Exhibitors A Dram-Good Selection For Aberdeen’s Connoisseurs 

The Whisky Mash Festival, an annual event dedicated to showcasing the very best from well-established Scotch whisky distilleries and new independent bottlers, today announces a dram-good full line-up for its exhibition in Aberdeen next month.

Lucky connoisseurs of the amber nectar will be treated to exhibits and the latest tipples from Aultmore, The Balvenie, Black Bull, Chivas, Craigellachie, The Deveron, Dewar’s, Eden Mill, Glen Garioch, Glenfiddich, The Glenlivet, Murray McDavid, The Octave and Royal Brackla.

Now in its third year, the event, which hosts one session in the afternoon and one in the evening, has gained popularity year-on-year and is hotly anticipated to be a sell out at the city’s Douglas Hotel on Sunday 28th May 2017.

Paul West, Whisky Mash Festival coordinator and owner of popular local cigars, ale, scotch and coffee venue, CASC, comments: “We are thrilled to announce such a fantastic line up for this year’s festival and proud to have the support of such a wide network of whisky brands, with more still to be unveiled.

“Ticket holders will be in for a fantastic event this year, with four master classes to be presented by some of our exhibitors. These will offer guests a unique insight into the flavours, distilling techniques and tastings of some rare, quality Scotch whiskies.

“As well as these specialist insights, we are looking forward to welcoming music performances throughout the afternoon and into the evening. While most people will be there to enjoy the drams on offer, there’s always a need to soak up the alcohol, so will also have some fantastic food on offer too.

“There’s nothing else quite like this in the area offering a specialist, up-close insight from the whisky distilleries themselves, so we are really looking forward to hosting another fantastic event and sharing it with around 600 likeminded whisky lovers in the area.”

Tickets for Whisky Mash Festival 2017 are £25 + VAT from www.whiskymash.co.uk and include event access to session one (12 noon – 3.30pm) or session two (4.30pm-8pm), 10 x drink tokens, a Glencairn whisky glass and a bottle of mineral water.

All attendees must be of 18 years or over and bring a valid ID with them on the day.

For more information visit www.whiskymash.co.uk or contact Paul West at CASC on 01224 212373 or contact the team at info@cascbar.co.uk

Notes: 

About Whisky Mash Festival: Launched in 2015, Whisky Mash Festival was borne from a want to showcase the very best in Scottish whisky with likeminded individuals. The Whisky Mash Festival is coordinated and hosted by CASC, a bar owned and run by Paul West on Aberdeen’s Merchant Quarter that specialises in cigars, ale, scotch and coffee.

Sample the finer things in life at Tor Na Coille Whisky Club

This is not your father’s whisky tasting.

There will be no corduroy, cardigans or chin-stroking.

Just good whisky. And lots of it.

Join whisky connoisseurs Sandy Kenneway and Steven McConnachie for a guided tour of Scotland’s national drink, sampling malts from across the country and learning about what makes good whisky. For just £20 per person, you can sample several whiskies in some of the most beautiful surroundings on Royal Deeside on 5 May, 2 June, 7 July and 4 August. Or, for those keen to visit all sessions, get four for the price of three with a block booking.

With decades of experience in the whisky industry between them, Sandy – who has led tastings at festivals across Scotland – and Steven – a whisky expert from renowned bottler Murray McDavid – will debunk the myths surrounding the whisky making process and highlight the subtle differences between different regions and expressions.

Sitting amongst acres of private wooded ground, the four-star Tor Na Coille Hotel offers stunning panoramic views of Royal Deeside. Each of the Victorian country house hotel’s rooms and suits is uniquely decorated, giving them all a distinct personality of their own.

The Tor Na Coille Whisky Club will run from 7pm on 5 May, 2 June, 7 July and 4 August at £20 per person. Block book all four sessions and pay just £60. Visit www.tornacoille.com for more information about the hotel, and email info@tornacoille.com or call 01330 822242 to book.