APRIL AUCTION NOW LIVE (ends Sunday 30th April)
…place your bids at http://www.whiskyhammer.co.uk/
With an incredible selection of whiskies and other fine spirits there is certainly something for everyone – whether you are looking to collect, invest, enjoy!
SIX DECADES OFTHE GLENFARCLAS FAMILY CASKS
WEDNESDAY 10 MAY
7.30pm-9pm
Tickets on sale now
Glenfarclas is world renowned for producing high-quality sherried whiskies. The cream of the crop are the Family Casks and at this tasting, we’ll be trying six of the best. Leading us through the whisky is Glenfarclas sales director George Grant, the sixth generation of the distillery-owning Grant family.
The Glenfarclas Family Casks is a unique collection of the best single casks from the distillery’s warehouses. Launched in 2007, the collection has now grown to more than 100 releases covering every year from 1952 to 2001.
George will be taking us on a journey through time, tasting a Family Cask from each decade from the 1950s to 2000s, a selection of whiskies valued at almost £10,000.
1959 Vintage Winter 2015
1966 Vintage Spring 2015
1974 Vintage Summer 2016
1983 Vintage Summer 2014
1992 Vintage Spring 2015
2001 Vintage Summer 2016
George Grant is the sixth generation of the Grant family to work at Glenfarclas, the distillery his great-great-great-grandfather bought in 1865. He is passionate about his family’s spirit and particularly enjoys introducing whisky lovers to the older expressions of Glenfarclas, distilled by his grandfather and watched over by his father.
WEDNESDAY 10 MAY
7.30pm-9pm
£69 per ticket
Please arrive at the venue from 7.15pm for a 7.30pm start
VENUE
SMITH & WOLLENSKY
THE ADELPHI
1-11 JOHN ADAM STREET
LONDON WC2N 6HT
APRIL AUCTION NOW LIVE (ends Sunday 30th April)
…place your bids at http://www.whiskyhammer.co.uk/
With an incredible selection of whiskies and other fine spirits there is certainly something for everyone – whether you are looking to collect, invest, enjoy!
Every other Saturday, in the heart of soho, we host “Introduction to Whisky” tastings. Come on down and join a small group of people who are as eager to learn more about whisky as you are . Scotch, Bourbon and whiskies from all over the world will be sampled accompanied by an in house whisky specialist to talk you through every detail and answer any of your questions. We’ll see you there. (Links to tickets below.)
Milroy’s of Soho
3 Greek Street
London, England W1D 4NX
United Kingdom
Niven Miller
CUTTER BOAT SETS SAIL TO SING!
The Murray McDavid, a cutter boat built in 1954, is setting out on the first ever singing voyage, taking opera ‘doon the watter’, to the marinas down the Clyde.
Interestingly, the boat already has a remarkable link with singing. It was built by the father of Scottish singer Niven Miller, famous in the 1950s for his operatic style.
This June, as part of Scottish Opera’s Pop-Up Tour, songs from Pirates of Penzance and Bubble McBea will be performed on board the beautifully restored Murray McDavid. Children and members of the public will be given the chance to enjoy opera on the water.The Murray McDavid on the Clyde
The boat is owned by the independent scotch whisky company Murray McDavid. Its Managing Director, Edward Odim, is delighted to be supporting Scottish Opera’s Pop-Up Tour: ‘It’s very exciting to work with Scottish Opera and to be part of such an innovative project. I fell in love with opera when I was young and it means a great deal to me to help bring opera to others, especially children.’
The Murray McDavid
For more information, contact:Eilidh.Clark@scottishopera.org.uk
www.scottishopera.org.uk
Alexandra.Roberts@aceo.co.uk www.murray-mcdavid.com
Tel: 01452 762024 Mob: 07919 037335
History of the Murray McDavid
The Murray McDavid (aka ‘NewCraig’) was built in St Monans, Fife in 1954 by shipbuilders James N. Miller & Sons Limited; a family run business established 270 years ago. In the 50s, the company was run by brothers Tom and Willie Miller. Willie’s son, Niven, like his father before him, served as an apprentice boat engineer in Glasgow. However, he gave up boat building for a life as a singer and went on to find fame as a singer of traditional Scottish songs, receiving worldwide acclaim.
he Murray McDavid began life as a pilot boat transporting mariners (pilots) to and from ships in the open sea. The pilot’s job was to guide and manoeuvre larger ships through the shallow waters of the busy harbour of Dundee. As such, the Murray McDavid needed to be able to withstand heavy seas and bumping against the much bigger vessels she worked alongside.
Renovation
Fast forward 60 years, and the boat has been acquired by the Murray McDavid company, fully renovated and given a new lease of life. It has been nearly seven years since the advert for the sale of the ‘NewCraig’ first caught the attention of Edward, who had always dreamed of restoring an old boat. Since buying the boat in 2010, it’s taken a team of four, five years to lovingly restore the boat.
The Murray McDavid in Dundee Harbour in 1954
Japanese & Irish Whiskies
Curious about the wider world of whiskey? Come by May 6th for a tasting featuring Suntory Whisky of Japan and Kilbeggan Whisky of Ireland! Both new and award-winning releases will be tasted from both distilleries. Click the link below for detailed pour list.
Click Here to RSVP on Facebook
Last-minute dash for tickets at Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival
Ever fancied learning how to create your own signature whisky cocktails? How about experiencing a traditional Scottish ceilidh with a dram in hand? Or perhaps you want to learn to blend whisky like a pro?
Whatever whisky-themed activity tickles your tastebuds, you can do it all – and a whole lot more – at the world-renowned Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival when it kicks off later this month.
Tickets have been in high demand since going on sale earlier this year but with almost 500 events on the programme, there are still plenty of opportunities to revel in the five-day celebration of Scotland’s national drink.
Thousands of people – many of them travelling from overseas – will descend on the region from April 27 to May 1 to attend the Festival, which is recognised as being one of the best events of its kind.
Festival manager Pery Zakeri says, “Tickets for some of the key events – particularly the very exclusive behind the scenes tours at distilleries not usually open to the public – sold out within a matter of hours.
“There has been phenomenal demand for tickets, but we don’t want people to think that there are no tickets left. Whether visitors want to sample excellent whiskies, enjoy local food or take part in some of the more unusual events on the programme, there is still plenty of availability.
“All the most up to date information about ticket availability is on the website at www.spiritofspeyside.com and for those who are planning a last-minute getaway, there is also information about accommodation.”
There will be the chance to taste exclusive cask strength drams from Chivas Brothers on April 30, in the company of whisky royalty. Acclaimed whisky writers Ian Buxton and Ian Wisniewski will host the event at The Glenlivet and will be sharing their knowledge about distilleries and drams.
This will be a great event for both whisky experts and novices, as they will also give tips on how to get the most out of whisky tasting. Tickets for the event, which includes six different whiskies, cost £30.
Although most whisky drinkers associate Speyside with single malts, there is a strong heritage of blended whisky too. Visitors can learn how to blend in the style of Chivas Regal at an event taking part in the home of the famous blend – Strathisla Distillery – on April 29.
During the special session, which is priced at £25, guests will taste a collection of drams, blend their own whisky under the guidance of an expert tutor from the Chivas Regal team, and take away a small bottle of their creation.
Everything whisky will be on the menu at The Glenlivet Open Day on April 30. The event at the legendary distillery includes tours, a whisky bar, food tastings, music and an exhibition. There will also be a chance to sample a dram from the Sma Still – a replica of one used in the days before distilling was legal. Tickets are priced £5.
There will also be a separate event, running as part of The Glenlivet Open Day, where visitors will be able to learn more about the smugglers who used the glen on an off-road tour on argocat vehicle. Tickets for the tours, which can be booked on the day, cost £40.
An event that will leave visitors shaken and stirred is a cocktail and canapes masterclass at The Macallan – the dram reputed to be the favourite tipple of James Bond. There may not be an appearance from 007 on May 1, but those who go along will learn how to create their own cocktails using three different malts from The Macallan.
Visitors will learn more about the range and enjoy three cocktails which the distillery’s brand ambassadors have specially created. Canapes to match the drinks will be served, and the cost of tickets is £40.
Revellers at the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival want to carry on the party after a packed day of activities, and they will be able to do that thanks to an event being staged by Aberlour Community Association.
Visitors to the area will be able to meet locals at a Scottish ceilidh night being staged in the town’s Fleming Hall on April 29. Music will be provided by the very talented young group BROMA – featuring drummer Daniel Gordon, who is ranked as one of the top 40 drummers in the UK. Tickets, including food, are £12.
Based in the heart of Scotland’s malt whisky country, the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival takes place over five fun-filled days from April 27 to May 1, 2017. It comprises over 500 events, taking place from Kingussie in the south to Forres in the west and Buckie in the east.
More information about the Festival is available at www.spiritofspeyside.com.Tickets are available to buy for all events – including the awards judging sessions – from the website from February 7. The Festival is active on social media – facebook.com/WhiskyFestival and @spirit_speyside on Twitter and Instagram. Use the hashtag #dram17.
Ends
Picture caption: Visitors to the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival still have the chance to snap up tickets to events.
Notes
The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival is committed to promoting responsible drinking. Visitors travelling to and from Festival events can take advantage of a range of transport options. Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival has received funding from Event Scotland and is also financially supported by many other private and public partners.
The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival is part financed by the European Regional Development Fund Programme 2014 to 2020. The Scottish Government is the managing authority for the European Regional Development Fund Programme.
EventScotland
EventScotland is working to make Scotland the perfect stage for events. By developing an exciting portfolio of sporting and cultural events EventScotland is helping to raise Scotland’s international profile and boost the economy by attracting more visitors. For further information about EventScotland, its funding programmes and latest event news visit www.EventScotland.org. Follow EventScotland on Twitter @EventScotNews.
EventScotland is a team within VisitScotland’s Events Directorate, the national tourism organisation which markets Scotland as a tourism destination across the world, gives support to the tourism industry and brings sustainable tourism growth to Scotland. For more information about VisitScotland see www.visitscotland.org or for consumer information on Scotland as a visitor destination see www.visitscotland.com.
Just Whisky Auction’s 41st Auction
Now Live!
Runs from 14th – 23rd April
Some of the bottles available in this month’s auction, including the brand new Macallan Folio 2.
Check out over 1,600 Lots now!
EXPLORE THE FAR EAST
THURSDAY 27 APRIL AT 6PM
FREE!
Some of the world’s favourite and award-winning whiskies hail from Japan, but have you ever tried what else the Far East has to offer? Whiskies from Taiwan and India are also taking the drinks world by storm. And it’s not just whiskies that are showing us what this corner of the world is made of – sakes and wines are also making their mark at all levels, with every major bar and restaurant craving a piece of the action.
Taste delicious Asian spirits and wines from the following producers: Akashi Akashi-Tai Hakushu Hibiki Omar & Yamazaki
THURSDAY 27 APRIL
Join any time between 6pm and 8pm.
It’s free to attend the tasting, but please register in advance
VENUE
THE WHISKY EXCHANGE SHOP
@ COVENT GARDEN
2 BEDFORD STREET
LONDON WC2E 9HH
Springbank Society
How are we all doing?
Not long until the Campbeltown Malts Festival – I am sure we will be seeing quite a few of you there.
My bombardment of your inboxes continue and, if anything, is gaining momentum because this is one of the best newsletters that has been sent to members during my time at the helm of the Society.
However, this email is very information heavy so please take the time to read it through to be sure of all the details below.
As I am sure you already suspect, I am delighted to confirm that that the purpose of this newsletter is to announce the release of 2 distillery releases from Springbank and remind you all of the Kilkerran 8yo Cask strength release from our sister distillery, Mitchell’s Glengyle. So let’s get started…
The following bottlings will be available in the UK from tomorrow (Wednesday 12th April 2017) and in other countries/markets in the coming weeks. Please contact your local retailers and stockists for more information, details of whom can be found by visiting www.springbankwhisky.com/distributors.
Hazelburn 13yo Sherrywood – 47.1%
We’ll start with this lovely HB release, distilled in October 2003 and matured in Oloroso casks;
Nose – Initially raisins, marzipan, Demerara sugar followed by treacle, sticky toffee and wood shavings.
Taste – Homemade strawberry jam, sugary and filled with cream, orange zest, brandy snaps and a white chocolate creme brûlée.
Finish – Chocolate orange, crazy coffee liqueur, buttered popcorn, cocoa beans and mocha coffee with a delicate finish of sweet orange marmalade.
There will be approximately 12,000 bottles available worldwide and they will retail at around £55.00.
Need to know
This is not a Society bottle. This is not considered a core product and as such the Society discount does not apply.I will not be taking orders for this bottle as I am not aware of any shop’s stock or allocation.
Longrow 18yo – 46.0%
Nose – Very sweet; pear drops and light marshmallows. Roasted pine nuts and creme brûlée followed by a very buttery cheesecake base with a soft liquorice note.
Taste – The sweetness continues on the palate; with hard boiled toffee sweets, caramelised sugar, sticky toffee pudding, nougat and fresh cream with hints of charred embers.
Finish – Lovely and rich: dark chocolate followed by coffee beans, liquorish, viennese whirls. This is rounded off with the signature Longrow notes of coastal sea salt flavours and a gentle smokiness.
Matured in 60% refill sherry casks, 40% bourbon casks. There will be approximately 4,500 bottles available worldwide and they will retail at around £89.00.
Need to know
This is not a Society bottle. This is considered a core product so the Society discount will apply. I will not be taking orders for this bottle as I am not aware of any shop’s stock or allocation.
Kilkerran 8yo Cask Strength – 56.2%
From Mitchell’s Glengyle
Most of you will have some of the information below but just incase any of you missed it I thought I would include it in full this time as well.
Nose – The aroma from the lightly peated barley is apparent from the off and some of the green apples which are becoming a feature of Kilkerran are also present. This whisky is like a favourite dessert, rhubarb crumble, with scents of stewed rhubarb, vanilla and all butter shortbread.
Taste – There’s an earthiness and saltiness, exactly what you want to taste in a Campbeltown dram. This is combined with icing sugar and puff candy which gives a sweetness to the whisky, along with milk chocolate and walnut flavours.
Finish – The peat remains, along with a sootiness, pencil shavings and a liquorice-influenced maltiness.
Matured in 100% bourbon casks, the KK 8yo CS will retail at around £48.00 and there will be approximately 9,000 bottles available worldwide.
Once again, these bottlings will be available in the UK from (Wednesday 12th April 2017) and in other countries/markets in the coming weeks. Please contact your local retailers and stockists for more information, details of whom can be found by visiting www.springbankwhisky.com/distributors.
Some of you may not see this email until Wednesday, in which case these bottles will be available by the time you read these words.
And finally, work on the next Society exclusive bottling is gathering pace and I will hopefully be releasing some information to you in the next few weeks.
Until next time,
Slainte
Nathan
Nathan Currie
For the Springbank Society
