WE ARE NOW ABLE TO SHIP OVERSEAS (INCLUDING THE US & CANADA). CURRENTLY A MAXIMUM OF 4 BOTTLES APPLIES WHILE THIS SERVICE SETTLES DOWN.

It’s getting closer! Have you got your ticket yet? They can be purchased in the shop and online at www.drambusters.com Tickets will be posted out after August. As last year, there will be a free shuttle bus that runs back to the town from 3.30pm for those that are requiring it. Tea, coffee, sandwiches and soup will all be available throughout the day for sustenance.

Click here for the local bus timetable to get you to the venue

GLENFARCLAS FAMILY CASK TASTING OF WHISKIES FROM 5 DIFFERENT DECADES – WEDNESDAY 4TH SEPTEMBER 2013*

We know that there are quite a few of you who would love the opportunity to sample a flight of whiskies ranging through the decades and so on Wednesday 4th September we are pleased to be welcoming George S. Grant from Glenfarclas distillery, who will be presenting a selection of five Family Cask whiskies – one each from the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, plus the 40 year old Glenfarclas. What a line up!

Glenfarclas’ Family Casks are a unique collection of the best single casks from the distillery’s warehouses and were launched in 2007 with the intention to offer as wide a range of consecutive vintage dated single casks as possible, all of which are bottled at cask strength and natural colour.

Smoke, spice, fruit and sherry are common notes throughout these indulgent and complex drams but in varying degrees. The whiskies we have selected for the tasting are not just from different decades but also from various cask types, thus truly allowing you to explore the subtle differences between casks and also the history of family owned Glenfarclas – which, as he is the sixth generation of the Grant family who have owned the distillery since 1865, George is well qualified to talk about and does so in his own distinctive and very engaging style!

There are only 34 tickets available for this special event so don’t delay. See below for all the details and if you have any queries just contact us.

Sláinte!
Fran and Ken
Arkwrights Whisky and Wines
www.whiskyandwines.com

UPCOMING EVENT

Name Glenfarclas Family Cask whisky tasting
Date Wednesday 4th September 2013

Time 7pm for 7.30pm
Venue Stanton House Hotel, Stanton Fitzwarren SN6 7SD
Details This is a great opportunity to come along and sample some fabulous whiskies that due to age, scarcity or price (or all 3!) are not your every day dram.

You’ll be able to see why it is that distilleries go to the expense of maturing some of their whiskies for a considerable period of time, and what the effects of differing maturation periods and casks are on the characteristics of a whisky.

Ticket price for this rare chance to taste whiskies from 5 decades, all from one distillery, is £55 – less than you would pay for one dram of the 1950s whisky from a bar or as a bottled sample…

Tickets are allocated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. To buy them just log on to www.whiskyandwines.com and place an order for the number you require, or telephone us on (01793) 765071, or call in and see us at Arkwrights, The Dormers, Highworth, Wiltshire. Admission to the tasting is by ticket only, and Arkwrights reserve the right to restrict the number of tickets per person.

N.B. We have negotiated special rates at the hotel for anyone who wants to stay overnight after the tasting – click here for further details.

Upcoming Whisky Events 

Join me at key festivals and tasting events including: WhiskyRI, Providence; Irish Whiskey Pub Crawl, Dublin; Midleton Housewarming 2013, Cork; Canadian Rockies China Release Tour, Shanghai; Calgary Single Malt Tasting Tour; Savour Stratford; Forty Creek Release Weekend, Grimsby; Whisky Fest, New York; Whisky Live, Toronto; Spirited Dinner, Kitchener; Victoria Whisky Festival, and more

http://www.canadianwhisky.org/

Whisky Live Shanghai Back for its 5^th Year 

China’s largest annual whisky festival is back for its fifth year with a record-breaking number of brands and a star line-up of international whisky icons making their China debut. This year’s show takes place from Friday 23-Saturday 24 August at the five-star Le Royal Meridien Hotel on Nanjing Road East.

Fourty-four deluxe blends and ultra-premium Single Malts, more than ever before, will showcase alongside VIP workshops from Martine Nouet, one of the world’s top whisky experts. Other exclusive experiences/ appearances will be announced nearer the time.

“We are extremely proud to be celebrating our fifth anniversary of Whisky Live in Mainland China. Since the launch of the show by the First Minister of Scotland in 2009 we have seen many changes that has seen the whisky category grow in size and stature,’ says Stephen Notman, show director. ‘Of course there have been challenges on the way but we are once again proud to be introducing new brands for the very first time into China along with established favourites.’

This year’s show welcomes leading whisky and food commentator Martine Nouet on her first trip to China. Nicknamed “La Reine de L’Alambic” (the Queen of Stills), Nouet will be pairing fresh Scottish seafood in the Whisky and Food Experience. (Check WhiskyLIVE’s Weibo page for exclusive announcements and industry news.)

With the highly anticipated launch of the Stephen Notman Gold Signature Awards, China’s first bilingual whisky rating system, announcing the very best whiskies legally available in Mainland China. The team also delighted to announce the involvement of Chinese manga artist Zhang Xiao Bai who has designed the label of a 5^th Anniversary Limited Edition bottle.

As ever, Whisky Live aims to provide novices and industry experts alike with a fully interactive, luxurious experience. Guests will have the chance to attend educational workshops and free tastings, hosted by fully trained brand ambassadors. Newcomers to this year include luxury Scottish seafood purveyors Loch Fyne, plus a number of premium whiskies.

Notes:

1)     For more information, exclusives and to arrange interviews, please contact Press Officer

Charlotte Middlehurst on +86 156 1814 3200, email charlotte@whiskylivechina.com.

2)     Whisky Live is the world’s premier whisky tasting and sampling show, taking place in 17 countries from London to Tokyo, Paris to Taipei.

3)     Stephen Notman is one of the youngest recipients ever of The Keepers of the Quaich award. He is Managing Director of Whisky Live Shanghai and Taipei, Chief Whisky Advisor for Global Spirit Merchants and Whisky Sommelier at the Waldorf Astoria.

Stephen Notman

4)     Whisky Live 2013 will be held at the Le Royal Meridien Hotel, 789 Nanjing Dong Lu, near Xizang Lu, Huangpu District, Shanghai, on August 23 and 24. Tickets: Consumers 150RMB, VIPs 1,000RMB (ticket includes 5^th anniversary limited edition bottling of 15 Year Old Single Cask Arran) 2013

www.whiskylivechina.com

We are gearing up for a great new series of Outturns this fall and so to let our superior single cask whiskies slumber just a little longer, we’ll be hitting the pause button for August.

THERE WILL BE NO NEW RELEASES IN AUGUST.

We ARE doing a tasting, though, so you can re-familiarize yourself with some fabulous bottlings still available (some are down to the last few in Canada – who will be the lucky member to snap them up)!

Please join Colin and Rick at The Strath for what promises to be a night of great company, great food and great drams!

Friday, August 9th
6:30 – 8:00pm

The Strath
919 Douglas Street
Victoria, BC

To register please call 250-370-9463
or email whisky@strathconahotel.com
SMWS members – $35/Non-members – $45

Your Next Whiskies of the World Whisky

Everybody loves Laphroaig. Even those who prefer subtly peated Highlanders over big, smoky and briny Islay whiskies, cannot be on the fence regarding Laghroaig.

Laphroaig is a distillery whose malts are massively individual and utterly distinctive. It was founded in the 18th century in what was originally a family run farm, in a small bay on the southernmost tip of Islay. Laphroaig’s unique flavor comes in part from its vicinity to the coast and the high moss content of its peat, which is processed in the distillery’s own malting floor.

What does this say to us whisky imbibers? That we’ll encounter a big, full-bodied and mouth coating single malt with smoky flavors, peat smoke and campfire tones. A hint of salt tells us that this whisky is produced in a maritime climate. A slight vanilla and caramel note underneath all of the smoke and salt balance out these huge flavors and is inviting for the second, third sip..until we become “Friends of Laphroaig”

If you care for the official title, you can join the “Friends of Laphroiag” committee. Among the benefits are an online whisky cabinet, and a personal square foot of Islay, one you can actually visit.

Simon Brookings, Laghroaig brand ambassador who is striving for “World peace thro’ whisky, one dram at a time”, is visiting San Jose and will help you develop the friendship on Thursday, August 22nd at ” The Friends of Laphroaig Experience”

The Friends of Laphroaig Experience
Thursday, August 22, 6:30pm
The Pagoda @ the Fairmont
170 S Market St, San Jose

Arrive at 6:30 for a reception drink and a six cheese platter to enjoy with the first dram. Our special guest, Simon Brooking will then guide us through the range of Laphroaig along with a diverse selection of small plates (eight) for your intense pairing pleasure.

$75 including tax and tip

• Laphroaig 10yr
• Laphroaig 18yr
• Laphroaig 10yr Cask Strength
• Laphroaig Tripple Wood
• Laphroaig Cairdeas
• Laphroaig 25 yr
• Ardmore

Simon Brooking
Simon, a Scottish native and a well-known expert on Scotch whisky, has worked for many of the leading Scotch distilleries,learning the art and science of distilling from the world’s foremost master distillers and blenders. For over 15 years, Simon has led thousands of Scotch whisky tastings for consumers, bartenders and social organizations.Both informative and entertaining, his presentations have made him an in-demand speaker and spokesperson.Simon’s love of Scotland’s Highlands and Islands has paved the way to his present position as Beam Global Spirits’ Master Ambassador for Laphroaig and Ardmore Single Malt Scotch whiskies.

Details and updates: http://www.whiskiesoftheworld.com/whisky-events

Our whisky adventures:

• October 2nd 2013 – WoW Austin
• November 1st 2013 – WoW Atlanta
• March 29th 2014- WoW San Francisco

Another reason to love summer: Tickets are on summer SALE till July 31 (Austin), August 30 (Atlanta)  (Refundable until four weeks before event.)

BUY TICKETS

WoW San Francisco (March 29, 2014) has long been a whisky enthusiast must go, and long anticipated event. It’s been an occasion to see the newest happenings in the world of whisky, to meet interesting whisky personalities and learn from them, to sample new expressions, and just to have a good time. WoW SF greeted so many whisky devotees, and shined so many whisky stars, from the whisky wordsmiths and critics Michael Jackson and Jim Murray, to the iconic distillery founders and master distillers Dr. Bill Lumsden, Tom Bullet, Jim Ruthledge, et all. And every year we’re growing to see new faces, new whiskies, new features that will create…WOW!

For the fourth year, The Oak Barrel will be hosting the Sydney Whisky Fair. In 2013, a curated selection of over 40 of the highest quality international distilleries will converge on the Oak Barrel. Further expanding the Whisky Fair’s focus in bespoke and quality whiskies for the discerning drinker, guests will have the opportunity to sample over 150 of the finest Single Malts in the world.

Oak Barrel Spirits buyer and educator Dave Withers says “We have gone from strength to strength with our whisky tastings and selection. Our dedication has been recognised with nomination by Whisky Magazine for the “Icon’s of whisky” award for two years running. We are the only Australian store to be honoured in this way.” Dave expands that “Our education of the Australian imbiber has put us in a strong position to offer our customers only the very best whiskies available in Australia.” Accordingly, we will be the only venue in 2013 to offer a sample of the top three winners of Jim Murray’s ‘World Whisky of the Year.’ These are the Thomas H Handy Rye, William Larue Weller and Ballantine’s 17 Year Old respectively.”

The Oak Barrel stocks over 350 whiskies with a particular focus on independent bottlers and rare whiskies. Dave explains that “We’ve seen a big demand for distilleries with limited expressions available in Australia and so we have cultivated this interest by expanding our offering of independent bottlers, who buy and mature spirit on behalf of a distillery.” This year the Oak Barrel has worked with Scottish whisky judge/ author Charlie Maclean and the Adelphi team to bottle a single cask of Longmorn for the Whisky Fair. This independent bottling will be unveiled at the opening of the fair.

The endeavours of international and Australian craft distillers are a key focus of the 2013 Whisky Fair. With sixteen working whisky micro- distilleries in Australia and over 300 in America, there has never been such a diversity of flavour for whisky drinkers. “In recent times we have seen a rye whisky from Tasmania, a whisky smoked with Texas scrub oak and even whiskies made with Spelt! These small producers are pushing the envelope and represent the cutting edge of what is being done with whisky. Needless to say that we will have them on taste.” What is more, the Whisky Fair will offer to taste micro-distilled whiskies made from heirloom grain varieties, whiskies matured to Dub step music and an Australian whisky poured straight from the cask.

A limited number VIP tickets have been made available to guests so that they can sample rare whiskies not provided for the general public. Oak Barrel Manager, Simon Clarke says “We have a huge demand for whisky tastings and are fortunate to have the space at The Oak Barrel. We believe The Sydney Whisky Fair gives whisky aficionados and enthusiasts the perfect opportunity to explore and taste unique whiskies from around the world.”

There are lots of new elements to the 2013 fair including:

Ÿ  *An opportunity to taste an exclusive independent bottling by Adelphi of 21 year old Longmorn

Ÿ  *A sampling of Jim Murray’s top three ‘2013 World Whisky of the Year’ award winners

Ÿ  *A diverse selection of international micro- distilled whiskies

Ÿ  *An exclusive bottling of Australian whisky straight from the barrel

Ÿ  *An extensive range of independent bottlings including expressions not otherwise seen in Australia

BACKGROUND ON VENUE:

The Oak Barrel is one of Sydney’s oldest bottle shops. Since 1956, the Oak Barrel has prided itself on providing the best available whisky, spirits and wine – and more recently, craft beer.  It is the Oak Barrel’s belief in providing only the very best selection that has cultivated the most discerning drinkers, aficionados and connoisseurs. Through whisky master classes, an introduction to whisky program and free in-store spirits tastings, the Oak Barrel has led the industry in providing knowledge and education to Australian imbibers. Our members enjoy a rare understanding of bespoke, quality whiskies and spirits.

Tickets are on sale now and for more information visit www.whiskyfair.com.au. 

FAST GENERAL FACTS: 

Dates: 17:00 – 20:00 Friday 6th September & 13:00 – 16:00 & 18:00 – 21:00 Saturday 7th September (VIP sessions start 1 hour before advertised times on the Saturday sessions only)

Location: Tasting room, The Oak Barrel Bottle Shop, 152 Elizabeth Street, Sydney

Pictures of event and venue available on request.

For more information contact:

dave@oakbarrel.com.au or call 02 9264 3022.