Black Bull Competition Deadline

The deadline is now set for the 17th of August 2012. If you want the chance to win a free bottle of Black Bull 12 Yeard Old (free delivery is included) then please submit your answers to gordon@duncantaylor.com. Please don’t hesitate to contact me (Gordon) if you have any questions.

1. In what year did the Black Bull first emerge? (In other words, what year does the brand Black Bull date back to?)
2. What ratio is Black Bull 12 Year Old blended at?
3. What kind or type of bull is the Black Bull?
4. What style of cask was the single malt and single grain whiskies matured in?
5. Which artist painted the Black Bull image?
 
Send your answers to gordon@duncantaylor.com

Tennants Fine Wine and Whisky auction today, 10th August, at 12 noon.

There are some great bottles in the sale including a rare duty free bottle of Sherriff’s Bowmore, labelled for 26 2/3fl oz, but probably a litre. There is a Balvenie Masters Selection box set – featuring 10 YO, Double Wood and 25 Year Old – all 20cl bottles. The 25 YO is now close to a £1000 a bottle in most places!

Other interesting bottles include Bruichladdich 15 Year Old “Bottled for the ten parties to the Islay Accord”, Dunville’s V.R. Old Irish Whisky Circa 1900, The Glenlivet Special Jubilee Reserve 25 Year Old, Port Ellen 19 Year Old, plenty of Macallan and some good mixed lots for general drinking.

The catalogue can be viewed online at www.tennants.co.uk, where you will also find illustrations of each lot. You can also log onto www.the-saleroom.com and register to bid live via the internet. If you have any questions or would like more information about any of the lots please contact me on 01969 623780 or email me at mark.littler@tennants-ltd.co.uk  You can also email bids to this address, just include your full contact information and bid details.

Mark Littler – Tennants Auctions…

Black Bull 12 Year Old Competition

The theme of the competition is that of the Matador. In order to defeat the bull the Matador must observe and test the bull to gain as much knowledge of this robust opponent. However unpredictable the bull may be the matador must remain attentive and composed, slowly and cleverly gaining the advantage, until finally, truly understanding his opponent, he is able to overcome it. With the knowledge that he once shared a mutual understanding , a moment in time, with the one who opposes him, the matador can proceed with a better understanding of not only his opponent but of himself.

Answers the questions below to gain an understanding of the Black Bull and if successful, DT will feel obliged to give you the opportunity to take on the BLACK BULL. However, there can be only one winner!

So, take on the Black Bull, and grab it by the horns!!

Questions:
1. In what year did the Black Bull first emerge? (In other words, what year does the brand Black Bull date back to?)
2. What ratio is Black Bull 12 Year Old blended at?
3. What kind or type of bull is the Black Bull?
4. What style of cask was the single malt and single grain whiskies matured in?
5. Which artist painted the Black Bull image?

Email your answers to gordon@ducantaylor.com

Unfortunately, you may not be the only one to pass the test. So, all those who successfully answer the questions will be entered into a prize draw (like with most things there is an element of skill and luck involved).

The Relaxed Whisky Weekend

7 – 9 September 2012

Fellow whisky enthusiasts,

Less than six weeks until Maltstock. We now have the full program on our website. Lot’s of very exciting masterclasses and much more!

Exibitors
– Bresser & Timmer, Dutch importer of amongst others: Bruichladdich, Tomatin, Cadenhead, Chieftains, Compass Box, Daily Dram, Dewar Rattray, Single Malts of Scotland, Whisky Agency.
– Full Proof, Dutch collector with an amazing collection of whisky.
– WhiskyBase, Dutch importer of Silver Seal, Whisky-Doris, Whisky-Fassle and their own Archives series.
– Whisky Import Nederland, Dutch importer of amongst others: Adelphi, Berry Brothers, Creative Whisky Company, Douglas Laing, Duncan Taylor, Kilchoman, Wemyss and their own First Cask series.

Breakfast
Arguably the best Scottish breakfast around. We’re very proud to welcome back to Maltstock: the Highlander Inn. They will make sure everybody has the best possible start of the day. The Highlander Inn is a must visit place for every whisky enthusiast. Perfectly located in Cragaillachie in the hart of Speyside they provide excellent accommodation, fantastic food, an amazing selection of whiksy, and the best service! Visit their website for more details www.whiskyinn.com

BBQ
Those of you who were at Maltstock last year will definitely remember the excellent BBQ. Good news: BBQGuru will return this year and they already have some very exciting BBQ ideas. These guys are truly passionate about BBQ and that shows! They travel the world to go to BBQ competitions. Visit www.BBQGuru.nl for more information.

Club Bottle Battle
Don’t forget to enter your whisky club bottle for the unique Club bottle Battle. You can send the bottle by mail or bring it to Maltstock. But please let us know before 1 September if you will be entering this competition. A great opportunity to compare different Club bottlings .

Whisky Barrel race
You better start practicing because Balvenie has some fantastic prizes to be won with the Whisky Barrel Race!

WSD Whisky Quiz
As always there will be a whisky quiz on Friday night. A fun evening to test your whisky knowledge. This year the quiz will be properly hosted. Michael Lord, owner of the fabulous whiskyshop in Dufftown will put together and host the quiz. Apart from eternal fame there will also be some great prizes to be won.

Food market
On Saturday afternoon two great chefs will create culinary snacks to accompany whisky. The chefs will suggest some whiskies that will probably match their creations. But it’s up to you to try the delicious food and come up with your own suggestions. This is the only event at Maltstock that is not part of the all inclusive formula. But don’t worry: for just a few euro’s you can taste great culinary creations and combine them with whisky. And discuss with fellow whisky enthusiasts wich combinations work best.

Music and entertainment
– Reflecting elephants
– Scotch and Folk
– Yann Lawick

Ian Gray
Our resident artist Ian Gray will of course be present at Maltstock again. A perfect opportunity for you all to buy one of his beautiful prints. Ian has a lot of truly stunning Scottish landscape prints. And of course many beautiful distillery prints. If you would like a preview check Ian’s website: www.iangray.de.

Masterclasses
We have a record of 9 masterclasses for you this year. The schedule will be on our website from 1 Augustus. Between 1 Augustus and 31 Augustus you can let us know your preferences and we will do our very best to have everybody attending their favorite masterclasses.
– Glenfiddich Virtual Tour, Tony van Rooijen
– Speciality Drinks, Billy Abbott
– Nosing Academy, George Cairns
– “Something special”, Master of Malt
– Suntory, Tatsuya Minagawa
– Aberfeldy, Stephen Marshall
– Balvenie, Sam Simmons
– GlenDronach, Donald Maclellan
– Bourbon & Blues, Hans Offringa

Remember: there will be no ticket sales at the Maltstock gates. All tickets have to be ordered online in our webshop. So if you haven’t bought your ticket yet please visit our webshop now. If you can’t make it this year, we already have the dates for next year: 6-8 September 2013.

Hope to see you all in September, see you at Maltstock!

Arthur, Bob, Eline, Rogier & Teun
www.maltstock.com

‘The UK’s leading Whisky Experience where you can taste, learn about & enjoy the world’s finest whiskies’

Meet the Makers at The Whisky Exchange Whisky Show

Meet the marvellous minds behind your favourite whisky brands as part of the ‘Meet the Maker’ theme at The Whisky Exchange Whisky Show this year.

Set to be one of the highlights of the show, whisky-lovers have the chance to share a dram with the artisans responsible for creating some of the world’s most popular whiskies. You’ll be able to quiz the people behind the production of your favourite drams and discover the real art of whisky making.

The Makers already confirmed include Rachel Barrie, master blender for Morrison Bowmore; David Fitt, master distiller and distillery manager at the English Whisky Company; Kirstie McCallum, global Ambassador and former blender for Burn Stewart Distillers; Martin Hendry, head mashman at Tomatin; and Tony Rozga, production manager at Kilchoman. The experts will be hosting Q&A sessions throughout the weekend, where you can learn about what they do day to day and how their pieces of the whisky production story influence the final product. Or, if you consider yourself to be ‘less talk, more action’, why not stop by for a one-to-one with the Makers at their distillery stands to share a dream dram or two.

A full list of Makers attending The Show can be found on the Meet the Makers page our website.

Taking place at Vinopolis, London’s premium taste destination, The Whisky Exchange Whisky Show offers the chance to taste some of the finest, rarest and most expensive whiskies and enjoy and range of food pairings. The Show will run across the weekend of 6th-7th October 2012 from 12pm-6pm. Tickets are available to buy now

For more information about The Whisky Exchange Whisky Show please visit www.whisky-show.com or to book tickets visit www.whisky-show.com/tickets

Notes:

Visit http://www.whisky-show.com for full information on the Show

About The Whisky Exchange Whisky Show:

 The Whisky Exchange Whisky Show consumer sessions will take place on: Saturday 6th October 12:00pm-6.00pm Sunday 7th October 12:00pm-6.00pm
 It will take place at Vinopolis, situated near London Bridge.
 All food and drink (apart from ‘Dream Drams’, see below) is included in the price of admission.
 A small number of rare and expensive ‘Dream Drams’, which have ranged in price in previous years from £500 to over £3000 per bottle, will be available to try on presentation of tokens. Each visitor will receive a token with admission and further tokens can be bought at the Show.
 Tickets will include a two course meal designed by renowned whisky and food expert Martine Nouet.
 Masterclass events are still to be announced, but in the past have included tastings led by writers Dave Broom, Serge Valentin and Charles Maclean; Whyte & Mackay Master Blender Richard Paterson; Gordon & Macphail Managing Director David Urquhart; Glenfarclas Sales Director George Grant; and brand ambassadors including Highland Park’s Gerry Tosh and Diageo’s Colin Dunn. These have covered a wide range of whiskies from the impressive to the fabled, including Dalmore’s 50 year old Candela and Gordon & Macphail’s Glenlivet 70 year old.
 Tickets will be on sale through http://www.whisky-show.com in Spring 2012.

About Vinopolis:
Vinopolis has been established as an exhibition centre and tasting venue for wines and spirits since 1999, and is located in the arches of a Victorian railway viaduct built in 1866. With its soaring vaulted arches and perfect location adjacent to the world-famous Borough Market and London Bridge, Vinopolis is the ideal setting for The Whisky Exchange Whisky Show.

With its nearby transport links and accommodation, Vinopolis is easy to get to for people attending from in and around London, as well as being highly convenient for visitors and exhibitors travelling to the event from further afield.

2011 testimonials:

Fantastic event, feel I have learnt so much in a short space of time. The Masterclasses have been excellent… bring on next year! Dawn Davies, Selfridges

Well organised on the two days. Good, engaged consumers who wanted to learn… Jamie Milne, Glenfiddich

I was quite amazed at the mix of people attending, from the London-based enthusiasts to the Scandinavians who appeared in force, to the Russian who flew in from Portugal and planned his holiday around the event…!

Greeting Whisky-Drinkers of the UK!

Hope you are enjoying the Great British Summer! Here’s some Whisky Lounge event news to fill your boots with…

Whisky Festivals

Liverpool Whisky Fest
Saturday September 8th, 12-5pm, £25
The next stop on the 2012 Whisky Lounge festival tour and our second venture to Liverpool to deliver yet another galaxy of whisky.
Click here to book now

Manchester Whisky Fest
Saturday September 22nd, 11am-3pm and 4pm-8pm £25 per session
Our 4th whisky festival in Manchester and as always it’s set to be even bigger and better than last year. With new whisky-fun to be had and even more tasty drams on offer to try, it could well be the whisky festival to end all whisky festivals. We managed to claim the biggest one-day whisky festival in the UK last year and we would love to not only claim that prestigious self proclaimed award again, but we would also like to smash last years total of 950 whisky-lovers in one day! Click here to book session 1 and here for session 2 and if you fancy it click here to see 2011’s festival spliced together by Eddie.

York Whisky Festival 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY!
Saturday October 13th 12-5pm £25
Ten years since the first whisky festival in York, not only a monumental moment for us at The Whisky Lounge but also for all of our good customers/friends who over the years we have shared many a fine dram with and who have supported our vision of Bringing Whisky Back To The People since its conception in 2002. Now as well as some special in-festival treats we’ll also be knocking out the first 100 tickets at the 2002 ticket price, which is the unbelievable cost of just £12.50!!! There is nothing absolutely nothing in the world that would offer better use of £12.50. Incredible. Tickets are live today, right now, quite literally as this email has hit your inbox. So don’t miss out click here to book now.

New Events

Whisky & Seafood – The Return. Newcastle, Blackfriars, Sunday July 29th, 7.00pm
With dishes lovingly prepared by award-winning head chef, Troy Terrington, matched with whiskies, equally lovingly chosen by our very own Eddie Ludlow, this was a massive success last year. A tasting menu of 6 dishes each paired with a sympathetic yet dramatic whisky, the result was dynamite! By popular demand we are attempting the same again but with a different raft of dishes and whiskies for the most demanding of you. A full six course tasting menu and all your drams for £45 – click here to book now.

Bluffers Guide To Whisky, York, Deramore Arms, Heslington, Tuesday July 31st, 7.00pm, £10
A good starting point for anyone wanting to learn their blends from their malts in our home town and only a tenner. Five drams on offer of various styles and getting back to basics. Click here to book.

Charity Tasting at Trembling Madness, York, Saturday July 28th, £10
All proceeds going to the NSPCC and taking place in an centuries old medieval hall on Stonegate. Helping the kids the only way we know how with a Whisky Tasting! Click here to book.

UK-Wide Events and Tastings, 1ST SHEFFIELD AND BRIGHTON TASTINGS

The World Wide Whisky Review, £20
World whisky has long now been the subject of many discussion, whiskies from the most unlikely places are creating quite a stir in the industry and scooping up awards left, right and centre on the international stage. Join as we take you through six of the best, on a whisky tour round the distilling world at what could well be the most exciting whisky tasting of the year. No need to bring your passport all venues are in the UK, details are below. Click on your nearest city to book.

SHEFFIELD
The Blake Hotel, August 28th, 7.00pm
Manchester
Britons Protection, Saturday September 1st, 7.00pm
Newcastle
Blackfriars, Friday September 14th, 7.00pm
York
Brigantes, Saturday September 15th, 7.00pm
London
The Red Lion, Crown Passage, Tuesday September 25th, 7.00pm
BRIGHTON
Hilton Metropole, Wednesday September 26th, 7.00pm
Leeds
The Cross Keys, Thursday September 27th, 7.00pm

CASK SERIES 3 NOW AVAILABLE ON WEBSITE

If you missed out on the Cask Series 3 tasting earlier in the year, you really missed some fabulous bottlings from little old us. Happy days, and good news for you or others who would like to re-visit these amazing bottles…they are now available from the website! These are 20cl size bottles of mainly single cask and cask strength whiskies from the likes of Caol Ila, Bunnahabhain and Cragganmore. We are very proud to call these our own! To view and purchase these bottlings, click here. Series 4 is not far away and word is that there ain’t going to be much in the way of Islay…

WEBSITE ISSUES

Thanks to all of those who pointed out correctly that the website was down for a portion of the weekend just gone. This was due to an issue with the server and it is now back up and running. If anyone tried to log on in that period, many apologies but please try again, it should be good to go now.

Phew, right think that’s the lot and possibly the world record for use of the word Whisky in one email. In fact the first person to get back to us with the whisky word count in this email will get a mystery dram in the post.

As usual you can keep up to speed on all our events by liking us on Facebook and following us on Twitter @TheWhiskyLounge @TWLAmanda @TWlJoe

Hope to see you for a dram at one of the above events and that you’re all enjoying some tasty tipples.

Happy Dramming!

Eddie Ludlow
Whisky Evangelist

thewhiskylounge
IWSC Spirit Panel Judge 2009-present
www.thewhiskylounge.com
eddie@thewhiskylounge.com

Wiser’s Whisky Tasting Exclusive For Globe & Mail Subscribers 

Globe and Mail subscribers are invited to join Davin de Kergommeaux, certified sommelier and author of Canadian Whisky: The Portable Expert, and Wiser’s® Master Blender Don Livermore for a fun and informative whisky tasting to celebrate the re-launch of Wiser’s Small Batch. 

This special tasting will also showcase Wiser’s Legacy and the welcome return of two premium Canadian whiskies, Pike Creek Canadian Whisky® and Lot 40 Canadian Whisky®. 

In the historic Suites at One King West, you will enjoy Canadian whisky, cheese pairings and tasting tips. You will leave with a swag bag featuring a copy of Canadian Whisky: The Portable Expert, and Teroforma’s Whisky Stones® courtesy of Indigo. Swag bag valued at over $75! 

When: Wednesday, August 22, 2012
6:00 pm — 8:00 pm

Where: One King West (at Yonge), Toronto, ON

Cost: $75, includes whisky tasting, appetizers and swag bag including a copy of the book and Teroforma’s Whisky Stones® 

For more details and to reserve your tickets for this exclusive, Globe and Mail subscribers’ event visit the Globe and Mail website here.

Whisky Live Returns to Shanghai!

Mainland China’s biggest whisky festival returns to Shanghai on September 14 and 15. Now in its fourth year, Whisky Live 2012 will showcase the largest collection of deluxe blends and ultra-premium Single Malts ever in China. It has upgraded to a new five star location, Royal Le Meriden on Nanjing Road East.

The festival is known for providing novices and experts alike with a fully interactive, luxurious experience. This year, guests have the chance to browse 33 luxury whisky stands and attend educational workshops and tastings, all hosted by fully-trained brand ambassadors to assist your journey into the world of whisky.

New to this year’s festival is the Collectors’ Zone, which will feature some of the rarest and most expensive vintage bottles of whisky in the world from the 1940’s, 50’s & 1960’s.

Show director Stephen Notman says: “Fun, educational and interactive are the three key pillars that have enabled us to attract a record number of distillers and showcase the world’s oldest and rarest single malts in the world.”

Such record numbers of distillers are comprised of a blend of both old and established distilling nations. International whisky celebrities present at the festival include Glenmorangie’s Dr Bill Lumsden, Master Distiller of Mackmyra Angela D Orazio and Glenfarclas’ Robert Ransom.

This list is also supplemented with bespoke Johhnie Walker and food pairings, the Singleton Education Zone and the Chivas Blending Experience.

The new and improved website www.whiskylivechina.com will allow whisky lovers the opportunity to get the latest up-to-date news and reviews 365 days a year.

With the highly anticipated announcement of the coveted Icons of Whisky Awards combined with the return of the whisky live passport the 2012 festival promises to be the best yet!

Notes:

1) For more information and to arrange interviews, please contact Charlotte Middlehurst for English language queries charlotte@whiskylivechina.com, +86 159 0090 9057: Winnie Wu for Chinese winnie@whiskylivechina.com, +86 136 11601491.

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) Steve 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.

4) Whisky Live 2012 will be held at the Le Royal Meridien Hotel, 789 Nanjing Dong Lu, near Xizang Lu, Huangpu District, Shanghai, on September 14 and 15. Tickets: Consumers 150RMB, VIPs 850RMB.

Third Annual Convocation of Companions

The Great Gathering of The Quaich
September 7 – 9
Cairn Croft Hotel
6400 Lundy’s Lane
Niagara Falls

Check in Friday 3pm ~ Check out Sunday 11 am

Full package includes: 2 nights accommodation in Courtyard guestrooms;
6 meals (Friday dinner; Saturday breakfast, lunch, dinner; Sunday breakfast, lunch); complimentary drinks in the Hospitality Room before and after dinner Friday and Saturday; use of heated indoor pool, hot tubs and recreation areas.

An optional Master Class with Macallan & Highland Park Ambassador
Marc Laverdiere is also planned for Saturday afternoon.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Cost per person (including taxes)
Single: $502 Double: $315
Triple: $261.99 Quad: $234.99
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To make your reservation for this wonderful weekend break, call the Cairn Croft at 1-800-263-2551 and quote “Quaich Group.” Names of guests, address and a valid credit card number will be required.

*Note: The hotel will not collect the payment for whiskies with dinner. Cost is $15 per evening, total $30 per person. This should be sent in advance to:

Ed Patrick,
206 – 19 Dundonald St.,
Toronto, Ont.
M4Y 1K3

www.thequaich.com