Greetings (again) whisky drinkers,

Hi again!

Now we’re not in the business of peppering your inbox with constant emails – it just ain’t our style.

But we thought we’d better let you all know that due to technical difficulties, the HQ tasting, scheduled for this Friday (27th), regrettably has been postponed until the 17th of February. Apologies for this and we hope that any of you that had planned to come along will be able to make it to the new date – we are probably more disappointed than all of you put together! Tickets will be on sale soon, so watch this space.

Newcastle Whisky Fest Masterclasses and stuff!

– Beginner’s Class at 12.45pm with Joe Clark of the Whisky Lounge. Tickets £5
– Six of the Best – Diageo Workshop at 1pm with Colin Dunn. Tickets £10.
– The Whisky Lounge ‘Speakeasy’ – with Eddie, from 2pm-4pm (see details below)
– Balvenie – Tasting Workshop at 3.30pm. Tickets £7.50

Tickets and further info for the above can be found here. Book asap to avoid dissapointment on the day!

Introducing – The Whisky Lounge ‘Speakeasy’

This is an experimental private seated area away from the hustle and bustle of the festival, where you can come and enjoy some seriously impressive drams.

How do you get a place in this much sort after area?

Well if you’re in possesion of a Whisky Lounge membership then you can swan in, pick up three free poker chips with which to swap for fine whiskies not available in the hall, and enjoy all that the Speakeasy has to offer.

However if you’re not a member, you can still come in, but this privilege will cost you £10 – which also includes three poker chips. Now as you’re well aware, tokens in exchange for drams is not the norm for us, and just to be clear these will only be in place in the Speakeasy, not in the rest of the festival. The drams in the Speakeasy are over and above what you will find in the rest of the festival. Additional poker chips will be available in the Speakeasy at the cost of £3 for one or £5 for two.

Food (or drams) for thought.

We look forward to seeing you soon.

Slainte,
Eddie

Eddie Ludlow
Whisky Evangelist

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

We are pleased to announce our events for the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, which this year runs from the 3rd to the 7th of May.

Friday 4th May 2012
10.00 – 13.00
Glenfarclas – An Independent Distillery
With Ian Buxton and George Grant
Published by The Angel’s Share to commemorate the 175th anniversary of the Glenfarclas Distillery in 2011, Glenfarclas – An Independent Distillery, by renowned whisky writer Ian Buxton, is both a biography of the family owned distillery and a record of a remarkable year in the distillery’s long history, preserved for the future. Delving deep into the character and provenance of the Ballindalloch distillery, this book has been carefully presented by designer Jules Akel with original material from the distillery’s archives and newly commissioned photography by John Paul.

After a tour of the distillery join Ian Buxton and George Grant for a Glenfarclas tasting, during which Ian Buxton will share with you his experiences of researching Glenfarclas – An Independent Distillery. Included in the price of the event is your personal copy of Glenfarclas – An Independent Distillery, signed for you by Ian Buxton and George Grant.
£50.00
To book please visit http://www.spiritofspeyside.com/event_detail.php?event=830

Saturday 5th of May 2012
14.00-16.00
Glenfarclas Chairman’s Reserve Tasting
With Kate Wright
Consider this the post-175th Anniversary wrap party and an excuse to try 4 fantastic Glenfarclas, all over 40 years old! After the obligatory tour of the distillery with Kate Wright, Sales & Marketing Executive, you will try the Chairman’s Reserve, bottled in 2011 to celebrate the 175th Anniversary of the Glenfarclas Distillery, along with single cask offerings from each of the three years that went into this limited edition – 1969, 1966 and 1965.
£40.00
To book please visit http://www.spiritofspeyside.com/event_detail.php?event=952

Sunday 6th of May 2012
19.00-22.00
Glenfarclas Dinner at Cragganmill Restaurant, Grantown-on-Spey
With Graham Harvey and Robert Ransom
Enjoy a four course Glenfarclas Whisky Dinner at Craggan Mill Restaurant, Grantown-on-Spey. Graham Harvey and Sheila McConachie, chef/patrons of Craggan Mill, and co-authors of the award winning book The Whisky Kitchen, will present a four course dinner, with each course inspired by an expression of Glenfarclas. To start, the Velouté of Haggis with Glenfarclas 15 Years Old, which featured in Graham’s winning menu for the 2007 Spirit of Speyside Chef Competition. Robert Ransom, Director of Sales & Marketing, of family owned Glenfarclas, will introduce an expression of Glenfarclas to accompany each course.
£65.00
NB: Only 2 places left
To book please visit: http://www.spiritofspeyside.com/event_detail.php?event=492

Monday 7th of May 2012
10.00-12.00
The Family Casks – Help Choose the 1997 Bottling
With George Grant
The Family Casks are a unique collection of single casks whiskies, with at least one cask bottled for every year from 1952 to 1996. To select the casks for each year, George Grant has nosed over 200 different casks. Now he would like you to assist in selecting the cask for the 1997 vintage to add to the collection. After a tour of the distillery, and a tasting of a selection of The Family Casks, George Grant will introduce a short list of 1997 cask samples, for you to nose, taste, comment on and then vote on. The chosen cask will then go forward for bottling, to be released for sale later in the year.
£40.00
To book please visit http://www.spiritofspeyside.com/event_detail.php?event=708

Glenfarclas
Email: info@glenfarclas.co.uk
Website: www.glenfarclas.co.uk
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/glenfarclas/
Tel: +44 (0) 1807 500257
Fax: +44 (0) 1807 500234
Address: Glenfarclas Distillery, Ballindalloch, Banffshire AB37 9BD, UK

On 7th of March Malmaison Aberdeen will host what promises to be a truly unforgettable night of outstanding whisky and stunning food. Come along and join Richard Paterson from Whyte &Mackay for a Masterclass and Whisky Dinner for only £65.

Allow Richard Paterson 3rd Generation Master Blender, winner of “Blender of the year”, “Distiller of the year”, “Keepers of the Quaich” and many more awards to excite and enlighten you with a great selection of personally created whiskies for Whyte & Mackay including Dalmore, Fettercairn, Isle of Jura and Mackinlay’s Rare and Old Shackleton.

7.00pm start.

Love Whisky? Come along, We Dare You!

Please ask any of our bar staff or contact us on: bstaber@malmaison.com

Bernd Staber
Bar Manager
Malmaison Aberdeen
49-53 Queens Road
Aberdeen
AB15 4YP

After the success of our very first whisky and chocolate tasting collaboration with the famous chocolatier Paul A Young, we thought we’d better put another in the diary, please join us!

Whisky and Chocolate Tasting
1st March 2012, 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Milroy’s of Soho, 3 Greek Street, London W1D 4NX

Price per ticket: £50

Be taken through an extravaganza of chocolate and whisky matchings with Paul A Young’s himself and his famous chocolates. The evening will leave taste buds tantalised and chocolate lovers satisfied.

 To place an order please visit milroys.co.uk, call Elizabeth on 020 7437 2385 or email Elizabeth.Williams@jeroboams.co.uk

Our mailing address is:

Milroy’s of Soho
3 Greek Street
London, England W1D 4NX

Whisky Live Dublin is back – building on the fantastic success from its debut in 2011. The world’s premier whisky tasting show will make a welcome return to The Round Room at The Mansion House in the heart of Dublin’s city centre on Saturday 26th May 2012.

NEW FEATURES FOR 2012 – mcleanscotland are the official tour agents for Whisky Live Dublin – and are offering the Grand Tour; 4 night’s accommodation Dublin City, 4 fully cooked Irish breakfasts, coach trips to Kilkenny Town, Cooley & Kilbeggan Distilleries and a ticket to Whisky Live! Even a castle hotel is available for those with a liking for luxury… www.mcleanscotland.co.uk/4nightwhiskylivetour.asp

Tuesday 22 May Café en Seine – whisky and food evening – whisky tasting with a wee bit of food to drive you insane! See more www.mcleanscotland.co.uk/enseine.asp

Wednesday 23 May Clontarf Castle Hotel sample drams from the Castle Brands range, Celtic Crossing, Clontarf, Knappogue Castle single malts. See more www.mcleanscotland.co.uk/clontarfmasterclass.asp

Thursday 24 May Palace Bar – whisky evening 5 Irish whiskey’s from the Cooley’s range. Not a masterclass, rather an experience with Willie and friends with humour, whiskey and of course; the craik! See more www.mcleanscotland.co.uk/dublinpalace.asp

Thursday 24 May 10am coach to The Old Kilbeggan Distillery See more www.mcleanscotland.co.uk/halfdaytrips.asp  

Friday 25 May A morning coach trip to Cooley’s Distillery, Dundalk. Unlike any other distillery, a rare chance to see into the workings of this gem with all its rough edges and non tourist tour! See more www.mcleanscotland.co.uk/halfdaytrips.asp

Friday 25 May Whiskey Tasting, Dinner & Irish Show A superb whisky tasting, 3 course dinner and a night of Irish entertainment held at the Arlington Hotel, O’Connell Bridge. See more www.mcleanscotland.co.uk/fridaydublin.asp

To book tickets for Whisky Live Event on Saturday 26th May, simply visit www.whiskylive.com .

Tickets are limited so don’t forget to book now to avoid disappointment and we very much look forward to seeing you at Whisky Live Dublin.

VIP tickets also available – hurry for these, limited supply.

January Outturn Update: Five Favourites

With January’s Outturn release well under-way, here’s the top five member favourites from the list…

1) 29.110 Wild West cowgirl dressed in leather

2) 23.72 A big, eye-watering slap

3) 71.34 Rabbit, ginger & treacle tart

4) 105.16 Mulled cider & beef goulash

5) 73.46 Cockle-warming citric crush

January’s HEALTHY Offers

Our recommendations from January’s Outturn:

Pick-me up Pair
71.34 & 125.57 for only £89
Speyside Lossie & Highland Northern

Regional Trio: Three times daily
125.57, 1.162 & 23.72 for only £147
Highland, Speyside & Islay

Case Offer: Round ‘Em Up!
125.57, 71.34, 1.162, 23.72, 50.48 & 66.32 only £289
Lowland, Highland, Speyside & Islay

January Outturn
Browse all bottlings
(60 single casks online)

Society Burns Tastings & Events
Celebrate the Bard’s Birthday with our programme of Burns tastings and events. What’s more, join us at our Burns Suppers at The Vaults, London or The Dining Room at 28 Queen Street and save £10 on guest tickets.

Traditional Burns Supper – The Vaults, Wed 25 Jan*
London Burns Night – The Crypt, Wed 25 Jan*
Newcastle Alternative Burns – County Hotel by Thistle, Thu 26 Jan
Glasgow Alternative Burns Tasting – Radisson Blu, Fri 27 Jan

*Member and guest tickets the same price (save £10 on guest tickets)

Society Private Burns Celebrations
Book your own authentic celebration of the written Scottish word, the finest fare and our golden nectar in honour of the Bard.

Private Burns Celebrations

2012 Independent Bottler of the Year www.whiskymag.com/awards/ibc/2011/

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society,
The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ
Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm).

Visit the Society at http://www.smws.co.uk/memberships for your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers.

Morrison Bowmore Whisky Tasting – Thursday 16th February

The Morrison Bowmore whisky tasting on 15th February sold out very quickly so to give those who missed out a chance to attend we are running a second tasting on Thursday 16th February. See below for full details but there are only a few tickets available as first refusal was given to those on the reserves list so you’ll have to be quick if you want to come along and get a taste of 6 great drams from three great distilleries.

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

AUCHENTOSHAN, BOWMORE & GLEN GARIOCH WHISKY TASTING

Date Thursday 16th February 2012

Time 7.00 for 7.30pm

Venue Stanton House Hotel, Stanton Fitzwarren

Details This tasting with Phil Nickson of Morrison Bowmore is a great chance to compare and contrast three very different styles of single malts. The Auchentoshan provides a taste of how triple distillation can produce a delicate yet robust whisky, Glen Garioch will let you sample a Highland style malt from one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland and, even if you have shied away from peated whiskies in the past, the smoky yet perfumed Bowmore may help change your mind as it is a great introduction to peaty whisky.

Tickets are £12.50 per person, and this also entitles you to a discount of £3 against a bottle of one of the featured whiskies if bought or ordered on the night of the tasting. Tickets are very strictly limited, and allocated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis and as they always sell very quickly it is best to book ASAP. 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 most, if not all, of the whiskies tasted will be available to purchase on the night so come prepared.

Happy New Year all!

We hope you had a fantastic festive season and the Father Dramness brought you something to warm the cockles!

2012 is set to be a big year for us at The Whisky Lounge with more tastings rolling out in more cities and venues than ever before. Plus a festival nearly once a month – it’s all go down here at TWL HQ. As January can often be a month of retreating to the warmth of our living rooms and settees in some kind of hibernation, we thought we’d fire you all an email to remind/inform of our events coming up before the end of the month, plus some Newcastle Festival news.

Hopefully one of these events, some tasty drams and some good company will lift those spirits.

BURNS’ NIGHT WHISKY TASTINGS

Our Burns’ night whisky celebrations are always well-received and attended and, in fact, the Manchester and Newcastle incarnations are now sold out. Sorry to those who wanted to come along – you’ll have to be quicker next time! Or we’ll have to do more!

However, we do still have a few tickets tickets for the following..

Thursday 26th January, 7pm – The Red Lion, Crown Passage, London, £25 a ticket
Come and join Eddie for a night of whisky and haggis. We will be tasting through our recently released single cask single malts so a real treat for you cask strength, unfettered fans… Click here to book now.

WHISKY LOUNGE HQ TASTING

Friday 27th January, 7pm – Unit 3, 61a Osbaldwick Lane, York, £10 a ticket

Now this is a new one for everyone! if you’re one of our home town crew (or even passing through) you are in luck. We’ll be revealing our new Headquarters in Osbaldwick, York and tasting through our new range of Whisky Lounge bottlings for only £10! And get this… if you order a bottle or two of the said liquid, we’ll give you your £10 back!

With Joe the newest member of the team acting as host, it should be a cracking night and I might even come along if I get back from London in time…

Click here to book this little beauty.

NEWCASTLE WHISKY FEST 2012

Civic centre, Newcastle upon Tyne

Saturday 11th February, 12-5pm

£25 a ticket

Tickets for our 4th festival in Newcastle have been on sale for quite a while now and have been selling like hot cakes! We still have some tickets left, but we are not going to be filling the venue as per last year as we want you to enjoy the event as much as possible and without having to fight through hordes! If you haven’t got your tickets yet, I would recommend you get booking asap.

Click here to get booking or see further details on this ‘must-do’ event!

JOE’S WHISKY REVIEW

I thought it was high time we started to give you even more to read and enjoy. We have therefore created a new whisky review section on the brand new website. This is being written by our first employee Joe Clark, formally of the Whisky Shop here in York. Don’t ask me how he has managed to manoeuvre his way into a paid position where he gets to sample fine whiskies on our time! Oh well, he’s a nice lad and you’ll no doubt be seeing him soon.
If you would like to read his very first reviews (of our very own bottlings!) and follow his progress, head on over to his new page here.

MEMBERSHIP AND BOTTLINGS

Just a quick reminder that should you be stuck for a pressie for that special whisky-drinker/nerd/nut in your life, that we have your problem sorted! The new Whisky Lounge Membership is what you need! Discounts, benefits and much more to be announced are to be had, and – for a limited period – you get one of our 20cl Single Cask bottlings, all for only £50. Not to mention the sexy black card you get automatically as a member. If you’re interested in this and/or the new bottlings we did just before Xmas, please click here.

LIVERPOOL & BRIGHTON

We are working hard to bring events to all you guys in the above areas – please bear with us and watch this space – announcements should be made soon…

That’s enough for now – read, digest and come and see us soon.

Slainte!
Eddie

Eddie Ludlow
Whisky Evangelist

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

CHAMPIONSHIPS 2012

Come to the World’s with us!

THE WORLD’S As well as the coveted championship title decider, exciting competitive action across all Grades and the Drum Major contest, there are many exciting additions this year to keep you and your family entertained. Watch in awe as these strong men from around the world compete across several disciplines in the bid to claim glory! Games include favourites, caber toss, shot putt and the hammer. A day-long competition always draws the crowds! Enjoy the Scottish music and graceful dance displays in the Highland Dancing arena as the best highland dancers from around the world. Not to mention a full week long series of piping events throughout Glasgow. You’ll discover the experimental energy of today’s newest talent to the awesome accomplishment of established musicians from across the globe. There is something going on morning, noon and night. The venues are as varied as the performers, from workshops to masterclasses, ceilidhs to concerts and street performances. Its fast, fun, moving, informative, entertaining, exhilarating – it’s Piping Live! 6th – 12th August 2012.

THURSDAY 9, FRIDAY 10 & SATURDAY 11 AUGUST 2012. package includes; 3 nights accommodation in George Square, Glasgow city centre, overlooking the main events arena for the piping week, fully cooked Scottish breakfast each morning, ticket to the worlds, a ticket for the grand whisky pub tour with drams included (see below), fully printed tour notes with food & drink and event guide, mcleanscotland staff at hotel each day. COST per person sharing a double or twin room, from £295 We can offer you a “blend your own whisky“, take home a unique blended whisky, unique to you! Ask for details.

As above but with MORE WHISKY! 3 nights accommodation in 4 STAR Glasgow hotel, 3 x Scottish breakfasts, ticket to the worlds and the whisky pub tour, bottle of your own blended whisky and Auchentoshan distillery visit. COST per person from £355

Contact us for speedy booking; worlds@mcleanscotland.com            www.mcleanscotland.com/worlds2012package.asp

The whisky trail tour; Award Winning Whisky Tour in Glasgow. Covering: History, Theatre, Culture, Whisky and the great Glasgow “banter”! Jump aboard The Glasgow Whisky Tour bus & explore the passion, characters and FUN behind Glasgow’s whisky history. Hear how Glasgow was built at the many engineering works and shipyards…but fuelled by whisky, which by the way, is included in this tour!

For more information and to purchase tickets click here