Seafood and Whisky (£45 / ticket)
Blackfriars, Newcastle Upon Tyne 
Friday June 10th 2011, 7.00pm 
www.blackfriarsrestaurant.co.uk 

£45.00 / ticket  
 
As big supporters of Newcastle/Gateshead’s EAT Festival, we were asked to come up with an event to really get the juices flowing. Something a bit different and something that everyone that enjoys good food and drink can enjoy…

We, along with the award-winning chefs at Blackfriars Restaurant came up with this fantastic 6-course sample menu with whiskies to boot! It was a hard time sampling and putting this together (!) but we hope you enjoy it – I am certain you will!

– Butternut squash soup, with smoked haddock, soft boiled quails egg and whisky oil
–       Mackerel ceviche with orange, tomato, capers, lemon juice and parsley
–       North Sea scallops, celeriac puree, pancetta
–       Home smoked Scottish salmon, pickled cucumber, celery foam, honey and truffle vinaigrette
–      Pan fried halibut, potato and corned beef hash, oyster mushroom jus, mushroom ketchup
–      Treacle tart, whisky soaked raisins, vanilla crème fraiche

We hope you agree this is a sparkling menu and a great use of local ingredient.

The whiskies will be mainly from the celebrated Distiller’s Edition’s range from Diageo, but will also include one or two other tid-bits.
This is going to be good…

You will not be sent a ticket through the post. Your details will be added to the event register and all you need to do is print the payment confirmation page and bring it with you to the event.

Visit The Whisky Lounge at www.thewhiskylounge.com  

Boston’s Best Whisky Event.

Boston’s Best Whisky Event? You be the judge.

Whisky Tasting and Dinner Cruise
May 18th 7:00-9:30 PM

Joe writes;

The Whisky Guild and Jeff Karlovich return for this special annual event. In only two weeks we’ll embark upon a spectacular harbor cruise with nearly 200 different whiskies available to taste – and a buffet dinner. This is one of the best events to come to Boston. It promotes whisky; yet in my eyes this is an event for consumers, novice to aficionados, to not only taste and talk about malts, but to engage with ambassadors, distillers, and distillery managers. They attend not just to promote their wares, but to get the chance to hear what you are looking for. They take the input you give them very seriously, so speak up, ask questions, and get your money’s worth.

VIP access gives an extra hour to sample the offerings and more of them beginning at 6 PM. This was a great time in the past and one we’ve been anxiously anticipating all year.

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to be out on the water, sipping scotch, and enjoying a cigar (smoke ‘em if you got ‘em) on the deck of a luxury cruiser. Did you miss Whiskyfest Chicago? Whisky-Live New York? No worries, you have this- every bit as good, -no, better: – you’re out on the harbor.

Tickets may be purchased directly from The Whisky Guild at www.whiskyguild.com/tasting_boston.html Federal customers will receive at 10% discount with the code: federal.

The boat leaves from 200 Seaport Boulevard at 7:30, please bring a valid ID.

Kentucky Cooperage Tours

Mon.-Fri. ♥ 9:30 a.m. & 1 p.m.

712 E. Main St.

Tel. 270.692.4674

marcia.morgeson@kentuckycooperage.com

Kentucky Cooperage makes the charred oak barrels critical for the production of bourbon. See how “charring” is done, how staves are shaped, how hoops are put in place and how barrels are made leak proof without manmade sealers.

Hello America! I’m back! Anyone up for a dram in Dallas?

After all the Shackleton excitement, I’m packing my bags and heading over to Dallas this week for a few events, some private but many public – fancy coming along for a wee whisky dram? I’m looking forward to catching up with a number of people, including Andrew Chalk from D Magazine, Steven Doyle of CraveDFW.comand Farah Fleurima from The Dallas Diva but I want to meet up with you guys as well.

On Monday, May 9 I’ll be at Sigels, 15003 Inwood Rd, Addison between 6 and 7.30pm.

On the Tuesday, May 10, you’ll be able to catch up with me at  Pappas Bros. Dinner, 10477 Lombardy Lane from 7pm until 9pm.

Wednesday, I’m doing some private events but on Thursday, May 11 at Sevy’s Dinner on 8201 Preston Rd I’ll be hosting a dinner starting at 5.30pm. The menu for that looks great and if I can find someone to do it, I’ll get it posted up before the night.

If you fancy coming along to the events, get in touch with the venues (numbers below) to make sure there’s still places – and you can bet I’ll be chatting via Twitters as I go!

Sigels: 972-387-9873

Pappas Bros: 214-366-2000

Sevy’s Dinner: 214-265-7389

Hopefully, I’ll see some of you guys there as there’s been lots happening since my last time in Dallas, so be great to catch up – and have some fantastic cigars!

The Isle of Arran Distillery Open Day has been confirmed as Sunday 29th May and this year’s event is shaping up to be as dramtastic as last year’s event!

There will be the usual warm island hospitality with plenty of fantastic vintage drams straight from the warehouse, and expert tasting guidance from Master Distiller James MacTaggart and some well known whisky noses….! The full island gourmet experience will be on offer, with fellow producers coming out in full force to show the best that they have to offer.  From ice cream and handmade chocolates to cheese and crumbly oat cakes, there could be no better way to spend the May bank holiday weekend! There will be plenty of activities for everyone, including the little ones, so don’t hesitate to make a family day of it. Arran Adventures will be there to showcase some of their outdoor activities, plus face painting, bouncy castle and bird displays. The day will be rounded off by the traditional Scottish ceilidh in the evening, complete with live band and more than a barrel of laughs. And for those already attending the annual Islay Music and Malt Festival, the short hop over to Arran on the Sunday is the ideal way to round your ‘whisky weekend’ off by joining the only Distillery on Arran in their annual celebrations.

Tickets are on sale at  http://www.arranwhisky.com/Isle-of-Arran-Distillery-Open-Day-29th-May-2011/ – keep your eyes peeled to www.arranwhisky.com/news where all the latest news from these dynamic distillers can be found.

Forget going ‘Doon the Waater’; Arran’s coming to town!

‘Arran in the Square’ will be one of the final events in Scotland’s Year of Food and Drink and over the weekend of the 14th and 15th of May Glasgow’s George Square will be transformed into a ‘virtual’ Isle of Arran!

The Isle of Arran lies in the Clyde just off the Ayrshire Coast. Despite being just 20 miles long but has more artisan producers than anywhere else in Scotland and boasts a diverse range of food and drink –from traditional dairy ice cream to single malt whisky, oatcakes, cheeses, mustards and fabulous fresh salads and herbs, and award winning real ale – this island has something to suit all tastes!

‘Arran in the Square’ will be a showcase for island producers and visitors will have plenty of opportunity to sample Arran food and drink throughout the two days, and can also get some inspiration at the Cookschool Scotland Cookery Theatre where Head Chef Phil Lewis will demonstrate some exciting ideas for using Arran produce in the kitchen.

As well as the great food & drink, there will be lots of going on to delight all your senses and keep the whole family happy – just like being on your favourite island: Radio Clyde will be on hand to keep the party going and you’ll get a sneak preview of the Arran Folk Festival with some great Arran bands lined up over the weekend. Why not have a go at rock climbing or what about trying your hand at golf and with lots going on to entertain the kids, you can relax with an Arran Aromatics massage and enjoy some retail therapy Arran-style.

To top all that, VisitArran will be giving away more than a dozen short breaks to the island and there will be plenty of chances to win with competitions running online and throughout the event itself.

Scotland really is a land of food & drink and this event will encourage people in Glasgow to experience the great produce, and the wonderful island destination, they have on their doorstep. 

Paul Bush OBE, Chief Operating Officer, EventScotland said “Arran in the Square’ is an exciting event which we are delighted to be supporting as part of Scotland’s Year of Food and Drink initiative that showcases the diversity and quality of Scotland‟s larder. It is a fantastic example of the Isle of Arran‟s contribution to making Scotland the perfect stage for events. ”
 
We can’t wait to welcome you all to the Isle of Arran Distillery tasting bar!
For more information about Arran in the Square find us on facebook and for your chance to win a trip for two to Arran, visit http://www.visitarran.com/.

This event is supported by EventScotland, Caledonian MacBrayne, Scotland Food and Drink ,  LEADER ,  North Ayrshire Council   

The Tolbooth Tavern

Thursday May 12th:- P/O/U/R/S £20/17*

Thursday May 26th:- non-Scottish peaty drams £tbc
India: Amrut 62.8%
U.S.A.: McCarthy’s
Japan: t.b.c.
England: St. Georges
Ireland: Cooley

Thursday June 9th:- P/O/U/R/S £20/17*

Thursday June 23rd:- Arran £tbc
Machrie Moor peated 46%
‘Oran Mor’ 56.4% sherry cask 236 bottles
10yo 57.1% Bourbon cask 219 bottles Loch Fyne Whiskies bottling
Cadenheads 1998 12yo 57.4%
plus another one to be confirmed

Thursday July 7th P/O/U/R/S £20/17*

Thursday July 21st Lagavulin £tbc
LG2
Distiller’s Edition 1994 – 2010 43%
16yo 43%
1995 12yo European oak 48% Friends of Classic Malts
and a fifth expression to be confirmed

Future Themes:

18yo- ‘Us’ and ‘Them’: comparisons of distillery bottlings with independant expressions – Highland Park, Glendronach and Tamdhu, Ben Nevis: Cadenheads 1996 – 03/2009 12yo 57.1% Bourbon hogshead 256 bootles, 10yo 46%, single blend, single grain, Cadenheads ‘dumpy’ 06/1965 – 12/1981 16yo 46%, Bladnoch: Rare Malts 23yo, Cadenheads 17yo 55.1% Bourbon hogshead, peated, sherry cask plus one other example

Peaty blends 40%: Islay Mist, Islay Hallmark 8yo, Black Bottle 10yo, Black Grouse, Black Bottle, plus a special guest (Brora or Port Ellen) Template design by Web-Kreation.

Visit the Jolly Toper at http://www.jollytopertastings.co.uk/

Derby Trifecta Challenge: Take your best shot!

Kentucky Derby 137 is ready to run. Put your handicapping skills to the test! Log-in to the Buffalo Trace Saloon and pick 3 horses – win, place and show. If you guess all 3 in the correct order, you win! It’s that simple.

In the event of a tie, the shots you’ve earned from your regular Saloon activities will be added and used as the tie-breaker (so it could really pay to play around in the Saloon!)

The winner will experience Kentucky the way everyone should: scenic horse farms, a rustic 200-year-old distillery, southern food and of course, lots of bourbon tasting, courtesy of Buffalo Trace.

Go to the contest page for complete details.

Not a saloon member yet? Sign up now and take your best shot.

Share this contest with your friends on Facebook and Twitter.

Good luck,

Buffalo Trace
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

June 5th  (Sunday)
Single Malt Tasting 4:00 p.m.

June 9th  (Thursday)
Single Malt Tasting 7:00 p.m.

“B & B”

Bill & B.J. explore new whiskies found on trips to the U.K. in May

$50 per person. Applies to purchase. Reservations are accepted but not required.

402.553.9501 or patg@dundeedell.com

Visit the Dundee dell at www.dundeedell.com

Pernod Ricard – Glenlivet et all
Mint Hotel, Granary Wharf, Leeds 
Friday May 13th 2011, 7.30pm 

£22.00 / ticket
 
Pernod Ricard is a company not too many people know a great deal about when it comes to whisky. However, when they aquired the Chivas Brothers portfolio from the dismantled Seagram in 2001, people began to take notice. They now have the responsibility for several key malt distilleries as well as the Chivas Regal and Ballantine blends.

Phil Huckle, the Chivas UK Brand Ambassador, will be joining us as we look at the rich and varied range of whiskies available from this diverse company. This includes some rarer bottlings of the famous Glenlivet distillery, but also the lesser known, but highly sought-after Longmorn and Scapa – among others…

As always each tasting is designed to be fun and enjoyable for all levels of whisky drinker, and is not a lecture. You will almost certainly learn something new every time, but if you don’t walk out with a smile on your face then there we have done something wrong!

If you would like to order tickets for this tasting as a gift, we can email you a PDF with ticket/s for you to print and pop in a card. Just email us at info@thewhiskylounge.com after placing your order.

You will not be sent a ticket through the post. Your details will be added to the event register and all you need to do is print the payment confirmation page and bring it with you to the event.