The Single Malt & Scotch Whisky Extravaganza® is held in 14 major markets around the United States, including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Francisco and Washington, DC.

Both Novice & Enthusiasts

The Extravaganza was the first and is the only tasting event that offers both the novice and most discerning enthusiast the opportunity to properly sample the participating whiskies in a sophisticated and elegant environment, with an array of sumptuous foods that greatly enhance the attendees’ enjoyment.

Single Malt & Scotch Whisky

The Extravaganza provides our attendees an unusually wide range of the most prestigious single malt, premium Scotch and Irish whiskies in joyous camaraderie. Presented by whisky professionals, our goal is to educate our attendees in the discerning consumption of the finest spirits known to mankind. Unlike any other “whisky event”, the Extravaganza focuses exclusively on single malt & Scotch whiskies. No other category of alcoholic beverages is included in our events.

Unique Whiskies From Scotland and Around the World

The gala evening event features a sampling of over 100 of Scotland’s most prestigious single malt & Scotch whiskies as well as unique single malts from Ireland and Japan. At evening’s end, a selection of premium, imported cigars are presented for the attendees’ enjoyment after the event. Please note – smoking is not permitted within the confines of the venue.

New York
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
The Roosevelt Hotel
45 East 45th Street
New York, NY 10017

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Phoenix
Thursday, March 24, 2011
The Arizona Biltmore
2400 East Missouri Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85016
*New Market & Venue

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Atlanta
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
The Intercontinental Buckhead Hotel
3315 Peachtree Road NE
Atlanta, GA 30326

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Houston
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
The Downtown Club at
Houston Center
1100 Caroline Street
Houston, TX 77002
Business casual.
No denim or athletic attire.

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Dallas
Thursday, April 14, 2011
The Intercontinental Dallas
15201 Dallas Parkway
Dallas, TX 75001
*New Venue

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Denver
Thursday, May 12, 2011
The Brown Palace Hotel
321 17th Street
Denver, CO 80202

Visit https://www.amerisurf.com/singlemaltextravaganza/form_tickets.html to purchase your tickets and remember to quote WI11 to recieve your discount!

Please visit the Extravaganza at http://www.singlemaltextravaganza.com

The Springbank Tasting
On Wednesday January 26th
Come & Try Some Awesome Drams with Iain from Springbank!
£3 per person

Get yer tickets from the AUSA reception in Butchart Centre!

Have a BREAK from EXAMS and come for a DRAM!

Location: Butchart Centre University Rd, Aberdeen
When: 7pm, Wednesday 26th January 2011
What to Bring: Ticket + Membership Card + Raffle Money!

University of Aberdeen Malt Whisky Society
The Butchart Centre
University Road
Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire AB24 3UT
aberdeenwhisky@googlemail.com

‘Outrageously funny and highly subversive’ – original whisky comedy screens in Christchurch

See the original black and white film of whisky mayhem made by Ealing Studios in 1948

In February 1941 it was wartime and in Scotland whisky was under strict rationing. So when the SS Politician ran aground off Eriskay on the west coast of Scotland on its way to Jamaica carrying over 28,000 cases of malt whisky the islanders were spurred into action.

Jumping into small boats they descended on the merchant ship and “rescued” what they could of the 240,000 bottles of Scotland’s finest. The government jumped in and the men from Customs and Excise determined to stop what they saw as looting fought running battles with the islanders to recover the cargo.

The incident became the stuff of legends and inspired the bestselling novel Whisky Galore by Compton Mackenzie, which was then in 1948 adapted by Ealing Studio into a film that has become a modern day classic.

This year is the 70th anniversary of the incident and to mark the occasion, specialist whisky supplier, Whisky Galore in Christchurch is bringing the original black and white film to Christchurch.

The cult Scottish comedy classic is part of the biennial Dramfest ’11 expo – Australasia’s largest whisky expo that runs from 25 – 27 February, 2011.

“We are excited to have this showing because the stranding of the SS Politician and the actions of the islanders has become a whisky legend,” says Whisky Galore owner, Michael Fraser Milne. “There is still so much mystery around the voyage and the cargo. Why weren’t the islanders allowed to salvage what was on the ship, why did Customs see it as looting. Some of the islanders even went to jail.”

Michael Fraser Milne says: “This is one of the great Ealing comedies and to have the original films to show in Christchurch is a rare opportunity for both film and whisky lovers.”

The original film was shot on the island of Barra in Scotaland in 1948 and starred a host of Scottish stars, including James Robertson Justice, Duncan Macrae and Gordon Jackson, with Basil Radford as the officious English Home Guard captain Waggett.

To celebrate the screening there will be whisky tastings before the film.

Date: 25 February, 2011
Time: 7:00pm for 7:30pm screening (includes whisky appreciation and canapés before)

Venue: Regent Theatre, Worcester St, Christchurch
Cost: $35.00
Dress: 1940s period costume (optional)

A full programme of workshops and exhibitors for Dramfest ‘11 is available at dramfest.co.nz. Tickets for the event are available from Whisky Galore or on line at www.whiskygalore.co.nz or www.dramfest.co.nz

WHISKI Bar & Restaurant

1st whisky tasting of 2011 – its going to be a good one

3rd Feb 2011 – Whisky Dinner & Whisky Tasting
 
Join us for our 1st charity whisky tasting of 2011.

Hosted by Patsy Christie, Mixxit manager at Maxxium UK and featuring the Macallan Fine Oak 15 year old, Highland Park 12 year old and Laphroaig Triple Wood single malt scotch whiskies neat and in cocktails.

Charity auction of premium whisky on the night will be held to raise funds for Cancer Research UK.

Book Now  
Thursday 3rd Feb 2011
 6:30pm for 7PM start
£25.00 pp

STARTER

Chefs Soup of the Day
with crusty bread

MAIN COURSE

Scottish Salmon
with a WHISKY & Orange Jus

Fresh Scottish Chicken Breast
served with a Whisky & Mushroom Sauce

Award winning MacSweens Haggis,
Neeps & Tatties
with our creamy Whisky Sauce

DESSERT

Whisky & Caramelised Walnut Cheesecake.
 
Live Scottish/ Irish music kicks off after the whisky dinner and tasting with the Gorms playing live so this will be a great evening and hope to see you there.

Best Regards,
The WHISKI Team
www.whiskibar.co.uk

Millennium and Eleven Masters Tasting Series

Join us for a series of tastings featuring “The Masters” of wine and spirits as chosen by one of America’s foremost wine and spirits authorities, F. Paul Pacult, editor of The Spirit Journal.

Monday, January 31, 7:00 p.m.

Robbie Burns Night Celebration:

The Elegant Single Malts

Please join us to celebrate the 252nd birthday of the Greatest Scot. This extraordinary evening will feature nine distinct and perfectly balanced single malt scotches from the spectacular portfolio of Skyy Spirits. Come celebrate the Bard and raise your glass to the immortal “Ode to Haggis” accompanied by bagpipe, Scottish fare and some of the finest single malts in the world.

Master of the Quaich F. Paul Pacult will lead you through this unforgettable tasting which will include:

Auchentoshan Three Wood
Auchentoshan 21 Year Old
Bowmore 15 Year Old Darkest
Bowmore Tempest Small Batch Release No. 2
10 Year Old/Cask Strength
The Glenrothes 1998
The Glenrothes 1985
Glen Garioch 12 Year Old
Glen Garioch 1797 Founder’s Reserve
Glen Grant 16 Year Old

$95 per person

For reservations call Keens Steakhouse (212) 947-3636
– Please register early as we expect this event to sell out –

http://www.keens.com/images/Winter2011Tasting_KeensRegistrationForm.pdf

Please fax back to us at (212) 714-1103

SPIRIT OF SPEYSIDE WHISKY FESTIVAL – 2011 PROGRAMME ANNOUNCED

Devotees of the dram from around the world started logging on to the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival website last week as details of the 2011 programme were revealed and the online booking system went live.

The Festival programme annually boasts over 200 events, although there’s usually a rush for some of the most exclusive and prestigious events, ranging from the Opening Dinner and the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Awards to unique distillery tours and masterclasses and the renowned Spirit of Speyside Whisky School.

The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival (28th April – 2nd May, 2011) is one of Europe’s largest whisky festivals and, now in its twelfth year, has established itself as one of the key events on the Scottish tourism calendar.  Last year the Festival generated almost £3/4m for the local and Scottish economy attracting 26,000 visits to the area.

Fans of the traditional tipple are expected to travel from destinations worldwide to attend the event, and recent Festivals indicate an ever-increasing overseas audience, in particular from countries such as the Netherlands, Sweden and Germany. One notable Dutch attendee will be the well-known whisky author Hans Offringa, who has selected the festival as the venue for the relaunch of his book ‘The Road to Craigellachie Revisited’, an autobiographical diary tour through the world of whisky and Scotland.

Some of the highlights of the 2011 Festival calendar include the chance for whisky fans to enjoy a rare behind the scenes insight into distilleries which are usually closed to the public, such as Benrinnes, Glenrothes and Mortlach, and to take advantage of in-depth guided tours at iconic distilleries such as Cardhu, Glen Grant, The Glenlivet, Glenfiddich, The Macallan and Benromach.

New for the 2011 programme are half and full day Food and Drink Tours, which look closely at the links between Speyside’s signature pouring and other regional produce by exploring the area’s reputation for top quality meats, game and fine foods and the culinary legacy of a lifetime of liquor-making.  Visitors will be able to explore the role of whisky in Scottish cuisine and sample some of the finest food offerings from an area that is also home to big Scottish brands such as Baxters and Walkers.

And unique to the Festival is the Spirit of Speyside Whisky School, which features three days of undiluted and informative malt whisky education of the highest standard and includes seven expert-led technical lectures and seven top level technical site visits conducted by distillery managers. 

Festival chairman Jim Royan said: “We are excited to be revealing the programme for the 2011 Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival this week – we know it has been eagerly awaited by whisky lovers everywhere.

“Connoisseurs from all corners of the world travel to Speyside to take part in this unique event each year and we are looking forward to greeting whisky aficionados and non-whisky drinkers and to welcoming newcomers and returning visitors alike.

“Speyside is an outstandingly beautiful region that is rich in history and tradition and the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival offers us a unique opportunity to showcase not only our heritage but also our produce, landscape and hospitality.”

To find out more and book tickets go to www.spiritofspeyside.com, and keep up to date with the Festival programme on www.facebook.com/WhiskyFestival or www.twitter.com/spirit_speyside.

Notes:

– Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival 2011 runs from Thursday, 28th April-Monday, 2nd May.  www.spiritofspeyside.com
– Easy access by rail or air, including a number of low-cost airline options to Aberdeen and Inverness airport
– The Festival runs a subsidised dial-a-bus service and taxi voucher scheme
– The Festival also runs several competitions and awards including a Whisky Cocktail Competition, Photographic Competition and the prestigious Spirit of Speyside Whisky Awards

– Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival 2011 has received funding from EventScotland and is also financially supported by many other private and public partners
– EventScotland is the national events agency.  EventScotland is working to make Scotland one of the world’s leading event destinations. 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

WhiskyCast LIVE This Weekend from Victoria!

Join us this Saturday for the first LIVE webcast of WhiskyCast on location at the Victoria Whisky Festival in British Columbia!  

We’ll have all of the usual WhiskyCast features, along with a special live blind tasting of whiskies selected by fellow Malt Maniac and VWF Chairman Lawrence Graham. The panel will include whisky pros and amateur whisky lovers, and only one person knows what we’ll be tasting until the secrets are revealed. 

The fun starts at 2:00pm Pacific Time live from the Hotel Grand Pacific on Victoria’s Inner Harbour. That’s 5:00pm on the East Coast, and 2200 GMT, and you’ll find the link for the live webcast at the Victoria Whisky Festival’s web site www.victoriawhiskyfestival.com  

If you can’t join us for the live feed from Victoria, the entire show will be available as a podcast later that night, and we’ll have a special second episode featuring highlights from Victoria on Sunday!

Slainte!

Mark Gillespie

www.whiskycast.com

 The link on the Victoria Whisky Festival website is at the top of the home page and looks like this;

Latest News from the Isle of Arran Distillery about the 2011 Open Day!

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 will be on sale in the next couple of weeks – keep your eyes peeled to www.arranwhisky.com/news where all the latest news from these dynamic distillers can be found.

www.arranwhisky.com

23rd January 2011 – The Saint on Bath Street (Glasgow – 7.30pm) [Facebook Link: http://on.fb.me/g5Z2o9]
25th January 2011 – The Blind Pig (Glasgow – 7.30pm) [Facebook Link: http://on.fb.me/hKffp6]
26th January 2011 – The Birdcage (Edinburgh/Musselburgh – 7.30pm) [Facebook Link: http://on.fb.me/elJuN2]

*All booking information can be found on the respective Facebook Pages.

Both of the Glasgow tastings will be hosted by the UK Brand Ambassador for Glenfiddich, Jamie Milne.

The Whiskies for these events will be:

Starter – Glenfiddich Rich Oak (14 y.o.)
Fish – Glenfiddich 12 year old
Main – Glenfiddich 18 year old
Dessert – Glenfiddich 15 year old
Coffee – Glenfiddich 21 year old

The Edinburgh tasting will be hosted by the UK Brand Ambassador for Balvenie, Dr Andrew Forrester.

The Whiskies for this event will be:

Starter – Balvenie Signature 12 Year Old
Fish – Balvenie Single Barrel 15 Year Old
Main – Balvenie Double Barrel 12 Year Old
Dessert – Balvenie Port Wood 21 Year Old
Coffee – Balvenie Peated Cask 17 Year Old

Live Old Pulteney Tasting on Twitter 20th January, 2011 at 7:30PM GMT (That’s TODAY!).

The hashtag is #wk209

Old Pulteney WK209 ‘Good Hope’

• Follows a highly successful WK499 ‘Isabella Fortuna’ as Old Pulteney’s travel retail offering
• Limited to only 1,600 cases (of 6 x 1 litre bottles)
• Unchill-filtered, natural colour
• Bottled at 46% ABV
• Matured entirely in European sherry casks
• Named after a steam Herring Drifter WK209 ‘Good Hope’ built in Wick in 1948, first boat in Wick to use echo sounder

Official tasting notes:

Colour: Dark copper with bronze highlights

Nose: Smooth and spicy with aromas of toffee and chocolate; traces of hazelnut and vanilla.

Taste: Sweet to start with hints of citrus notes; full bodied with overtones of raisins, chocolate and warm spices leading to long lasting finish.

The tasting will also include Old Pulteney 12yo and the Old Pulteney 17yo. The photo of the WK209 is a mock up so you’re having a sneak peek at what it will look like on the store shelves. Distillery Manager Malcolm Waring will also be taking part along with an undetermined number of eager bloggers who are always willing to guzzle free whisky for a good cause. Unfortunately Whisky Intelligence will only be able to take part in two thirds of the tasting as the sample of Old Pulteney17yo suffered a catastrophic failure during the journey across the Atlantic.

Visit Old Pulteney Distillery at www.oldpulteney.com