Whisky aficionados around New Zealand, Australia and the world are gearing up for next year’s premier whisky festival, DramFest ’11.

This popular biennial event takes place in Christchurch from 25-27 February 2011 and organiser Michael Fraser Milne of Whisky Galore says the show will be bigger and better than ever before. There’s even a rare chance to sample the world’s oldest Scotch single malt ever bottled, the Mortlach 70 year old/1938.

“We have obtained two 200ml bottles of the 70-year old whisky and will be offering an exclusive tasting for a very limited number of people,” says Fraser Milne.

Don’t worry if you miss out on that, there are still over 36 distilleries showcasing their whiskies, including six new exhibitors as well as several new expressions of whisky from some of Whisky Galore’s favourite establishments.

“Visitors will be able to savour a dram or two from around the world, including a range of premier single malts.”

The three day event kicks off with a once-in-a-lifetime chance on Friday, 25 February to see the original 1948 film, Whisky Galore. The film tells the story of the sinking of the SS Politician off the Scottish coast and how a group of islanders raided the shipwreck for its consignment of 24,000 cases of whisky. February is the 70th anniversary of the sinking in 1941 and Whisky Galore is flying out the original film from Ealing Studios in the UK. There’ll be spot prizes for great period costumes as well as the chance to have a whisky or two.

The main event on Saturday, 26 February at the Christchurch Convention Centre is the chance for visitors, whether whisky virgins or fully fledged devotees, to really experience the world of whisky to the fullest. Highlights include the presence of the reborn Glenglassaugh distillery that has fired up its sills again after 22 years in mothballs, reviving a 100-year-old classic spirit character and the new kid on the block, Kilchoman.

“Since its first appearance at DramFest ‘07 Kilchoman has wowed the whisky world with its single malt expressions,” says Fraser Milne. “This year the distillery will be presenting its Spring and Summer 2010  bottlings and a look at some future efforts.”

On Sunday, 27 February tickets are available for members of public to take part “DramFest Sessions “ (tutored tastings) with experts from some of Scotland’s leading distilleries.

“These workshops allow you to ask questions from the masters of whisky, to gain an insight into the secret of how malted grain and water stored in oak casks turn over time into liquid gold,” says Fraser Milne. “These sessions are always popular and some have sold out already.”

The “Sessions” workshops include the world first tasting with Derek Hancock KQ, of Gordon and MacPhail of the Mortlach 1938, and sessions with Susan Colville from Wemyss Vintage Malts, Stuart Nickerson KQ, Managing Director of Glenglassaugh and Alex Bruce, KQ from Adelphi Distillery.

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

Michael Fraser Milne
Whisky Galore

THE DNA OF FOUR ROSES

Thursday, January 20, 6:30-8:30pm

Four Roses produces 10 different Bourbon styles utilizing 2 mash bills and 5 proprietary yeast strains – and Binny’s has them all! Long time Distillery Manager and Brand Ambassador Al Young is making a trip to Chicago to demystify the process. Al will be covering the history of Four Roses while sampling and explaining the 10 pieces that are combined to make some of America’s greatest whiskies. $10 W/Binny’s Card / $15 non-members. Limited seating. Paid reservations required.

Call 312-664-4394 for more information. Visit Binny’s at www.binnys.com
Chicago – Lincoln Park
1720 N. Marcey St. | Chicago | 312-664-4394

January Outturn Favourites (as bought by members)

What’s hot and selling lots…

1) 5.27 Coconut and vanilla
2) 33.100 Elastoplast and lavender (100th bottling)
3) 4.148 Battered smoked haddock

And not forgetting our January recommendations…

Buy 9.56 & 26.71 together and save £16
9.56 Mom’s apple pie 
26.71 The Great Outdoors  

Buy 93.43, 76.79 & 23.68 & save £18.30
93.43 Two-faced duality
76.79 Sherry fusion
23.68 Smoky Pavlova

Society 2011 Burns Whisky Tasting & Events

Edinburgh HDV Burns Offer – Bistro, Mon 24 – Fri 28 Jan
Traditional Burns Supper – The Vaults, Tue 25 Jan
Traditional Burns Night – London, Tue 25 Jan
Burns Dinner, The Dining Room – Queen Street, Tue 25 Jan
Bristol HDV Burns Dinner – The Sugar House, Tue 25 Jan
Girls’ Burns – Queen Street, Wed 26 Jan
Dunfermline Burns Tasting – Garvock House Hotel, Thu 27 Jan
Newcastle Burns Tasting – Northern Counties Club, Fri 28 Jan
Glasgow Burns Tasting – Malmaison, Fri 28 Jan
Edinburgh HDV Burns Dinner – Bristo Place, Fri 28 Jan
Harrogate HDV Burns Dinner – Prospect Place, Fri 28 Jan

YOUR OWN Private Burns Celebrations

Did you know you could arrange your own private Burns dinners and suppers at the Society? Including theatrical entertainment and music, delicious food and of course, the finest whisky. 

Tasting and autographing bottles by Buffalo Trace Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley

With the following products:-

Buffalo Trace  605063  $ 44.99
Eagle Rare Single Barrel 807982  $ 59.99
Sazerac 18 year Old Rye   364133  $ 160.00 (one time buy)
 
Date & Venue: Fort and Foul Bay BC Liqour  Store 1960 Foul Bay Rd Victoria, BC
2:30 pm – 5:30 pm this Friday January 21st

Please free to email if you require futher information davidleigh@shaw.ca

Warm Up with Whiskey at The Fairmont Empress ~ Thursday, January 20, 2011

Escape from January and come Warm Up with Whiskey! The Fairmont Empress is excited to be hosting a Jameson Whiskey Reception from 5:30pm – 7pm in the beautiful Empress Harbourside Room. Rory Sheridan, Jameson Brand Ambassador, was educated by Jameson’s Master Distiller, Barry Crockett and will speak passionately about the four whiskeys you will taste, including Jameson Rarest Vintage which is being shipped in especially for this event! Executive Sous Chef Ken Nakano has prepared culinary delights such as Smoked Prince Edward Island Cheddar Cheese and Braised Bison Short Rib to compliment the fantastic whiskeys. Tickets are $60 ($48 for Friends of the Empress).

All prices noted exclude taxes and gratuities. Friends of the Empress privileges apply to all events unless otherwise stated. For reservations and information, please call (250) 389-2727 or emp.diningres@fairmont.com

You are cordially invited to attend an exclusive gathering of an elite group of Whisky connoisseurs. The Nth 2011 show is a unique whisky experience that will give a select few the chance to sample some of the world’s rarest, oldest and most unique whiskies.

There will also be the chance to take part in an aficionado’s master class, hosted by The Dalmore’s world–renowned Master Distiller, Richard Paterson. This will include an insight into the art of crafting The Dalmore, and an exclusive tasting of six exceptional Dalmore expressions.

Book tickets for Richard Paterson’s master class before the end of January for your chance to win one of five bottles of King Alexander III. Winners to be announced at the event.

The Nth 2011 Show will be held at The Wynn/Encore Resort, Las Vegas on 18th and 19th March 2011. To find out more, or to book your tickets to the show and the master class, please click here:

http://www.universalwhiskyexperience.com/tickets

Tollbooth Tavern

All of the Jolly Toper’s whisky tastings take place on Thursday nights from 7:30pm until approximately 10pm at the Tolbooth Tavern, 167 Canongate, Royal Mile, Edinburgh, meals available up to the time of the tastings. For more details on the tastings themselves, please click here

Thursday 20th January 7.30pm £20/17*:-

Amrut Intermediate sherry 57.1% – yet another cracker from the Indian icon
Glenfiddich Snow Pheonix 47.6% – a much sought after collector’s bottle
High West Rendezvous rye 46% batch No. 49 – a high rye content of 80%
Tamdhu 26yo 12.10.1984 – 2010 162 bottles 50.1% – bottled by the Creative Whisky Company for www.whiskywhiskywhisky.com
Ardbeg 16yo 1994 – October 2010 Bourbon hogshead 270 bottles 57.0% – a Cadenheads bottling.

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

Whiskies of  the World introduces A Distillery Reborn

What happens to a distillery that has been closed for decades then reopens? In the case of Glenglassaugh Distillery, it becomes an award winner. Founded in 1875, Glenglassaugh was sold years later, renovated in the 1960’s and then mothballed in 1986. Just a few short years ago, in 2008, it reopened and the whisky that had been left aging since the 1980’s has become award winning Scotch.  At the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2010, the 21 Year Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky was awarded the double gold medal and the 40 Year Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky was awarded a gold medal. If your mouth is watering, like mine is, you’ll have the chance to taste some of the wonderful spirits coming out of this revived distillery at Whiskies of the World Expo.  For an even more tantalizing experience, we will have a Whisky Pairing led by Stuart Nickerson on March 24 at the City Club of San Francisco. Here you’ll get rare pours not available at the Expo.  Look for details to come later.

Happy New Year!
Don’t forget about…

The Wemyss Malts Tasting Today
Come & Try Some Awesome Drams with Susan from Wemyss!

Get yer tickets from the AUSA reception in Butchart Centre!

Have a break from revision and come for a dram!
 
Location: Butchart Centre University Rd, Aberdeen
When: 7pm, Wednesday 12th 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

Burns Supper at the City Club of San Francisco with SKYY Spirits and Robin Coupar

Oh Whisky! Soul o’ plays and pranks!
Accept a bardie’s grateful thanks!

— Robert Burns

 
Raise your glass!
Just a few days ago, at the stroke of midnight, we were all ringing in 2011 with the time honored tradition of raising a glass of Champagne and singing Auld Lang Syne. On Friday, January 21st, from 6:30 – 9:00 pm, we will raise our glasses, filled with whisky this time, for Robert Burns who penned this timeless poem and the literary legacy he left the world.
 
This formal dinner takes place at the City Club of San Francisco and will start with the Selkirk Grace as it follows the traditional format of the supper. Robin Coupar of Skyy Spirits will be on hand to help us celebrate. This dinner is going to be filled with merry-making and glee.  We will have several courses of a traditional Scottish Supper, each being paired with an exceptional Scotch from SKYY Spirits.

While our goal is to savor and experience the uniqueness of each whisky, this evening is intended to be a celebration. So please be understanding if the night is more festive than our usual Whisky Pairings;)
 
Menu:
Cock-A-Leekie Soup
Traditional Haggis
Steak Balmoral – USDA Prime Tenderloin with Sauce Balmoral
Roasted Root Vegetables
Mashed Potatoes
Dessert: Scotch Trifle

Cheese & Oatcakes served after wards with coffee & tea

Whisky List
The Glenrothes Vintage 1998
Bowmore 15 Year Old
Auchentoshan Three Wood
Glen Grant 16 Year Old
Glen Garioch 12 Year Old

* All Guest Must RSVP by purchasing a Ticket in advance
* Must be 21 Years and Older to Attend.
* Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Purchase your tickets via http://www.whiskiesoftheworld.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=121