Events

Arran – An Island Story – The Whisky Lounge Presents – Scotch Whisky News

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Arran – An Island Story
Blackfriars, Newcastle Upon Tyne 
Friday May 28th 2010, 7.30pm 
www.blackfriarsrestaurant.co.uk 

£20.00 / ticket   

When the opening of the Arran distillery at Lochranza was announced in 1996 there was much excitement among whisky-lovers at the prospect of a new whisky on the market. The only frustrating thing was that there was a long wait to endure before being able to taste mature stock. Thankfully the guys (and gals) at Arran are not without vision and decided to release whisky at a younger age in order to keep everyone happy. They are also not averse to experimenting with different casks…

We are delighted to announce this series of tastings in order that we can taste a whole sluice of their whiskies at different ages and cask types. We will also be exclusively sampling a new bottling that is being released around the same time as this series. At most of the tastings we will be welcoming the very passionate and knowledgeable UK Brand Ambassador, Celine Tetu – definitely an added bonus!

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!
 
Visit http://www.thewhiskylounge.com/ to book your tickets.

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World-Famous Canadian Club Treasure Hunt Resurrected – Canadian Whisky News

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World-Famous Treasure Hunt Resurrected

Canadians and Americans invited to join international search for missing case of Canadian Club® Whisky and vie for $100,000 in prize money

The 40-year-old international treasure hunt that motivated adventure-seekers from around the world to search for hidden Canadian Club Whisky cases in remote locales – from the North Pole to Mt. Kilimanjaro to the Great Barrier Reef – is back on, with a big new twist. The campaign will give four brave Canadians (and four Americans) the opportunity to embark upon the adventure of a lifetime in search of the lost Canadian Club treasure and compete for the chance to bring home US$100,000 in prize money.

“At least two dozen cases of Canadian Club Whisky were hidden around the world as part of the brand’s hugely popular Hide A Case Adventure, starting in 1967,” says Dorene Wharton, Marketing Director, Beam Global Canada Inc. “Not all of the cases have been found…and we’re thrilled to reactivate this exciting campaign by inviting those with a penchant for adventure to join the hunt for one of the undiscovered cases – and the chance to win $100,000.”

Well-known Canadian and international adventurer Kevin Brauch, popular the world over for his roles as TV’s Thirsty Traveler and floor reporter on Iron Chef America, has been chosen as lead adventurer for the new program. In his latest role, Brauch unveiled details of the 2010 Hide A Case Adventure at news conferences in Toronto and New York City and, in April 2011, he will lead eight lucky Canadian and American participants to a secret, exotic location where they will hunt for one of the missing cases.

“The CC Hide A Case Adventure grabbed international headlines and captured the imagination of people from around the world – all before the advent of the internet and reality style television,” says Brauch. “We expect the scope of the 2010 edition to generate plenty of buzz and participation…and even some friendly rivalry between Canadians and Americans.”

Adventurous types can register online now at www.hideacase.com to vie for one of the coveted eight spots on the expedition. Starting today, the web site will feature the first of six weekly challenges in which participants will use their creativity, brain power and speed to win points and discern clues as they try to advance through Round One. Those who receive 50 or more points will move into Round Two where they will be asked to post an online video to illustrate why they should get a chance to join the CC Hide A Case expedition. In July, the top 30 videos will be put before a panel of judges and an online vote to help narrow the playing field down to four Canadians and four Americans. In April 2011, these eight participants will join Brauch and head off to parts unknown – they will compete against each other in a series of Amazing Race-style challenges designed uncover the hidden location of the elusive hidden case of Canadian Club Whisky.*

From 1967 through 1991, the Canadian Club Hide A Case Adventure saw 25 cases of Canada’s famous whisky hidden in extraordinary locations across the United States and all over the world, including: Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania; Angel Falls in Venezuela; the Swiss Alps; the reputed site of the lost Dutchman mine in Arizona; the Arctic Circle; California’s Death Valley; and even atop a skyscraper in Manhattan. To date, 16 of the hidden cases have been discovered – many of them found with the help of clues revealed in a series of Canadian Club print advertisements published in the 60s, 70s and 80s.

The original Canadian Club Hide A Case campaign goes down as one of most memorable adventures of all time and one of the longest-running promotional campaigns in history. Hide A Case made Canadian Club a household name all over the world and cemented its position as a brand revered by adventure-seekers everywhere. The 2010 edition takes the campaign to a penultimate level where the adventure is larger than life and the potential payoff is larger still.

“Whether your idea of adventure is an exotic international journey to track down hidden treasure, or just a night out with the guys, CC’s Hide A Case Adventure won’t disappoint,” says Brauch. “We’ll see you at the Finish Line!”

*No purchase necessary, must be 21 years of age or older to enter, void where prohibited, subject to complete rules available at hideacase.com.

Notes

About Beam Global Spirits & Wine

Inspiring conversations around the world, Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc. is building brands people want to talk about. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for our brands, including Jim Beam® Bourbon, Sauza® Tequila, Canadian Club® Whisky, Courvoisier® Cognac, Maker’s Mark® Bourbon, Laphroaig® Scotch Whisky, Cruzan® Rum, EFFEN® Vodka, Teacher’s® Scotch Whisky, and Knob Creek® Bourbon and distributor of Russian Standard vodka in Canada. Beam Global Spirits & Wine is part of Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE:FO), a leading consumer brands company. For more information on Beam Global Spirits & Wine, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, visit www.beamglobal.com and www.drinksmart.com

Canadian Club® Blended Canadian Whisky, 40% alc./vol. ©2010 Canadian Club Whisky Company, Walkerville, Ontario, Canada.

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Compass Box & Old Pulteney at the Whisky Exchange London – Scotch Whisky News

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Chris and Gregg from Compass Box will be in on June 5th and 19th with some more magnificent blends/blended malts for Father’s Day (or just for you!).

And on top of this the Whisky Exchange Team will have the pleasurable company of Malcolm Waring, Distillery Manager at Old Pulteney around the end of June, so do keep a look out for further information on Whisky Intelligence.

http://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/Vinopolis

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Best Dram Club Dinner Thursday, May 27th (California)

Best Dram Club Dinner Thursday, May 27.

Martins West in Redwood City

Martins West , 831 Main Street, Redwood City is a Gastro Pub focusing on quality and sustainability, with an ever expanding Whisky Selection.  Read (on their menu) their interesting story on how they acquired all the beautiful decor from recycled structures. The decor, the stories behind it are all real nice, but the main reason I pick an establishments is for the food. The whisky selection is less important because we can always arrange to have the whiskies we want brought in. (Case for next months dinner.)  Martins West already has an excellent Whisky selection which is rapidly expanding. The food is prepared with the highest quality of ingredients and care. However, we have a dilemma we need your assistance with. We have put together a Whisk(e)y dinner featuring the West (High West) and Europe (Compass Box). What we need help with is determining if the Whisk(ey) enhances the food, or if the food brings out flavors in the Whisk(e)y.  We have a five course dinner, with each course being paired with a Western Whiskey, or a Scotch, or both as you are guided through this multinational tasting. All this at a $70 cost including tax and tip.

$65 for Best Dram Club Members. Purchase tickets in advance to reserve your spot. Seating is limited.  Check our Website for updates and to purchase tickets:

http://www.whiskiesoftheworld.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=107

Menu:

Scottish Eggs and Caramelized Haggis Tartlette
Pork Rib Rarebit with celery and pickled beet
Petite Chicken Roast with spring vegetable champ and cider jus
Shepherds Pie – slow cooked lamb shank & goat cheese whipped potatoes
Sticky toffee pudding with almond date salad and brown butter ice cream

Whiskies:

High West: Rendezvous, Bourye, Silver Whiskey, Straight Rye 
Compass Box: Asyla, Oak Cross, Peat Monster, Spice Tree
 

Note: Recent ADI Blind Tasting Competition:
Best rye: High West Rendezvous Rye
Best un-aged whiskey: High West Silver Whiskey – Western Oat (tied for first)
Best blended: High West Bourye  (Best Craft American Whiskey!)

Gordon & Macphail Tasting at Nickolls & Perks UPDATE – Scotch Whisky News

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Scotch tastings at the FMW Whisky shop

Tastings are held regularly, towards the end of each month; at the Stourbridge premises of famed Wine Merchant Nickolls and Perks (3rd oldest UK Wine Merchant; established 1797) tasting visitors seat inside our 16th century vaulted cellars and taste the very best Scotch malt whiskies brought direct from the distilleries. All events are tutored by industry specialists : Distillery managers, distillers, consultants and distributors, there to guide you and ensure an enjoyable evening for all.

You will learn about the history of Scotch and discover the rogue past of smugglers and the excise men that had to find them, Rabbie Burns the ‘bard’ did a stint at collecting himself you know!

You will also learn the tasting techniques : how to taste, and be shown whiskies from varied locations aroung Scotland and the globe

Venue : Stourbridge Shop Cellars

Time : 7:30 pm start

Duration : 2 hrs

Cost : £25

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Next tasting 27th May : Malt Whiskies from bottlers Gordon & MacPhail…..John Eastam from G&M will conduct this tasting :

Highland Park 1970, a 38yo rare casks from 1st fill sherry butt (totally opaque!!) , Aberfeldy 19yo connoisseurs choice JM.95/100 + Convalmore 1984 24 yo…medium bodied well balanced dram from this silent distillery(closed 1985) + Glen Keith 1993 16 yo 46 % from refill sherry casks…from the banks of the river Isla + Royal Brackla 1991 18 yo 46% one of only three distilleries to be granted permission to use the word ‘Royal’ in its name (peaty n nutty from the southern Highlands) + Port Ellen 1982 27yo Islay whisky, closed in 1983 that ticks the boxes.

July 2nd…..Colin Dunn from Diageo help to appreciate the delights of the ‘Select Malts’

On taste : Lagavulin 16yo + 12yo cask strength…..Caol Ila 12 yo + DE (Distillers edition)…..Talisker 10 yo + 18yo (Best in World …2007)

David Gardener
Nickolls and Perks
01384 394518

Visit Nicolls and Perks at http://www.nickollsandperks.co.uk/

WHISKY AN’ A’ THAT VII SATURDAY 29TH MAY 2010 – Scotch Whisky News

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WHISKY AN’ A’ THAT VII SATURDAY 29TH MAY 2010
AYR TOWN HALL 1PM-6PM

 
ONLY 12 DAYS TO GO
 
If you haven’t already purchased your ticket for our annual Whisky An’ a’ That Festival, then time is running out and we only have a limited amount of tickets left.
 
For all the details on this years festival, please click on the below link with details on which companies are attending this years event and how to order your ticket for the show.
http://www.robbiesdrams.com/festival_2010.asp
 
Whisky Festival Masterclasses
 
We also have a very limited amount of masterclass tickets left, which are being held throughout the afternoon.
 
MacKillop’s Choice Masterclass 1pm-2pm
 
The first masterclass of the afternoon will be hosted by MacKillop’s Choice which is a brand owned by Angus Dundee Distillers. “MacKillops Choice” is a range of specially selected Single Malt Scotch whiskies drawn from individual casks, and are bottled at either 43% or 46% alcohol, but more predominantly at their natural cask strength, without chill-filtering or the addition of any caramel colouring, which helps preserve the malts natural characteristics of aroma and taste.
 
The tasting will be hosted by Lorne MacKillop (pictured above), who is the heir to the chief of the MacKillop Clan. After seven year’s extensive training in wines and spirits, Lorne became a member of the Institute of Masters of Wine in London in 1984, and at that time was the youngest person to be accepted as a Master of Wine. Lorne will use his comprehensive knowledge of whisky as he talks you through the following six specially selected whiskies in what should be a very interesting and entertaining session.
 
1989 17y/o Benrinnes 43%
1990 17y/o Caol Ila 56.3%
1986 17y/o Dalmore 60.1%
1991 15y/o Highland Park 53.9%
1988 18y/o Macallan 55.5%
1992 15y/o Tormore 43%
 
Balblair Masterclass 3pm-4pm

The second masterclass of the afternoon will be hosted by Balblair which is a Highland Single Malt from Edderton in Tain, Rosshire.
 
Many single malt Scotch whiskies distinguish between their expressions with an age statement, rightly proud of the long maturation their distillates have undergone.At Balblair they pursue a Vintage statement by which to differentiate their various expressions. In doing so, they take a complimentary approach between age itself and the fundamental character of the spirit that is Balblair Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky.
 
Inver House Distillers, Master Blender Stuart Harvey will be presenting this Masterclass with a full range of six Balblair expressions for you to savour.
 
Tickets are £12 per person for both classes and available on a first come first serve basis as numbers are restricted.

To reserve your ticket please phone the  TICKET HOTLINE NUMBER 01292 284279

Alternatively you can call into our shop in the Sandgate or e-mail festvial@robbiesdrams.com

Remember that tickets are limited, and only available to customers who have already purchased tickets for our Festival.

Time is running out.

Regards

Robbie

Lombard Exhibits At The Whisky Guild – Scotch Whisky News

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Lombard Scotch Whisky is exhibiting at all the Whisky Guild expos in 2010, as follows:

Boston – May 19
Philadelphia – June 17
Washington DC – June 24
New York – August 26

Visit the Whisky Guild at: http://www.whiskyguild.com/whiskynetwork/home.php

Lombard Scotch Whisky Ltd.
Bourne House, College Street.
Ramsey, Isle of Man IM8 1JW
British Isles
Tel + 44 1624 814345
www.lombardscotchwhisky.com

Federal Boston Whisky Cruise May 19th – Scotch Whisky News

BOSTON WHISKY TASTING & DINNER CRUISE

MAY 19, 2010, 7:00- 10:00

200 Seaport Boulevard Boston, MA

Join us for the Whisky a whisky cruise, the premier whisky events in Boston Area. Whiskey enthusiasts will have the opportunity to sample over 150 whiskies of global renown, including rare expressions that are all but impossible to taste elsewhere, by distillery managers and master blenders from Scotland, Ireland, Canada, and Japan.

VIP Boarding Time: 6:00pm

Boarding Time: 7:00- 7:30pm

Sail Time: 7:30- 10:00pm

FEDERA L WINE & SPIRITS – WHISKY CRUISE DISCOUNT

10% OFF Regular Ticket

DISCOUNT CODE = FEDERALREG

15% OFF VIP Ticket

DISC OUNT CODE = FEDERALVIP

Regul ar Ticket Price $85 (Before Discount)

VIP Ticket Price $105 (Board At 6:00pm) (Before Discount)

Price includes Whisky & Dinner

Click Here For Tickets http://www.whiskyguild.com/tasting_boston.html or Call 908-578-2726 R 32

Joe Howell
Federal Wine & Spirits

http://www.federalwine.com/

Whisky Fringe Edinburgh 2010 – Scotch Whisky News – Too Late!

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Whisky Fringe 2010 is SOLD OUT.

In about 30 minutes……..

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Whisky Fringe 2010 Tickets On Sale TODAY! – Scotch Whisky News

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Whisky Fringe 14th & 15th August 2010
 
TICKETS WILL BE GOING ON SALE THURSDAY 13th MAY AT 1pm.

Tickets can NOT be reserved. ALL tickets must be purchased through this website http://tinyurl.com/WhiskyFringe

No ticket sales from the shop (Royal Mile Whiskies)

From Royal Mile Whiskies; 

Sorry we’re so late in making tickets available this year. For those of you who don’t know, its because the new licensing laws in Scotland have raised various grey areas as to what is allowed and what isn’t. We’ve been in discussions with the Licencing Authorities and whilst they’ve not given us anything in black & white, they have confirmed that all is ok. The only area of potential problem was the two-day ticket at a reduced price. As such, if you want to come both days, we’re afraid its two separate day tickets. However we hope that you think it’s still good value. Otherwise, The Half Time Orange will be back, there will be some of the greatest malts on show and pricing remains the same yet again! 

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