UK vlogger Joe Ellis a.k.a Whisky Wednesday reviews High West Double Rye

http://youtu.be/U0Yul9BT8Zg

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Auchentoshan Taste Experiments

Posted: 31 Jul 2013 09:41 AM PDT

One of 2013′s more interesting press events took place last Tuesday, with the launch of Auchentoshan’s Taste Experiments Masterclasses.  Consumer tickets for these events sold out in a flash, with fans of the Glasgow malt jumping at the opportunity to … Continue reading >>

Angels whisky club INTERVIEW by Paul McLean.

Jennifer Graham, Brand Ambassador, Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey

Hi again Jennifer, your help in Victoria, Vancouver Island at the whisky festival prompted me to ask you more questions!

What first got you interested in whiskey?  John Teeling – the founder of  Cooley Distillery was a lecturer at my University in Ireland. He is a very well respected businessman in Ireland and I became very aware of his successful whiskey ventures with Cooley. His whiskeys are the most authentic Irish that you can get – Cooley was an independent distillery at the time and family owned. I wanted to work with an authentic Irish brand and always had a palate for whiskey from tasting my dad’s over the years.

What exactly does a whiskey Ambassador do?  My job is to develop the Kilbeggan and Cooley portfolio brand in San Francisco and the Bay area but also in other US states when I join forces with the other US Kilbeggan BA’s to do “market blitzes”. I am in charge of creating a connection between Kilbeggan and consumers, bar managers and the whiskey industry in San Francisco. This involves conducting whiskey tastings, master classes, promotions, organizing sponsorship opportunities, managing whiskey festivals such as Whiskies of the World, Whiskey Fest, Craft Spirits Carnival. I work with the brand team in Chicago where we plan how brand positioning etc. It’s an exciting role.

How did you become a whiskey Ambassador?   There is an Irish graduate programme (Export Orientation Programme – EOP) whereby the Irish government links up Irish graduates with small Irish companies wanting to increase their exports and larger companies with authentic Irish brands. When I saw Cooley Distillery on that list I applied for the programme and made it clear who I wanted to work for. I was first based in Stockholm, Sweden before moving to San Francisco.

Are you happy living/working in USA for an Irish whiskey company? what is that like?  It is a truly unique experience. I actually did an interview for an Irish newspaper recently on “dream jobs” – I guess that kind of sums it up. I won the jackpot being sent to San Francisco! You just get to meet so many people while working with an Irish product that is extremely authentic.

Why did you choose Kilbeggan? or did they choose you?   I chose them and made my case for why they should choose me too!  and … have you been to Kilbeggan and/or Cooley? what was your opinion?  I have spent lots of time in both distilleries. Kilbeggan is so rustic and old. It’s the only distillery in Ireland where you can see the whole whiskey making process from start to finish. You can stick you head right into the mash tons. We spent time working there before we were sent to the US. My job was to dig out the mash tons in my wellington boots! I can’t imagine many distilleries that would allow that kind of hands-on experience.

Being a young female in the whisky industry must be a challenge. How do you find the industry reacts to you?   It’s funny. I used to walk into a room to do a master class & people would look to see who was walking after me, as if
a 20-something girl couldn’t know much about whiskey & clearly the “real” BA would be following me out. After 5 minutes of me talking they realize that a 20-something girl not only knows a lot about whiskey but often knows more than they do! People try to catch me out by asking advanced whiskey knowledge questions & by the time I’m done with the answer they don’t even know what question to ask next…it makes a lot of people (especially men) go quiet!

What skills and qualities do you need to become an Ambassador?   You have to have marketing or sales experience, be organized, autonomous, motivated and genuinely friendly. You do have to be assertive and confident too.

What’s the best part of your job?  Travel! I’ve been to LA, Miami, Boston, Chicago, New York, Philly, Indiana, Baltimore and Victoria, Canada….all in the last 12 months.

Do you have any views on finishing? Port, Sherry etc. In fact, do you have a favourite finish (mine is sherry)?  My favourite finish the Madeira because I have a sweet tooth and love the apricot, marzipan notes.

You knew this was coming next; what is your favourite whisk(e)y?  I don’t have a 100% favourite but Tyrconnell Madeira, Greenore & Kilbeggan would be the top 3. I’m not a very smoky person but if I had to chose it would be the
Connemara 12 YO.

and … do you tend to collect bottles at home?  I do tend to collect bottles – that’s another perk to my job. People give you bottles pretty regularly.

Apart from our membership (of course) is there anyone in the whisky world you wish to meet? Past or present.  Is it too obvious to say Jim Murray?! I always miss him at events! (Paul’s note; lucky girl!)

And what about your private life? Any other interest apart from whisky? Well – jumped out of plane last week…for the third time! I guess that tells a lot about me.

Many thanks for being honest and putting up with all of my questions, do you have a parting shot?

Toast:
Here’s to Irish whiskey,
A craft well understood,
In Kilbeggan it’s not just in the jar,
It’s also in their blood.

Paul’ Many thanks Jennifer, it was grand meeting you in Canada (of all places!) and aye we did book our group into the distillery for this coming September. Let me know when you come to Scotland, we can meet up for a few drams!

http://www.angelswhiskyclub.com/  a free whisky club for everyone

www.ralfy.com starts a World Whisky four-parter called North, South, East, West, guess which direction this vlog comes from. . . Whisky Review 382 – Teerenpeli Whisky from Finland.

RARE WHISKIES AT BONHAMS ANNUAL SCOTTISH SALE IN EDINBURGH

Bonhams Annual Scottish sale on 20 August boasts some rare and unusual whiskies this year. 

One of only 379 bottles, The Macallan 1961 comes in a wooden presentation case and is estimated at £6,000-8,000; the Macallan Royal Marriage bottled in 1981 to commemorate the marriage of the Prince of Wales carries an estimate of £1,200-1,800 and The Macallan Private Eye, bottled to mark the 35^th anniversary of the famous satirical magazine has an estimate of £1,000-1,200.

Elsewhere, a rare 30 year old Dalmore 1959 in crystal, bottled to celebrate the 150^th anniversary of the Dalmore Distillery, is expected to sell for between £3,000-5,000 and a 40 year old 1958 bottle of Highland Park numbered 368 of 665 in a wooden presentation case fitted for the bottle is estimated at £1,400-1,600.

Bonhams whisky specialist, Martin Green, said, “The Scottish sale always offers a good selection of collectible whisky to suit all tastes and pockets and this year is no exception.  As well as the star items we have several bottles with more modest estimates from some of Scotland’s best known distilleries including several fascinating lots bottled by The Scottish Malt Whisky Society.”

For further information please contact Andrew Currie on 0207 468 5871 or andrew.currie@bonhams.com

NOTES

Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world’s largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques. The present company was formed by the merger in November 2001 of Bonhams & Brooks and Phillips Son & Neale. In August 2002, the company acquired Butterfields, the principal firm of auctioneers on the West Coast of America. Today, Bonhams offers more sales than any of its rivals, through two major salerooms in London: New Bond Street and Knightsbridge; and a further three in the UK regions and Scotland. Sales are also held in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Carmel, New York and Connecticut in the USA; and Germany, France, Monaco, Hong Kong and Australia. Bonhams has a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 25 countries offering sales advice and valuation services in 60 specialist areas. For a full listing of upcoming sales, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments go to http://www.bonhams.com/.

Whisky Ramblings Via Video #57

After restoring the Lars Homestead from Star Wars in Tunisia, Mark Dermul and his crew were invited to tell the fans all about it during a panel at the Star Wars Celebration, the biggest convention of is kind for fans of that galaxy far, far away. Little did his colleagues know that he would afterwards present them with a private bottling of Save Lars Whisky, a Bruichladdich 20 Year Old 1992, only 6 bottles strong (one for each crewmember). The Force is strong with this Laddie!

http://youtu.be/erGfbLrjbHE

(Please revisit Whisky Intelligence this Sundayto see some more about this bottling – WI)

Rare Releases from Balcones, Whisky Magazines 2012 Craft Whiskey Distillery of the Year, Available Now at Mora’s Fine Wine & Spirits (E. Setauket, New York)

Balcones Distilling of Waco, Texas is firmly established as one of America’s top whisky producers with over 40 national and international awards from the world’s top judges and critics. We are proud to offer the following unique and original spirits hand-crafted using only the finest ingredients. Follow the links for more information on each selection.

Balcones Single Malt Texas, 106 Proof  – $68.99

5 bottles in stock!

Balcones True Blue 100 Texas Corn Whisky, 100 Proof – $65.99

4 bottles in stock!

Balcones Brimstone Texas Scrub Oak Smoked Corn Whisky, 106 Proof – $54.99

6 bottles in stock!

Balcones Distillery Rumble Cask Reserve Barrel Proof, 117 Proof -$79.99

1 bottle in stock!

Mora’s Fine Wine & Spirits

www.moraswines.com

631-941-4458   sev.clemens@moraswines.com

Our friends at Gold Medal Marketing have a new logo. They represent Benromach, W.M. Cadenhead, Kilkerran, Gordon & MacPhail, Kilchoman, Praba Na Linne, Springbank, Spencerfield Spirits, Tullibardine, The Last Drop and the Teeling Whisky Company in Alberta & British Columbia (although not all are represented in both provinces).

www.ralfy.com takes the bull by the horns (groan!) with Whisky Review 381 – Black Bull 12yo scotch

To mark The Famous Grouse Brand Birthday we are delighted to invite you to celebrate with us at The Famous Science Festival. Come along on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th of August to visit our giant whisky cask and take part in a host of interactive science experiments. There’s fun for all the family with treasure hunts, tours and blend your own whisky sessions.

As well as The Famous Science Festival, there will be a brand new blending experience open to guests over the weekend giving whisky lovers the chance to try their hand at blending their own whisky.

EVENTS 2013 – 2014

August

THE FAMOUS GROUSE BIRTHDAY
Come and celebrate our birthday this August. The Famous Science Festival will pop up at The Famous Grouse Experience in Crieff for two days only, bringing a host of intriguing experiments and fascinating investigations for all the family. All visitors to the distillery over the weekend will have free access to The Famous Science Festival. August 10th and August 11th 10am-6pm.

November/December
CHRISTMAS FAYRE WEEKEND WITH SANTA
Stock up with food, crafts and gifts. November 30th and December 1st 10am-6pm.

SANTA’S GROTTO
Come and meet Santa in our snow filled grotto. December 14th and 15th, 21st and 22nd 1pm-4.30pm. December 23rd and 24th 10am-4.30pm.

Visit the blog http://blog.thefamousgrouse.com for full info on all of our upcoming events.

Famous Best Wishes,
Lucy Whitehall
The Famous Grouse Global Brand Ambassador