Free Gold Membership on all online orders over £100.

Free Silver Membership on all online orders over £50.

Or simply Click Here to join the club and start your journey of discovery!

Club Membership Benefits

• 10% off products at any of The Whisky Shop stores or online at www.whiskyshop.com.

• Access to www.thewclub.co.uk  which is a fully interactive website including a comprehensive whisky guide, the latest news about whisky with expert views and discussions as well as information about W Club promotions.

• Access to Limited Edition Bottlings.

• Selected Free of Charge distillery tours and tastings.

• Entry into “Money Can’t Buy Competitions”.

• Invitations to exclusive in store tastings.

The Midlands Whisky Festival (Stratford-Upon-Avon) Saturday, 19th May 2012, 12pm – 5pm The Shakespeare Centre, Henley Street, Stratford-Upon-Avon

After the massive success of the very first whisky festival in Stratford-Upon-Avon, Vinology have decided they would be crazy not to do it again. So on Saturday 19th May they will once again be joining forces with the Whisky Lounge to bring you an entire day of Whisky fun!

For this they will again be taking over the entire Shakespeare Centre, opposite Vinology on Henley street, in Stratford-Upon-Avon.

Over 30 exhibitors! Over 140 Whiskies!

A full exhibitor list will be on the Vinology and Whisky Lounge websites very soon.

Masterclasses will also be taking place throughout the day, full details of these will also be on the Vinology and Whisky Lounge websites soon.

Entrance is any time after 12:00 and the event will run through until 17:00.

The entrance fee is just £25.00 per person and includes:

Entrance to the main event.
A free Glencairn Whisky tasting glass (RRP £5.99).
A bottle of mineral water.
Discount vouchers to local eateries.
Discounts on any Whisky puchases made from Vinology on the day.
No voucher system! You will not be charged anything extra for any of your drams.

Tickets are available to purchase from Vinology or from The Whisky Lounge.

Book your tickets now!

There’s also a fantasic video on youtube of last year’s event 

This is the link to the Whisky Lounge Ticket Booking Page

Whisky Ramblings Via Video #6

Check out the sixth of Belgian whisky blogger Mark Dermul’s Whisky Ramblings on video: Bushmills 21 Year Old.

Happy St Patrick’s Day!

http://youtu.be/8miukYITWUM

Hello Fellow WhiskeyLovers –

I have two exciting announcements and an AMAZING whisky for you this week.

First, the winning name for the Wemyss Malts Name That Whiskeycontest is….drum roll please….”Lemon Smoke.” Props go out to FWL member Jo Chew, who now has the distinction of having named a whiskey, and will soon have a bottle of the spirit in her hands. Nice work Jo!

Next, as many of you are already aware, yesterday I sent out a Call for Nominations for the 2012 Drammie Awards. The mission of the Drammie Awards is to put the power of “recognition” in the hands of the whiskey consumer, and we’re counting on you to participate. Nominations are being accepted for 15 different categories until midnight on Friday, March 30th. So make haste…let your voice be heard by entering your nominations today.

Finally, with all this excitement engulfing the FWL offices, Nicky The Neck and I decided to seek out a spectacular deal on a phenomenal whisky….which brings me to this weeks Whiskey Wednesday featured whiskey: Ballantine’s 30 Year Old Blended Whisky.

Ballantine’s 30 Year Old ranks as one of the world’s most exquisite and expensive blends, and is widely regarded as the ultimate super premium whisky and the pinnacle of the Ballantine’s range. With a deep gold colour, subtle sweet flavour on the nose and a complex palate of honey and vanilla, Ballantine’s 30 year old is an exceptional, rare and exclusive whisky.

At the International Spirits Challenge, Ballantine’s 30YO won a Gold Medal, an ISC Trophy (the second in four years) and was named as Category Champion for Blended Scotch Whisky. It is truly a masterpiece of blending.

Ballantine’s 30 YO normally sells for $395. But thanks to The Necks’ shrewd negotiating tactics, I am thrilled to be able to offer you this amazing whisky for $325/ bottle…a $70/bottle savings! But as always, there isn’t much product available at this price, and once it’s gone…it’s gone.

And remember, if you’re in the San Fran area later this month, you must join me at the Whiskies of the World Expo 2012 on the SF Belle, Hornblower Yacht at Pier 3 on Saturday March 31st. We have a $10 discount on your ticket in, by simply entering the code “FWL10D” in the coupon/promo code field when you’re checking out.

So this week, send in your Drammie nominations, get your WoW tickets, and take advantage of this weeks steal on an incredible whisky.

And until next week…have fun!

Doug Stone

Founder

ForWhiskeyLovers.com

_________________________________________________________________
BALLANTINE’S 30YO BLENDED SCOTCH WHISKY

_________________________________________________________________

DISTILLERS’ TASTING NOTES

COLOR: Deep old gold.

NOSE: Deep, soft fruity aromas and an elegant subtle sweetness with a luscious vanilla oakiness.

TASTE: A full, rich complex balance of honey, floral and fruity flavours, with mellow notes of vanilla, smoke and sea.

BODY: Soft yet strong, confident and luscious.

CHARACTER: Rich, oak influenced and lingering.

FINISH: Long-lasting and elegant.

www.ralfy.com  hits the malt-mission button with Whisky Review #257 – Old Pulteney 12yo

Lovely stuff!

Please find below the some what tardy delivery of the Whisky Intelligence Tasting Notes/Whisky Reviews Scores for 2011. As you can appreciate W.I. has been mildy over tasked in 2011 posting hundreds and hundreds of articles relating to whisky.

This compilation is not in any regard an ‘Awards’ but merely a record from top to bottom of the whiskies reviewed in 2011. The vast majority have been purchased with private funds; a very few have been provided by agents or suppliers and are thus noted in the individual review. If you are curious to see which are the later, you may search through the Tasting Notes/Whisky Reviews archive and find them for yourself.

There is a distinct lack of neither rhyme nor reason in the compilation; they have merely been reviewed as they have come available. Some were new releases, some blends and some no longer available.

Additionally whiskies that have achieved an equal score (for example 88 points) have not been reliably listed alphabetically merely to further demonstrate the lack of neither rhyme nor reason.

92 Bowmore 36yo 1972 (45.4%, Signatory, C#3890, 540 Bts., +/-2009)
92 Tomintoul 43yo 1967/2010 (44.3%, A. Dewar Rattray, Bourbon, 123 Bts., C#2337)
92 Isle of Arran 14yo (56.3%, OB, Premium Cask Selection, C#797, 520 Bts., D’09/05/97 B’11/08/11)
91 Alberta Premium 30yo (40%, OB, 2011)
91 Banff 34yo (44.1%, A. Dewar Rattray, Bourbon, C#3354, 250 Bts., D’12/11/75 B’09/08/10)
91 GORDON & MACPHAIL GENERATIONS GLENLIVET 1940 – 70 Years Old 45.9%
91 Catto’s 25yo 150th Anniversary (40%, OB, 2011)
90 Amrut NAS 100 (57.1%%, OB, 2011)
90 Benromach 21yo (43%, OB, +/-2010)
90 Glen Grant 41yo (49.4%, G&M, Refill Sherry HHd, C#6718, D28/11/’66 B25/09/’08)
90 GORDON & MACPHAIL PRIVATE COLLECTION Glenlivet 1963 40.6%
90 Grant’s 25yo Blended Scotch Whisky (40%, OB, 2010)
90 Greenore 18yo (46%, Cooley Distillery PLC Single Grain Irish Whiskey)
90 Hazelburn 9yo (46%, Duthies, Sherry, 634 Bts., +/-2010)
90 Isle of Arran 8yo McCulloch (49%, OB, C#772 B’ 01/09/2010)
90 Inchgower 36yo 1974/2010 (56.4%, Dewar Rattray, Bourbon, 229 Bts., C#7762)
90 Port Ellen 29yo (55.3%, OB, 6618 Bts., ‘1978, 8th Annual Release)
90 Tamdhu 30yo 1980/2010 (55.5%, A. Dewar Rattray, Bourbon, 152 Bts., C#9224)
90 Thomas Handy Sazerac NAS Limited Edition Straight Rye Kentucky Whiskey (63.45%, OB, +/-2009)
90 Maker’s 46 (47%, OB, +/-2010)
89 Ardbeg 1998 12yo (46%, Chieftains’ Range)
89 BenRiach 19yo 1991/2010 (46%, A. Dewar Rattray, Bourbon, 226 bts., C#110682)
89 Black Bull 12yo (50%, OB, +/2010)
89 Bowmore 20yo 1990/2010 (50.2%, 1st fill Bourbon 204 Bts., C#272)
89 Edradour 13yo 1997 (56.4%, OB, C#185, +/- 2010)
89 Edradour 24yo (50.7%, OB, PX Sherry, C#09/151, +/-2010)
89 Glenfiddich Snow Phoenix (47.6%, OB, 2010)
89 Glenglassaugh 29yo (53%, A. Dewar Rattray, Bourbon C#2368, 290 Bts., D’17/12/’76 B10/08’06)
89 Linkwood 26yo 1984/2010 (55.9%, A. Dewar Rattray, Bourbon, 306 bts., C#1624)
89 Macallan NAS Cask Strength (58.6%, OB, Sherry Oak, +/- 2010)
89 NIKKA 21yo (45%, OB, Taketsuru ‘Pure Malt’, +/-2010)
88 Ardbeg NAS Alligator (51.2%, OB, 2011)
88 Aberfeldy 21yo (40%, OB, +/-2010) 
88 Amrut NAS Herald (60.8%, OB, C#2857, 231 Bts, 2011) 
88 Amrut NAS Two Continents 2nd Edition (50%, OB, 2011) 
88 AnCnoc 14yo 1993/2007 (43%, OB) 
88 Benromach Peat Smoke 2002/2010 (46%, OB, Batch #3, 1st Fill Bourbon) 
88 Caol Ila 30yo (58.8%, A. Dewar Rattray, Bourbon, C#4679, 157 Bts., D’15/05/80 B’09/08/10 
88 Edradour 12yo Caledonia (46%, OB, +/-2010) 
88 GlenDronach 31yo (45.8%, OB, ‘Grandeur’, 1013 Bts, Batch #1) 
88 Glenfarclas 12yo (43%, OB, +/-2010) 
88 GORDON & MACPHAIL PRIVATE COLLECTION GLENLIVET 1954 50.6% 
88 GORDON & MACPHAIL PRIVATE COLLECTION GLENLIVET 1974 50.1% 
88 Grant’s 18yo Blended Scotch Whisky (40%, OB, 2010) 
88 Hibiki 12yo Japanese Blended Whisky (43%, OB, +/-2010) 
88 Highland Park 18yo 1992/2010 (58.6%, A. Dewar Rattray, Bourbon/Rum, 118 bts., C#2) 
88 Isle of Arran 10yo (57.3%, OB, ex-bourbon, C#94, 209 Bts., D’19/7/99 B’26/4/10) 
88 Isle of Arran 13yo 1997/2010 (46%, A. Dewar Rattray, Bourbon, 255 Bts., C#97/509) 
88 Laphroaig 13yo (58%, A. Dewar Rattray, Bourbon/Sherry, C#3329, 307 Bts., D’28/04/97 B’09/08/10)
88 Mackinlay’s Rare Old Highland Malt (Shackleton, 47.3%) 
88 Speyburn 25yo Solera (46%, OB, +/-2010) 
87 Balmenach 18yo (46%, Deerstalker, +/-2011) 
87 Chivas Regal 12yo (40%, OB, +/- 2010) 
87 Glencadam 21yo (46%, OB, +/-2010) 
87 Grant’s 12yo Blended Scotch Whisky (40%, OB, 2010) 
87 Johnnie Walker Black Label 12yo Blended Scotch Whisky (40%, OB, -+/1 2010) 
87 Ledaig 13yo (46%, Duthies, 660 Bts., +/-2010) 
87 MacDuff 9yo 2000/2010 (61.1%, Dewar Rattray, 1st Fill Sherry, 307 Bts., C#5778) 
87 Tomatin 21yo (55.2%, A. Dewar Rattray, Bourbon, C#1088, 213 Bts., D’01/06/88 B’ 06/05/10) 
87 Yamazaki 12yo (43%, OB, +/-2010) 
89 Ballantine’s 17yo (43%, OB, +/-2011) 
86 Amrut NAS Portonova (62.1%, OB, 2011) 
86 Ballantines Special Reserve 12yo (40%, OB, +/-2010) 
86 Bruichladdich “Laddie Classic” Edition 01 (46%, OB, 2009) 
86 Dewar’s 12yo Special Reserve (40%, OB, +/-2010)
86 GORDON & MACPHAIL PRIVATE COLLECTION GLENLIVET 1991 54.4%
86 Glenmorangie Nectar D’Or 12yo (46%, OB, +/-2010)
86 JOHNNIE WALKER DOUBLE BLACK BLENDED SCOTCH WHISKY (40%, OB, +/- 2010)
86 Longmorn 19yo (46%, Duthies, 506 Bts., +/-2010)
86 Longmorn 20yo (52.8%, A. Dewar Rattray, Bourbon, C#30025, 241 Bts., D’26/02/90 B’09/08/10)
86 Spey Cast 12yo (40%, James Gordon & Co, +/-2010)
86 The Irishman NAS ‘Rare Cask Strength’ (53%, OB, 2850 bts., 2010)
85 Antiquary 12yo (40%, OB, +/-2010)
85 Bowmore 17yo (46%, Duthies, 573 Bts., +/- 2010)
85 Edradour Ballechin #2 Madeira Matured (46%, OB, +/-2010)
85 Glenallachie 12yo (46%, Duncan Taylor NC2 D’1995 B’2007)
85 Glen Keith 17yo (59.7%, A. Dewar Rattray, Bourbon, C#120548, 189 Bts., D’01/10/92 B’09/08/10)
85 GORDON & MACPHAIL. PRIVATE COLLECTION GLENLIVET 1980 48.5%
85 Highland Park 1998/2010 (40%, OB)
85 Jameson NAS (40%, OB, 2010) Lot JQ-058548
85 Edradour Ballechin #2 Madeira Matured (46%, OB, +/-2010)
85 Isle of Arran “Machrie Moor” (46%, OB, 9,000 Bts., 2010)
85 Glen Garioch 20yo (56%, A. Dewar Rattray, Bourbon, C#5878, 278 Bts., D’07/09/90 B’09/08/10
84 Glen Grant 13yo 1997/2010 (46%, Chieftain’s Range)
84 Wemyss 15yo “The Hive” (46%, OB, Hogshead, 396 Bts., 2009)
82 Aberlour 14yo (56.4% A. Dewar Rattray, Bourbon, C#90081, 368 Bts., D’15/02/96 B’09/08/10 (Bottled ay 46%)
81 Old Parr 12yo (40%, OB, +/-2010)
81 The Cigar Malt Fifth Edition 15yo (46%, Chieftain’s Range)
81 Strathmill 18yo (55.9%, A. Dewar Rattray, Bourbon, C#4123, 171 Bts., D’07/10/91 B’09/08/10 (Bottled ay 46%)
80 Aultmore 12yo 1997/2009 (46%, Chieftain’s Range, Medoc Finish)
80 Edradour “Straight from the Cask” Portwood Finish 11yo (55.8%, OB, +/-2010)
80 Sullivans Cove NAS ‘Cask Strength (60%, OB, Bourbon, C#HH0602, 222 Bts, D’ 21/2/2001 B’ 10/09/2009)
79 Isle of Jura 18yo (40%, OB, +/-2010)
78 Edradour 10yo (40%, OB, +/-2010)
64 Auchroisk 20yo (46%, Duthies, 714 Bts., +/-2010)
54 Longrow 9yo (46%, Duthies, Sherry, 738 Bts., +/- 2011)

Announcing the

2012 Drammie Awards

Call for Nominations

It’s with great excitement that ForWhiskeyLovers announces the Call For Nominations for the 2012 Drammie Awards.

The mission of the Drammie Awards is to put the power of “recognition” in the hands of the whiskey consumer.

The 2012 competition commences with a nominating process where WhiskeyLovers can submit their own nomination(s) for any number of 15 total award categories.

The fifteen nominating categories are:

1. Best Whiskey Packaging

2. Best Whiskey Marketing Campaign

3. Worst Whiskey Marketing Campaign
4. Best Whiskey Distillery Tour
5. Whiskey Innovator of the Year/ Innovative New Whiskey
6. Best Whiskey Information Source (Blog, Podcast, Magazine/ other)
7. Best Whiskey Bar
8. Best New Whiskey Related Product (book, resource, web site, etc)
9. Whiskey Blender of the Year
10. Independent Whiskey Bottler of the Year
11. Whiskey Distillery of the Year
12. Most Underrated Whiskey
13. Best Whiskey Value/ Bang for the Buck
14. Best New Whiskey of 2012
15. Best Whiskey of 2012

Nominations will be accepted for three weeks, or until midnight on Friday, March 30th 2012. You can enter your nominations here.

After nominations are closed, ForWhiskeyLovers will post the top five (5) nominations (those receiving the most nominating votes) for each category on ForWhiskeyLovers.com, and voting will commence to select the category winners. Voting will be conducted for another two weeks, until Friday April 13th 2012.

The 2012 Drammie Award Winners will be announced on Monday April 16th.

Doug Stone
Founder
ForWhiskeyLovers.com

Ed Kohl invited to join The Keepers of the Quaich Society

Ed Kohl, Managing Director of ImpEx Beverages, Inc. has been invited to enter the esteemed Keepers of the Quaich Society. The induction ceremony will take place on April 23, 2012, during the next Keeper’s banquet at Blair Castle of Atholl Estates in the Highland region of Scotland. The Keepers of the Quaich is a Scotch Whisky society with membership by invitation only, founded to acknowledge those who have contributed to the Scotch Whisky industry. This prestigious honor was given to Ed Kohl in recognition of 17+ years of contributions to the industry. Kohl was chosen specifically for his ability to blend the old with the new. He has enhanced scotch awareness with his non-stop national tasting seminars, sharing his palate with connoisseurs and recently discovered scotch lovers. He uses modern social media venues such as Facebook and Twitter to keep regular fans posted on announcements and upcoming events. His use of social media venues also serves to attract a different demographic from the “traditional” scotch lovers and cultivates passion for whisky in a variety of age groups.

A leading whisky expert and spirit specialist, Kohl conducts more than 100 educational seminar tastings every year. He travels the United States promoting the ImpEx portfolio of products while maintaining close relationships with manufacturers, distributors, retailers and consumers. He is passionate about single malt Scotch whisky and has a niche focus in understanding the needs of independent bottlers and how to successfully bring new products to market. ImpEx Beverages, Inc. is the exclusive USA importer of a variety of products including the Ian MacLeod brands: Chieftain’s, Isle of Skye, and SMOKEHEAD. Prior to founding ImpEx Beverages, Inc., Ed spent 15 years as North American Marketing Manager for Signatory Vintage Scotch Whisky Co.

ImpEx Beverages, Inc.
300 Swift Ave.
Side B Suite 9
So. San Francisco, CA 94080
Phone: 650.872.1113
Fax: 650.872.1114
Email: office@impexbev.com
www.impexbev.com

Canada

Royal Canadian Small Batch Canadian Whiskey 750ml – 11 available ($19.99)

Ireland  

Redbreast 12 Year Old Cask Strength Pure Pot Still Irish Whiskey 750ml ($59.99)

United States – Bourbon

John B. Stetson Kentucky Straight Bourbon 750ml ($24.99)

Scotland 

1964 Black Bowmore “Final Edition” Islay Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Elsewhere $5900) – 1 available ($5,499.99) Bottled in 1995, turns out it wasn’t really the “Final Edition,” but another Black Bowmore was not released for 11 years. Do not confuse this with that less rare Black Bowmore 42 Year bottled in 2006. Incredible rich and infamously delicious from some of the finest Sherry butts to ever land on the Islay’s shores. This is the only bottle available from the 1995 release in the USA. Totally worth the outstanding price! Bottle no. 629.

Mackinlay’s Rare Old Highland Whisky 750ml ($179.99)

Laphroaig 10 year old Original Cask Strength Islay Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($65.99) Whisky Magazine says, “Nose: Fresh, mild antiseptic, subtle peat smoke; Palate: Complex. Smoked haddock, cut plug tobacco, burnt newspapers, but buttery, sweeter cooked fruit notes predominate; Finish: Chewy toffee drying out to oak; Comment: A fine robust dram with lots happening. Laphroaig at its best.” Now bottled at 57.8%! “Amber with gold streaks. Its aroma and flavor is fresh, powerful, and medicinal, with notes of peat smoke, band-aids, tar, rich toffee, seaweed, and brine. Thick in body, with an almost molasses-like viscosity.” 92 points – Malt Advocate

K&L Wine Merchants

http://www.klwines.com
Phone: 877-KLWines (toll free 877-559-4637)
Email: wine@klwines.com
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA