The Quaich Awards™

Announcing the most prestigious whisky awards in North America

                                            Entry details

Mission Statement

Companions of the Quaich, Canada’s Premier Malt Whisky Appreciation Society, is proud to announce the establishment of an awards program to recognize and reward licensed restaurants, hotels and bars across Canada that meet the highest standards of excellence in the provision and promotion of Malt whisky.  This award will be the most prestigious and desirable of its kind in North America.

The Quaich Awards will honour establishments that exhibit a passion for Single Malts by offering a significant number of brands served by knowledgeable professionals.

All entries will be assessed by a panel of qualified whisky and hospitality judges. 

THERE IS NO CHARGE  OR FEE FOR SUBMITTING ENTRIES.

Five Levels of Recognition

One Quaich  will recognize establishments which offer up to 25 selections.

Two Quaichs   will recognize establishments up to 50 selections and a good cross-section and regional representation.

 Three Quaichs  will recognize establishments with up to 100 selections and a good cross section and regional representation.

 Four Quaichs   will recognize establishments with up to 200 selections and a good cross section and  regional representation.

 Five Quaichs  will recognize establishments with over 300 selections and a complete representation from all regions of Scotland and the world, and well informed staff.

Rare Platinum Award  will recognize establishments with over 500 selections, a complete regional and world representation, appropriate equipment and trained staff.

Our goal is to recognize those establishments which already have a great Single Malt list and encourage everyone to move towards the ultimate award of Five Quaichs.

The Companions of the Quaich is proud of all the many establishments across Canada which feature Single Malt whisky.  We believe you should be honoured.  We want to highlight the excellence of Single Malt on the world stage.  We are creating a web directory with you in it so that Single Malt lovers know where to find a great dram wherever they are in Canada.

There is no charge or fee for submitting entries or receiving awards.

Submit to the email provided a copy of your list in pdf (we do not want a hard copy) a brief description of your restaurant/bar/hotel and your philosophy on whisky (100 words or less).  Please enclose a picture of your establishment for the website.

All entries will be assessed by our team of qualified whisky and hospitality judges.

http://thequaichawards.com/

January 2011 Outturn: New Year, New Adventure

Start 2011 as you mean to go on…explore the dizzy new heights of our latest crop of the finest single cask, single malt whiskies on the planet.

Pair Recommendation: Buy 9.56 & 26.71 together and save £16

9.56 Mom’s apple pie 
Speyside Spey
£38.90 inc. free P&P
The first impression is of sweet pastry and fresh apples (perhaps with a trace of mint); a soft nose, with light vanilla and some barley-sugar

26.71 The Great Outdoors  
Highland Northern
£74.40 inc. free P&P
The fresh nose brought us outdoors – wet sand, chalky cliffs and rock pools with fishing nets catching shellfish and crabs.

Trio Recommendation: Buy 93.43, 76.79 & 23.68 & save £18.30
93.43 Two-faced duality
Campbeltown
£43.20 inc. free P&P
The nose somehow balanced grapefruit, juniper, sandalwood, sweet tobacco, syrupy cherries and plum against oily, metallic machine smells

76.79 Sherry fusion
Speyside Spey
 £49.60 inc. free P&P
The full inviting and juicy nose oozed fruitcake and leather; a fusion of venison and deep currant jus, gutsy steak, walnut and prunes

23.68 Smoky Pavlova
Islay
£41.10 inc. Free P&P
The intriguing nose had smoked cheese, evostick and peppermint, tarragon, butterscotch and vanilla cream

**Tasting Panel Recommendation…
27.89 Greek lamb with a leather handbag

Society 2011 Burns Whisky Tasting & Events

Aberdeen Burns Tasting – Caledonian Thistle Hotel, Fri 21 Jan
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. 

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ
Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm).

Visit http://www.smws.co.uk/memberships for your chance to join the Society. 

Happy New Year.

I hope you enjoyed your New Year celebrations and welcomed in 2011 in style with a wee dram of your favourite Jura malt. The island brought in the bells with some of the local musicians playing in the Jura Pub, it’s an annual tradition here on the island and a great time was had by all.

I love the festive season. Great company, lovely food and brilliant TV. In fact I thought the TV was exceptionally good this year with one particular show outshining all the blockbuster movies!

I am of course talking about the two part series ‘Three men Go To Scotland’ on BBC2 in the UK. It featured none other than yours truly, welcoming well-known presenters and comedians Rory McGrath, Dara O’Briain and Griff Rhys Jones to the Isle of Jura. The guys enjoyed a great time on the island and I had the great pleasure in welcoming Rory as the first Honorary Master Diurach here at the distillery.

If you missed it first time round, don’t worry, part one is being repeated at 11:45pm (GMT) this Saturday and part two this Sunday at 11:30pm (GMT) all on BBC2 in the UK. So set some time aside, pour yourself a wee dram and drink in some beautiful scenery.

Don’t worry if you’re not in the UK, you won’t miss out! You can also click here to visit my blog on the Jura website to find out all about the show.

I’m off to practice my poems for Burns night!

Slainte

Willie Cochrane
Jura Distillery Manager

P.S. If you have friends or family who also share your passion for Jura whisky and might like to become Diurachs send them to www.isleofjura.com where they’ll discover more about our mystical isle.

The Highlander Inn’s “Unique Whisky Breakfast”

Over the weekend of 4th – 5th September 2010, The Highlander Inn was honoured to prepare and serve a special “Whisky Breakfast” for all 150 participants at Maltstock 2010 in Nijmegen, The Netherlands.

Included as a part of this breakfast was an absolutely unique “Maltstock Breakfast Whisky” created by Compass Box Whisky’s own John Glaser, especially for the event!

It was a vatting of Clynelish and Caol Ila with an average age of 18 years that had been gently maturing and marrying in an unusual old Bourbon Cask for over 4 years. Only 41 bottles were produced, almost all of which were consumed over the 2 days.

We’ve now recreated ~ with the full support of both the Maltstock organisers and John Glaser ~ the same breakfast here at the Highlander Inn for you to enjoy.

The Menu
•Orange juice
•Choice of cereals and grapefruit segments from the buffet
•Scrambled or fried eggs
Grilled Dufftown bacon & sausages, mushrooms, tomatoes,
Locally caught haggis, black pudding
•Breakfast tea or real strong cafétiere coffee
•Loads of toast, marmalades, jams and honey,
•and a dram of ………
•Compass Box “Maltstock Breakfast Whisky”

The Cost? Just £22.50 per person including V.A.T. (or a &pound12.00 supplement per person if staying at the Highlander Inn.)

How to book? Because bookings need to be made in advance, just pop in and see us (or give us a call) the day before, or email us at least 48 hrs in advance.

The Highlander Inn, Craigellachie, Speyside, Banffshire, AB38 9SR, Scotland.
Telephone: +44(0)1340 881446 Fax: +44(0)1340 881520  Email: info@whiskyinn.com Web:  http://www.whiskyinn.com/

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you once again for your support and patronage of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society. As a gesture of our appreciation we are pleased to announce our annual January Sale. For the month of January 2011, you will receive a discount of $10.00 for each bottle of Society whisky you purchase. It’s a great opportunity to acquire favorite Society bottlings. We have three outstanding new Society whiskies for your consideration, listed below. http://www.smwsa.com/members/outturn/outturn.pdf

Enjoy your Society whiskies in good health and moderation.

Best regards

Alan Shayne, President

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society of America Ltd.

To join the Scotch Malt Whisky Society of America please visit http://www.smwsa.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=26&Itemid=43

Great Deals to Start the New Year!!!

111470 Glenfiddich 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch $23.99 $19.99
126840 Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon 1.75 $28.99 $26.99
169214 Glengrant 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch $37.99 $29.99

Featured Whiskies By Forrest Cokely

PORT ELLEN 25 Year CHIEFTAINS
This Chieftains offering of Port Ellen was distilled in 1982 –just before the distillery closed— and then aged for 25 long years. The Whisky from this distillery is a rare treasure of illustrious reputation and this selection lives up to that celebrated status exceptionally. Nosing reveals wood fire, dried pears, sea weed, toasted coconut, chocolate, fennel, salty butter and smoked apricots. The flavors flow in an oily palate which show again the aromas and escalate to include fried salt-pork and smoky heather –reminiscent of a campfire, lake side with some very close friends. The finish is vigorous and lingering with tantalizing flavors of smoke and grilled fruit that oscillate back and forth. For the lover of the big bold taste of Islay malt, this whisky is exquisite, superlative, elegant and sublime; try this neat with plenty of time to savor it.
$269.99 750ml [163861]

KILCHOMAN ISLAY SINGLE MALT
This is the second offering from the first distillery built on Islay in 124 years. It started in 2005, and what a glorious beginning. The distillery is situated on a barley field and uses all of its own barley, that is malted there and then distilled. This is the Summer 2010 release and it is limited. Kilchoman is planning on releasing a steady stream of whiskies so that we can taste the glorious, ongoing evolution of this amazing, new whisky. On the nose it shows delicate smoke, cigar box, lychee candy, greengage plum and a subtle back note of coriander. The palate entry is oily and smooth showing barley malt, light saltiness and peat that build with a savoriness expanding to a finish that is lingering, briny, fresh, awake and pleasant. This is a stunning young whisky that shows incredible labryrinthine refinement. Try it neat or give it to (Share it with?) the ‘Smoky’ Whisky fan in your life.
$63.99 750ml [109644]

OLD PULTENEY 21 YEAR
Old Pulteney opened it doors in 1823 before there were even roads into the town and all their supplys came in and out by boat. This 21 year old Whisky is aged in Bourbon and Sherry casks (both made from American Oak) to dimensionalise this splendid single malt. This is a tremendous example of un-chillfiltered and exquisitely matured Highland style single malt. Leading with aromas of straw, apricot, fresh cut wood, honey, alfalfa, pear and peach, the structure and balance beautifully reveal the influence from the barrels. The mouth feel is full and creamy, starting sweet where the nose left off and building with intricate flavors like vanilla, grains of paradise, dried lemon peal and soft coriander which culminate to an astounding effect. The finish is quiet, quick, fresh and natural, leaving you ready for another dram. Try this neat in an appropriate glass and enjoy.
Sale $99.99 Regularly $119.95 750ml [167795]
 

250 Ogle Street Costa Mesa CA 92627 1(800) 331-3005
 
http://www.hitimewine.net

Happy 2011 from the Dundee Dell
5007 Underwood Ave
Omaha, Nebraska 68132
 
Hi there Dellrods!

We’re busy welcoming in 2011 around here, and plenty of changes are afoot.
 
After ten incredible years, the Dell and I have decided to part ways. I have had many amazing experiences here, made lifelong friends, had too many laughs to count, overcome challenges and found my passion in life. Whisky! Who knew? Well, I get pretty excited about fish and chips too. I am off into the wild blue beyond, but will make sure to keep you posted on what’s new. You’ll still see my face around, can’t get rid of me that easily!
 
I want to encourage every Dellrod to take the time to stop in sometime soon and see how times they are a’changing. Come visit us this week for a Scotch Tasting, the ever-capable and brilliant (Cortney/Rachel) will wow you with great whiskies and fresh takes on their production and palates. The theme is “For Peat’s Sake,” we’re tasting peaty whiskies from the Highlands and Speyside (traditionally non-peated areas) and non-peated whiskies from the Islands. Tastings are this Thursday at 7:00PM and Sunday the 9th at 4:00PM. Although our Holiday bottle sale has ended, we’ve got plenty of of stock and some new whiskies to taste and buy. Casey and Cortney are in tonight, and as always, Tuesdays are “Tapped Out Tuesdays,” this means $3 pints and drams of Single Malt for the price of a peg. It’s the Scotchiest night of the week!
 
My old email address monique@dundeedell.com is no longer valid, so here’s the new one: whiskymonique@hotmail.com I would love to hear from you. I am still always available for conversation, recommendations and insight.
 
With all the shifts in schedule, you’ll start to see some new faces, and probably see more of the ones you love. Please help us continue to challenge eachother and grow as a team. Hope to see each and every one of you soon at the Dundee Dell!
 
A fond farewell with love and hugs… Monique
 
(and Pat and the whole Dundee Dell crew)

Happy New Year from Abbey Whisky!!!

Thank you to all our customers in 2010. To show our appreciation, Abbey Whisky will not be  passing on the increase in VAT to our customers.

Slàinte

Mike & Peter

Abbey Whisky

Remember ! We offer free postage to UK mainland. £16.00 to most of Europe. Great Prices to the USA.

Have you ever wanted to own your own cask of whisky? You can now own your very own cask of Glenglassaugh spirit, for only £500!!! Contact us for more details on this great offer…

Abbey Whisky

www.abbeywhisky.com

enquiries@abbeywhisky.com

Specialist supplier of rare, collectable and exclusive malts.

Behind the Blend with Ludo

Happy New Year!

Good morning all,

Welcome to 2011 – I hope it sees you in good health and good spirits (no pun intended!).

Did you stay up to see the New Year in? Did you celebrate in any unusual  – and printable – way, or come up with interesting resolutions? Let us know!

All the best and a very happy…

http://blog.grantswhisky.com/2011/01/happy-new-year-2/

Kind regards,
Ludo

The Maltstock crew wish you a happy New Year! We hope to see you 9-10-11 September 2011. Arthur, Bob, Eline, Rogier, Teun and the entire crew.

Visit Maltstock at www.maltstock.com