SOUTHERN COMFORT LAUNCHES BOLD BLACK CHERRY

New line extension expands Southern Comfort family of brands beginning in June

May 2012, LOUISVILLE, KY – Southern Comfort announces the launch of Southern Comfort Bold Black Cherry, a mixture of Southern Comfort with whiskey and cherry flavors. The new product is set to hit shelves nationally in June 2012.

Southern Comfort was created by New Orleans bartender, Martin Wilkes (M.W.) Heron in 1874. After experimenting with a variety of fruits, spices and other spirits, Heron struck on the perfect combination creating a one-of-a-kind blend of whiskey, fruit, and spice flavors. The new Bold Black Cherry product carries on Southern Comfort’s heritage as the leader in the flavored spirit category. The combination of dark fruits with Southern Comfort is perfectly served with cola to enhance the rich, complex flavor.

“The launch of Southern Comfort Bold Black Cherry continues the brand’s innovation with new flavors which began with Southern Comfort Lime in 2010 and continued with Southern Comfort Fiery Pepper last fall,” said Mark Bacon, VP, Managing Director, Southern Comfort. “We feel Bold Black Cherry will recruit new consumers into the Southern Comfort franchise who enjoy a distinctive flavor profile in their cocktails.”

Infused with natural cherry to deliver an authentic taste that’s smooth and invigorating, Southern Comfort Bold Black Cherry has been designed to appeal to a broad age range and meet consumer demand for great tasting flavors that are unique. The brand is confident the new expression will continue to increase relevancy amongst younger drinkers, offering a bolder drink that’s ideal for high energy occasions.

Southern Comfort will launch an advertising campaign this summer consisting of a six-week national television buy which will support the new product release and include commercials on ESPN, TBS, FX and Comedy Central among others.

Southern Comfort Bold Black Cherry will be available across the United States as well as the United Kingdom and Ireland. Each bottle will be presented at 70 proof with a suggested retail price of $16.99 for a 750ml bottle.

SoCo Bold Black Cherry & Cola

2 oz. Southern Comfort Bold Black Cherry

4 oz. Cola

Lemon Wedge

Fill a glass with cubed ice. Pour in Southern Comfort Bold Black Cherry. Add Cola and garnish with lemon wedge.

About Southern Comfort

Southern Comfort®, a fruit, spice, and whiskey flavored liqueur, was created in New Orleans by bartender M.W. Heron in 1874. Today, it is enjoyed by friends in over 100 countries around the world and continues to grow as an icon brand. Please visit us at SouthernComfort.com and facebook.com/southerncomfort.

GEORGE T. STAGG BOURBON NAMED TOP SPIRIT IN THE WORLD FOR SECOND YEAR IN A ROW!

American Bourbon’s Dominance Over Scotch Whisky Continues!

FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (May, 2012) – For the second year in row, George T. Stagg, the iconic uncut, unfiltered bourbon released annually from Buffalo Trace Distillery, has been named the number one spirit in the world by noted spirits reviewer F. Paul Pacult.

The list, compiled annually by Pacult, will be released in his June 2012 issue of The Spirit Journal. Last year, George T. Stagg was the first American Whiskey to ever be named number one in The Spirit Journal’s 13 years of tabulating. Stagg knocked off the perennial favorite Highland Park 18 Scotch Whisky for the first time ever, and this year the Stagg beat out a Northern Highlands Single Malt Scotch.

Notes Pacult about this year’s winners, “Spirits are continually getting better and more sophisticated each year. It’s no surprise to us that three of the top five spirits in the world hail from Kentucky, which right now is one of the hotbeds of distilling prowess.”

The George T. Stagg Bourbon Whiskey is part of the Antique Collection that is released each fall from Buffalo Trace Distillery. Long considered the frontrunner of the Collection, the Stagg has collected numerous awards over the years, including the 2012 Bourbon of the Year; the 2012 Second Finest Whiskey in the World from Jim Murray’s 2012 Whisky Bible; 2012 Gold Medal, San Francisco World Spirits Competition; 2011 Ultimate Spirits Competition Chairman’s Trophy Winner; 2011 Double Gold Winner, Best Bourbon, San Francisco World Spirits Competition; the 2010 American Whiskey of the Year from Jim Murray’s 2010 Whiskey Bible; 2009 Bourbon of the Year and Best Bourbon Aged 13-17 Years from Jim Murray’s 2009 Whiskey Bible; among others.

The 2012 version of the George T. Stagg will be released later this fall with the Antique Collection. Suggested retail pricing of the Stagg is $69.99.

About Buffalo Trace Distillery

Buffalo Trace Distillery is a family-owned company based in Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky. The Distillery’s rich distilling tradition dates back to 1787 and includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee. Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational Distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Distillery has won seven distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. It was named Whisky Magazine 2010 World Icons of Whisky “Whisky Visitor Attraction of the Year.” Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 200 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery visit www.buffalotrace.com

Dear Malt Messenger Subscribers, 

I’ve had a hard time keeping this quiet, but now I can finally spill the beans, Kensington Wine Market has been granted Canada’s First Ardbeg Embassy, we’re going to celebrate! We have two events coming up this Saturday, June the 2nd to coincide with International Ardbeg Day: a free drop in tasting from 2-4PM and a whisky dinner at Buchanan’s Chop House starting at 7PM. For more details on the events see below! 

And thanks for helping make Kensington Wine Market Canada’s first Ardbeg Embassy! 

International Ardbeg Day Calgary Events on June 2nd 

1. Free Drop in Tasting – Drop by the Kensington Wine Market, 1257 Kensington Road NW, between 2 and 4PM this Saturday June 2nd for the opportunity to sample the Ardbeg range and get a great deal on Ardbeg single malts. We will have the Ardbeg 10 Year, Blasda, Uigeadail and Corryvreckan all open for sampling and for just two hours they will be available for purchase at a 15% discount! No need to RSVP, just drop in and help us celebrate with a dram…
2. Ardbeg Dinner at Buchanan’s Chop House – The second event, a dinner at Buchanan’s Chop House will take place at 7PM the same evening, Saturday June 2nd. This dinner will feature a flight of Ardbegs, including a bottle of the now sold out Ardbeg Alligator, carefully paired with food by the maestros at Buchanan’s. Tickets for this event are $100. Please send me an email if you would like to register for the event. At last count there weren’t many tickets left! – $100 

Kensington Wine Market Spring Whisky Week is Coming Up – June 12th – 14th  

Our Spring whisky week is just around the corner, with three incredible events:

1. Lost in Translation – Tuesday June 12th 7PM – A special Japanese whisky tasting featuring six Japanese whiskies all exclusive to the Kensington Wine Market in Alberta. Four of these whiskies are exceptionally rare single cask bottlings: Nikka Coffee Malt 1998, Nikka Coffee Grain 1997, Nikka Yoichi 1991 and Nikka Miyagikyo 1988. It will be a great tasting and an opportunity to learn a little bit about the Japanese whisky industry which is very nearly 100 years old. – $60
2. Spring Single Malt Festival – Thursday June 14th 7PM – 100 or so of the best whiskies in the province in Canada’s Best little whisky festival. Tickets are limited very limited. – $60 – Sold Out
3. The Ultimate Dalmore Tasting – Friday June 15th 7PM – Quite simply put the most exceptional tasting of Dalmore whiskies ever put on in Canada. The tasting won’t feature just one, but two different 40 year old distillery bottlings of Dalmore, plus a 45 Year, and a number of vintage releases. Prepare to be impressed! – $250

Slainte!  

Andrew Ferguson 

PS-Don’t forget to check out my tour blog at http://fergusonwhiskytours.com/?page_id=10 or that you can follow me on twitter at www.twitter.com/scotch_guy .

Ian Macleod Distillers Unveils New Look for Isle of Skye Blended Scotch Whisky

28.05.12, Edinburgh: Independent bottlers and distillers, Ian Macleod Distillers, has revealed a new design for the core expressions of its award-winning Isle of Skye Blended Scotch Whisky range.

Reconnecting the brand with its historic home, the new packaging for Isle of Skye 8 Years Old and 12 Years Old takes direct inspiration from the majestic scenery and romance of Scotland’s famous ‘Misty Isle’.

With a new standout colour palette on the label and bottle top that reflects the Red and Black Hills of the Cuillin Mountains, the new label design introduces a striking watercolour sunset over the Isle of Skye, perfectly showcased by a new premium distinctive bespoke bottle.

Based on a family recipe that blends distinctive peaty Island and mellow Speyside Malts, Isle of Skye was created by the company’s founder Ian Macleod, whose signature appears on the label and bottle top.

The new age-roundel on both the red and cream label of the 8 Years Old and black and gold design of the 12 Years Old adds greater prominence to the age statement, emphasising the premium quality of Isle of Skye. While the majority of Blended Scotch Whiskies are un-aged, Isle of Skye is unusual in its guarantee that all the Single Malts used in its blend recipe are matured in oak casks for at least 8 or 12 years.

This commitment to excellence has led to Isle of Skye being favoured by whisky expert Jim Murray in the 2012 Whisky Bible, rating Isle of Skye 8 Years Old as a ‘superstar whisky that gives us a reason to live’.*

Iain Weir, Director of Marketing for Ian Macleod Distillers commented: “We wanted the new brand design to create an authentic representation of Isle of Skye’s core values – the values that are embedded in its age statement and island heritage. The new packaging will also ensure better shelf-standout and reinforce its position as a premium quality, award-winning Blended Scotch Whisky.

“Famed for its breathtaking scenery and historical legend, Skye has an infinite romantic appeal that we wanted to capture in the Isle of Skye re-packaging. The imagery of the sunset over the Cuillin Mountains suggests a sense of relaxation and contentment. Whether you are toasting your success conquering a Munro or enjoying a reviving dram at the end of a hard day, we want Isle of Skye to be the Blended Scotch synonymous with that sense of achievement, satisfaction and reward.”

The Isle of Skye 8 Years Old is available in a range of sizes (1.5 litre, 70cl, 35cl and 5cl). UK stockists include Scottish Tesco and Asda stores and all good specialist drinks outlets. Isle of Skye 8 Years Old can also be purchased online www.isleofskye.com.

Isle of Skye 12 Years Old Blended Scotch Whisky is currently only available in international markets including the USA. Other expressions in the range include limited editions 21 and 50 Years Old available in the UK and internationally. The repackaged Isle of Skye range will launch in the USA later this year.

For further information visit: www.isleofskyewhisky.com

Tickets Now Available to 2012 Kentucky Bourbon Festival Events

(Bardstown, KY). Tickets for the Kentucky Bourbon Festival are now available. The 21st annual festival is set for September 11-16, 2012.

Tickets are available for the following events:
• All Star Sampler, (a KDA members Bourbon tasting event) September 12, 2012, $40 each
• Any Way She Like It, review the different aromas and flavor bourbons to pair with food, September 14, $35 each.
• Boots and Bourbon, (come to the Wild Turkey “Sit and Sip” saloon for games, dancing, great food and more) September 13, $45 each.
• Bourbon Cocktail Mixology, Sample an array of Bourbon-based cocktails created by the Bad Girl of Bourbon Joy Perrine. September 13, 14, and 15, $50 each.
• Culinary Art Bourbon-Style Cooking School, enjoy foods prepared with Jim Beam products, September 13, $50 each.
• Let’s Talk Bourbon, breakfast and a detailed seminar on the history and process of making Bourbon at Four Roses Distillery, September 14, $30 each.
• Sip and Savor in the Spirit of Old Kentucky, a food and Bourbon pairing presented by Nick Sullivan from the well known 610 Magnolia Restaurant, Sept 15, $40 each; Learn how and why they pair with the different offerings of food.
• Bourbon Cigars and Jazz, a taste of New Orleans Kentucky style. Cajun foods and Heaven Hill Bourbons while dancing under the stars, September 14, $90 each.
• The Great Kentucky Bourbon Tasting and Gala, our signature black-tie event with a Bourbon tasting, appetizers, meal and dancing, September 15, $140 each.
• Ghostly Spirits of Bardstown, experience another of Bardstown’s spirits, September 13, 14 and 15, 2012, $20 each.
• Backstreets of Bardstown, a horse drawn trolley tour of historical Bardstown, September 14 and 15, 2012, $20 each.
• KBF Poker Run, (ake a motorcycle ride through the countryside while collecting your poker hand with lots of door prizes, and T-shirts, September 15, 2012, $30 per person.

Applications are also available for the following events:
• KBF Golf Tournament to be held at Bardstown Country Club, September 15, 2012 – $125 per person.
• KBF Horseshoe Pitch the Distillery Division to be held on September 9. 2012 – Open Pitch September 15, 2012, $15 entry fee.
• Kentucky Bourbon Shots, photography contest held during festival – free to enter.
• Mixed Drink Challenge to be held on September 12, 2012 – $15.
• Spirit 5K Run and Walk to be held on September 15,2012

Tickets and entry forms are available at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival office, One Court Square, Bardstown or call 800-638-4877 # 4 or 502-348-3623 # 4 or online at www.kybourbonfestival.com

KILCHOMAN LAUNCHES MACHIR BAY

ImpEx Beverages, Inc. is delighted to announce the release of Kilchoman Machir Bay, the first general release from the distillery. Machir Bay is one of the most beautiful and most visited beaches on Islay. It will be available throughout 2012 and is a vatting of 60% of 3 year, 35% of 4 year and 5% of 5 year old single malt, matured in fresh bourbon barrels from Buffalo Trace, Kentucky. The 4 year old portion was finished in Oloroso Sherry butts for 2 months. It is bottled at 46% unchillfiltered, no artificial color added.

Anthony Wills, Founder and Managing Director of Kilchoman Distillery, commented, ‘Machir Bay is one of the most beautiful beaches on Islay, is close to the distillery and this single malt will give continuity of supply to our customers around the world. Each year, more mature malts will be added to the vatting’.

RRP: $ 54.99

Sazerac Encourages Gift Givers to Go Canadian for Father’s Day

Two Canadian Whiskies Make Great Gifts for any Budget

NEW ORLEANS, lA. (May 2012) – Although it may be an American holiday, this Father’s Day, Sazerac is encouraging gift givers to go Canadian – Canadian whisky, that is.

A category that’s on the upswing, the Canadian whisky segment has seen strong growth in the past few years as younger consumers are discovering it and realizing the category has some merit.

And Sazerac is helping that trend with its two premium Canadian whisky offerings, Caribou Crossing, the world’s first single barrel Canadian whisky, and Royal Canadian Small Batch Canadian whisky.

Introduced in 2010, both brands have seen nice growth and distribution has expanded as a result. “Although the Canadian whisky category as a whole remains flat, the premium and super premium category has really taken off,” said Kevin Richards, Canadian whisky brand manager at Sazerac,

Since its introduction, Caribou Crossing has received a myriad of accolades, including most recently the Chairman’s Trophy and a “92” rating at the 2012 Ultimate Spirits Challenge, and a “93” rating from John Hansell at Whisky Advocate. Two years ago the Single Barrel was named “2010 Canadian Whisky of the Year” by canadianwhisky.org; it won a double gold medal at the 2010 San Francisco World Spirits Competition; a gold medal and “90” rating from Tastings.com (Beverage Testing Institute); a gold medal and “90” rating at the 2010 Ultimate Spirits Challenge; a silver medal and best in class at the 2010 International Wine and Spirits Competition; and a bronze medal at the 2010 Los Angeles International Wine and Spirits Competition. Whisky buffs can expect to taste radiantly-hued nectar with a nod to the tantalizing silky texture provided by the barrel. The rye grain cuts through the wood flavors making its spicy presence known without risking the creamy vanilla custard smoothness. The finish is oak with an orangey tang.

Royal Canadian Small Batch has its own set of hardware. Its most recent win was a “90” rating in the 2012 Ultimate Spirits Challenge, in addition to its gold medal and “90” rating from Tastings.com (Beverage Testing Institute); a “90” rating from Wine Enthusiast; a silver medal in the 2011 Ultimate Spirits Challenge; and a bronze medal at the 2011 World Spirits Competition. Royal Canadian is sweet and smoky like a Memphis BBQ. The initial sip is velvety smooth with huge flavors. There is a nutty praline sweetness that slides through the creamy rich sensations. The finish is a bold reminder that this is whiskey and the citrus-spicy conclusion just leaves you with the desire for the next notable sip.

Both brands were created by native Canadian Drew Mayville, Sazerac’s master blender. Mayville himself hand-selects the barrel used for Caribou Crossing, choosing the most mature and flavor-rich samples available and overseeing the bottling of each individual barrel. The Royal Canadian Small Batch undergoes a similar stringent selection process under Mayville’s watchful eye. The barrels themselves are from Sazerac’s 270,000 plus Canadian whisky barrel inventory.

The two Canadian whiskies make ideal gifts for Father’s Day, and are at price points for discriminating budgets. The Caribou Crossing retails for $49.99 for a 750 ml and the Royal Canadian Small Batch is $19.99 for a 750 ml.

The Caribou Crossing comes in an elegant gift box, taking care of the gift wrapping for you.

About The Sazerac Company

Sazerac is one of New Orleans’ oldest family owned, privately held companies and has operations in New Orleans, Louisiana; Frankfort, Bardstown, Louisville and Owensboro, Kentucky; Fredericksburg, Virginia; Carson, California, Baltimore, Maryland and Montreal, Canada. For more information, please visit www.sazerac.com.

BUSHMILLS IRISH WHISKEY® TO SPONSOR THE IRISH OPEN

MASTER DISTILLER OFFERS ‘FREEDOM OF THE OLD BUSHMILLS DISTILLERY’ TO THE WINNER OF THE TOURNAMENT

Bushmills Village: 24th May 2012: Bushmills Irish Whiskey, which has been handcrafted on the North Coast of Ireland for centuries, has agreed a deal to sponsor the 2012 Irish Open at Royal Portrush Golf Club.

The sponsorship means that Bushmills Irish Whiskey will be the official whiskey of the 2012 Irish Open and will have exclusive whiskey pouring rights at the tournament, which takes place between 28th June and 1st July.

The Old Bushmills Distillery and Royal Portrush Golf Club are two icons of the North Coast of Ireland. Just four miles apart, both are known and loved around the world, both are award winners and both represent the very best of what the region has to offer.

To celebrate the sponsorship, Colum Egan, Master Distiller at the Old Bushmills Distillery, is offering the winner of the tournament the ‘Freedom of the Old Bushmills Distillery’, an honour that will see them granted the keys to his private reserve.

Colum Egan said: “It has been 65 years since the Irish Open was contested at Royal Portrush Golf Club and I am delighted that Bushmills Irish Whiskey will be part of one of the biggest sporting events to have ever been staged on the North Coast of Ireland.

“With the success at Majors in recent years of Rory McIlroy, Darren Clarke and Graeme McDowell, we are a region that is no stranger to golfing success. These three great sportsmen represent the very best of sporting achievement.

“Like them and the famous Royal Portrush Golf Course, The Old Bushmills Distillery combines handcrafted qualities with age-old skill and we have also had our own share of international success in recent years – Bushmills 21 Year Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey was recently named ‘Best Irish Whiskey’ at the 2012 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

“As part of our landmark sponsorship, I’m offering a unique prize for the golfer that wins the tournament. As well as offering the ‘Freedom of the Distillery’, I am also going to place a bottle containing a special blend of Bushmills Irish Whiskey in a bespoke cabinet, handmade from oak that is used in the whiskey making process. That bottle will have pride-of-place right here at the distillery and it will only ever be opened by the winner himself.

“This will be an event that will attract hundreds of thousands of people to the region. Everyone who is coming to the North Coast to watch world class golf has just four miles to travel to also experience award winning Irish Whiskey at the Old Bushmills Distillery. We are so close we could be the 19th hole!

“Good Luck to everyone taking part and hopefully I will be raising a toast of our award winning, handcrafted whiskey to an Irish winner on 1st July.”

James Finnigan of The European Tour, Commercial Director for the Irish Open, said: “The Old Bushmills Distillery is, like Royal Portrush Golf Club, a world famous landmark on the Co. Antrim coast and we are delighted that Bushmills will be the Official Whiskey to the Irish Open next month.

“It is great news to see that the ‘Freedom of the Distillery’ awaits the Irish Open winner and we all hope that an iconic institution and an iconic golf course can welcome an iconic champion on the first Sunday in July.”

BENRIACH APPOINTS FIRST BRAND AMBASSADOR

BEYONCE does Samsung and Armani, Chanel has Keira Knightley and Revlon has Jessica Biel.

And now The BenRiach Distillery Company has appointed Dumbarton-born Stewart Buchanan as its very own Brand Ambassador!

He’ll cover both BenRiach and GlenDronach whiskies.

“Coming from a production background, I aim to spread a greater understanding of the different techniques used at both distilleries which give the whiskies their own unique character,” said Stewart, formerly BenRiach’s Production Manager.

A Brand Ambassador is the public face of an organisation who best embodies its products and services. And today, in an era of what communications experts are calling “conversation marketing”, who better than Stewart who can talk for hours about his beloved malts!

He explained: “I was working in the Tobermory Distillery when Billy Walker and his associates bought BenRiach in 2005. He asked me and Alan McConnochie to come across to get BenRiach up and running and back to its original glory. I lived in the distillery for a month as I worked all hours of the day and night preparing to return it to production.

“Seven years on, Billy and Alistair raised the idea of me moving into the new role, as previously I’ve been on the road helping the sales boys and I think they saw the benefit of someone with such a production-orientated background being more heavily involved with the tastings and whisky festivals.

“I’ll cover all markets in my new ambassadorial role, spending most of my time on the road. Our existing markets are growing, new markets are opening up for BenRiach and GlenDronach all the time and the company really needs this extra resource to support the ongoing development of both brands.”

He added: “The type of events we attend are mostly with whisky enthusiasts who are really looking for as much information as possible, so hopefully I can answer most questions thrown at me.”

Tastings can range from 25 people in the back room of a pub in Glasgow to 100 people in a conference room in Japan.

He’s just done a tasting for the Glasgow Whisky Club who said: “Another amazing night and very educational as Stewart Buchanan really knew his stuff and an excellent introduction to the BenRiach and GlenDronach range for those who haven’t sampled it before.”

He’s braced for some detailed questioning at these sessions from whisky aficionados.

“Someone asked me the yield at BenRiach which is a simple answer – around 410 litres of alcohol per tonne of barley. But then his friend asked me: “How many gallons per bushel is that?” – which really had me scratching my head! But I got there eventually.”

Stewart’s passionate about the whiskies he helps produce and revealed that he has three or four personal favourites.

“For special occasions, my “desert island” whiskies would be the 1976 BenRiach and the 1972 GlenDronach while my day-to-day dram would be BenRiach Curiositas alternated with the GlenDronach 15yr Revival – all extraordinarily great!”

A pictue of Stewart in the BenRiach distillery is shown above.

‘The UK’s leading Whisky Experience where you can taste, learn about & enjoy the world’s finest whiskies’

Experience the wonderful world of whisky at The Whisky Exchange Whisky Show

Taste some of the finest, rarest and most expensive whiskies and enjoy a range of food pairings

May 2012 – Join whisky-lovers from the UK and around the world for a luxurious food and whisky tasting experience at this year’s The Whisky Exchange Whisky Show. Taking place at Vinopolis, London’s premium wine and spirit destination, the Show will run across the weekend of 6th-7th October 2012 from 12pm-6pm. Tickets are available to buy now.

Delicious food on offer will include a hearty two course whisky-inspired meal in the Show Brasserie, as well as cutting-edge ideas in the art of matching whisky with quality foods – showcasing some of the UK’s most exclusive produce – in the Food & Whisky Pairing room. Renowned whisky and food writer Martine Nouet will also offer a series of food and whisky pairing masterclasses throughout the Show.

Last year’s sell-out event saw over 1,000 guests attend over two days, and once again guests will have the chance to taste some of the world’s finest whiskies, rarest single malts and once-in-a-lifetime Dream Drams – exclusive whiskies that can cost several thousand pounds a bottle. As part of this year’s ‘Meet the Maker’ theme, visitors will also be able to enjoy informal Q&A sessions and mini masterclasses with the experts.

Sukhinder Singh, Show Director, said:

“The Show is now in its fourth year and it continues to grow each year as people seek out opportunities to try the finest whiskies available and explore ideas for pairing with a range of delicious foods. It really is the pinnacle in the field of consumer whisky tasting events, with each successive year introducing innovative ideas which set it in a class apart from other whisky shows.”

For more information about The Whisky Exchange Whisky Show please visit www.whisky-show.com or to book tickets visit www.whisky-show.com/tickets

Notes:

About The Whisky Exchange Whisky Show:
 The Whisky Exchange Whisky Show consumer sessions will take place on: Saturday 6th October 12:00pm-6.00pm Sunday 7th October 12:00pm-6.00pm
 It will take place at Vinopolis, situated near London Bridge.
 All food and drink (apart from ‘Dream Drams’, see below) is included in the price of admission.
 A small number of rare and expensive ‘Dream Drams’, which have ranged in price in previous years from £500 to over £3000 per bottle, will be available to try on presentation of tokens. Each visitor will receive a token with admission and further tokens can be bought at the Show.
 Tickets will include a two course meal designed by renowned whisky and food expert Martine Nouet.
 Masterclass events are still to be announced, but in the past have included tastings led by writers Dave Broom, Serge Valentin and Charles Maclean; Whyte & Mackay Master Blender Richard Paterson; Gordon & Macphail Managing Director David Urquhart; Glenfarclas Sales Director George Grant; and brand ambassadors including Highland Park’s Gerry Tosh and Diageo’s Colin Dunn.

These have covered a wide range of whiskies from the impressive to the fabled, including Dalmore’s 50 year old Candela and Gordon & Macphail’s Glenlivet 70 year old.
 Tickets will be on sale through http://www.whisky-show.com in Spring 2012.

About Vinopolis:
Vinopolis has been established as an exhibition centre and tasting venue for wines and spirits since 1999, and is located in the arches of a Victorian railway viaduct built in 1866. With its soaring vaulted arches and perfect location adjacent to the world-famous Borough Market and London Bridge, Vinopolis is the ideal setting for The Whisky Exchange Whisky Show.

With its nearby transport links and accommodation, Vinopolis is easy to get to for people attending from in and around London, as well as being highly convenient for visitors and exhibitors travelling to the event from further afield.

2011 testimonials:

Fantastic event, feel I have learnt so much in a short space of time. The Masterclasses have been excellent… bring on next year!
Dawn Davies, Selfridges

Well organised on the two days. Good, engaged consumers who wanted to learn…
Jamie Milne, Glenfiddich

I was quite amazed at the mix of people attending, from the London-based enthusiasts to the Scandinavians who appeared in force, to the Russian who flew in from Portugal and planned his holiday around the event…!
Alistair Mutch, Tomatin Distillery

Excellent show as always, well done Sukhinder & gang…
Serge Valentin, Whiskyfun.com

I look back on a great day with fond memories of  all the fabulous whiskies that I have sampled. You have certainly set a high standard for next year’s event…
Jochem van Hove, Consumer