Ardbeg Dark Cove – smugglers’ delight

Posted: 27 May 2016 05:33 AM PDT

The Islay Festival is drawing to close. Tomorrow is the last day, and in usual fashion, things are ending with a bang: it’s Ardbeg Day – or, as they are calling it this year, Ardbeg Night. Unlike the other Islay distilleries, Ardbeg shares its open day with folks who can’t make it to the island, and its festival bottling will be hitting the shelves of our London shop and website on Saturday – introducing Ardbeg Dark Cove.

This year’s origin story talks about the illicit history of distillation of the island, with tales of smugglers and their night-time exploits in the years before the founding of Ardbeg. But at the heart of it all, it’s all about the new limited release – ‘the darkest Ardbeg ever’.

Ardbeg Dark Cove is a classic combination of bourbon- and sherry-matured whisky, with a heart matured in ‘dark sherry casks’. No one is entirely sure what a dark sherry cask is, but with official tasting notes that talk about squid ink, coal tar and coffee, we can see what they’re aiming for.

Ardbeg Dark Cove, 46.5% ABV. £99.95

Nose: A sweet and savoury combination of new leather, creosoted fences, char siu pork, sultanas and raisins, with lemon and orange oil, treacle toffee, a touch of tar and burning heather.

Palate: Softer than expected, with lots of char and ash up front. Coffee grounds and singed citrus lead to bitter dark chocolate and tar, before fruit cake, candied ginger and liquorice sweeten things.

Finish: Burning pine needles and black coffee fade to blackcurrant and liquorice, and Hall’s mentholyptus. The menthol lingers for minutes, along with a background of peaty smoke.

Comment: A complex nose leads into a surprisingly easy-drinking palate – there’s lots of flavour, but little in the way of boozy burn. However, the finish took me by surprise – it lasted happily through my washing up of my tasting glass and the making of a cup of coffee, and is still just hanging on as I type this, five minutes later. It may not be as dark as the name suggests, but it is classic Ardbeg.

Dark Cove will be hitting the website on Saturday and if you are in London, we’ll have it open and ready to taste at our Covent Garden shop. Pop in and say hello – dressing as a smuggler is entirely optional.

WHISKEY FRIED FESTIVAL LAUNCHING IN BROOKLYN – JULY 9, 2016

BROOKLYN, NY – May 26, 2016 – The creators of the highly-acclaimed Bacon and Beer Classic are at it again! Cannonball Productions will introduce a new, all-inclusive food and beverage festival, Whiskey Fried, at Brooklyn Expo Center on Saturday, July 9th.

Classy meets greasy at this mid-summer extravaganza, which will pair 100+ whiskies and handcrafted cocktails with fried and Southern-inspired dishes from 20+ NYC restaurants. Guests can look forward to unlimited bites and sips from local favorites like Bareburger, Jacob’s Pickles, Sweet Chili, Burnside Biscuits and The Donutologist, in addition to live music, horseshoes, a barber bar, photo booth and more.

A panel of judges will also be on site to rate the sips and tastes and award winners in select categories. The panel includes Daily Beast’s Chief Cocktail Correspondent and the author of The Art of American Whiskey, Noah Rothbaum; Yelp Manhattan’s Community Director Ruggy Joesten; author of Bourbon Empire: The Past and Future of America’s Whiskey, Reid Mitenbuler; and Flatiron Room Beverage Director Young Kim.

Kate Levenstien, founder of Cannonball Productions and the Bacon and Beer Classic, is thrilled to launch Whiskey Fried in Brooklyn. “It’s hard to imagine a combination as mouthwatering as bacon and beer, but we’ve found it. There will be something for everyone: whiskey samples, refreshing cocktails, craft beer and of course delicious dishes like fried oysters and Irish whiskey-drizzled donuts. I can’t wait to launch this new concept in our own backyard and the ultimate foodie city!”

Guests can choose from two all-inclusive sessions: afternoon (1:30pm-4pm) or evening (6:30pm-9pm). VIP ticket holders will enjoy half hour early entrance; access to the specialty Prohibition lounge; samples of rare, top shelf spirits; and a digital event bag. General Admission tickets are $85 and VIP tickets are selling at $125, but prices will increase over the next few weeks. All tickets include a souvenir tasting glass.

A nationally-touring event, Whiskey Fried is coming soon to Chicago, Denver, Seattle and Silicon Valley. Cannonball Productions is committed to making the festival personal to each city, and will partner with regional organizations and local food recovery programs to donate leftover food.

For more information about the festival, visit: http://www.whiskeyfried.com

EARLY JUNE TASTINGS

New Outturn Preview Sampling – 28 Queen St, Thu 2 June  More >

New Outturn Tasting – 19 Greville St, Sat 4 June  More >

Glen Moray Tasting – The Vaults, Mon 6 June More >

Aberdeen: Taster Menu Whisky Dinner at MUSA – Thu 16 June, Musa, 33 Exchange St AB11 6PH  More >

FREE EVENTS AT THE VAULTS

Drop-in Theme Night: Islay Lovers – Wed 1 June  More >

Leith Jazz & Blues Festival  – Fri 3 June  More > & Sat 4 June  More >

Browse All Events & Tastings >

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 the Society at here for membership information

This is your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers!

Spot the SMWS bottles in this amusing You Tube video

This week Joe Ellis reviews the Ardbeg Dark Cove Committee Release live from the Feis Ile 2016 Festival!

https://youtu.be/4kAgqm7Dm4U

http://Twitter.com/whiskytube

https://www.facebook.com/whiskytube

World-renowned actress, businesswoman and philanthropist, Eva Longoria, has been announced as a judge for The Venture

Chivas Regal’s search to find and support the most innovative startups from across the world.

Eva Longoria will join a panel of expert judges tasked with dividing a portion of Chivas’ $1million fund amongst The Venture finalists; inspirational social entrepreneurs who aim to succeed in business while having a positive impact on the lives of others. Following the continued success of The Eva Longoria Foundation, which helps Latinas build better futures for themselves and their families through education and entrepreneurship, Longoria has a wealth of invaluable expertise and advice to offer Chivas’ The Venture finalists.

Now in its second year, Chivas’ The Venture has received over 2,500 applications from scalable and sustainable startups across six continents tackling a range of social and environmental issues. One finalist will represent each of the 27 participating countries in New York in July. Following a series of quarter and semi-final pitches, the grand finalists will have just five minutes to impress Longoria and the other judges with their pitch in front of a live audience at the Chivas’ The Venture Final on July 14th (full list of finalists below).

Longoria commented on her role as a judge:

“I’m delighted to be part of the judging panel for Chivas’ The Venture and can’t wait to hear the unique stories behind the 27 startups from across the world. Social enterprise has such a huge part to play in the future of business and it is something that is very close to my heart. Best of luck to all the finalists!”

Longoria will bring her long-standing passion for entrepreneurship, mentorship and equal opportunities to the panel of judges, which includes Joe Huff (Founder of LSTN Sound Co.), Sonal Shah (founding Executive Director of the Beeck Center for Social Impact + Innovation) and Alexandre Ricard (Pernod Ricard Chairman and CEO).

Joe Huff has been invited to join this year’s judging panel due to his knowledge and experience in founding successful social enterprise LSTN Sound Co. LSTN Sound Co. is an impact-focused company whose core belief is ‘what’s good for the business should be good for the world’. Its goal is to produce premium audio products and uses proceeds from sales to change lives through the power of music. Every purchase helps provide hearing aids to a person in need through charity partner, Starkey Hearing Foundation. In less than three years since LSTN Sound Co’s inception in 2012, the company has been able to help give the gift of sound to over 20,000 people.

Joe commented:

“Social enterprise is something I have been involved with for many years, I’m hugely passionate about using business as a force for good and believe it is becoming increasingly important in today’s world. The range of social entrepreneurs at this year’s Chivas The Venture Final is really exciting to see – I can’t wait to meet them in New York and find out more about the businesses.”

From today, Chivas has put the power in the world’s hands; inviting the public to vote for their favourite social entrepreneur to determine how the first $250,000 in funding is split. From May 9th to June 13th people can vote for finalists at www.TheVenture.com. The range of social entrepreneurs is extraordinary, from Julia Römer, the founder of Coolar (Germany), who has developed innovative refrigerators powered by warm water that enable doctors to preserve lifesaving vaccines in off-grid regions; to Jaco Gerrits, the founder of CrashDetech (South Africa) who has created a smartphone app that automatically detects serious car crashes, pinpoints the location, and dispatches the nearest ambulance, supplying paramedics with real-time lifesaving information.

Richard Black, Chivas Regal Global Brand Director, added:

“We’re really excited to be announcing Eva Longoria as a judge for Chivas’ The Venture. She has a clear passion for entrepreneurialism and the importance of business having a positive impact on our society. Along with Joe Huff, Sonal Shah and Alexandre Ricard, we feel we have the perfect balance of expert judges to evaluate the finalists of this year’s competition. We look forward to seeing how people vote online over the next few weeks and which enterprises capture the imagination of the public.”

To find out more about the judges and to vote for your favourite finalists, visit www.TheVenture.com.

NOTES

The Venture
The Venture is Chivas’ global search to find and support the most promising aspiring social entrepreneurs who want to succeed whilst making a positive impact on the lives of others. With over $1 million in funding and resources, The Venture will enable social entrepreneurs from around the world realise their potential and gain exposure for their business.

With generosity, entrepreneurship and integrity at the heart of Chivas Regal, the brand launched its successful Win the Right Way campaign in 2014, as the latest instalment of the Live with Chivalry campaign, which has since 2008 inspired modern gentlemen in more than 60 countries around the world to succeed in the right way.

About Chivas Regal
Launched in 1909, Chivas Regal is the world’s first luxury whisky and is considered to be a timeless classic, renowned for its benchmark quality and taste, style, substance and exclusivity. A truly global brand, Chivas Regal has been integral to the growth of the Scotch whisky category worldwide and today sells 4.5 million 9L cases annually in more than 150 countries across the globe. The Chivas Regal range includes Chivas 12, Chivas 18, Chivas 25 and the Global Travel Retail exclusive, Chivas Brothers Blend. In October 2014, Chivas Regal announced the addition of a fifth permanent expression in the Chivas Regal family, Chivas Regal Extra, a new blend with a unique richness derived from selective maturation in rare ex-sherry casks. In 2015, the iconic brand welcomed the pinnacle of the range with the introduction of the new ultra-prestige blend, Chivas Regal The Icon.
www.chivas.com

Greetings fellow whisky-lovers!

Festival fever is upon us as we wrap up a week of festivities in Fèis Íle and look forward to a bounty of TWL festivals across the UK over the next few months!

Now on sale are EARLY-BIRD TICKETS for our string of festivals this Autumn – we’ve got a special 2 for £40 offer on for the first 75 tickets sold for each session so make sure you’re quick!

3rd September: Liverpool Whisky Fest: BUY TICKETS
10th September: Yorkshire Whisky Fest: BUY TICKETS
22nd October: Manchester Whisky Fest: BUY TICKETS
12th November: Birmingham Whisky Fest: BUY TICKETS

This week we’ve been in Islay for the annual Fèis Íle (aka the The Islay Festival of Music and Malt) running a handful of amazing tastings on Tall Ship Irene and at the famous ruins of Finlaggan castle. Thanks to everyone who came down for making it such a special experience!

We also had Bristol Whisky Festival at the start of the month which was a roaring success – check out some of the snaps here.

The fun doesn’t stop there; next month we have dozens of events for you to get stuck into including two festivals, more blending workshops and the last of our Elements of Islay tasting series dates – read on to find out more!

Brighton Whisky Fest: June 18th  BUY TICKETS

After a two year hiatus we have decided that the whisky love is in desperate need of nurturing in lovely Brighton!

We have also decided to up the ante in terms of venue and have moved to the fabulous Corn Exchange within the Brighton Dome.

For a limited time we are offering a 2 for £50 ticket. There are severely limited quantities of these and we would urge you to be quick! Head here to get yours.

Edinburgh Whisky Solstice: June 25th  BUY TICKETS

Tickets are now on sale for our big return to Edinburgh!

This year we’re heading back indoors and will be setting up our Edinburgh Whisky Festival in the Assembly Rooms on George St. This iconic Georgian venue has long been at the heart of Edinburgh hosting thousands of events from Royal banquets to film festivals, but for this day in June it will play host to Scotland’s most iconic drink, whisky!

Elements of Islay Tasting

We still have a number of dates left for our Elements of Islay tasting series!

Delicious, mature and unadulterated Islay whisky, bottled at full strength and assembled by a crack team of people who truly know and love whisky.

Whether you’re a fan of peated whisky or not, this series is an absolute no brainer! Click on the locations below to go to the tickets!

June 11th York Brigantes : Tickets
June 15th London Salt Bar : Tickets
June 16th Leeds The Cross Keys : Tickets
June 16th Brighton Nightingale Room : Tickets
June 22nd Liverpool Jenny’s Bar : Tickets

Blending Workshops

Fancy getting involved in the art form that is whisky blending?

Sign up to one of our blending workshops now to apply both your palate and your brain to construct your very own blended whisky.

June 8th London, Salt Bar : SOLD OUT
June 8th, Liverpool, Jenny’s Bar : Tickets
June 9th, York, Brigantes : Tickets
June 9th, Brighton, Nightingale Room : Tickets
June 10th, Newcastle, Blackfriars : SOLD OUT
June 14th, Sheffield, The Sheffield Tap : Tickets
June 19th, London, Salt Bar : SOLD OUT

Here at the Soho Juice Company we believe in the cucumber. So much so we produced a citrus infused cucumber and mint soft drink that reflects this belief. The Soho is original, exciting and beautifully refreshing.

Exquisitely balanced with naturally sourced flavours and fruit juices the Soho is one of the most innovative and exciting new soft drinks in the world today.

Inspired by the new wave of beautiful Japanese whiskeys, we designed an ode to on a Soho favourite, ‘The Japanese High Ball’ made with a shot of good whiskey with lemon juice, sugar, and Soho all topped with soda water and garnished with fresh mint and lemon.

It is an exciting time for the Soho Juice Co and we find your passion and interest for delicious drinks inspiring. If you would like to know any more about us then please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

www.sohojuice.co.uk

JURA TASTIVAL 2016

Celebrate the Jura Tastival with this limited edition expression bottled at a natural strength of 51% abv With just 3000 bottles released and only 2000 available to purchase in the UK, this unique offering from Jura is born of a special triple sherry assemblage.

Combining Jura 19 year old seasoned for 5 years in an 11 year old Palomino Fino sherry cask, Jura 14 year old seasoned for 4 years in a 15 year old Oloroso Amoroso sherry cask, and Jura 15 year old seasoned for 3 years in a 30 year old Oloroso Apostoles sherry cask, flavours of toffee apples, vanilla and ginger permeate this limited edition Island single malt.

Only available while stocks last!

£95 Buy Now

www.ralfy.com offer an alternative to Lagavulin with Whisky Review 585 – Bunnahabhain 8yo heavily peated (G&M)

Whisky makers descend on Westminster to give MPs masterclass in production of Scotch from ‘Grain to Glass’ 

• Diageo event in Parliament showcased craft and skill involved in production of iconic drink
• MPs informed about immense economic benefits of Scotch industry to UK and local communities
• Event marks one year since Diageo committed to create special edition Parliamentary blend as part of its ‘Grain to Glass’ initiative

24^th May 2016, London: Last night, 40 MPs joined Diageo to celebrate the people, ingredients and craft that goes into making Scotch Whisky – one of Britain’s biggest home grown export industries.

The event demonstrated how Scotch Whisky is made, on its journey from grain to glass. MPs were given a full overview of the production process and the craft involved, ranging from ‘malting’, where barely is soaked and encouraged to germinate, to the ‘coopering’, where the whisky is left to mature in an oak cask.

They were also given the chance to meet the people involved in making the iconic drink, and were able to sample some of the product, including Johnnie Walker, Talisker and Haig Club.

The event comes a year after Diageo commissioned a special edition Parliamentary blend to commemorate the new Parliament and showcase one of Britain’s most important industries.

The Parliamentary blend will be produced and matured over the lifetime of the current Parliament, demonstrating the care and skill that go into making Scotch whisky.  It is part of Diageo’s ‘Grain to Glass’ initiative, which aims to educate people on the intricate process and natural raw materials that go into producing Scotch Whisky.

Last night’s event, which followed on from World Whisky Day on Saturday, also showcased the significant economic contribution of Scotch Whisky. The industry is the lifeblood of the local economies where it operates, and adds over £5 billion to the value of the UK economy. It is also the biggest net contributor to UK trade in goods[i].

Andrew Cowan, Country Director of Diageo GB, said: “As the world’s leading producer of Scotch Whisky, we are immensely proud to part of an industry with such a rich heritage.

“The Grain to Glass project showcases the skill and craft that goes into producing Scotch Whisky, and profiles the amazing people involved in the industry. It also demonstrates the vital economic contribution that Scotch Whisky makes to local communities and Britain’s economy.

“Last night’s event will help Parliamentarians understand the journey a grain of barley goes through in order to become Scotch Whisky, an iconic product enjoyed by millions worldwide.”

Brendan O’Hara, Member for Argyll and Bute and Chair of the Scotch Whisky All-Party Parliamentary Group, said:

“The Diageo Grain to Glass programme is a great way for me and my fellow Parliamentarians to gain a better understanding of the skill, craft and passion that goes into producing Scotch Whisky. I have also been able to see this first hand in my constituency at Oban distillery.

“The event was a fitting tribute to an industry that makes a huge contribution to the UK economy and plays a key role in supporting local communities across the length and breadth of Scotland.”

About Diageo

@DiageoGB

Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands across spirits, beer and wine categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B, Buchanan’s, Windsor, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is a global company, and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO). For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at http://www.diageo.com/. Visit Diageo’s global responsible drinking resource, http://www.drinkiq.com/, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice.

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

[i] The Economic Impact of Scotch Whisky Production in the UK, Scotch Whisky Association, Jan 2015