Dear Friends in Spirits,

We hope this newsletter finds you well as we are gently, but readily, ushered into spring, with its soul-wakening burlesque, and as your calendar happily prompts you: the Whiskies of the World Expo on March 31st. Love, and whisky, is in the air…
With just two weeks to go until the grand event, we’d like to keep our updates short and sweet to be able to give an advance introduction to as many participating whiskies as possible and to make your journey along 233 whisky expressions (isn’t it a beautiful number?) easy and enjoyable.

Business first: TICKETS & ADMISSION
With only a handful of tickets left, we urge those of you last-minute purchasers to jump on them now–a few more days and they will be gone! And we wholeheartedly thank our “old timers,” those already with tickets who helped us spread the word. This year, the Expo is as popular and sought-after as ever!
General Admission: Come in at 6:00 pm
VIP Admission: Sold out
Dram Club Membership: Enjoy the Dram Club Party, the prelude to the Expo, with a specialty tasting glass for the Expo. Dram Club Expo tickets are sold out, but you can still enjoy the Friday Night Party and get $20 off general admission.

General Adm                   $120
VIP :                         $150 (SOLD OUT)
Dram Club                     $130 (SOLD OUT)
Dram Club Membership           $60

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Upcoming Live Interviews with our Whisky Rock Stars!

Tune in to listen to these upcoming interviews:

March 17, 9:10AM : Krush 92.5 FM  (Southern Monterey, San Luis Obispo)
Interview with Davorin Kuchan (Old World Spirits)
Listen online: EatDrinkExplore.com

And carrying on with the news:

Two years ago, the Expo was the first whisky-tasting event to announce the US debut of whiskies from the Lark Distillery in Australia. Distilled in the finest traditions of Scotch, Lark’s 58% (116 proof) Cask Strength Single Malt received the highest accolades from our most serious Scotch lovers who even wished they could get “more samples” as the product was still unavailable in stores. So, it’s time to welcome Lark back again with more samples and more strongly proofed single cask whiskies: the 92 proof Distillers Selection and 116 proof Cask Strength. Take a sip (you may want to water it down), and prepare to challenge the preconceptions about what constitutes a good whisky. Lark’s may become one of those antipodean whiskies (like Indian Amrut or Japanese Yamazaki) that is of premium quality and has all the superb whisky-producing components in one perfect place. See for yourself as you read the references on the bottle; note the size of cask the spirit is matured in, the temperature, humidity, and general climactic considerations—all this while “wearing no kilt.”

But it’s not even our slightest intent to encroach on the “untouchable” status of the honorable St. Patrick, Robert Burn’s et al whisky counterparts. Waltz around the tasting hall to quench your love for Scotches in their wonderful variety. From Diageo’s Classic Malts, Glenmorangie (with the new release Lasanta), and Ardbeg, to ubiquitous and congenial The Glenlivet and Laphroaig, to the kaleidoscopic Aberlour, Scapa, and Oban; try the Mackillop’s Choice and Douglas Laing while savoring the contemporary Smokehead, Kilchoman, and Isle of Sky, and many other dramming delights. Don’t disregard the blends that are not inferior to single malts: check out the range of hand blended Johnnie Walker, Clan Denny, and Douglas Laing XO; these blends will turn your head and change your mind!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“No news is good news” doesn’t relate well to WoW Expo as we announce this year’s participation of Campari America and their remarkable Bowmore, Auchentoshan, and the openly revered Glenrothes. One of Scotland’s biggest distilleries, Glenrothes is an enigmatic one, too; their exceptional Single Speyside Malt whisky has been kept a secret from those outside the industry and a small band of connoisseurs for over a hundred years. Claimed to be one of the finest and most accomplished of malt whiskies, The Glenrothes is different to many other single malts in that the bottlings are not determined by age, but by vintage; a matter of unique and excellent timing of the whisky creation. So, the Expo will give you a unique opportunity to celebrate the subtle variations in character of this impeccable malt from one year to the next, starting from 1998 and comparing it with “Select Reserve,” a recently introduced non-vintage line. And while sampling, whether you choose to talk about “the vintage moment” or try to calculate the age of the whisky, it is time well spent. 

A little Canadian gold Continuing on its journey through whisky-making countries, the Expo will present a bountiful bouquet of Canadian whiskies, including new brands and expressions. What’s so great about the whiskies from our northern neighbors? The range of styles that are available. Sample a frontier-styled cowboy, the eight-year-old 8 Seconds (what’s eight seconds for the rodeo cowboy is eight years for the whisky maker); classic Canadian Club in its wonderful varieties (from sherry cask to 30 YO special); and the elegantly designed and opulent Crown Royal. This year’s discoveries from the Great White North are the “rugged Canadian outdoorsman” with a smooth approach, Revel Stoke, and the innovative and originative Pendleton with their 100% rye whisky(still distilled in Canada).You haven’t experienced such a collection of boundary-merging whiskies yet.We couldn’t imagine that this year’s show would turn out to be so large. Let’s welcome back our local Dry Fly Distillery and its revolutionary wheat whiskey. The whisky is known for several reasons: it’s a very small batch made from 100% wheat (no other whisky is even close to that), and created by a remarkable duo of distillers and entrepreneurs. The pair, Don Poffenroth and Kent Fleischmann, in appreciation of the natural beauty of the great Northwest and the simple pleasure of fly-fishing gave life to the new distillery in Spokane, Washington. If you want to know more about Don and Kent, as well as other great distillers of our time, make sure to attend the Craft Panel discussion. Feel the pride for America in one more of its great achievements–whiskey making of the highest standard. Here, you will also meet the Corsair Artisandistiller with his experimental whiskies —a couple of which are available for sampling only at the Masterclass. (Corsair Triple Smoke – Malt Whiskey, Tennessee Bourbon, Oak Smoked Wheat Whiskey)  Yum! And onto always-popular additional features:

Always the innovator, the Expo’s expanded lineup of artisanal foods to pair with your choices of handcrafted spirits has grown into a major aspect of this year’s event. From chocolate to farmhouse cheeses, from organic beef jerky to homemade chutney, we offer you the opportunity to see whisky in an ever-expanding culinary role. Stop by the Thirsty Bear booth to taste the heavenly delicacies from its talented Spanish chef. All these devilishly gourmet nibbles will allow you to enjoy the popular pairings with whisky as described by the late Michael Jackson.

Also in the tasting halls, Bushmill’s Pipe Band will perform in concert or until they are out of breath! Sit in the comfortable dining area by the windows to watch the lights over the Bay while this world-renowned group brings the incomparable magic of Celtic music to our evening. Once again…an EXPO EXCLUSIVE! Many thanks to Diageo and our wonderful San Francisco Master of Whisky, Steve Beal, for bringing the band to us each year.

We will see you soon for the final updates—looking forward to toasting with you!

Sláinte,

WoW Team

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Masterclasses
(See videos from 2011)
And don’t overlook the Whisky Seminars as a unique chance to get more personal with your whisky favorites and their amazing makers. Book online, the LAST seats available.

• Independent Distilleries of Scotland: Who are they? What are they?—Take a virtual tour to the most non-touristy hidden gems of Scotland’s whisky production and sample their exclusive, hand-worked and most sought-after whiskies.
• Simon Brooking (Master of Whisky, Beam Global): With “Laphroaig and Sherry” exploration. Or, in our self-explanatory description: “Scotch Romance: Laphroaig Meets Sherry or the Marvels of Maturation.”
• Craft Distillers Discussion Panel: Learn about the art, craft, and creativity used by the highly ingenious American Craft Distilleries.
• A Tale of Two Whiskies: Ardbeg and Glenmorangie with David Blackmore, the 2012 Icons of Whisky Ambassador.

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Additional WoW Sponsored Events !!!

• Thursday, March 29, 1:30pm : Anchor Brewery and Distillery Tour and Tasting: For WoW week we have arranged a special tour of the Anchor Brewery. Special just for us, we will get to peek inside the Distillery, along with some nosing and tasting. Home to Old Potrero and Junipero Gin to name a couple of the spirits crafted there. (send email to anchor@whiskiesoftheworld.com to reserve your spot!)

• Thursday, March 29, 6:00pm : City Club SF Dinner: Isle of Arran (Euan Mitchell), Kilchoman (Anthony Wills). Our popular Thursday night dinner will combine independent distilleries and independent bottlers as we will pair whiskies from five different distilleries with seven different gourmet dishes.  (Use code WOWCCSF for a $30 discount)

Chorizo dates
Steak Tar tare en crostini, Dijon, caper
Wild Mushroom fontina
Mediterranean Olive Croquette, Lemon aioli
Lamb Polpette, puttanesca
Toasted walnut ciabatta, Fig Jam, blue Cheese
Lemongrass crusted chicken fingers, candied ginger aioli

Arran 10yr
Arran 14yr
Arran Bourbon Single Cask
Chieftain’s Aberfeldy
Chieftain’s Glenturret
Chieftain’s Mortlach
Kilchoman 2006 Vintage
Kilchoman Sherry Cask Exclusive

• Friday, March 30, 6:30pm: Dram Club Party: The Parlar, Fisherman’s Wharf Elegant Speakeasy. For our Dram Club members we have the much anticipated Dram Club Party. A relaxed atmosphere to mingle with Brand Ambassadors and sample some great whiskies from Masterson’s Rye, Prichard’s Distillery, Four Roses, Wild Geese Irish Soldiers & Heroes, Douglas Laing, Glenmorangie, and Ardbeg. (Registration: Must be a Dram Club Members)

• Saturday March 31, 9:00pm: After Party at The Cigar Bar & Grill: For those who were responsible nosers and tasters, (we expect that to be all of you!) we have arranged an after party where you can relax and swallow a few sips. No cover for the first 100 with WoW wristbands. Drinks and Cigar Specials. (send an email to cigarbar@whiskiesoftheworld.com if you plan to attend. A reservation is not required. We just want to estimate how many to plan for.)

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More Events For Your Pleasure (Non WoW Events worth mentioning)
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Free House : Whisk(e)y Dinner
2700 Bancroft Way, Berkeley
Friday, March 30, 2012 :
Time: 6:30 Reception, 7:00 p.m. Educational Dinner
RSVP to Scott McCoy, 510-647-2300
Price: $65

Join Beam Global for a very special event at Free House. Let your taste buds be tantalized by the delicious creations of Executive Chef, Kevin M. Kroger as special Guest Speakers, Bernie Lubbers, Whiskey Professor and Dan Tullio, Canadian Club Ambassador walk you through the history of Whiskey in North America. From the influence of early European settlers, through Prohibition, to today’s Whiskey Craze, you’ll see first-hand how Whiskey has influenced our culture throughout the decades.

A special sampling of the following Whiskey’s will be enjoyed with dinner:

Canadian Club Classic 12 Year—Canadian Whiskey
(Ri)1—Straight Rye Whiskey
Knob Creek—Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Laphroaig Quarter Cask—Scotch Whiskey

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Bottle Signing with Simon Brooking (And get your own square foot of land at the Laphroaig Distillery)
The Whisky Shop
360 Sutter St.  San Francisco, CA 94108
Sunday April 1, 2012
1:00pm – 4:00pm
================================
Laphroaig Scotch Dinner
Bottle Cap
1707 Powell St.  San Francisco, CA 94133
Sunday April 1, 2012
6:00pm – 8:30pm
RSVP: Pete or Liz Ferro lzferro@gmail.com or info@bottlecapsf.com 415-529-2237
Price: $36

Laphroaig Scotch Dinner with Malt Master  Ambassador – Simon Brooking.  4 course dinner with Laphroaig Single Malt Scotch.  Food  pairing that will feature Laphroaig 10yr, Quarter Cask, 10yr Cask Strength and 18yr. Also will be sampling Laphroaig 25yr and Triple Wood.

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Accommodations:
Our courtesy block of rooms are almost gone.  Once the rooms are gone, that’s it. So don’t wait. Reservations must be made by March 14 (oops, we passed the date. You can still call and ask about availability) to get the special rate.  The Hilton Financial District Hotel, which is located just a few blocks away from the Hornblower’s Pier 3, and is close to major downtown tourist destinations. WoW participants will receive an exclusive rate of $139per night+ tax, which is valid for the night of the Expo, and the two adjacent nights. We also negotiated $30 Overnight Self Parking for WoW attendees. (If you know SF, you know this is a 33% discount.)

Book online Or call the hotel directly at 800-445-8667 and mention the code WHIS.
Please note that the supply of discounted rooms is limited. 
 

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MULTI-PLATINUM SELLING BAND SNOW PATROL TO HEADLINE ‘BUSHMILLS LIVE’

Bushmills Village: March 2012: Bushmills™ Irish Whiskey has announced Snow Patrol as the first of a number of artists who will perform at ‘Bushmills Live’ – the handcrafted whiskey and music festival taking place at the Old Bushmills Distillery on the north coast of Ireland on 20th and 21st June 2012.

Snow Patrol, who are from Northern Ireland, are one of the world’s most popular bands, selling more than 11 million albums since their breakthrough record Final Straw debuted in 2003.

The two-day handcrafted festival will be the first ever staged in an Irish Whiskey distillery. The artists will play a series of intimate gigs in age-old buildings around the distillery. Other performers announced at this stage include renowned musician Foy Vance, who along with David Holmes composed the music for the OSCAR®* winning short film, ‘The Shore’, and award-winning singer songwriter and producer Iain Archer.

Snow Patrol’s Jonny Quinn, commented: “Playing live on a bill of great artists and friends, in the Old Bushmills Distillery that’s been around for centuries – it doesn’t get much better than that!”

‘Bushmills Live’ will be a truly ‘money can’t buy experience’. Tickets for the event will not go on general release, instead fans of Bushmills Irish Whiskey can win the chance to attend the festival by entering a competition on the Bushmills Facebook page – facebook.com/bushmills1608 .

To stand a chance of winning they will have to submit a photo of themselves and friend and explain why they and their friend should be in the audience for ‘Bushmills Live’.

As well as listening to great music, those fortunate to win a ticket to the festival will also have the opportunity to make their own blend of Bushmills Irish Whiskey.

Commenting, Colum Egan, Master Distiller, Old Bushmills Distillery said: “The line-up for ‘Bushmills Live’ so far is truly remarkable. Snow Patrol, Foy Vance and Iain Archer are known and loved around the world – much like our whiskey.

“What excites me is they, like all the artists who are coming to play, are fans of our whiskey. Bushmills and music have always gone well together. Handcrafted whiskey and handcrafted music – it just makes sense!”

To win tickets to ‘Bushmills Live’ or to find out more, visit facebook.com/bushmills1608. Entry opens at 16:08 GMT on St Patrick’s Day and closes at 23:59 GMT on 27th April 2012. Terms and conditions apply.

*OSCAR® and ACADEMY AWARDS® are registered trademarks and service marks of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

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Notes

Captions

Snow Patrol

Picture 1 & Picture 2: Snow Patrol announced as the first of a number of artists who will perform at ‘Bushmills Live’ – a handcrafted whiskey and music festival taking place at the Old Bushmills Distillery on the north coast of Ireland on 20th and 21st June 2012.

3

Foy Vance

Picture 3: Foy Vance set to play at ‘Bushmills Live’. The critically acclaimed musician will perform alongside world renowned band, Snow Patrol at the handcrafted whiskey and music festival taking place at the Old Bushmills Distillery on the north coast of Ireland on 20th and 21st June 2012.

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Iain Archer

Picture 4: Award winning singer songwriter and producer Iain Archer to play at ‘Bushmills Live’. He joins world renowned band Snow Patrol as one of the first of a number of artists revealed to perform at the handcrafted whiskey and music festival taking place at the Old Bushmills Distillery on the north coast of Ireland on 20th and 21st June 2012.

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Picture 5: The stage is set for ‘Bushmills Live’, the landmark whiskey and music festival taking place at the Old Bushmills Distillery on 20th and 21st June 2012.

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Picture 6: Colum Egan, Master Distiller at the Old Bushmills Distillery, pictured at the launch of ‘Bushmills Live’, the landmark whiskey and music festival taking place at the Old Bushmills Distillery on 20th and 21st June 2012.

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Picture 7: The Old Bushmills Distillery.

Biographies

About Snow Patrol

Snow Patrol are an Irish / Scottish five piece band who have sold over 11 million albums and have been responsible for several era-defining singles, including Run, Chocolate, and Chasing Cars (which spent 104 weeks in the UK Top 75 and was voted song of the decade in a Channel 4 poll).

In May 2006 Snow Patrol, with Chasing Cars, became the first UK rock act in 13 years to break the Top 5 of the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart.

Their albums have been nominated for the Mercury Music Prize, Grammys and MTV Europe Music Awards, with Final Straw landing them an Ivor Novello Award in 2005.

Snow Patrol consists of singer Gary Lightbody, guitarist Nathan Connolly, bassist Paul Wilson, drummer Jonny Quinn and keyboardist, Tom Simpson.

About Iain Archer

Iain Archer is an award-winning songwriter and producer, originally from Bangor, County Down, Northern Ireland. He is a versatile performer who has had success in his own right and with others. He has written five successful albums under his own name, has toured extensively and has had his songs used widely on US TV shows and adverts.

In the past year he has scored a number one album and two top ten albums writing with the likes of Example, Charlie Simpson and Rea Garvery.

A prestigious Ivor Novello Award winner for his work on Snow Patrol’s breakthrough multi-platinum selling album ‘Final Straw’, Iain co-wrote the huge hit ‘Run’ which went top 5 for the band and later to number one for Leona Lewis, breaking the record for the fastest selling UK download.

He is a founding member of the band ‘Tired Pony’ that also featured the likes of Snow Patrol’s Gary Lightbody, Peter Buck from REM, Richard Colburn from Belle and Sebastian and Tom Smith from Editors.

About Foy Vance

Foy Vance is a musician from Bangor, County Down, Northern Ireland. He released his debut album ‘Hope’ in July 2007 to great critical acclaim. The Independent newspaper

described him as ‘The missing link between Richie Havens and Stevie Wonder’. Three tracks from the album were used on hit US drama, Grey’s Anatomy.

His latest single ‘Be the Song’, featured in the American medical series, House.

In 2010 Foy, along with David Holmes composed the music for a short film by director Terry George, and as a result has been offered a part in the director’s next feature film as a busker. The short film, ‘The Shore’, won a 2012 ACADEMY AWARD®. Foy will release a new EP entitled ‘Melrose’ later this year.

Competition

The Facebook competition is open to people in:

· Belgium

· Bulgaria

· Germany

· Great Britain

· Netherlands

· Northern Ireland

· Portugal

· Republic of Ireland

· USA

Highland Queen Majesty 30 Year Old Single Malt

WAS £110.00 – NOW £80.00 SAVE £30.00 & FREE Whiskies of Scotland Map

Highland Queen has been produced in Scotland for over 100 years. It takes the name from Mary Queen of Scots, who reigned from 1545 to1567 and was executed in 1587 on the order of Elisabeth 1st, Queen of England.

Majesty 30 years old is the oldest and rarest expression of Highland Queen, with only 2000 bottles produced. It has exceptional elegance and softness on the nose, with the sweetness golden syrup, butterscotch and creamy toffee. Long and elegant to the end the finish has amazing finese with gentle nut notes, hints of dates, citrus notes and the softness of vanilla creams.

—————————————————————————————

FREE

Whiskies of Scotland distillery map displays all past and present distilleries including new distilleries under construction.

Great for a connoisseur of Whisky.

CLICK HERE TO BUY NOW

Our first steps in Glasgow

Hello,

It’s well known that William Grant built his first distillery and blended his first whisky in the small town of Dufftown in the Scottish Highlands. But little has been shared about what happened in the months and years following the birth of Grant’s whisky.

Glasgow is a couple of hundred miles south of Dufftown and in 1903 it…(please click on the link to read the remainder of the article)…

THE LINK

Kind regards,

Ludo

RED HOT NEWS

UK DELIVERY CHARGE

PRICE SLASHED

To celebrate our new price we are offering a

10% Discount

on all online malt whisky orders.

LAST FIVE DAYS OF OFFER

Offer ends Friday 23rd March!!

VIEW TERMS AND CONDITIONS

So don’t delay order today and take advantage

of this limited offer

www.robbiesdrams.com

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.

Celebrate the coming of Spring like the Japanese with Hakushu Semei or Hibiki Kokuu cocktails

London March 2012: The Japanese are very close to nature and mark the passage of each of their traditional 24 seasons in different ways. In April the two seasons are Semei and Kokuu.

* Semei is the period of clear and bright weather leading up to the warmer weather.

* Kokuu is the time for some rain to help develop the crops for the harvest.

Suntory celebrates each season with the 24 Seasons Cocktail menu, an appropriate cocktail created by Brand Ambassador Zoran Peric.

Hakushu Semei – clear and bright weather (4 April)

Enough to raise the spirits for a good summer!

Recipe:

50ml Hakushu 12 Year Old single malt whisky

12.5ml Luxardo Maraschino liqueur

1ml Absinthe

Lemon zest

Coat an ice cube with absinthe and stir 10 times in a mixing glass. Add rest of ingredients then stir 30 times. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with grapefruit zest

Hibiki Kokuu – rain for a good harvest (20 April)

A bright interlude among the showers

Recipe:

40ml Hibiki 17 Year Old blended whisky

25ml Prucia golden plum liqueur

Stir ingredients with ice for about 2 minutes and serve over an ice ball in an Old Fashioned glass. Garnish with Orange zest

Suntory seasons/2

Suntory Japanese whiskies are world beaters having won more than 60 international awards since 2003 including Best Blended Whisky in the World for the Hibiki 21 and 30 year old and Best Single Malt in the World for the Yamazaki 18 year old. In 2010 Suntory was named Best Distiller in the World.

Whisky connoisseurs the world over applaud the subtle aromas and delicate flavours. In Japan whisky is often drunk with food such as sushi in a combination of two to three times water with whisky.

Hakushu 12 Year Old Single Malt and Hibiki 17 year old Blended whiskies are firm favourites in Japan and here in Europe. Celebrate these 2 Japanese seasons of Semei and Kokuu with a welcoming cocktail.

Notes: Pronouncing Suntory names

Yamazaki – (Ya-ma-zarkee)

Hakushu – (Ha-koo-shoe)

Hibiki – (Hi-bi-kee)

Hakushu single malt whisky and Hibiki blended whisky are available from: Selfridges, Harvey Nichols, The Whisky Exchange, independent specialist retailers and drinkon.com priced from:

Hakushu 12 year old £49

Hibiki 17 year old £70

The Suntory range of Japanese whiskies is distributed in the UK by Cellar Trends. For all sales enquiries contact: sales@cellartrends.co.uk

How to Drink Like the Characters of Mad Men

The liquor loving characters of the Emmy award-winning show Mad Men are back March 25th on AMC for a fifth season of drama and drinking on the job. If you’re planning to throw a viewing party and want to imbibe just like the employees of Sterling Cooper Draper and Pryce, Maker’s Mark Bourbon recommends these classic cocktail recipes for a Manhattan and Old Fashioned. Both immensely popular in the 50’s and 60’s, these drinks are now coming back into style thanks to a bourbon Renaissance. Pair them with a recipe for spiked Shrimp Cocktail from Chef Franklin Becker of New York’s Abe & Arthur’s and you’ve got yourself a party Don Draper would be proud of.

Just in case you’re a stickler for historical accuracy like the producers of the show, you’ll be comforted to know that Maker’s Mark launched in 1958 and the show is presently set in 1965. Maker’s was the world’s first premium bourbon, and to that end, was the first bourbon to use warm red winter wheat instead of rye as its main flavor grain. This made it incredibly smooth, setting it apart from the harsher tasting rye whiskies of the time.

The Perfect Manhattan

Ingredients:

1 1/2 parts Maker’s Mark® Bourbon
1/2 parts Sweet Vermouth
1 tsp. Maraschino Cherry Juice
Maraschino Cherries

Directions:

Shake all together for 30 seconds. Strain into chilled Manhattan glass. Garnish with a maraschino cherry (served up, no ice).

Old Fashioned

Ingredients:

· 2 parts Maker’s Mark® Bourbon

· 3 dashes of Angostura Bitters

· 1 Sugar Cube

· 1 Orange

· Maraschino Cherries

· Soda

· Ice

Directions:

Place sugar cube into the bottom of an Old-Fashioned glass and add Angostura bitters directly to the sugar cube. Add one orange slice, one cherry, and a splash of soda and muddle thoroughly. Remove the fruit remnants. Add Maker’s Mark, ice, and top off with soda. Garnish with a fresh orange slice and a maraschino cherry.

Shrimp Cocktail with Maker’s Mark® Bourbon Cocktail Sauce

Recipe by Chef Franklin Becker, Abe & Arthur’s

Prep Time: 30 minutes. Cook Time: 30 minutes. Level: Easy

Serves 4-8

24 pc. shrimp in shell, u-10

12 cups water

1½ cups dry white wine, such as Riesling

2 lemons juiced

2 bay leaves

10 pieces whole black peppercorn

1 medium onion, peeled, halved and sliced thin ¼”

1 stalk celery, sliced thin crosswise 1/8”

1 whole leek, washed and sliced thin, white and green

3 medium carrots, peeled, sliced into 1/8” thick rounds

¼ cup kosher salt

1 recipe Maker’s Mark® Bourbon cocktail sauce (recipe below)

Lemon wedges, for garnish

1. Leaving the shell and tail intact, slice down the back of the shrimp, deveining the shrimp.

2. Bring the water, white wine, lemon juice, bay leaves, peppercorns, onion, celery, leek, carrots, and kosher salt to a boil in a large pot. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes until the vegetables are soft and the brine is flavorful. Strain through a fine mesh sieve into a new pot, discarding the solids.

3. Bring the stock back up to a simmer. Add the shrimp in shell and stir to submerge the shrimp. Remove the pot from the heat and allow the shrimp to poach for 10 minutes or until fully cooked.

4. Drain the shrimp and place the shrimp into a large bowl filled with ice. Stir the shrimp with the ice cubes and place the bowl in the freezer until the shrimp have cooled down, about 2-3 minutes.

5. Peel the shell from the shrimp, leaving the tail intact. Discard the shells. Serve the shrimp ice cold alongside the Maker’s Mark® Bourbon cocktail sauce, with fresh lemon wedges.

Maker’s Mark® Bourbon Cocktail Sauce

Makes 1½ cups

1 cup Heinz® Ketchup

1 tablespoon TABASCO® Sauce

2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

¼ cup freshly grated horseradish

1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar

2 tablespoons Maker’s Mark® Bourbon, flamed off

1. Combine all ingredients together in a small bowl. Keep chilled until needed.

For additional Maker’s Mark® Bourbon food and drink recipes, please visit www.makersmark.com

New York, NY (March, 2012) – The annual Ultimate Spirits Challenge (USC) was held at Astor Center in New York City on March 5-9, 2012. Ultimate Beverage Challenge LLC, the sponsoring company, proudly announces the top spirits in more than 30 categories (but here at Whisky Intelligence we only care about one….) USC began with a record number of contestants as more than 650 spirits were entered (up 15% from 2011) from more than 70 companies and 30 countries around the world.

Led by Ultimate Beverage Challenge (UBC) Founder and Judging Chairman F. Paul Pacult and Judging Co-Chairman Sean Ludford, fourteen of the world’s foremost distilled spirits authorities, including award-winning authors, spirits buyers, journalists, educators, bar owners and consultants rated the world’s finest distillates on USC’s innovative multilevel system, rendering the most unassailable results in the industry. This remarkable super-group of experts named 31 Ultimate Spirits Challenge Chairman’s Trophy winners and more than 80 Finalists.

Said UBC Founder F. Paul Pacult, “Since we started Ultimate Spirits Challenge we have seen double digit growth in number of entries each year. Whether a product receives a Chairman’s Trophy Winner, a Finalist or a regular score, USC entrants are able to use their credible scores and insightful tasting notes to market and sell their products to bars, retailers and ultimately the consumer. USC is in the business of helping spirits companies achieve their sales goals, not by pandering to false aspirations but by telling the truth. With USC, you know the score.”

Judges for USC 2012 were: Chairman F. Paul Pacult, Co-Chairman Sean Ludford, Jacques Bezuidenhout, Tad Carducci, James Conley, Dale DeGroff, Doug Frost, MS, MW, Jim Meehan, Steve Olson, Julie Reiner, Jack Robertiello, Andy Seymour, Marcos Tello and David Wondrich.

For a complete list of results go to www.ultimate-beverage.com/usc2012results/

For downloadable images (hi/lo res) go to www.ultimate-beverage.com/2012USCpics

VODKA – UNFLAVORED

Fuzzy’s Ultra P

2012 ULTIMATE SPIRITS CHALLENGE CHAIRMAN’S TROPHY WINNERS

WHISK(E)Y – NORTH AMERICA

AMERICAN WHISKEY: Balcones “1” Texas Single Malt

BOURBON: Blanton’s Single Barrel

RYE: Masterson’s (should be in the Canadian category – WI)

TENNESSEE WHISKEY: George Dickel Barrel Select

WHISKEY – IRELAND

BLENDED: Midleton Barry Crockett

IRISH POT STILL WHISKEY: Redbreast Cask Strength 12 Years Old

SINGLE MALT: Bushmills 16 Years Old

WHISKY – SCOTLAND

BLENDED MALT: Johnnie Walker Green Label

BLENDED: Buchanan’s Special Reserve 18 Years Old

SINGLE MALT: Caol Ila 12 Years Old

WHISKY – CANADA

Caribou Crossing Single Barrel

WHISKY – WORLD

Japan: Yamazaki Single Malt 18 Years Old

Ultimate Spirits Challenge…like no other competition and doesn’t want to be

ABOUT ULTIMATE BEVERAGE CHALLENGE

Ultimate Beverage Challenge (UBC) provides expert evaluation of wines and spirits for producers, importers and marketers through its three innovative annual competitions – Ultimate Spirits Challenge, Ultimate Wine Challenge and Ultimate Cocktail Challenge. Based on exacting standards, expert judges and rigorous methodology, UBC raises the standards of spirits and wine evaluation and supplies ratings and accolades to help companies build their brands with buyers, both industry and consumer. UBC was founded by F. Paul Pacult, Sue Woodley and David Talbot. Challenge and event photos, videos and press coverage can be found at www.ultimate-beverage.com

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