‘Outrageously funny and highly subversive’ – original whisky comedy screens in Christchurch

See the original black and white film of whisky mayhem made by Ealing Studios in 1948

In February 1941 it was wartime and in Scotland whisky was under strict rationing. So when the SS Politician ran aground off Eriskay on the west coast of Scotland on its way to Jamaica carrying over 28,000 cases of malt whisky the islanders were spurred into action.

Jumping into small boats they descended on the merchant ship and “rescued” what they could of the 240,000 bottles of Scotland’s finest. The government jumped in and the men from Customs and Excise determined to stop what they saw as looting fought running battles with the islanders to recover the cargo.

The incident became the stuff of legends and inspired the bestselling novel Whisky Galore by Compton Mackenzie, which was then in 1948 adapted by Ealing Studio into a film that has become a modern day classic.

This year is the 70th anniversary of the incident and to mark the occasion, specialist whisky supplier, Whisky Galore in Christchurch is bringing the original black and white film to Christchurch.

The cult Scottish comedy classic is part of the biennial Dramfest ’11 expo – Australasia’s largest whisky expo that runs from 25 – 27 February, 2011.

“We are excited to have this showing because the stranding of the SS Politician and the actions of the islanders has become a whisky legend,” says Whisky Galore owner, Michael Fraser Milne. “There is still so much mystery around the voyage and the cargo. Why weren’t the islanders allowed to salvage what was on the ship, why did Customs see it as looting. Some of the islanders even went to jail.”

Michael Fraser Milne says: “This is one of the great Ealing comedies and to have the original films to show in Christchurch is a rare opportunity for both film and whisky lovers.”

The original film was shot on the island of Barra in Scotaland in 1948 and starred a host of Scottish stars, including James Robertson Justice, Duncan Macrae and Gordon Jackson, with Basil Radford as the officious English Home Guard captain Waggett.

To celebrate the screening there will be whisky tastings before the film.

Date: 25 February, 2011
Time: 7:00pm for 7:30pm screening (includes whisky appreciation and canapés before)

Venue: Regent Theatre, Worcester St, Christchurch
Cost: $35.00
Dress: 1940s period costume (optional)

A full programme of workshops and exhibitors for Dramfest ‘11 is available at dramfest.co.nz. Tickets for the event are available from Whisky Galore or on line at www.whiskygalore.co.nz or www.dramfest.co.nz

Plenty of highlights at this year’s Victoria Whisky Festival, and we’ll have all of the details in this episode recorded on location in Victoria, British Columbia. In the news, Scotch whisky exports are on the rise, Glenfarclas marks an anniversary, Arran goes peaty, Compass Box goes Orangerie again…and we mourn the loss of longtime Buffalo Trace legend Jimmy Johnson.

Visit WhiskyCast at www.whiskycast.com

The Sons of Icarus have been crowned the first ever winner of the UK’s largest unsigned band competition, the Marshall Ultimate Band Contest (UBC).

Sponsored by rock icon Marshall Amps, the Lick Library and Smokehead Islay Single Malt Whisky, the UBC came to a thrilling conclusion, with five finalists battling head to head at a live gig at Marshall’s Milton Keynes HQ.

Judged by a panel of influential industry heavyweights including Ian Williamson of Classic Rock Magazine, Kim Waller of The Lick Library and Chris George, International Demonstrator for Marshall Amplification, The Sons of Icarus were voted the unequivocal champions, winning not only the honour of being the first ever Marshall Ultimate Band but also get a full Marshall Endorsement (previously bestowed on the likes of Slash and Jimi Hendrix). 

The Sons of Icarus will also receive a substantial equipment loan, a Limited Edition bottle of Smokehead Extra Black each, LickLibrary DVDs, a re-master of four tracks by famed Metropolis Studio and a covermount CD by Classic Rock Magazine.

Described as a modern rock band, The Sons of Icarus (formerly The Fury) are based in Guildford and consist of Andy Masson (vocals/ guitar), Alex Masson (bass/ backing vocals), Mike McQuillan (Drums), Steve Balkwill (Lead Guitar), who study together at the Academy of Contemporary Music, Surrey. The band reached the final thanks to fans voting online and the final was also broadcast by Lick Library via a webcast and was viewed by nearly 1,700 visitors. 

Paul Marshall, Artist and Customer Liaison Manager of Marshall Amplification said: “The Sons of Icarus are an outstanding band and truly worthy winners of the Marshall UBC. I am sure 2011 will see the band go from strength to strength and I understand a management company is now looking to sign them.

“A major part of winning the Marshall UBC is the added exposure it offers allowing the band opportunities to get in front of very influential people in the industry, which otherwise can be very difficult.

“I would like to thank all the bands that entered as the overall standard was extremely high making for a great evening and some tough judging. I would urge all the bands out there to look out for the opportunity to enter the Marshall UBC 2011.”

Iain Weir, Marketing Director of Smokehead Whisky and UBC judge said: “We were thrilled to be able support the first ever UBC and The Sons of Icarus were deserving winners.  Over the last 12 months we have increasingly grown Smokehead’s rock credentials, not only with our work with Marshall and Lick Library but also by our continued support of key events in the rock calendar including the Classic Rock Hall of Fame Awards.

“The Marshall UBC was a great success and we cannot wait until Year Two of the Marshall Ultimate Band Contest – this is just the beginning.”

Sons of Icarus commented: “We absolutely loved playing at the Marshall HQ. The sound was awesome and the guys at Marshall are some of the friendliest people in the industry we’ve ever met. The competition was fantastically done, and we couldn’t be happier to have won it. Thanks so much to Marshall, Lick Library and Smokehead!”

Smokehead Whisky, the powerful Islay Single Malt which has become the drink of choice at rock events including High Voltage Festival and, for the second time, the Classic Rock Roll of Honour Awards, which took place at the Roundhouse in London in November. Legendary shock-rocker Alice Cooper was this year’s Master Of Ceremonies, along with TV presenter and all-round rock fan Sarah Cawood. Canadian rockers Rush were honoured with the Living Legend award (sponsored by Marshall), heralding the first time a band has won this prestigious accolade – previous recipients include Alice Cooper, Ozzy Osbourne and Iggy Pop. Rock icon Slash picked up the award for Album of the Year. 

For more details, rules of entry and to enter see www.marshallubc.com

www.facebook.com/marshalUBC

Described as being like a cannonball, Smokehead is an explosive combination of peat, smoke and spice with some delicate sweetness. The single malt flavour is described as fresh, fruity and immense, with notes of sherry, iodine, toffee, smoke and sea salt. The taste hits the palate at once with cocoa, peat and some honey sweetness, before exploding with peppery spice and more earthy peat.

In his new book 101 Whiskies to Try Before You Die, Ian Buxton says of Smokehead 18 Years Old: “I saw Extra Black compared to the amplifier that goes all the way up to 11 in Spinal Tap. This is just as rock and roll as that.”

Smokehead is widely available throughout the UK and worldwide, RRP £31.99. Details of stockists, including Sainsbury’s can be found on the website www.smokehead.co.uk

Curious to discover more, visit www.smokehead.co.uk

Smokehead Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky encourages responsible drinking

www.drinkaware.co.uk  www.scotch-whisky.org.uk

This is the first live webcast of WhiskyCast, on location at the Victoria Whisky Festival in British Columbia. Our tasting panel and nosers from the audience went through five blind samples selected by Malt Maniac and Victoria Whisky Festival president Lawrence Graham, and you’ll hear just how hard it is to guess just what a whisky could be without any clues. In the news, Shackleton’s whisky gets first-class treatment, new expressions from The Dalmore and Old Pulteney, and whisky in a can?

Visit WhiskyCast at www.whiskycast.com

Specialist Whisky has the brand new Dalmore Rivers Collection available to purchase online today!

To advance order, visit us today and safeguard your whisky and Scotland’s Fish!

Order the Dalmore Rivers Collection at Specialist Whisky today http://www.specialistwhisky.com/the-dalmore-rivers-collection-of-whisky/cat_272.html 

Four exclusive whiskies created by Richard Paterson, Reflect the character, charm and differences of each river. Each whisky is bespoke and unique in character, much like the great rivers they support. Excellent liquid. Highly collectable.

The Atlantic Salmon is one of Scotland’s most iconic species. Scotland has four truly world famous salmon rivers; The Spey, Dee, Tweed & Tay. Each river is protected and preserved by a charitable body. They need our support to safeguard some of our most beautiful countryside Over £4 from every single bottle sold will be gifted directly to the Dee trust, Spey foundation etc. Gift donations mean there are no ties and the money can be spent however the foundation/ trust want.

www.specialistwhisky.com

WHISKI Bar & Restaurant

1st whisky tasting of 2011 – its going to be a good one

3rd Feb 2011 – Whisky Dinner & Whisky Tasting
 
Join us for our 1st charity whisky tasting of 2011.

Hosted by Patsy Christie, Mixxit manager at Maxxium UK and featuring the Macallan Fine Oak 15 year old, Highland Park 12 year old and Laphroaig Triple Wood single malt scotch whiskies neat and in cocktails.

Charity auction of premium whisky on the night will be held to raise funds for Cancer Research UK.

Book Now  
Thursday 3rd Feb 2011
 6:30pm for 7PM start
£25.00 pp

STARTER

Chefs Soup of the Day
with crusty bread

MAIN COURSE

Scottish Salmon
with a WHISKY & Orange Jus

Fresh Scottish Chicken Breast
served with a Whisky & Mushroom Sauce

Award winning MacSweens Haggis,
Neeps & Tatties
with our creamy Whisky Sauce

DESSERT

Whisky & Caramelised Walnut Cheesecake.
 
Live Scottish/ Irish music kicks off after the whisky dinner and tasting with the Gorms playing live so this will be a great evening and hope to see you there.

Best Regards,
The WHISKI Team
www.whiskibar.co.uk

The concluding Vlog to the mini-series Tour of Springbank, arguably Scotland’s most intact craft Distillery. Found at www.ralfy.com whisky review 177 7/7 – Springbank Distillery with Peter (part 7).

TOASTING THE BARD

Whether you have an invitation to a formal traditional Burns Supper or are planning a simple affair at home with haggis neeps and tatties, choose from the following single malts for a fine dram to toast our national bard on his birthday.

Lauded “the greatest all rounder in the world of malt whisky” by the late drinks writer Michael Jackson, Highland Park 12 year old single malt, boasts a rich full flavour with hints of honey and peat with a soft, long rounded finish. This award winning Orcadian malt is the perfect tipple to serve alongside some haggis. (RRP £28.74, available at multiple retailers including Asda, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Waitrose, Morrisons, Co-op, Somerfield and Oddbins or online at www.highlandpark.co.uk).

Balanced with oak and fruit flavours with hints of heather honey, the soft and malty The Macallan Fine Oak 10 Years Old makes an ideal introduction to the range. The award winning Fine Oak range was heralded to be “by far the best range of non-vintage whiskies to be launched by any one distillery for possibly the last decade.” (RRP £27.75, available at multiple retailers including Asda, Tesco, Co-op, Oddbins or online at www.themacallan.com).

Laden with notes of ripe fruits, citrus, vanilla and hints of spice, The Glenrothes Select Reserve typifies the Speyside distillery house style.  A vatting of casks distilled in different years, Select Reserve is presented in the iconic Glenrothes bottle and is the very essence of The Glenrothes range (RRP £33.45, available at Sainsbury’s, Oddbins, House of Fraser, Harrods, Harvey Nichols, Wine Rack, specialist whisky retailers or online at www.theglenrothes.com)

Millennium and Eleven Masters Tasting Series

Join us for a series of tastings featuring “The Masters” of wine and spirits as chosen by one of America’s foremost wine and spirits authorities, F. Paul Pacult, editor of The Spirit Journal.

Monday, January 31, 7:00 p.m.

Robbie Burns Night Celebration:

The Elegant Single Malts

Please join us to celebrate the 252nd birthday of the Greatest Scot. This extraordinary evening will feature nine distinct and perfectly balanced single malt scotches from the spectacular portfolio of Skyy Spirits. Come celebrate the Bard and raise your glass to the immortal “Ode to Haggis” accompanied by bagpipe, Scottish fare and some of the finest single malts in the world.

Master of the Quaich F. Paul Pacult will lead you through this unforgettable tasting which will include:

Auchentoshan Three Wood
Auchentoshan 21 Year Old
Bowmore 15 Year Old Darkest
Bowmore Tempest Small Batch Release No. 2
10 Year Old/Cask Strength
The Glenrothes 1998
The Glenrothes 1985
Glen Garioch 12 Year Old
Glen Garioch 1797 Founder’s Reserve
Glen Grant 16 Year Old

$95 per person

For reservations call Keens Steakhouse (212) 947-3636
– Please register early as we expect this event to sell out –

http://www.keens.com/images/Winter2011Tasting_KeensRegistrationForm.pdf

Please fax back to us at (212) 714-1103