Maltstock Newsletter 7   
  
Fellow whisky enthusiasts,

A good 2,5 weeks until Maltstock. Time for the latest news. And please remember, tickets for Maltstock have to be bought in advance. No ticket sales during the Maltstock weekend. If you haven’t got your tickets yet please visit our web shop now. For the full program and all information, please visit our website, www.maltstock.com

Breakfast whisky is ready
We have received news from the guys from Compass Box. The breakfast whisky is ready. This will accompany the Scottish breakfast at Maltstock provided by the Highlander Inn.  The Compass Box team on this unique whisky: “We have found an absolutely delicious whisky for you to have with The Highlander Inn Scottish breakfast at Maltstock. It’s from a really unusual old Bourbon cask of Eleuthera that we had forgotten we had! It has been gently maturing and marrying since we blended it all together 4 years ago. It is a blend of Clynelish and Caol Ila with an average age of 18 years. The alcohol level is 45.3%. The cask has been half full so the whisky is especially light, creamy, fruity and floral in character. It reminded Gregg of Scottish sliced fruit pudding so it sounds perfect for any proper Scottish breakfast!”

This very special breakfast whisky will only be available at Maltstock with the Scottish breakfast. It will not be available at Maltstock or afterwards. We can however order a few extra bottles before Maltstock. However, if you would a bottle of this as well, you have the to be fast. You can order either a 10 cl or a 70 cl bottle. But you need to contact us at the latest Wednesday August 18. After that it will not be possibe anymore to get a bottle.

Stuart Thomson campfire

Last year we had Jim McEwan and Billy Walker putting up a terrific show at the campfire. This year Stuart Thomson has agreed to tell some stories. We’ll also have some music at the campfire, McHollander will perform. It promises to be a great evening again.

Maltstock on the Scotch and Folk blog

A few days ago Maltstock was interviewed by Jock Shaw from the Scotch and Folk video blog. He has taped two blogs. Here are the links to these video’s:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tn2z2umSSac and: 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQn3ztJhuOU

Drinks by the Dram

The team from Drinks by the Dram will also be present at Maltstock. So you can save some on shipping costs. If you have something you would like to order, just mention you will be at Maltstock and they will bring it to Maltstock for you. Drinks by the Dram is part of Master of Malt.

Drinks by the Dram: http://www.masterofmalt.com/drinks-by-the-dram/
Master of Malt: http://www.masterofmalt.com/

Octomore 3_152 ppm – Maltstock special

Just a short reminder, it is possible to pre-order the upcoming new Octomore 3_152 with a special discount. Just 87,50 euro for Maltstock guests and 95,- euro for those of you who are not able to make it to Maltstock. Octomore 3_152 will be the world’s heaviest peated whisky. It has been matured for 5 years in ex-bourbon casks. If you want one or more bottles, please send an e-mail to info@maltstock.com

Four Roses – world première

Soon, very soon I hope to be able to send you another message. With a bit of luck we will have something very special for you from Four Roses. Something which has never been done before in the world. You might think having the ten different white dog is very special. Well you are right of course…. But wait until you find out what else we have. More to follow soon.

Music at Maltstock

We will have some live music at Maltstock this year. “Take the Biscuit” will play for us. And around the campfire we will have “McHollander”. If you feel like making some music as well feel free to bring your instrument.

Whisky quiz and raffle

We have been receiving some really terrific prizes the past few weeks for the whisky quiz and for the Maltstock raffle. So start practising whisky trivia and win some great prizes. And if you managed to just loose out at the whisky quiz, no problem, we will have a big raffle as well. So a chance for everybody to go home with some really great prizes.

Ian Gray prints –  20% discount

It is still possible to take advantage of a special Maltstock discount on Ian Gray prints. Even if you’re not coming to Maltstock. Please visit the specials in our web shop too find out more. Prints normally are 75,- euro but with the Maltstock discount they are available for just 60,- euro. A 20% discount!

Maltstock 2011

For those unfortunate whisky lovers amongst you who can’t make it to Maltstock this year, we already have the dates for Maltstock 2011. So put them in your agenda: 9-11 September 2011.

That’s all folks. Hope to see you all in a good 2,5 weeks. See you at Maltstock!

Arthur, Bob, Eline, Rogier & Teun
info@maltstock.com

www.maltstock.com
the relaxed whisky weekend

World Premiere at Maltstock 2010 with Four Roses

The fledgling “festival” Maltstock will have its second edition this year. It isn’t a festival really, it’s more of a worldwide gathering of whisky-lovers who come together for a weekend of fun, whisky and stories with the known and unknown.  Maltstock is different from the many whisky festivals. At Maltstock people come together for a whole weekend. We eat, drink, sleep and have fun all at the same venue. Visitors take their own bottles and share the contents with likeminded people, but there are importers too, presenting special bottlings that are difficult to obtain. All in a very unique, relaxed atmosphere.

Maltstock is the brainchild of Teun van Wel and Bob Wenting, aka The Bruichladdies. Whisky aficionados themselves, they act as guides to the uninitiated at the Dutch whisky festivals and organise whisky trips to Scotland for small groups who want to taste the cratur at its origin: the distillery.

Last year Maltstock welcomed Jim McEwan as honorary guest, among others.  He captures the essence of Maltstock in this statement about the first edition:

“I think it is a totally unique event, there is nothing like it in the world. It is inexpensive, the venue is perfect. The people who attend are really into malts and they were happy to share their whisky and their stories with complete strangers. And when the time came to say goodbye, there were no strangers, only friends, and they will remain that way for a long time.

This is when the Magic of Malt comes alive, when it is shared willing with people who share the same passion. This event provides the perfect stage for it all to come alive. Slainte.” 

For Maltstock 2010 the founding fathers wanted to create an original experience with bourbon, not limiting their scope to single malts. This spring, Teun and Bob attended the Four Roses “white dog” tasting at the Groningen Festival (WFNN) conducted by master distiller Jim Rutledge and whisky writer Hans Offringa. For those who do not know, Four Roses uses five yeast strains and two different mash bills with which Jim Rutledge and his crew create 10 different “white dogs” (new make spirit as it is called in the USA). No other distillery does this.

In April this year Hans was in Chicago judging a whisky competition and met Brett Pontoni of Binny’s, who happened to be on the jury as well. Brett told Hans that Binny’s – the largest wholesaler and retailer of whisky in Illinois – stocks the 10 different single barrel Four Roses, made out of the 10 different recipes.  When Hans informed them, Teun and Bob knew how to create an unique experiment at Maltstock 2010:

Organize a tasting where the participants could not only taste the 10 white dogs, but also the 10 mature versions, bottled after having been in the barrel for several years! Something which has never been done before anywhere in the world. It will be an unique opportunity to find out if yeast really does matter!

Jim & Hans

The Bruichladdies asked Hans if he could arrange white dog for Maltstock and Jim consequently supplied Bob and Teun with 10 sample bottles. With the help of Jim, Hans, Brett and Pernod Ricard NL (the importer of Four Roses in The Netherlands), Maltstock was able to obtain the 10 different single barrel bourbons and will present them on Saturday September 4 in a special tasting.

This has never been done before and Jim Rutledge is very enthusiastic about it. Since he cannot be in Europe at the time, he asked Hans Offringa to conduct this unique tasting. The two have known each other for years and enjoy working together.  Jim recently assessed Hans’ manuscript “Bourbon & Blues” and says about it: “I read Hans’ book on a plane and I think it is fantastic. A very ‘easy’ flow and read.”

The book is scheduled for publishing Spring 2011 and no doubt Four Roses plays an important part in it. Hans says about it: “I have been a devotee of Four Roses straight bourbon since my late teens and I can truly tell there is a lot of Four Roses in this book … and in its writer! I am honoured to host this unique tasting at Maltstock 2010.”

Don’t miss out on a unique event and register for Maltstock 2010 now. Simply go to www.maltstock.com, register first and then go to the online web shop to order your tickets. Hope to see you at Maltstock!

Slainte,

The Maltstock Crew
Arthur, Bob, Eline, Rogier and Teun

HEAVEN HILL DISTILLERIES, INC. APPOINTS STEVEN E. FELLER VICE PRESIDENT OF NORTH AMERICAN SALES 

Elected Officer of Company After Guiding Sales Efforts for 18 Years

LOUISVILLE, KY—Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. announced today that current Director of North American Sales Steve Feller has been elected as a Vice President, recognizing his 18 years of service to the company and his last five years leading sales efforts in the U.S. and Canada.

Heaven Hill Distilleries, the largest independent family-owned and operated distilled spirits supplier, is the producer of such renowned category leading brands as Evan Williams Bourbon, Christian Brothers Brandy, Burnett’s Vodkas and Hpnotiq Liqueur, and under Feller’s guidance has leveraged strong sales growth to become the nation’s seventh largest spirits supplier.

Feller, who will continue to lead the company’s overall sales efforts in North America and report to Heaven Hill President Max L. Shapira, joined Heaven Hill in 1992, progressing in the sales organization to become Director of North American Sales in 2005.  Prior to coming to Heaven Hill, Feller was with Glenmore Distilleries and United Distillers.  He is a graduate of the University of Louisville and holds an MBA from Bellarmine University. 

“In his new position, Steve will continue to provide the leadership that has driven our robust growth during his tenure,” commented Heaven Hill President Shapira.

Founded in 1934, Bardstown, KY-based Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. (www.heavenhill.com) is the nation’s largest independent, family-owned and operated spirits producer and marketer and the world’s second-largest holder of Kentucky Bourbon. Heaven Hill’s diversified portfolio of brands includes The Christian Brothers Brandies; Evan Williams and Elijah Craig Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskeys; Burnett’s Vodkas and Gin; Hpnotiq Liqueur; PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur; Lunazul and Two Fingers Tequilas, and Dubonnet Aperitif.

Heaven Hill reminds you to “Think Wisely. Drink Wisely.”

Loch Fyne Whiskies has stocked ‘Kilchoman 3yo Summer 2010 Release’

Kilchoman 3yo Summer 2010 Release
46% abv
£44.90 inc vat
£38.21 ex vat

(LFW comments) Full tasting note soon…

The ‘Summer 2010 Release’ has been matured in fresh bourbon barrels from Buffalo Trace for 3 years.

These 3yo whiskies from Islay’s juvenile distillery are truly remarkable, they’re as good as any single malt Scotch – nailing the long dead misconception that under (say) eight years is too young. It’s great.

Loch Fyne Whiskies
david@lfw.co.uk

September 25 – Scotch Tasting in Woodbury

2:00pm – 3:00pm at The Cellars Wines & Spirits – Woodbury

“Vinocopia and The Cellars are teaming up once more to present to you a Scotch Tasting. Last years event was so popular we had to create a second session, so we ask that you sign up in store, or RSVP via Facebook to reserve a place.”

Woodbury Location
East side of Radio Dr., N. of Valley Creek Rd.
1815 Radio Dr., Woodbury, Minnesota 55125
651-738-8110•Fax: 651-578-9308
woodbury@TheCellars.com
  
http://www.thecellars.com/events.htm

Single Malts Newsletter
Laphroaig, Bunnahabhain, Glenfiddich and more on offer this week
Week of 20th August 2010
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
 
Greetings!
 
Deals of the Week ££££

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
Ardmore Traditional

Special Offer Price

Only£21.49 Inc Vat£18.29 Ex Vat Saving of £10.00 (RRP £31.49 inc Vat)

Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old

Special Offer Price

Only £26.99 Inc Vat £22.97 Ex Vat  Saving of £7.00 (RRP £33.99 inc Vat)

Dalmore 12 Year Old

Special Offer Price

Only £29.99 Inc Vat £25.52 Ex Vat Saving of £9.00 (RRP £38.99 inc Vat)

Glenfiddich 18 Year Old

Special Offer Price

Only £37.49 Inc Vat £31.91 Ex Vat Saving of £11.50 (RRP £48.99 inc Vat)

Laphroaig 10 Year Old

Special Offer Price

Only £22.49 Inc Vat £19.14 Ex Vat Saving of £8.50 (RRP £30.99 inc Vat)

Old Pulteney 17 Year Old

Special Offer Price

Only £40.49 Inc Vat £34.46 Ex Vat Saving of £12.50 (RRP £52.99 inc Vat)

phone: 0845 6066145
email: info@singlemaltsdirect.com
website: www.singlemaltsdirect.com
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Untouchable taste – proof is the hottest new whisky on the market this summer!
 
Toronto, On – August, 2010: As early autumn approaches, proof brands inc. proudly announces the launch of proof whisky. To commemorate this event, proof brands inc. is inviting you to join us for a media launch at the Bloor Street Roots Store on Wednesday, September 1st  6-9pm. The evening will include an introduction of our new brand of Canadian whisky, a taste of Canadian-inspired foods, an exclusive VIP shopping experience at Roots and an intimate performance by one of Canada’s hottest acts.

proof whisky, comes in a hip new 500 ml size!

The blend of Canadian prairie rye and wheat is distilled with pristine spring water from the Canadian Rockies. It is aged to perfection in charred oak barrels, creating its sophisticated sweet and smoky flavours. proof is bottled at 42% alc./vol., to give it that extra edge. Enjoy it on the rocks or in our swanky signature cocktail – the Urban.

proof whisky is now available at the LCBO, for only $19.95 a bottle.

Great things DO come in small packages.

For more information or to set up an interview:

Please RSVP Karine Delage by Friday, August, 27th, 2010 at 416-876-3329 or karine@karyzmaagency.com

Hi All,

Well that was it then.

The summer that was and then wasn’t. A summer of mixed sports results – a poor world cup (for any nation other than Spain), a good run at Wombledon by Murray and an unbeaten England cricket team. Some good weather, some not so good… Well I hope that you managed to have a great one whatever you did!

Whisky on the other hand waves goodbye to the hot weather with the promise of an exciting program of autumn and winter events here at The Whisky Lounge. We would be foolish to disappoint…

Festivals

The York Whisky Lounge Festival 2010
Saturday 18th September
The Guildhall, St. Helens Square, York
12-4pm, 5-9pm
£15 per session

The Manchester Whisky Lounge Festival 2010
Saturday 2nd October
The Castlefield Rooms, Castle Street, Manchester
11am-4pm
£18 per ticket

Both of these fantastic events return for more whisky-related fun than ever before! Both have new and old friends in attendance and both have a fantastic roster of masterclasses for you to choose from.

I won’t waste email space going on about exhibitors here – instead why not pop to the website to find out for yourself and to buy tickets. You will not be disappointed by the line-ups we have for you, with representatives from Scotland, England, Ireland, Japan, India and the USA!

Springbank Tastings

It has taken me a while, but I have finally talked the most staunchly independent of distilleries into doing a series tastings with us – a big seal of approval! For those of you who have never experienced Springbank, you are in for a treat. The only distillery in Scotland to malt all of its own barley also produces three different variations from the same site – Hazelburn, Springbank and Longrow. These are produced using differing barley peat levels and distillation styles. They have also opened another distillery and will be sampling with us some of the newly matured Kilkerran from this! We will be welcoming Iain Scott, a very humorous and friendly character, to spill the beans on Springbank…

This is a great and truly iconic distillery and the whiskies are of the highest quality, so make sure you are at one of the tastings below to enjoy!

Friday 3rd September – Blackfriars, Newcastle
Friday 10th September – Britons Protection, Manchester
Friday 8th October – City Inn, Leeds
Saturday 9th October – The Hilton, Tower Bridge, London SE1
Sunday 24th October – Meltons Too, York

Tickets to all of these are £20, and Springbank are kindly offering one of their tastefully branded tasting glasses for everybody who purchases a bottle on the night! Again, go to the website to buy tickets or for further info.

I will have further news on our final tastings of 2010 very shortly, but that should keep you going for now!

I hope to see you at one or more of these events but in the meantime take care of you and yours and speak soon…

Slainte!
Eddie

PS. Don’t forget you can follow us more closely from the comfort of your own computer/phone/internet capable device on either or both Twitter and Facebook. See you there!

Eddie Ludlow
Whisky Evangelist

thewhiskylounge
www.thewhiskylounge.com
eddie@thewhiskylounge.com
Twitter me up
Facebook Group

07515 854210

IWSC Spirit Panel Judge 2009-present

WHISKY GALORE BOTTLE MAKES £4,200 AT BONHAMS SCOTTISH SALE

NEAR SELL OUT SALE MAKES £92,000

A bottle of whisky salvaged from the “Whisky Galore” ship, The SS Politician, was sold today for £4,200 on the second day of Bonhams annual Scottish Sale in Edinburgh.   It was retrieved from the wreck of the ship in the 1950s or 1960s and was estimated to fetch £1,200 – 1,800.  The sale made a total of £92,000 and practically every bottle was sold.

The story of the SS Politician and its cargo of whisky is known round the world thanks to the novelist Sir Compton MacKenzie who based his book ‘Whisky Galore’ on the real life events.  The novel was later made into a very popular Ealing Comedy film.

In 1941, the ship set sail for Kingston, Jamaica with a cargo which included pianos, motor parts, bedding and 28,000 cases (264,000 bottles) of whisky. It ran aground in a gale off the Outer Hebrides near the island of Eriskay.  Islanders, from Eriskay and beyond, starved of whisky by war time rationing, systematically salvaged around 24,000 bottles before the authorities caught up with them.  Some of the looters were fined; some ended up in jail; few of the stolen bottles were recovered.  The hull of the ship was blown up by a frustrated local customs officer to put the whisky beyond temptation, prompting one anguished islander to exclaim, “Dynamiting whisky! You wouldn’t think there’d be men in the world so crazy as that!”

Whisky from the Politician rarely appears at auction.  In 1987, 8 bottles were retrieved from the wreck which still lies submerged off the coast of Eriskay and sold for £4,000. Despite extensive salvage efforts in 1989 only 24 more bottles were recovered.

For further sale information please go to www.bonhams.com/scotland

NOTES

Bonhams

Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world’s oldest and largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques. The present company was formed by the merger in November 2001 of Bonhams & Brooks and Phillips Son and Neale UK. In August 2002, the company acquired Butterfields, the principal firm of auctioneers on the West Coast of America. Today, Bonhams offers more sales than any of its rivals, through two major salerooms in London: New Bond Street, and Knightsbridge, and a further five throughout the UK. Sales are also held in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Carmel, New York and Boston in the USA; Toronto, Canada; and France, Monaco, Hong Kong and Dubai. Bonhams has a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 25 countries offering sales advice and valuation services in 57 specialist areas. By the end of 2009, Bonhams had become UK market leaders in ten key specialist collecting areas. For a full listing of upcoming sales, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, go to www.bonhams.com (Feb 2010)

Bonhams, 101 New Bond Street, London, London W1S 1SR United Kingdom

Whisky World – 25th and 26th August

Love Whisky?

We do, and on August 25th and 26th The Oak Barrel will be immersed in the ‘water of life’ with Whisky World – a celebration of unique whiskies from Australia and around the world. Come into our ‘cave’ where an exhibition will showcase a variety of whiskies for your tasting pleasure. If you still want more, join us in the tasting room where each night will feature two master classes, each with a unique focus.

The ‘Cave’ Exhibition will feature a variety of whiskies such as Sheep Dip Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Tobermory 15yo Isle of Mull Single Malt Scotch Whisky as well as distilleries including Glenmorangie and Talisker. If you are passionate about whisky, join us on Wednesday night as we explore award-winning whiskies from Victoria in our Bakery Hill Master Class. Presented by owner and distiller David Baker, Bakery Hill produces classic single malt whiskies with exceptionally fine flavour and aroma. Wednesday night will also feature a rare opportunity to sample not only the Classic Malts but also the “Boutique Barrels” from Isle of Jura distillery in Scotland. With a live Skype crossover to Scotland for the presentation, it promises to be a class to remember! Thursday night will kick off with Limeburners presented by Cameron Syme. Limeburners Whisky is made by the Great Southern Distilling Company on the picturesque Princess Royal Harbour in Albany, Western Australia. Cameron will be showing four Whiskies and a Whisky Liqueur from his stable of fine International Award Winning Whiskies. Last but not least is a family affair as we sample traditional, hand made whiskies from Springbank in Scotland. The oldest independently owned family distillery in Scotland, Springbank uses traditional methods at all stages of the distillation process and carries out the full production process on the one site.

So join The Oak Barrel team as we host this unique event dedicated to the worlds best whiskies. With a range of tickets available, Whisky World has something for everyone – whether you’re a whisky connoisseur or a new found lover, you will be sure to leave with a warm feeling inside!

NOTES

Quick Facts

Time: 6.00pm – 9.00pm


Date: Wednesday 25th & Thursday 26th August

Location: Oak Barrel, Tasting Room

Tickets: 
Platinum: $70 or $60 for members, includes: 2 Master Classes, entry to the   exhibition area over 2 nights.

Gold: $50 or $40 for members, includes: 1 Master Class, entry to the exhibition area for 1 night.

Silver: $20 includes: entry to the exhibition area for 1 night.

Book: events@oakbarrel.com.au