Hooray, we are actually getting a spring this year by the look of things! We hope you are finding some time to spend with your loved ones and take it easy at least for a few days…
With that in mind, we have a whole raft of new tastings to tell you about, including a new nationwide series, a couple of festivals and much more as always. We also have the latest industry news and a competition to win tickets to London Whisky Weekend in May.
So, let’s not dilly-dally…
‘SPIRIT OF INDIE’
Having taken close looks at Indian and Irish whiskies over the last couple of months, we felt it important to drill back into our roots.
For us, one of the most important and exciting categories of whisky is Independent Bottlers. Usually a great source of quality (and good value) whiskies that have been sourced and bottled by someone other than the distillers themselves. Their whiskies are normally bottled at cask strength and non chill-filtered. Which is nice.
For this series we will be presenting to you 6 whiskies from some of the finest Independent Bottlers in the UK. Simple as.
SPIRIT OF INDIE DATES & VENUES:
LONDON Wednesday 30th April 7pm THE RED LION, CROWN PASSAGE
BRIGHTON Thursday 1st May 7pm HILTON METROPOLE, KING STREET
NEWCASTLE Friday 2nd May 7pm BLACKFRIARS, FRIAR STREET
SHEFFIELD Tuesday 6th May 7pm THE SHEFFIELD TAP, SHEFFIELD STATION
LIVERPOOL Wednesday 7th May JENNY’S BAR, FENWICK ST.
LEEDS Thursday 8th May CROSSKEYS, WATER LANE
MANCHESTER Friday 9th May BRITONS PROTECTION
YORK Saturday 10th May BRIGANTES, MICKLEGATE
Just click on the venue closest to you to book now.
Coming up fast – on Saturday 26th April – we have our second festival of the year.
Once again partnering with The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, this should be a cracking day out. As well as the SMWS library, with a huge number of bottlings, we have the likes of Diageo, Glen Garioch, Berry Brothers and Highland Park showing off new bottlings.
We have added some really interesting classes, including a special class looking at historical and old bottlings from various distilleries with specialist Angus McRaild.
If you haven’t got your tickets yet you can do so by clicking here for the full day at £30 or here for the half-day at £20.
LONDON WHISKY WEEKENDER
Hot on the heels of Edinburgh, we have perhaps our most ambitious and innovative event yet.
Having teamed up with the sprawling expanse of arts and music venue, Oval Space, we are attempting to create a world-class whisky event with pre-war whisky tastings, sensory experiences, BBQ and local food producers, pickle-backs and craft beer in the Pickle Factory, classes from the likes of Laphroaig and Talisker and so much more.
This is really going to be tremendous and umissable.
You have one more chance to get the ‘Early-Bird’ tickets at 2 for £50 (2 for £40 Sunday), which have to end this Sunday, so please be quick to avoid disappointment or paying the full price of £35 (Friday & Sat sessions) or £25 (Sunday session).
FRIDAY 16th MAY 7PM-12AM Early-Bird
SATURDAY 17th MAY 12PM-5PM Early-Bird
SATURDAY 17th MAY 7PM-12AM Early-Bird
SUNDAY 18th MAY Early-Bird
Just click on the session you would like to attend and Bob’s your sister’s brother!
After our ‘Spirit of Indie’ series we have a fantastic series of Glenlivet ‘vertical’ tastings starting in June. One of the oldest and most established distilleries in this highly distillery populated areas, it has long been seen as pioneering and a leader in quality – with many distilleries in the area not only trying to replicate their whiskies, but even going so far as taking their name!
You will be tasting through a range of 6, from 12yo to the legendary 25 Year Old (at over £200 a bottle…). A fascinating look at a tremendous distillery.
THE GLENLIVET VENUES & DATES
LONDON Wednesday 4th June 7pm SALT BAR, SEYMOUR ST., W2
SHEFFIELD Wednesday 4th June VENUE TBC
BRIGHTON Thursday 5th June 7pm HILTON METROPOLE, KING STREET
NEWCASTLE Friday 6th June 7pm BLACKFRIARS, FRIAR STREET
LIVERPOOL Wednesday 11th June 7pm JENNY’S BAR, FENWICK ST.
LEEDS Thursday 12th June 7pm THE CROSSKEYS, WATER LANE
MANCHESTER Friday 13th June 7pm BRITONS PROTECTION
YORK Saturday 14th June 7pm BRIGANTES, MICKLEGATE
BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO…
Our ‘Beginner’s Guides’ continue in London with sessions on Whisky, Cognac and Gin designed to help those with an interest and a burning desire to learn more.
2 hours of intensive fun, education, tasting and enlightenment for just £20. Where can you go wrong?
VENUES & DATES
COGNAC Tues 13th May 7.30pm RED LION, CROWN PASSAGE
GIN Weds 14th May 7.30pm RED LION,CROWN PASSAGE
WHISKY Thurs 15th May 7.30pm SALT BAR, SEYMOUR ST., W2
We are now only a few weeks away from this momentous event on Islay.
We have a handful of places left on our second half to the week, so if you are free at the end of May and fancy joining us, take a look at this page and get booking!
INDUSTRY NEWS
The Herald Scotland, Tuesday 8th April
DAVID BECKHAM, SIMON FULLER JOIN NEW HAIG WHISKY BRAND (Seriously)
The Moodie Report, Friday 4th April
BOWMORE LAUNCHES TRAVEL RETAIL EXCLUSIVE WHISKY RANGE
The Drinks Report, Tuesday 1st April
AURIVERDES WHISKY INSPIRED BY THE WORLD CUP
Retail Times, Tuesday 1st April
GLENGOYNE INTRODUCES NEW 25 YEAR-OLD MALT WHISKY
Harpers.co.uk, Tuesday 1st April
CHIVAS WHISKY’S EDUCATION PROGRAMME DRIVES GROWTH
BBC News, Wednesday 19th March
CHANCELLOR FREEZES DUTY ON SCOTCH WHISKY
The Spirits Business, Friday 14th March
TULLAMORE DISTILLERY EDGES TOWARDS COMPLETION
The Spirits Business, Wednesday 12th March
KILCHOMAN RELEASES FIRST TRAVEL RETAIL EXCLUSIVE
The Drinks Business, Friday 7th March
SUNTORY RELEASES ‘NO-AGE’ WHISKIES
COMPETITION TIME
A war and whisky themed comp this month, to tie-in with our Pre-war tastings at this year’s London Whisky Weekender.
Your answers please to the following questions;
1. What was Winston Churchill’s tipple of choice?
2. How old is the Scotch being drunk around the table in the infamous tavern scene in the film ‘Inglorious Bestards’?
3. Name two Scottish distilleries that were commandeered by the military during World War 2.
4. What is the name of the ship that is wrecked off the fictional islands Great and Little Todday in the film ‘Whisky Galore’
5. Which famous American Distiller served in the US Air Force in World War 2?
Submit your answers by clicking here and the first 2 people emailing the correct answers will win a pair of tickets to a London Whisky Weekend session of their choice (or equivalent if not able to make it to London)
For answers to our last competition click here. Congrats to Wayne Parker, Richard Turner and Alan Gregson who is our winner and will receive a sample of the new Paul John Peated Cask.
Wow! That’s a lot to work through but hopefully worth it!
Have great Easter, stay safe and enjoy.
Slainte,
Eddie, Amanda and Joe
The Whisky Lounge Team.