Glenfiddich IPA Tweet Tasting

 

Continuing our hugely successful triumphant teeming thong of Twitter trending Tweet Tastings, we’re absolutely delighted to announce that on April 12th, we’ll be teaming up with the mighty Glenfiddich, to pour and explore the first release in their experimental series.

Launched in September 2016, Glenfiddich IPA Experiment, was the first single malt Scotch whisky to be finished in IPA craft beer casks. It was a collaboration between Glenfiddich Malt Master Brian Kinsman and Seb Jones, an entrepreneurial Speyside brewer.

On the night, not only will we be sharing, sipping and savouring the Glenfiddich IPA Experiment, we’ll also be sampling some of the IPA craft beer.

If you would like to take part in an evening of splendorous Speyside sips click here to register by emailing your name, address and Twitter handle, remembering to mark the subject line #GlenfiddichIPA

The closing date to register is March 23rd, and if you are registering to take part please make sure that you will actually be free on the evening of April 12th to take part!

Even if you're not one of the selected Tweet Tasters, it'd be great to have you following all the evenings dramfotainment. So we look forward to seeing you over on Twitter on April 12th at 19:00 BST via #GlenfiddichIPA

Registration open to over 18's only!

 

For more information on Glenfiddich, visit: glenfiddich.com

 

@TheWhiskyWire

 

@GlenfiddichSMW

 

Be part of the dramfotainment!

Top 5 Whiskey Picks for St Patrick's Day

One of the most exciting categories in the dramming world during the last five years and indeed the one that is now experiencing the most growth, is that of Irish whiskey. Infact it’s fair to say that we’re well and truly amidst and enjoying what can only be described as the Irish whiskey renaissance!

There may well be an ever-growing gang of new kids on the block that are now driving the category forward, but those big established brands have kicked away those cobwebs of complacency and are now giving the newbies a run for their money, with regards to innovation and the targeting of a new generation of whisk(e)y consumer.

Not that pouring and exploring something dramspankingly delicious from the emerald isle should be limited to St Patrick’s Day, but here are five of some of our many favourites for you to share, sip and savour on the big day and indeed beyond, along with a few of our favourite serve suggestions.

Teeling Single Grain – A stunningly, sassily, sweet and spiced seductress, that makes for a super solo act and serves up magnificently well in a multitude of cocktails, including one of our favourites in the form of an Old Fashioned.
(Available from Master of Malt for £37.33)

Redbreast Lustau – A recent new addition to the range, this sheer sherried, pot still stunner, makes for a superb slow savouring sipper. It also just happens to add an uplifting element to a Manhattan.
(Available from The Whisky Exchange for £45.25)

Hyde Sherry Cask Finish Single Malt – A feisty, fruit fest led dramming ditty, that’s open to a plethora of pouring possibilities. A sumptuous, sophisticated solo sip, that also works wondrously well in a cornucopia of cocktails, including a rather amazing Artists Special.
(Available from Master of Malt for £50.88)

Writers Tears Copper Pot – A vibrant and vivacious, bountifully balanced blend, that makes for one moreish (pour me another) marvel. Designed as a pure sipper in our opinion, but on those warmer evenings it does lend itself rather well to a Highball.
(Available from Celtic Whiskey for £44.99)

Jameson – A core range, big bang for buck, Irish blended belter, that never disappoints. A superb sipper that also just happens to serve up jubilantly and joyously well in a Julep. In our opinion, it also still makes for the ultimate whiskey component in an Irish coffee.
(Available from Master of Malt for £20.72)

Tamdhu Tweet Tasting

As part of this year’s Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, we’re thrilled to announce that we’ll be co-hosting a very special ‘Meet, Tweet and Grill’ event at the Tamdhu Distillery, on Saturday April 29th.

Even though the distillery event sold out within a couple of hours of tickets going on sale, we along with Distillery Manager Sandy McIntyre, would love for you to join us by taking part in a simultaneous Tweet Tasting of the afternoons distillery tasting.

Full details to follow soon, but if you would like to take part in a truly memorable afternoon, sharing, sipping  and savouring some splendorous Speyside dramming delights from the Tamdhu Distillery, click here to register by emailing your name, address and Twitter handle, remembering to mark the subject line #TamdhuWhisky

The closing date to register is March 17th, and if you are registering to take part please make sure that you will actually be free on the afternoon of Saturday April 29th to take part!

Even if you're not one of the selected Tweet Tasters, it'd be great to have you following all the afternoons dramfotainment. So we look forward to seeing you over on Twitter on April 29th at 17:30 BST via #TamdhuWhisky

Registration open to over 18's only!

 

For more information on Tamdhu, visit: tamdhu.com

 

@TheWhiskyWire

 

@TamdhuWhisky

 

Be part of the dramfotainment!

 

UK v USA Tweet Tasting

Continuing our hugely successful triumphant teeming thong of Twitter trending Tweet Tastings, we’re thrilled to announce that on March 22nd, we’re teaming up with both Glen Grant and Wild Turkey, for a UK v USA dramming battle.

 

For one night only and of course all in good spirits, we’re putting the special relationship on hold, as two top whisky distilleries from each side of the Atlantic battle it out in the ultimate dramming bout. It will also just happen to provide a great opportunity to pour, explore and appreciate some amazing different styles of whiskies.

 

Full details to follow soon, but if you would like to take part in an epic evening of transatlantic tweet tastery, click here to register by emailing your name, address and Twitter handle, remembering to mark the subject line #UKvUSA

 

The closing date to register is March 8th, and if you are registering to take part please make sure that you will actually be free on the evening of March 22nd to take part!

 

Even if you're not one of the selected Tweet Tasters, it'd be great to have you following all the evenings dramfotainment. So we look forward to seeing you over on Twitter on March 22nd at 7pm GMT via #UKvUSA

 

Registration open to over 18's only!

 

For more information on Glen Grant, visit: glengrant.com

 

For more information on Wild Turkey, visit: wildturkeybourbon.com

 

@TheWhiskyWire

 

@GlenGrantUK

 

@WildTurkeyUK

 

Be part of the dramfotainment!

Whisky Insiders Interview No.80 - Iain J McAlister

Company:
Glen Scotia Distillery

Job:
Distillery Manager

Website:
glenscotia.com




How long have you been working in the whisky industry?
I have been working in the whisky industry and at Glen Scotia Distillery for nine fantastic and very busy years.

What has been your biggest career highlight to date?
My biggest career highlight was experiencing Glen Scotia’s Double Cask whisky winning the World Whisky Awards, Campbeltown whisky of the year for 2016. The start of great achievements for the distillery and the Loch Lomond group.

Can you remember your first dram, and indeed what it was?
My first dram was a Laphroaig, can’t remember what specific year it was, but just that is was rather good!

What does whisky mean to you?
The whisky industry means a lot to me, as I have witnessed Glen Scotia Distillery’s rise from relative obscurity, to one of becoming a strong and visible presence in this historic and fantastic wee town called Campbeltown. The whisky industry has been my life and my passion for a while now and I only can see this continuing into the future with Glen Scotia’s steady rise to prominence, with all our visitors and customers over the next year.

Where would you like to see yourself in five years’ time?
Right where I am at present; Distillery Manager at Glen Scotia. That is as good as it gets for me!

What was your last dram?
My last dram was a rather nice 1989 Glen Scotia second fill sherry hogshead, which is situated within our dunnage warehouse. This had a rich well developed nose, with a beautiful mix of ripe tropical fruits on the palate, rather nice!

Do you have a favourite whisky and food pairing combination?
Scotland is renowned the world over for its whisky and indeed seafood, so it is not surprising that a Glen Scotia 2009 medium peated at 20.0 ppm has a distinct compatibility with the finest Kintyre Smokehouse smoked salmon. It's delicious!

What’s your favourite time and place to enjoy a dram?
My ideal time to enjoy a dram is with company, usually with a group on a tour and tasting of Glen Scotia Distillery. During this we can discuss the whisky and the components and technicality that go into making great whisky!

What do you think is going to be the next big thing on the whisky horizon?
So much to cover with this, but here goes; I believe that a lot of lesser known brands are going to make big impressions due to the quality of their whiskies and that single malts are still going to go from strength to strength on the global market. Innovation is always going to be the catalyst for the innovators to lead and the others to follow and copy.

What’s the one dram you couldn’t live without?
I have an affinity for Glen Scotia Double Cask and really like to unwind with this special dram on a Friday night.

Many thanks to Iain J McAlister. Who will be our next Whisky Insider? Click back soon to find out!