Whisky Insiders Interview No.96 - Dave Worthington

Company:
That Boutique-y Whisky Company

Job:
Global Brand Ambassador

Website:
thatboutiqueywhiskycompany.com



How long have you been working in the whisky industry?
It’s really not been that long! I worked my first whisky show at Whisky Live London 2013. I called Chip Tate up of Balcones and asked if he needed any help. Chip gave me my first break volunteering to help out at the stand in return for whisky heels. That continued over a number of years, with Balcones and Wemyss Malts, and I stood in at different stands over the years to give the official ambassador a break. I gave up my engineering career in October 2016 to work full time with Boutique-y Whisky, after covering their UK shows since Whisky Live London 2013.

What has been your biggest career highlight to date?
Everyday is a highlight to be honest. I pinch myself every morning to make sure it's not a dream. I had no intention of changing careers, but every event I worked at drew me closer to the inevitable.

My biggest career highlight to date has got to be being nominated and then winning World Whisky Brand Ambassador of the Year 2018, and being awarded an 'Icon of Whisky.' Mind blowing stuff to be nominated so early on into my new career. I was nominated again this year, but I was really pleased to see it awarded to Yumi Yoshikawa of the Chichibu Distillery. Yumi had my vote!

Can you remember your first dram, and indeed what it was?
I can indeed and it really wasn't all that long ago too. The first whisky that I took seriously was in the run up to Christmas 2009 when my Sales Manager came in to work with a special whisky. I seriously needed my arm twisting to try it too. It was a 15 Year Old Clynelish from Cadenhead’s.

It wasn't the whisky that changed my life, but I remember it clearly. The following year he brought in another bottle for Christmas. It was another Cadenhead's release, a 15 Year Old Caol Ila distilled in 1991, bottled in May 2006, and one of just 378 bottles. I didn't need my arm twisting this time! It was like nectar, and I thought to myself, why aren't I drinking this stuff. I was given the heel to take home and shortly afterwards I went out and bought my first ever bottle of whisky. Not long after Whisky Discovery was born (the blog I started) and my journey into the whisky industry began.

The Ultimate American Whiskey Tweet Tasting II

Continuing our teeming throng of industry leading, Twitter trending Tweet Tastings, we’re absolutely thrilled to announce that on July 4th (American Independence Day) we’ll be teaming up again with our very good friends at Maverick Drinks, for another Ultimate American Whiskey Tweet Tasting!

 

On the night we’ll be pouring and exploring a wave of wondrous liquid Americana dramming delights, from some of the amazing brands in Maverick Drinks American craft whiskey portfolio.

 

Full details to follow, but if you fancy being part of a truly epic evening of American dramming discoveries click here to register your details by emailing your name, address, date of birth and Twitter handle. Please also remember to mark the subject line with #drinkcraft

 

The closing date to register is June 19th, and if you are registering please make sure that you will actually be free on the evening of July 4th to take part!

 

Even if you're not one of the selected Tweet Tasters, it'd be great to have you following all the evening’s dramfotainment, with your favourite drop of liquid Americana in hand. So we look forward to seeing you over on Twitter on July 4th at 19:00 BST via #drinkcraft

 

Registration open to over 21's only!

 

For more info on Maverick Drinks, visit: maverickdrinks.com

 

@TheWhiskyWire

@MaverickDrinks

#drinkcraft

 

Be part of the dramfotainment!

Johnnie Walker Black Label

Over the last few years the secondary whisky market has well and truly rocketed, along with what seems to be an ever-growing army of whisky auction sites. For many the appeal is to try and cash in on a back of the cupboard spirited curiosity, or to take a chance on bidding for an old dust gathered classic headlined lot.

Whisky auction sites also seem to be increasingly becoming a bit of a flipper’s paradise, with streams of newly released, highly sought-after limited-editions, being instantly put up for sale upon launch, by those hoping to make a pounding of a profit.

Now don’t get me wrong, I love a bargain on the single malt front as much as the next person, but personally the biggest draw for me whisky auction wise over the last couple of years, has been that of all things blended!

From a 1960’s White Horse, a 1970’s Cutty Sark or a 1980’s Teacher’s (yes Teacher’s!) those bygone style of blends are real things of dramming beauty. Sometimes a little rough around the edges - but almost more beautiful for being so, and comprised of whiskies which provide a real lesson in liquid history.

It may not have quite the same rich, dusty old school feel as its older siblings from the 60s, 70s or 80s, but one blended Scotch whisky that well and truly stands the test of time and still has all of its heritage at the heart of every pour, is that of Johnnie Walker Black Label.

The nose: Wafting waves of winter spice, warm treacle tart, sherry-soaked sultanas and assorted citrus peels. Along with protruding but not overpowering puffs of coal smoke, charred oak, anise and vivacious waves of vanilla.

Baked spiced apples, grilled peaches, rich toffee tablet and Cadbury Bournville dark chocolate make for the next set of nasal niceties, along with ready rolled cake icing, walnuts, ground white pepper corns and a tease of some rather tannic black English breakfast tea.

The palate: A wealth of wood spice and coal smoke infused Werther's Original soft caramels, followed by a feisty fruit led frenzy of Frank Cooper's original Oxford orange marmalade, lemon zest, dried apricots, baked figs and more of those sherry-soaked sultanas.

The palatable pleasures then conclude with a generous wedge of bread pudding, granary toast, Cadbury fruit and nut chocolate, a heated hint of Jamaica ginger cake, five spice and the subtlest suggestion of something herbal.

The Finish: A fabulous fruit and spice led finish, that delivers a lingering and harmonious hum of smoke.

Johnnie Walker Black Label, is one of those whiskies that you can well and truly rely and depend on to deliver as an everyday pour. It also makes for a reassuring sight on a plane or on a back bar when travelling.

Retailing for under £30, Johnnie Walker Black Label most definitely falls into the category of being a big bang for buck blended belter!

As far as whisky auctions are concerned, keep your eyes peeled, there are big bargains to be had. Last year I managed to get hold of a 1970’s Johnnie Walker Black Label for just over £40, and it was blissful!

Writers' Tears Double Oak Competition

To help celebrate the launch of the new core range Writers’ Tears Double Oak expression from Walsh Whiskey, we’ve teamed up with our friends at the County Carlow – Ireland based brand, to giveaway a bottle of their latest dramspanking Irish dramming ditty.

 

Inspired by the blends popular in 18th century Ireland, Writers’ Tears Double Oak is a blend of single pot still and single malt Irish whiskeys, that have been matured in American and French oak casks.

 

The use of French oak casks in the maturation of Irish whiskey was widespread through the 17th and 18th centuries. This changed in the 19th century, with the arrival of more affordable and larger quantities of American oak casks, which was driven by the surge in exports of Irish whiskey.

 

This gave rise to a unique ménage of both French and American Oak barrels being used for maturing Irish whiskies and the resultant blends gave a new twist in the flavour profile of Irish pot and malt whiskeys.

 

This latest release from the Carlow - Ireland based company, was made possible by a close collaboration between the Walsh family and the Legaret family in Cognac, France.

To be in with a chance of winning a bottle of the new Writers’ Tears Double Oak click here to email us your contact details along with the phrase that dramming pays:

 

"I’d love to pour and explore some

dramspankingly delicious

Writers’ Tears of joy in a glass."

*Remember to mark the subject line of your email with: Writers’ Tears Comp

If you’re on Twitter, you can also follow us via @TheWhiskyWire and RT one of our related competition tweets for another chance to win!

Writers’ Tears Double Oak (46% ABV) will be available later this month in existing markets, for a RRP of €55.00.

 

For more info on Writers’ Tears, visit: walshwhiskey.com

 

#WritersTearsComp

@TheWhiskyWire

@WalshWhiskey

 

Competition closes at 23:59 on June 7th 2019. You have to be aged 21 years or over to enter!

 

Good Luck!