19 October 2022

Ardbeg 8 Year Old For Discussion Bottle Competition


Be it for one of our industry leading Tweet Tastings or one of our monthly bottle competitions, we love nothing more than being able to share and giveaway some of our favourite drops of dramspankage. Talking of which, we’re delighted to announce that we’re teaming up with the Islay based Ardbeg distillery to give away a bottle of Ardbeg 8 Year Old – For Discussion.

Originally launched last summer, Ardbeg 8 Year Old - For Discussion (50.8% ABV), started life as a Committee Exclusive bottling, inviting Committee members to openly discuss the new release – how did it match up to its 10 Year Old sibling? As a big, youthful whisky with dramfulls of personality, it kicked off debate in the whisky world as a temporary addition to the Ardbeg range. Now with just a small number of bottles remaining, Ardbeg is throwing open its virtual doors and inviting peat-lovers to join the Committee and finally get hold of their own bottle before it goes.

To be in with a chance of winning a bottle of Ardbeg 8 Year Old – For Discussion, which is normally available exclusively to Ardbeg Committee members for a RRP of £57.00 click here to email us with your contact details and date of birth, along with the phrase that dramming pays:

“For Discussion and for dramming, I’d love
to pour and explore this youthful and yummy Ardbeg Committee member's release.”

*Remember to mark the subject line of your email with: Ardbeg Committee 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!

Should you be eager and why wouldn’t you, to get hold of a bottle of this soon to be all gone and any future Ardbeg Committee releases, you can sign up now for free to be a member via: ardbeg.com

#ArdbegCommitteeComp
@TheWhiskyWire
@Ardbeg

Competition closes at 23:59 on November 18th 2022. You have to be aged 21 years or over to enter!

Good Luck!


18 October 2022

Glasgow Distillery Tweet Tasting


Continuing our teeming throng of industry leading, sensory story led Tweet Tastings, we’re absolutely delighted to announce that on November 16th, we’re teaming up again with The Glasgow Distillery, for an evening of whisky and rum exploration - brimmed with new limited editions!

The dramming line-up is all hush, hush for now, but if you fancy uncovering and discovering a gaggle of glorious Glaswegian delights click here to register your interest, by emailing your name, address, phone number, date of birth and Twitter handle. Please remember to mark the subject line of your email: #GlasgowDistillery

The closing date to register is November 1st, and if you are registering, please make sure that you will actually be free on the night of November 16th to take part!

Even if you're not one of the selected Tweet Tasters, it'd be great to have you following the evening’s dramfotainment. So we look forward to seeing you over on Twitter on November 16th from 19:00 GMT via #GlasgowDistillery

Registrations open to over 21's only!

For more info on The Glasgow Distillery, visit: glasgowdistillery.com

@TheWhiskyWire
@GlasgowDC
#GlasgowDistillery
#BePartOfTheDramfotainment
#TheHomeOfTheTweetTasting
#TheOriginalSeriesOfVirtualTastings


14 October 2022

117th Whisky Insiders Interview - Iain Allan


Company:
Glen Moray Distillery
Job:
Brand Ambassador
Website:
Socials:
@GlenMorayDist



How long have you been working in the whisky industry?
I’ve been working in the whisky industry directly for a little over 20 years now, but prior to that I managed a wines and spirits shop in Aberdeen, where I focused on single malts - as they were my passion. So if I was to include that period it has been 24 years.
 
What has been your biggest career highlight to date?
That’s a tough one as there has been so many, but I remember my first whisky festival (Whisky Live Glasgow 2004) and also my first International Festival (Interwhisky Frankfurt) where I knew I wanted to do this more often!
 
Can you remember your first dram, and indeed what it was?
First dram is a tough one as I was probably younger than I should have been. My dad always had single malt around the house and when he was enjoying I would have a wee nose and taste. The real “lightbulb moment” was a Balvenie I got for Christmas one year that I absolutely fell in love with.
 
What does whisky mean to you? 
Whisky has been such a big part of my adult life and it means so much, but if I had to pick one thing it has to be friendship. I have met and worked with so many amazing people in this industry that has led to long term friendships that mean so much to me.
 
Where would you like to see yourself in five years’ time? 
What I love about working with Glen Moray and the parent group, La Martiniquaise/Bardinet, is that the role is always evolving and the opportunity to be a part of so many facets of the business keeps the job interesting. I hope in five years that this will have continued and I will have developed my understanding of how this great industry works.
 
What was your last dram? 
I have just returned from Germany where we took Glen Moray to Bar Convent Berlin (BCB) for the first time. The last dram I had whilst speaking to some whisky lovers was a Glen Moray Peated Classic. Being born and bred in Speyside peated whiskies always featured less often in my cabinet but occasionally its nice to mix it up a little!
 
Do you have a favourite whisky and food pairing combination?
I love whisky and shellfish, but in particular I love the combo of oysters and a dram - and despite my last answer that’s when I love to reach for the peated stuff!
 
What’s your favourite time and place to enjoy a dram?
With friends anytime and anywhere. I learned through lockdown that place and time are less important. During Covid I would have a Friday night catch up on zoom with friends and enjoy a dram and a chat. This would either be in my living room, kitchen or spare room and it meant a lot to have this when everything else wasn’t possible.
 
What do you think is going to be the next big thing on the whisky horizon?
The next Glen Moray releases!
 
What’s the one dram you couldn’t live without?
It has to be Glen Moray 18 Year Old. Quintessentially GM and also Speyside in character. One of those whiskies where keeping it simple means you get great results. Bourbon cask matured, bottled at higher abv and non-chill filtered….what’s not to love!
 
Many thanks to Iain Allan. Who will be our next Whisky Insider? Click back soon to find out!