Discovering Dublin & Jameson Whiskey: Part 2
The Old Jameson Distillery in Dublin, established in 1780.
Discovering Dublin & Jameson Whiskey: Part 1
The Jameson St Patrick's Day Ltd Edition bottling, designed by David A Smith.
Auchentoshan: Switching Shores
Calling all creative bartenders: the Auchentoshan Switch is back!
If you’ve not heard of the programme before, it goes something like this: one talented bartender from the UK, Sweden or Germany will win an all expenses paid two-week stint in New York to train at leading bar The Dead Rabbit while a bartender from North America will get a two-week placement at Old Street’s The Nightjar.
Launched recently at the central London venue, the competition is meant to show off the skills of the best and brightest on each side of the pond. On the night of the launch, attendees were treated to a whisky tasting by brand ambassador Zoran Peric and a few cocktails including one by Martin Ball, the UK winner of the last Switch competition, which happened in 2011.
So, how do you get a chance to switch your shoreline for a couple of weeks?
Simply put on your thinking hat and come up with a cocktail using the Auchentoshan Three Wood as its base that you think will most impress judges.
Next, upload the recipe and image of your shiny creation to this site here by the 12 July.
Judges will choose the semi-finalists who will be asked to participate in regional heats in their respective countries. The winners of the heats will then go onto the European and North American finals where the two winners will be selected.
The winners will head off to their new venues in early 2014.
So, if you think you’ve got what it takes to take-on an Auchentoshan cocktail and shine in some of the world’s top bars, then get mixing!
For more information, and to enter Auchentoshan Switch, head to: www.auchentoshan.com/switch.
St Patrick’s Day tipple: Black Bush Whiskey
Discovering Bushmills Black Bush whiskey for St Paddy's Day.
Learn about life at Lagavulin
Win two days behind the scenes at Lagavulin distillery.
Scotch whisky’s boom: industry viewpoint
Whisky insiders comment on the rise of Scotch whisky consumption.
Inspirational Whisky Women for Int’l Women’s Day
This Friday, I am asking all of you to do just one thing: raise a dram to an inspiring woman in your life.
You see, it’s International Women’s Day – the one day of the year where all women get celebrated in all of their glory and during which more awareness is raised by global charities (such as the fantastic The Girl Effect) about the disparity still faced by young girls and women in all countries.
In honour of the day, I went to the whisky world to ask some of the fantastic Whisky Women two simple questions: what whisky inspires you and what woman inspires you?
The responses have been inspirational and I have had so many I want to share that the piece will be spread over two parts.
I hope the stories and responses below hit a chord with you. Be sure to read to the end to find out about a great competition with Bowmore to celebrate!
Angela D’Orazio: Master Blender, Mackmyra Swedish Whisky:
So many! Most of the time I fall in love with single cask of whisky. Last week, I found a bunch of wonderful 1st-fill 3 year-old smoky quarter casks here in the Bodås mine. Oh my god! Then there is Bruichladdich, Kilchoman, Ardbeg, an older Tomintoul and Glengarioch – rich in aromas and style with great fruitiness. Or Compass Box, Penderyn, Amrut… but the list is long.
Inspiring or not, women in the business are few. Martine Nouet is an inspiration with her lovely food pairings. A pioneering whisky lady of the past, Bessie Williamson at Laphroaig, must have been a strong business woman at times when there were even fewer woman than today.
Outside of the business it’s easier: the late Nina Simone [...]
Luck and greatness of the Irish (Whiskey)
A single pot still tasting extravaganza happened on Twitter of late!
Return of whisky Monkey business
Dean Callan, Monkey Shoulder's global brand ambassador, speaks to me about the company's plans for 2013.
A chilly night warmed by Berrys’ Whisky
A dram a day keeps the chills away - a night at Berrys' proves warming!