Whisky tastings - January to April 2007

As promised in my pre-announcement, I have now finalised the dates for the new series of Whisky Tastings and I am also pleased to announce that all four tastings of this series will be held at The Arc.

Thanks Hazza!

Each tasting will offer a minimum of 6 drams, although as you see below, some have up to 8, each of 2cl measures.
The price of each tasting is €35 fully inclusive of whisky, water, bread and some of Hazza's now famous food!

Members of my Whisky Club (Details here) will get a discount and pay only €31 per tasting.
(If anyone wishes to join the Whisky Club prior to paying for the first tasting, the discount will apply!)

Anyone paying before tasting #1 for ALL four tastings will have their name entered into a draw to be made at Tasting #4, where there will be two prizes, each of a bottle (70cl) of whisky!

The Series of 4 Tastings in detail:

No. 1: International Whiskies: Wednesday 24th January 18:30
Many people have expressed an interest in sampling what countries other than Scotland have to offer, so in my first tasting of 2007 we will explore the WORLD of whisk(e)y! From the excellent single barrel Kentucky Bourbon from Blanton's, Suntory's 2006 award-winning Yamazaki 12y, Wales' wonderful Penderyn, India's renowned Amrut Single Malt, Ireland's Redbreast 15y, New Zealand's Milford 10, Canada's famously excellent Crown Royal and all the way to Bavaria's very own Slyrs, we will sample 8 fantastic drams from across the globe.

• USA - Blanton's Gold Single Barrel
• Japan - Suntory Yamazaki 12 yrs
• Wales - Penderyn
• India - Amrut
• Ireland - Redbreast 15yrs
• New Zealand - Milford 10
• Canada - Crown Royal
• Bavaria - Slyrs

No. 2: A walk through the Woods: Wednesday 7th February 18:30
In recent years, many distilleries have used specific wine casks to "finish" their whiskies after maturing in bourbon casks and before bottling. You will often see "Wood Finish" ranges on offer, but what does this mean? What does a wine cask do to the whisky?
In this tasting, join me for a "Walk through the Woods" and explore the flavours created by maturing whisky in one cask and then switching it to another in order to create specific tastes.
What better way to do this than to start with a "normal" 12 year old "unfinished" or "normal" whisky and then sample some "Wood Finished" drams from the same distillery?
We will start with Bowmore 12 years (a great dram in its own right) and then look at Bowmore finished in a variety of different casks.
Also on offer will be the very highly rated and renowned Lowland "Auchentoshan 3 Wood", The Isle of Arran whisky finished in Italian white wine casks and the superb Bruichladdich 20yrs Edition 3 "Islands". This has matured for 20 years in bourbon casks before being switched for a last few months in Malmsey Madeira casks.

• Bowmore 12 years
• Bowmore Dawn - Port Pipes
• Bowmore Dusk - Claret cask
• Bowmore Darkest - Oloroso cask
• Auchentoshan 3 Wood
• Arran Trebbiano D'Abruzzo
• Bruichladdich 20yrs Ed. 2 "Islands" 20 years in Bourbon casks then finished in Malmsey Madeira casks

No. 3: Ideal Ileach: Wednesday 14th March 18:30
No series of tastings would be complete without a tour of Ileach. Scotland's most famous whisky Island and arguably the most famous region of all Scotland's whisky regions. Renowned for peaty, smoky, medicinal, salty, seaweedy and absolutely unique whiskies, this tasting will explore the power of Ileach.

• Ardbeg 1993 10yrs, Old Malt Cask, D. Laing
• Bowmore 12 years
• Bruichladdich 3D3
• Bunnahabhain 17yrs Old Malt Cask, D. Laing
• Caol Ila, JWWW "Castles" series
• Laphroaig 12y, Old malt Cask, D. Laing

No. 4: Tuesday 17th April 18:30
I haven't as yet finalised the whiskies for this tasting, but I can promise six excellent drams, full bodied and full-flavoured, but not peaty like many of the Ileach whiskies of Tasting No. 3.
I am currently thinking along the lines of good, full-flavoured and smooth Scottish Mainland whiskies.
More info to follow.


If you wish to book onto any or all of these tastings, please post your confirmation here, PM me or Mail to:
Sales@Whisky-Emporium.com

I will also be happy to answer any questions you have about these events.
WH.

Within the next few days I will confirm the whiskies to be used in Tasting No. 4.

Meanwhile, the first event is just 2 weeks away, so if you would like to attend, please let me know.

Remember, Club members get a 10% discount and ANYONE booking in advance for all 4 tastings will get free entry into a draw to be made during tasting 4, where there will be two prizes, each of a bottle of whisky.

Book now for these great events and if anyone wishes to join the whisky club, just contact me.
WH

I am now pleased to confirm the details for the fourth and final tasting in this series.
As promised, I have selected six delightful drams with emphasis on ones which are smooth, rich, full-flavoured and with sherry undertones. Although there may be a little smokiness and vanilla too.

Tasting No. 4, "Smooth and Sophisticated" Tuesday 17th April, 18:30 at The Arc

• Compass Box - Oak Cross
  Rich, round and elegant
• Compass Box - Eleuthera
  Huge, rich and smoky
• Glen Garioch - 15 years old
  Licorice, heather, perfume and smoke
• Glenfarclas - 1987 Quarter Casks
  Wood, leather, old books and sherry
• Macallan - Fine Oak 18 years old
  Soft and rich with hints of citrus, spice and wood-smoke
• Bruichladdich - Infinity edition 1
  Dark fruits, rich vanilla, mellow oak and lots of sherry

The price of this tasting is €35 per person including all whisky (6x 2cl) and Hazza's famous food.
(Club member price is €31)

This now completes the line-up of the four tastings and as promised, anyone booking in advance for all 4 events will have their name(s) entered into a draw to be made at the 4th event where two bottles of whisky will be won!

PM me to book or mail to Sales@Whisky-Emporium.com
WH

Count me in for the 24th at least! Need to be sure what is happening in Feb to comit to that one.

I'm just offering a quick reminder for the first tasting: Wednesday, Jan. 24th at The Arc - An evening of International Whisk(e)y

Featuring:
USA - Blanton's Gold Single Barrel
Japan - Suntory Yamazaki 12 yrs
Wales - Penderyn
India - Amrut
Ireland - Redbreast 15yrs
New Zealand - Milford 10
Canada - Crown Royal
Bavaria - Slyrs

This event will give everyone the opportunity to try some drams which are not often seen here and which offer some excellent flavours.
PM me to book for this event.

We currently have more than 40 people on TT who have registered with the Whisky Interest Group, so here is a chance to meet-up together, try some excellent and unusual whiskies from all around the world and have a whisky-evening.
WH

If anyone wants any information about this tasting, or to book in person, I'll be calling into The Arc this evening for a while. Probably in there around 19:00 for an hour or so.

WH

The first event: "International whisky tasting" is only a few days away, next Wednesday (24th Jan).

Full details of all these events have been posted in The Arc - book your place today!
WH

Just a reminder for this Wednesday.

Places are available if anyone else would like to join us for 8 magnificent drams from around the world.
WH

OG and I will be there.

Hi Eleanor Rigby,
your two places are reserved and I look forward to meeting you on Wednesday at The Arc for some great drams.

WH

I have now finalised the travel itinerary for our Whisky journey around the World on Wednesday evening:

1. New Zealand - Milford 10
Very similar in character to a Scottish Lowland whisky; light, elegant and delicate with soft citrus fruits.

2. Bavaria - Slyrs
The 3y/o single malt from Schliersee

3. India - Amrut
A highly regarded single malt from the Himalayan foothills

4. Canada - Crown Royal
Smooth and creamy with hints of oak and a sweet flavour of vanilla

5. Japan - Yamazaki 12y
Cider, vinegar(?), pepper, oak and vanilla

6. Wales - Penderyn
Prickly, malty wine with cinnamon and apricot

7. Ireland - Redbreast 15
Dark berries, sherry and vanilla

8. USA - Blanton's Gold
A very well renowned, rich Kentucky Bourbon

Cold and snowy outside?

Then come along and enjoy a warming dram or eight at The Arc this evening.
Some places are still available for anyone wishing to join us.

See you later this afternoon,
WH

The second event "A walk through the woods" is in just under 2 weeks time on Wednesday Feb. 7th, 18:30
Did you know that 80% to 90% of the flavour of a whisky is created by the oak cask in which it is matured?

This event will be a rare chance to directly compare four very different whiskies from the same distillery. Starting with the "standard" Bowmore 12 years and then moving on to three other Bowmore whiskies which have each been "finished" in wine casks, creating three totally different whisky flavours.
After this Bowmore experience and some of Hazza's famous food we move on to three more drams from other distilleries which again, offer some exciting flavours.

In this tasting, join me for a "Walk through the Woods" and explore the flavours created by maturing whisky in one cask and then switching it to another in order to create specific tastes and flavours.

The complete line-up of whiskies for this event is:

Bowmore 12 years
Bowmore Dawn - Port Pipes
Bowmore Dusk - Claret cask
Bowmore Darkest - Oloroso cask
Auchentoshan 3 Wood
Arran Trebbiano D'Abruzzo
Bruichladdich 20yrs Ed. 2 "Islands" 20 years in Bourbon casks then finished in Malmsey Madeira casks

If you would like to join this event, please PM me or mail to: Sales@Whisky-Emporium.com
WH

Tasting No. 2 "A Walk through the Woods"

Wednesday next week, 7th Feb. at The Arc.

Places available.
(See above posts for full details)
WH

Just a quick reminder about this next tasting.

7 Great whiskies and a great chance to look at the very different styles of whisky created just by using different types of cask for maturation.

PM me for more details or to book your place.
WH

Wednesday 7th, just two days time will see this tasting running at The Arc.

Places still available so please PM me to book your place(s).

The complete line-up of whiskies for this event is:

Bowmore 12 years
Bowmore Dawn - Port Pipes
Bowmore Dusk - Claret cask
Bowmore Darkest - Oloroso cask
Auchentoshan 3 Wood
Arran Trebbiano D'Abruzzo
Bruichladdich 20yrs Ed. 2 "Islands" 20 years in Bourbon casks then finished in Malmsey Madeira casks

See you there,
WH

I'll be there, looking forward to it

That's what I like to see:
A cat with taste who loves Bowmore!

See you on Wednesday,
WH

Anyone else fancy coming along to The Arc tomorrow evening for "A walk through the woods"?

The complete line-up of whiskies for this event is:

Bowmore 12 years
Bowmore Dawn - Port Pipes
Bowmore Dusk - Claret cask
Bowmore Darkest - Oloroso cask
Auchentoshan 3 Wood
Arran Trebbiano D'Abruzzo
Bruichladdich 20yrs Ed. 2 "Islands" 20 years in Bourbon casks then finished in Malmsey Madeira casks

WH

See you all this evening and if anyone else wishes to participate, there are some places available.

WH

My thanks to those who came along to the tasting yesterday evening and sampled another excellent range of drams.

Overall, the Bowmore Dusk was voted No. 1 of the evening due to its complex range of different flavours, as one person commented "all going in different directions".

In second place on the night was the Bruichladdich 20yrs "Islands". An exceptionally smooth whisky which was enjoyed by all and even caused much debate as to whether this one, or the Dusk, was the better dram.
So close was the choice that many needed an extra dram over which to pontificate and finally decide on the winner.

Tastings at The Arc will now take a little break for a few weeks whilst everyone does silly things for Fasching, then we will continue with tasting No. 3 "Ileach - Full Power" on Wednesday March 14th.

Meanwhile, please don't forget that in two weeks time on Friday Feb. 23rd there is the Gourmet evening of fine food and whisky in Markt Schwaben.

Regards,
WH

I would now like to remind you that the next scheduled event is: Tasting No. 3 "Ideal Ileach" Wednesday 14th March 18:30 at The Arc

No series of tastings would be complete without a tour of Ileach. Scotland's most famous whisky Island and arguably the most famous region of all Scotland's whisky regions. Renowned for peaty, smoky, medicinal, salty, seaweedy and absolutely unique whiskies, this tasting will explore the power of Ileach with its different flavours.

Ardbeg 1993 10yrs, Old Malt Cask, D. Laing
Bowmore 12 years
Bruichladdich 3D3
Bunnahabhain 17yrs Old Malt Cask, D. Laing
Caol Ila, JWWW "Castles" series
Laphroaig 12y, Old malt Cask, D. Laing

Price for this event is €35 per person (€31 for Whisky Club members).
Please PM me to reserve your place(s).
WH

Two large drams of Dusk helped end my evening on a much happier note last night.

These tastings are highly recommended. Keith is quite knowledgeable but doesn't dominate the evening; rather, he leads it. Despite my earlier (only slightly bitchy) comments on another Whiskey Hammer thread concerning "investment", the man has fantastic stock which I'm personally reducing, though primarily for my own selfish enjoyment and not in the hopes of earning wild profits. The tastings so far have not only exceeded both my expectations and demands, but even my hopes. I don't think I could've asked for more than what I got from the Walk Through the Woods, save perhaps another dram of Bowmore Dusk.

Included in the evening is Arc pizza halfway through, but that's no reason not to get there early and enjoy one hell of a burger. DAMN, Hazza!

Word to the wise: pay as you go. Six to eight generous drams tend to have a slight effect on middle-term memory.

woof.

Hi BD,
that can (and will) be easily arranged. Just watch out for the as yet unscheduled "end of season Maniacal Malt overload"

Can only second what BD has to say, although I've sadly been a tadge too busy myself to visit the last couple of evenings. The next one though has some excellent choices in the programme by the look of it and I would personaly reccomend it to anybody who would like to go on a bit of a whiskey taste adventure!

Caol Ila. Mmmmmm

I do hope this means we'll be seeing Gideon again at this tasting?

There are plenty of places available for anyone else who wishes to join us.
WH

Gideon is also hoping that it means you'll be seeing him again...

Gideon may be pleased to hear that his place is now reserved.

Just a quick Friday reminder about this next tasting at The Arc on Wednesday 14th March - that's now less than 2 weeks away!

WH

I have just taken a couple of reservations for this event and look forward to seeing everyone next Wednesday 14th.

I will be back in the UK for a business trip from tomorrow until Friday (9th) and will deal with any further requests to fill the remaining places upon my return.
Regards,
WH

I am now back from my little trip back to England and have returned to find a few more reservations for the next tatsing on Wednesday 14th, some firm bookings, some still tentative.
But if anyone else wishes to join there are still a few more places still available.
PM me for details.
WH

The schedule is cleared & I start my 2007 tasting tour! I am looking forward to the "power of Ileach".

#1 Whisky Club Member... ...or is that Whisky Club Member #1...

I am sure it will be much clearer about 9:00 Wednesday evening.

Yes €Bill, you do have that privilege!

See you Wednesday, hopefully with your apprentice too!!!
WH

A couple of days left to book your place(s), just PM me.

See you at The Arc on Wednesday.
WH

I have now finalised the tasting order for tomorrow evening's

"The power of Ileach"

1. Bowmore 12 years
2. Bunnahabhain Old Malt Cask 17y
3. Caol Ila "Scottish Castles" series from JWWW
4. Bruichalddich 3D3 "Norrie Campbell" tribute
5. Ardbeg Old Malt Cask 10y
6. Laphroaig Old Malt Cask 12y

There are still places available for this great Ileach experience.
PM me to book your place(s) or for further information.
WH

To all those who have already reserved places for this event: See you this evening.

To those who haven't yet: There are still places available.

See you later this evening,
WH

I am pleased to announce that the new owner of The Arc is more than happy to allow the Whisky-Emporium tastings to continue
So we must now start thinking ahead to the fourth and final tasting in this series:

Tasting No. 4, "Smooth and Sophisticated" Tuesday 17th April, 18:30 at The Arc

Compass Box - Oak Cross
Rich, round and elegant

Compass Box - Eleuthera
Huge, rich and smoky

Glen Garioch - 15 years old
Licorice, heather, perfume and smoke

Glenfarclas - 1987 Quarter Casks
Wood, leather, old books and sherry

Macallan - Fine Oak 18 years old
Soft and rich with hints of citrus, spice and wood-smoke

Bruichladdich - Infinity edition 1
Dark fruits, rich vanilla, mellow oak and lots of sherry

The price of this tasting is €35 per person including all whisky (6x 2cl) and some of The Arc's famous food.
(Club member price is €31)

If you would to join this tasting, please PM me to reserve your place(s) or call in and book directly at The Arc

Any takers for next Tuesday, 17th at The Arc for this great tasting?

You know I'll be there. A certain Belgian may or may not show up depending on whether or not she has to work.

woof.

I might be up again as well, mal sehen.

BD,
as you'll be there I will make sure my car boot is full of ... errrrmmmmm... a certain treat from NZ and another Dusky one from Ileach.

I do hope you can make it Gen.

Hopefully some of the other regulars can make it too?

Just a couple of days before this great tasting for which there are still places available.
Please PM me to book or call in and book personally at The Arc, just mention "Whisky" and I'll be there to help.

As the sunny weather appears, the whisky tasting season is drawing to a close.
This will be the last official tasting before the new season starts in September / October, apart from possibly one more event which will be a Manic evening of Malt where I will line up more than 20 different whiskies and let each person choose the six they wish to try.

More details of this later.

In the meantime, I would like to say that I am slowly adding a comprehensive whisky list to the offerings at The Arc, so if anyone wishes to enjoy an excellent dram or three outside of an actual tasting, just pop along to The Arc and the staff will be pleased to help you in your selection.

do we have to pm? That's so verbindlich... and what kind of food goes along with the tasting, I have a friend who's on the Kippe of coming along...

Usually I ask people to reserve their place(s) and also transfer the money (or pay in cash) beforehand.
Although some regulars may pay on the night.

Please remember, this is not like just popping out for a drink where there are unlimited supplies for everyone. These tastings are limited in places as I often only have one bottle of each whisky being used. With my generous measures, this means an absolute maximum of 25 people per tasting. As many tastings get much fewer participants, then I also need to know how many will be attending as this is a business and opening (sometimes more than) €250-€300 of whisky for 2 people is not really a viable proposition.
Whilst places are available, I do allow people to turn up on the night, but this is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Compare this to joining other tastings around Munich, perhaps those organised by the various whisky shops and you will find that you must book in person at the shop and pay in cash up front.
Oh, they also tend to be more expensive too, or at least a similar price for cheaper and/or fewer whiskies.

As for the food, I will provide a mixture of things from The Arc menu. Probably including pizza, chicken wings, chips, wedges, spring rolls, chicken filets (new to The Arc menu) ..etc.

Start time will be at or shortly after 18:30 so if anyone does wish to attend, please be at The Arc by 18:30

I'll be there but I'm flying solo tonight. I'll try to remember to bring my dolly to carry the goodies back home.

woof.

oh all right I'll pm you then, WE.