July Potpourri
Dominic has left the building
Well, not really, but Dominic Roskrow IS stepping down as editor of Whisky Magazine. Dominic will still be contributing to Whisky Magazine, but plans to focus on consulting as well as opening a retail outlet.
Go West, Young Whisky Fest
Malt Advocate's Amy Westlake tells me that they've decided to set up a California-based Whisky Fest.
That's right, West Coasters will soon have a choice between two whisky expos. In addition to the current spring-time Whiskies of the World, residents and visitors to San Francisco now get a Fall Whisky Fest expo. But you'll have to wait a year, as the show doesn't kick-off until 2007.
Speaking as a former resident of the City by the Bay, I can tell you that Fall is the absolute best time to be in San Francisco, and Amy puts on a great show. At least one of the three Whisky Fests should be on your event list for 2007:
WhiskyFest Chicago—Friday, April 13, 2007
Grand Ballroom, Hyatt Regency Chicago
7th Annual WhiskyFest Chicago. The main event culminating “Whisky Week” in Chicago.
WhiskyFest San Francisco—Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Grand Ballroom, Hyatt Regency San Francisco
WhiskyFest New York—Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Broadway Ballroom, Marriott Marquis Times Square
10th Annual WhiskyFest New York will be preceded by the annual Malt Advocate Whisky Awards.
The Oak Cross
With The Spice Tree down to its final bottles there are two pieces of news from the Compass Box team:
For those of you who don't read comments, this from Patrick, CB's guy in the U.S.:
Kevin, I'm pleased to tell you and your readers that THE SPICE TREE will be available for sale in the US in August. Morrellwine.com is already preselling, as is Astorwines.com. Both of these retailers ship via UPS. I don't think I need to tell you that supply is short so stock up. Suggested retail is $79.99.
John is getting ready to release something new - The Oak Cross is a new blended vatted malt aged in casks that are a cross of American bodies and new French oak heads. Can't wait to try it.
Whisky
Canongate Books was kind enough to send me an advance copy of Whisky by Aeneas MacDonald.
From their site:
As well as exploring long-lost malts, MacDonald remains startlingly relevant. This little book began whisky's renaissance, through MacDonald's sense of what it means to be Scottish; his passionate discussion of why whisky - especially good whisky - matters and his notes on how, when and why to drink whisky.
Remarkably, Whisky has never been reprinted. This facsimile commemorative edition includes an introduction by renowned whisky writer Ian Buxton and a foreword by Charlie Maclean (author of MacLean's Whisky Miscellany). Whisky will attract wide attention from fervent whisky enthusiasts and casual dram-takers alike, promising to be the most important whisky reprint ever.
The book is set to be released on October 12, 2006 with a list price of £9.99. I'll have a review up once I get a chance to read the book.
Contest: Choose the next a'bunadh
Aberlour is having a really cool contest: Help David Boyd, Chief Blender, make the cask selection for the next bottling of Aberlour a'bunadh.
The prize includes travel to and two night's accommodation in Speyside (for the winner and companion), along with an in-depth tour and masterclass at the distillery.
The selection date for the next batch is this Autumn, and will be arranged to suit the winner's schedule.
Now, what do you have to do? This is a two-parter
1. Answer the following question:
In which type of cask is a'bunadh whisky matured?
A. ex-sherry
B. ex-bourbon
C. a mix of the two
2. Complete the following statement (using no more than 20 words:
I am the right person to take part in the cask selection for a'bunadh because...
The closing date is September 15th and the judges decision will be final.
Include your name, age, and full postal address and email everything to: webmaster@aberlour.com
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