WIN TICKETS to an afternoon of Irish Whiskey “Tasting & Toasting” with Tullamore D.E.W’s Global Brand Ambassador John Quinn

TimeforWhisky.com has partnered with Irish distillery Tullamore D.E.W who are offering one reader the chance to win 2 x tickets to an afternoon of Irish whiskey tasting with Irish whiskey expert (and Tullamore D.E.W’s Global Brand Ambassador) John Quinn, who’s currently visiting Australia from the distillery in Ireland. The prize also includes 2 x bottles of Tullamore D.E.W Irish Whiskey. The competition is open to all Australian residents, though the winner must make their own way to/from the venue in Sydney.

The tasting, to be held at Sydney's The Potting Shed (within the Grounds of Alexandria) on Friday 27th June at 4:30pm will see guests tasting a number of Tullamore D.E.W whiskies, including those unavailable in Australia such as the Cask Strength “Phoenix" and highly acclaimed four cask 10 Year Old Single Malt. From our own tasting a few months ago, the Cask Strength “Phoenix” is a fantastic dram, and we personally can’t wait to try the single malt. This won’t be any normal tasting, however, as the tasting will see John “deconstruct” Tullamore D.E.W into its key three elements - Pot Still Whiskey, Malt Whiskey and Grain Whiskey, tasting whiskey direct from distillery stocks! The tasting will also include an opportunity to create your own unique Tullamore D.E.W from these elements.

The Irish pride themselves on a good toast, they toast to love, to honour, to good health and a full life. It’s all a part of their nation’s lilt for language, an art form tinged with that famous Irish wit and master of the verbal. In Irish True style, John will offer up a traditional Irish Toast to accompany each of the 4 Tullamore D.E.W whiskies on tasting.

In addition to soaking up John’s immense knowledge, unique sense of humour, wit and passion for whisky/whiskey the winner and guest will have the chance to ask John anything they wish to know about whisky/whiskey and leave with a better understanding of how to taste and appreciate Irish whiskey.

John's visit also marks the announcement of a new Irish whiskey distillery in Tullamore, Co Offaly.  Due to start production in September 2014, the distillery will bring Tullamore D.E.W. whiskey production back to its roots, in the heart of Ireland for the first time in 60 years.

Enter the competition for a chance to join TimeforWhisky at this unique tasting event by following the simple instructions below. Hope to see you there!

How to enter:

You can enter via one of two ways:

1. Simply post a tweet, making sure you include include @TimeforWhisky and the hashtag #TullamoreDEWComp, explaining what Irish whiskey means to you. 
2. Post a comment on this blog entry, explaining what Irish whiskey means to you. 

It could be one word or you could write an essay - be as creative as you like, but you only have until 11:59pm AEDST on Tuesday 24th June 2014, so get in quick! The winner will be selected by Tullamore D.E.W, and the competition is subject to the Terms and Conditions below.

Cheers, 

 - Steph & Martin.

Terms and Conditions

1.      Information on how to enter & prizes form part of these terms & conditions. Any entry not complying with these terms and conditions is invalid.

2.      Entry is open to all residents from Sydney, Australia. Entrants must be 18 years or over (“Eligible Entrant”) and the winner must provide proof of age to confirm that they are 18 years of age or over. Employees of the Promoter, the Promoter’s associated companies, the Promoter’s agencies associated with this competition and their immediate families are ineligible to enter.

3.      The promotion starts at 12:01am Friday 20^th June 2014 & closes at 11:59pm AEDST on Tuesday 24^th June 2014 (“Promotion Period”).

4.      To enter, follow these steps:

You can enter via one of two ways:

Simply post a tweet, making sure you include include @TimeforWhisky and the hashtag #TullamoreDEWComp, explaining what Irish whiskey means to you. 

Post a comment on this blog entry, explaining what Irish whiskey means to you. 

5.       Entry is limited to no more than once per calendar day. Every entry made by the Eligible Entrant during the Competition Period must be different.

6.      This competition is a game of skill and chance plays no part in determining the identity of the prize-winner. Every valid entry received will be judged on its merit. The judge will award the prize to entry it judges to be the best.

7.      The prize is valued up to $800 recommended retail price (“RRP”) and includes: two tickets to an afternoon of tasting and toasting with Tullamore DEW Irish whiskey and two bottles of Tullamore DEW Irish whiskey

8.      The prize event will be held on the 27^th June 2014 at 4:30 PM to 6:30PM. The tasting date cannot be changed, and the winner must be able to attend on this date in order to accept the prize.

9.       Judging will be completed at the Promoter’s Agency at 32 Grosvenor Place, The Rocks, NSW 2000, by 5pm Wednesday 25^th June 2014

10.   The winner will be notified via telephone call and / or writing within 24 hours of the prize draw via phone and / or email

11.     Prize values are correct at time of publishing blog post but no responsibility is accepted for any variation in the value of the prize. Any additional costs outside the event tasting are the responsibility of the winner. Additional costs might include travel, accommodation and any meal outside of the tasting event.

12.    The Promoter's decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

13.    If any prize remains unclaimed by 12:00PM AEST on Thursday 26^th June 2014, despite the Promoter’s best efforts to contact any prize winner, then subject to any written directions given by a relevant lotteries or gaming authority the Promoter may conduct an unclaimed prize draw at the same time and place as the original draw on that date to award an unclaimed prize. The first valid entry drawn will win the prize of the highest value and the prize draw will continue until all unclaimed prizes have been awarded. The name and postcode of any winner of such a draw will appear at www.timeforwhisky.com

14.    Each entry becomes the property of the Promoter.

15.    Subject to the approval process required by any relevant gaming or lotteries authority, in the event that any prize item is unavailable despite the Promoter’s reasonable endeavours to procure, the Promoter reserves the right to substitute a different prize item of equal or greater value.

16.    If for any reason this Promotion is not capable of running as planned, whether caused by infection by computer virus, mobile phone failure, line drop out, bugs, tampering, unauthorised intervention, fraud, technical failures or any other cause beyond the control of the Promoter which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness or integrity of the Promotion, the Promoter reserves the right in its sole discretion, (subject to any written direction given by a relevant Regulatory Authority), to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Promotion. The Promoter may in its sole discretion disqualify any individual who tampers with the entry process.

17.    The Promoter is Tullamore DEW ABN: 59 142 683 145 trading as William Grant & Sons of Level 21, Pacific Highway, North Sydney NSW 2060

PR #12: New Zealand Whisky Company launches design competition for 25yo Single Malt

Back in January this year, Steph and I visited The New Zealand Whisky Company, who bottle and sell a huge variety of single malts and blends. Of all their whiskies, I liked the 21yo single malt the best, and took home a bottle.

Well it seems the 21yo has grown up, and is now 25yo, making NZ only the fourth nation to produce a 25 year old single malt whisky. To commemorate the occasion, and to raise funds for the ongoing rebuilding of Christchurch, the NZ Whisky Company is holding a design competition to design the bottle's label (700mL, 375mL and 150mL).

Having absolutely zero design credibility myself (have you seen this site? The only nice part is the logo...and I didn't design it) I won't be entering, but if anyone feels they have the skills...jump in!

Here's the press release:

Oamaru, New Zealand– July 7, 2013 – The New Zealand Whisky Company is thrilled to launch its 25-year-old whisky, only the fourth nation to produce a 25-year-old Single Malt. To celebrate, the company is asking creative designers worldwide to conceive its’ packaging; and all to benefit a big New Zealand charity. 

To mark this milestone, designers are invited to enter this international competition. “So much whisky is being packaged in luxurious enclosures, lavish boxes and crystal decanters nowadays, but we want something that is elegant, eye-catching and authentically New Zealand; sustainable, re-usable, perhaps even recyclable. I’m not comfortable with how much money, carbon and landfill is wasted on whisky packaging, and would love for our whisky enclosure to be re-usable and a lasting memory to a memorable malt,” Ramsay says. 

So the challenge is on for designers across universities, design agencies, art houses and more, to design a suitable bottle and box label for this exclusive release. Designers can create their own theme. It could be classic, quirky or just fun, perhaps honouring Cyril Yates who worked at the distillery for near on 25-years, ‘Cyril’s Single Malt; 25years of blood, sweat and cheers.’ 

“We really want to capture the heart of the New Zealand Whisky Collection in this label,” explains Ramsay, “in a way that pays homage to the rich heritage of our whisky and blends this with a freshly modern style. We’re so excited to see what comes through with the creative talent available in this country. We have three bottles; 700ml, 375ml and a 150ml hipflask requiring packaging.” 

Designer Prize and Donation to the Christchurch Cathedral Restoration

The winner receives international exposure as well as a complimentary trip to the Cellar Door in New Zealand; and an important New Zealand charity is also set to be a ‘winner’. 

“We’re going to be donating the design fee that we would have saved, to the Christchurch Cathedral restoration,” says Ramsay, who has a special connection with the Cathedral. “My Great Uncle was construction foreman on the Cathedral back in the 1800s, and I’m so excited to see the design competition for its restoration.” 

“I’m really hoping that the fabulous modern interpretation gets the nod. Like our whisky packaging, it would be a fresh style for a forward-looking community, while paying homage to the site’s significant history. I hope lots of Cantabrians are viewing the options and having their say at www.cathedralconversations.co.nz. 

The New Zealand Whisky Collection’s 25-year-old whisky release was distilled in 1988 at the famous Willowbank distillery in Dunedin. It has been maturing in American Oak barrels since 1987 and is a single malt whisky. [ME: Seems to be a slight discrepancy with the dates here, I'll follow up...]

Entry into Competition

Entrants are encouraged to become familiar with the New Zealand Whisky Company and gain inspiration from the World Whiskies Design Awards that are held annually. Past and present design winners can be viewed at www.worldwhiskiesdesignawards.com. 

For more information about the competition and to enter, visit www.thenzwhisky.com, The Whisky Shop in Auckland, or WhiskyGalore in Christchurch. 

Contact:

Alice Hansen

Mob: 0417818180

Email: ah24241@gmail.com

Cheers,
 - Martin.

PR #11: The Australian Malt Whisky Tasting Championship 2013 winners

Back in May I blogged about the Australian Malt Whisky Tasting Championship. Unfortunately despite best intentions, I was interstate at the time and couldn't participate (pity - that wooden spoon would've been mine!) but from all reports it was a fantastic night, with some fierce competition and a lot of celebrating.

Having not been there I can't really comment on the night, so here's the press release:

On Friday 21^st June, whisky enthusiasts from all over Australia flew in to compete in the annual Australian Malt Whisky Tasting Championship.  A major event on the Australian whisky calendar ever since 1989, this year 60 competitors and a large number of spectators gathered in the Dinosaur Gallery at The Australian Museum in Sydney to put their tastebuds to the test and find out who would be the newly-crowned Australian Malt Whisky Tasting Champion.

With everyone seated, competitors had 30 minutes to assess the eight whiskies poured before them in a blind-tasting format.  Each competitor was provided with a list of nine possible whiskies – the eight on the table, plus one red herring.  The task was to correctly identify which whisky was which.

This year’s line up of whiskies featured a large number of Islay/peated malts that were similar in style, and it took some pretty experienced and knowledgeable palates to discern them apart. 

With the competition part of the night out of the way, the party began – whisky cocktails made with Monkey Shoulder, cask-strength drams from The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, and The Balvenie & cheese matches were amongst the offerings to be enjoyed.  And halfway through the party, it was time to announce the winner!

Craig Daniels from Adelaide, and previous winner in 2008, took out the title with a near perfect score. Craig’s reward, apart from significant bragging rights, is a trip for two to Tasmania including airfares and accommodation, with a two-day personally guided whisky tour of Tassie’s distilleries in the Hobart area.  1^st prize is valued at over $2,500.

Second place went to James Tait from Sydney, along with a very impressive $1,000 worth of cask strength, single cask, single malt whiskies from The Scotch Malt Whisky Society.

Third place went to Ian Titman from Sydney, who won himself $500 to spend at The Oak Barrel (a bottle shop in Sydney renowned for its whisky range) plus two tickets to their upcoming Whisky Fair later in the year.  

Next year hopefully...

Cheers,
 - Martin.

PR #6: SMWS' Australian Malt Whisky Tasting Championship 2013

We all hear about the various whisky and spirits competitions around the place (it seems there's a new one every week), but what about a competition that we, the average punter (or blogger) can get involved with?

Enter SMWS' AMWTC (try saying that 3 times quickly...)

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society in Australia are the Aussie branch of the global Scotch Malt Whisky Society, best known for releasing incredible single cask drams from almost every distillery you can imagine (they don't name the distillery but it's easy enough to work out), with names such as "Milano salami and a tropical fruit kebab" and "Pregnancy tea mix".

On 21st June this year they're running the Australian Malt Whisky Tasting Championship again, which in a nutshell involves novices and experts alike tasting 8 drams and matching them to a list of 9 drams (including one red herring), all in the amazing surrounds of the Australian Museum's Dinosaur Gallery. Who can say they've attended a whisky tasting with a T-Rex towering over them before? (Anyone who's been to previous AMWTCs I guess - it's always held there..)

Competitor entry is $125, spectator entry is $75 (both including a cocktail party afterwards), and there are prizes for the winners (a trip to Tasmania, whiskies, SMWS tasting events).

While I'm pretty much guaranteed to not win any of these, I've signed up as a competitor. Why not?Sounds like fun.

Hope to see you there.

Cheers,
 - Martin.