Tickets to The Single Malt & Scotch Whisky Extravaganza® in Atlanta
$130.00 – Spring 2010 (The 11 city 2010 schedule has not been released yet)

It’s seems expensive at $130.00 but first look as what you get for your money:

A full dinner at the Intercontinental Hotel in Buckhead (which is excellent), a hand full of good cigars and a few freebies from distilleries with over 50 scotches to taste,.

“It really is a bargain.” Mark says, “We stay at the IDouble tree I which is much more reasonable and walk to the IIntercontinental I (2 blocks). We go with another couple and make a long weekend out of it. While the guys are at the tasting the girls are shopping at Lenox mall across the street.”

Now there is a man who understands the concept of “domestic tranquility”

You can order tickets through the Scotch Malt Whisky Society

If you can’t make it to Atlanta then try Dallas, Denver, New York, Chicago, Boston, Washington DC, Philadelphia, Fort Lauderdale, San Francisco or Los Angeles.
What:

Here is Mark’s final Christmas Guide recommendation for Scotch/Irish Whiskeys. If you really like someone here’s some recommendations that cost more than $200. Mark says “These are some of my favorite whiskeys that anyone would be happy to get as a gift, All are great but those marked ** are exceptional and highly recommended.” (Notice he marked every one of them).

Glenfiddich 30 Year Old **
From: Scotland
Distillery: Glenfiddich

Highland Park 25 Year Old **
From: Scotland
Distillery: Highland Park

The Macallan 25 Year Old **
From: Scotland
Distillery: The Macallan

Talisker 25 Year Old **
From: Scotland
Distillery: Talisker

Talisker 30 Year Old **
From: Scotland
Distillery: Talisker

Mark is to the point. These are the ones to have when sampling your favorite whiskeys.

Glencairn whiskey glasses. $8.00 plus shipping
These are classic whiskey glasses, every whiskey lover should have a few. These folks provide great service and delivery.
www.cobhthaighceltique.com

The Whiskey Bible 2010 By: Jim Murray $17-$20. Available on Amazon

Any whiskey book written by the late Michael Jackson (Not the pop singer). A guide to Single Malt Scotch is one that comes to mind but he has written a few. Michael Jackson was considered an Icon in whiskey knowledge. Amazon, Borders, Malt Advocate, Barnes & Noble

Malt Advocate magazine $18.00
A Great whiskey magazine.

http://www.maltadvocate.com/

The List of 5 are:

Glenmorangie Very Rare 18 Year Old**
What: Single Malt Scotch. Slowly matured for 15 years in the finest ex-bourbon oak casks, a proportion is transferred to Spanish Oloroso sherry casks for the final three years of maturation. It has a silky, smooth texture, a long, enticing finish and an intriguing balance of sweet dried fruit and a dry Oloroso nuttiness. With an ABV of 43%, its key flavor notes are mellow, nutty and dried fruit.
From: Scotland
Distillery: Glenmorangie

The Balvenie 17 Year Old Madeira Cask
What: Handcrafted single malt Scotch. The Balvenie Madeira Cask was aged exclusively in traditional American oak whisky casks before being transferred to barrels previously used in the production of fortified Madeira wine.
TASTING NOTES
NOSE-Rich, deep and complex. Spicy, earthy oak notes with subtle hints of vanilla and honey. Soft fruit aromas, a slow baked apple infused with cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg.
TASTE-The deep, luxurious aromas translate into an equally rewarding flavour. Initial sweet vanilla oak notes gradually develop into rich spices and dried fruits (apricots, figs, dates).
FINISH-Exceptionally long and an intriguing balance of sweetness and dry oakiness.
From: Scotland
Distillery: The Balvenie Distillery

The Glenlivet Archive 21 Year Old
What: The Glenlivet 21Year Old Archive is a batch produced whisky using only hand-selected casks. It is a complex whisky with sherried and wood notes integrating seamlessly with the aromatic palette.
COLOR
Amber with sparkling copper shades.
NOSE-An opulent, mature nose with a sherry influence. An intricate array of wood and fruit: Christmas cake, sultanas, maraschino cherry. Water enlightens the fruity bouquet and brings out vanilla and lighter notes of ripe peaches. Pear and marzipan pie. Luscious barley sugar aromas.

PALATE-This full-bodied whisky is unctuous and mouth coating, almost syrupy. Oak holds the reins back, releasing a drying spiciness of cinnamon, ginger, walnut and dark chocolate.
FINISH-The finish is everlasting and warming with lingering presence of toasted hazelnuts and a full layer of liquorice.
From: Scotland
Distillery: The Glenlivet

Jameson Gold Irish Whiskey **
What: Jameson Gold Reserve is a creative blend of three whiskeys of advanced years, one of which is uniquely matured in virgin oak barrels. It’s the inspired choice of this virgin oak, coupled with the bourbon barrels and sherry casks, that account for the whiskey’s satisfying complexity and honey toasted sweetness.
TASTING CHARACTERISTICS
NOSE – Fragrant wood, rich pot still with a touch of sherry sweetness.
TASTE – All the creaminess and honey sweetness come together to create a taste sensation of spicy character.
FINISH – A very long finish with a pleasantly peppery finale.
From: Ireland
Distillery: Jameson

The Macallan 18 Year Old **
What: This legendary Single Malt is Triple Cask matured for a *minimum of 18 years in a unique, complex combination of Exceptional Oak Casks; Spanish oak casks seasoned with sherry, American oak casks seasoned with sherry and American oak casks seasoned with bourbon. This delivers an extraordinarily smooth, delicate yet complex Single Malt.
From: Scotland
Distillery: The Macallan Distillery

The problem with out-of-state clubs is shipping. Why add the cost of shipping to wine that you can probably get for the same price locally.

Consider giving one of the Vineyard Wine Clubs as a Christmas gift. It’s a gift that gives all year round.

The Two Plans Available:
The Vineyard Wine Club - $24.99
The Vineyard Connoisseurs Club - $49.99

Benefits of Membership:
Members receive a carefully selected bottle of red wine and white wine each month at savings well below retail price.
Along with the wines, members will receive a one or two page synopsis which will include a description of the wines, food pairings and facts about the winery.
Members will receive 25% off our Premium Wine Seminars.
20% off all accessories (Discounts apply to non-sale items)

How it Works:
An annual, non-refundable membership fee of $19.99 will assure your entry into exciting new wines each month and extra savings at The Vineyard Wine Market. This fee is not charged to those who pay a year in advance.
A monthly fee of 24.99 plus tax for “The Vineyard Wine Club” or $49.99 plus tax for The Vineyard Connoisseurs Club is billed at the time of sign-up to cover the next month’s selections. You can choose a one-time fee of $299.88 plus tax for the The Vineyard Wine Club or $599.88 plus tax for The Vineyard Connoisseurs Club for all twelve months of selections.
The Vineyard Wine Club and Vineyard Connoisseur Club will have two monthly selections. Usually one white and one red variety. The selection will be available for pick-up after the first Friday of each month and will be available throughout the remainder of the month. If needed, you can call and make special arrangements to pick up your wines. Under Georgia law, no alcohol sales on Sunday and we cannot deliver or ship within or out of the State.
You may cancel your membership at any time with 30 day notice. Members that pay a one-time fee will have 75% or their pro-rated fee returned.
You can keep your card number on file or when you pick up your current wine selections the $24.99 or $49.99 (plus tax) for the following month’s wines will be due. Pick the plan easiest and most comfortable for you.
Where: Vineyard Wine Market (map), 4414 Evans to Lock Road, Evans, GA. (706) 922-9463

Cost: $39.99

What: Vinturi Wine Aerator

I was skeptical when I first heard about this gadget. There were all sorts of claims about how it would age your wine instantly, smoothing off the rough edges. But it seemed too good and too simple to be true.

I was wrong. It is everything you could hope for. This model is made by Vinturi, and it’s carried at just about every wine shop in town. This one was photographed at the White Horse. There also are other models that work well.

The Vinturi works on the principal that wine tastes better when it breathes a little, that is, gets some oxygen mixed with it. That’s why we swirl the wine around our glass, to maximize the exposure to oxygen.

As you pour the wine into the Venturi, it swirls down the tube and sucks in air through two small holes drilled in the side. As you pour you hear a hissing sound like a snake. That’s the air being sucked in to mix with the wine. The wine that falls through the opening into your glass is now hyperoxygenated.

Two cautions: Don’t cover the holes that bring the air in, and don’t pour too fast. You’ll end up with wine all over your hand.

If you ever get a chance to test one of these, do it, whether at a wine shop or at a friend’s house. Taste the wine before and after aerating. You’ll be amazed at the difference.

What: Rabbit Wine Bottle Stoppers

These little bottle stoppers are nice stocking stuffers. Everybody could use a couple. Stoppers have been around a long time, but these come in bright colors. They’re soft, flexible rubber, so after you pour yourself a glass of wine, just jam the stopper into the bottle and it keeps air out.

Remember, air will make a wine go bad, so if you put a stopper in it, the wine will last longer. Of course, if you’re serious about keeping an open bottle of wine, you need something to take the air out of the bottle, or replace it with an inert gas. But that’s a more expensive gift for another day.

For now you can enjoy these colorful stoppers by Rabbit at the White Horse, where they have been selling briskly.

On the 17th Day of BottleReport’s Christmas:
You’re in the giving mood so why not take advantage of that mood and get something for yourself. Casa Blanca is offering during the holiday season a bonus if you purchase a $25 gift certificate — you get a $10 gift certificate for free.

So, be nice to your friends and give them a gift certificate where they can use it for Casa Blanca’s Wine Down Wednesdays. (Get a second glass free). Or save it to apply toward a future wine dinner. A good deal either way.
Where: Casa Blanca Café
936 Broad Street Downtown Augusta,
706.504.3431 ▪ Casablancatime.com

There are several local restaurants that have regular wine dinners. Most are 5 to 6 courses with wines expertly paired and presented by the restaurant and a local wine educator a representative from a prestigious winery.

Here are two great restaurants:

Stonecrest Southern Steakhouse
Most wine dinners at Stonecrest are $75 per person or $140 for a couple. Eric Norviel will be your wine educator for the evening with help from Roger Strohl, of Vineyard Wine Market. The price includes tip and tax. The next one is scheduled for Tuesday, January 26th. Call Donna at Stonecrest for information on getting a Gift Certificate (706) 651-0123. (Gift Certificates can be made out in any amount).

Stonecrest Southern Steakhouse
601 North Belair Square
Evans, GA

Calvert’s Restaurant
Most wine dinners at Calvert’s are $65 per person and includes tax and tip. Craig and Beverly Calvert are planning a Wine Dinner in January (date will be announced soon) so this would be a great gift. Contact them for making reservations or for getting a Gift Certificate (Gift Certificates can be made out in any amount).

Calvert’s Restaurant
Surrey Center
475 Highland Avenue
Augusta, GA 30909
(706) 738-4514