Last night was the first evening of my vacation. To celebrate, me and my family boarded our boat and enjoyed a 10 minute ride from Södermöja to a near island called Ingmarsö to grab some food.
To say that the waters outside Stockholm are filled with restaurants would be far from true. Then to say that they all serve a good variety of whisky would be to partner with the devil. Basically, to get a glass of single malt whisky in a restaurant is almost non-existent (except when you order your own as stated before), to be able to choose between more than 20 different ones is not happening. Yet yesterday it turned out Ingmarsö Steak House was well equipped.
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Ingmarsö Steak House sits perfectly by the sea (North 59° 27,900 – East 18° 45, 040) with seating on the bridge. They serve quite a modest yet wonderful menu. Their speciality is not very surprising things served of the charcoal grill that stands almost on the water. The BBQ Ribs with Corn, Coleslaw and French Fries made my day. On the contrary to the food menu the drink menu is more varied. They serve a variety of white and red wines and the bar serves most drinks you can think of. (Not including the strange ones no one ever heard of)
Since this is a whisky blog their stock of whisky is of course the reason for this blog post. The range of whiskies cannot of course not compare to any well sorted retailer in a metropolitan city. But the fact that the place is situated about an hours boat ride outside Stockholm in the middle of nowhere and probably don’t have that many whisky connoisseurs anchoring up I was impressed.
The evening we visited the stock included Bowmore 10, 15 and 17yrs. From Lagavulin both a 12yrs, a 16 yrs and 18 yrs Distillers Edition smiled at me. The Macallan 12 yrs was squeezed in between a Famous Grouse Vintage Malt, another Famous Black and the ordinary Famous Grouse. Laphroaig, Caol Ila, Ardbeg, Glenmorangie, Talisker, Auchentoshan and Oban looked great beside a Black Ribbon 10yrs. The ordinary stuff – J&B, Jameson, Black Bush, Bushmill, Jack Daniels, Jim Beam and Lauders lined up besides a bottle of Buhannabin. The only think I was sad about was the lack of Mackmyra. After all, we’re in Sweden and Mackmyra is almost as exotic as the archipelago.
All in all, I can definitely see myself dropping by to try some whisky while looking at people doing their best not to fall in the water when boarding.
Yesterday? Well, the bottle containing Bowmore 17yrs was opened up for some air. Then I ended the evening with a glass of the Famous Black, an exclusive for the scandinavian market…and not tried by me before. They both were nice, but the Bowmore 17yrs is probably the one pulling me out to high seas again.
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Strathisla Distillery, the home and heart of Chivas Regal
Chivas Regal has put together the Ultimate Father’s Day Gift, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the essence of Scotland, home of Chivas Regal, through one of Scotland’s greatest creations: whisky.
If your father is a whisky lover, then this trip should make him more than happy.
The set up
Father and gift-giver will experience the most luxurious accommodations including: a stay at an invitation-only, private mansion with a full-service staff and world-class hospitality; privately prepared meals from one of Scotland’s most acclaimed chefs; a round of golf at the world-famous St. Andrew’s Links; first class air and helicopter transport; a bespoke kilt and a family crest consultation; as well as a butler to oversee that the pair receives impeccable service throughout their trip.
For the father who has shared his love of fishing, an appreciation of fine cars and great Scotch, this excursion will also offer two extraordinary opportunities. The gift recipient and guest will be treated to an intimate dinner with The Duke of Argyll at his home, Inveraray Castle – an experience that is truly priceless. After dining in the grandeur of the State Dining Room, guests will receive a VIP tour of the architecturally remarkable castle and its historical relics, which will include access to the formal gardens and tea with the Duke in the castle tearoom.
Guests will also have the ability to experience the art of blending with unrivaled intimacy by learning to create a customized blended Scotch whisky with guidance from Chivas Regal’s Master Blender, Colin Scott. Guests will have access to Chivas Brothers’ stocks, the largest and oldest in the world, including five days of specialized whisky tastings where guests will have the opportunity to sample never-before tasted whiskies.
“Both my father and grandfather worked in the whisky industry, so our relationships really developed over the craft of making Scotch,” says Colin Scott, Master Blender of Chivas Regal, who has been with Chivas Brothers for over thirty years. “I am greatly looking forward to sharing my long-standing traditions with our special guests for Father’s Day. A custom-blended whisky can be appreciated, not only for its rarity, but also to serve as a tangible memory of a truly special, never-to-be-repeated experience.”
The finale of the trip of a lifetime will occur upon the guests return home, with the receipt of their custom kilts and two bottles of the prestigious Chivas Regal 25-Year-Old Scotch Whisky, one of which will be presented in a special case designed by Viscount David Linley, son of Princess Margaret, and renowned designer – truly a befitting way to end the ultimate trip.
The Ultimate Father’s Day Trip can be reserved by contacting Travelcorp International at 225-231-4735 until June 16th, 2008. For additional information, please call 1-888-332-2907. The Ultimate Father’s Day Trip can be redeemed on August 3rd – 8th or August 31st – September 5th due to very limited availability. Cost is $117,650, which includes airfare, transportation, lodging, all meals, a round of golf, blending class, tour of Inveraray Castle, two bespoke kilts, a custom family crest, two bottles of Chivas Regal 25-Year-Old and a luxury case.
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Knob Creek Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, the world’s No. 1 selling super-premium bourbon, invites travelers to grab a seat and a glass of Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey at the new Knob Creek Bourbon Lounge in the main concourse of the Lexington Bluegrass Airport.
The Knob Creek Bourbon Lounge menu will feature signature Knob Creek Bourbon cocktails along with a selection of alcoholic, non-alcoholic beverages and menu options. The 836-square foot fully-branded bar officially opened on March 21, 2008.
The new venue is part of a larger airport renovation offering travelers an authentic Kentucky experience and hand-crafted Kentucky bourbons.
“The new Knob Creek Bourbon Lounge allows bourbon aficionados to take their time to explore life deeper and enjoy the rich flavor of Knob Creek while they escape from the stress of travel,” said Paige Guzman, brand manager, Knob Creek. “The Bluegrass Airport renovation celebrates the best of Kentucky, and Knob Creek is excited to lend its rich heritage to this destination.”
For more information on Knob Creek, visit www.knobcreek.com.
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Are you one of the lucky ones who are about to travel to Japan? I’ve been wanting to go for ages but haven’t come around to it yet.
Then you should pay our friend Chris and his blog Nonjatta a visit. Chris has just posted a great piece that guides you to the best whisky bars in Japan.
Chris writes: “Tokyo is probably the best place in the world to drink Scotch single malts (not to mention Japanese single malts) as well as many other alcoholic beverages. Unfortunately, most visitors from overseas are not aware of this and come and go without taking full advantage”
Here’s the post
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To celebrate Burns Night (Friday 25 January), Glengoyne is holding a Burns Blending Session at the distillery’s state-of-the-art whisky Sample Room. ??
The session, which is ideal for both whisky experts and novices, gives participants the chance to make their very own unique blended whisky to take home with them, as well as enjoying a hearty three-course haggis dinner. ??
Costing £50, the evening begins at 7pm when guests are welcomed with a wee dram before embarking on a full tour of the distillery – including a rare glimpse of the Glengoyne warehouses. Guests will then get the chance to blend their very own unique bottle of whisky to take home in the stylish sample room. ??
The blending course will then be followed by a traditional haggis dinner – including the mandatory Address to the Haggis – in the Glengoyne reception room, overlooking the surrounding woodland and Glengoyne’s beautiful waterfall. ??
Only 30 places are available on this course so book early. Transport will be provided to and from Glasgow city centre.
To book a place on this evening, call 01360 550254 (UK phone number)
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