Dear All readers
Well, the big day (evening) is nearly upon us. The technical guys are
arriving with a huge satellite truck. Space is being cleared in Warehouse
No
1. I am getting nervous. It's not often I am in front of cameras and it
can
be quite nerve racking!
Let me tell you the details.
Where: The web address is www.laphroaig.com/live. This page will give you
the background and the ability to download the special tasting mat. There
is a big button you can click on that takes you to the live programme (you
can go there now and read details about the panel and familiarise
yourself).
When: We will broadcast live this Wednesday at 8.00pm our time (19.00
GMT).
If you want to work out what time this is in your country please go to
http://timeanddate.com/worldclock/converter.html
- I know that Simon, our
US
Ambassador, has given those of you in the US the corrected US time zone
times.
Who: The panel will consist of me, Robert Hicks our Master Blender and
Martine Nouet - one of the finest writers on Malt Whisky in the World.
And
I hope all of the Friends of Laphroaig!
What: We will be tasting our original 10 year old of course and our
multi-award winning Quarter Cask. I hope many of you will join in these
tastings. Those of you who got hold of a bottle of the Friends bottling
"Cairdeas" will also be able to taste this expression with its creator
Robert. After this will be a World first. We will be drawing, direct from
the Butt (a European Barrel), the first "Triple Wood" a brand new
expression - this will be its first official tasting! Finally, a special
double-matured 30 year old called 30 year old Cairdeas. Why Cairdeas? -
all
will be revealed on the night.
But that's not all. I know many of you love fine foods. Well, Martine is
also a famous food writer as well. I have had many questions over the
years
as to what cheeses go best with Laphroaig. Martine has chosen 3 for us to
taste. A Scottish creamy blue cheese called "Blue Dunsyre", a mature
Spanish Manchego cheese and a strong Italian Parmesan. You may have the
last
two at home. But you may have your own views on this - we would love to
know. There is also a rather special fourth cheese - but more on that at
the
event.
Finally - I can't promise it, but we hope to prepare Laphroaig's most
famous
dish in Islay. Locally caught pan fried scallops in butter and Laphroaig
(of course!). Martine has again lent her expertise and she has
recommended
a little lemon zest, a little grated ginger and a couple of vanilla pod
seeds. For those of you who don't know who the local scallop fisherman is
-
it's my brother!
Please do send in all your questions - we will answer as many as we can.
You
can do so now at www.laphroaig.com/live or live during the broadcast at
the
same web address. All questions read out will get a bottle of Cairdeas or
a
Laphroaig crystal decanter if you are in the US or Canada. Also, like last
year, please send us photographs of you watching the programme. You can
upload them to the usual photographs page on the Friends website. Our
favourite 3 will also get the same prizes.
I really hope you can all join me. Please do pass this email on to any of
your friends who would like to see the show, or post the information onto
your local chat forums.
So see you all there at www.laphroaig.com/live at 8.00pm on wednesday,
lets
hope the weather is good - I know the whisky will be!
Slàinthe
John Campbell
posted by Mike Newbold
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