This in from Arthur Motley.
Good Cause. Good Event.
If you are on Facebook, you can read it here.
WHAT’S ALL THIS THEN?
I am hosting a series of whisky tastings in Edinburgh every Monday from July 20th until the end of August (except the 10th).
Location: The Saint (a great new Stockbridge pub from the people behind Bramble Bar)
Street: 44 St Stephen Street
City/Town: Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Those dates then:
Why would you do such a thing?
I went to university with James Bowthorpe, who is cycling around the world. See more at http://www.globecycle.org/ or find out exactly http://whereintheworldisjames.com He is not doing this to break a record (but GO JAMES GO!) but to raise money 1.8 million for Parkinson’s Research. He’s a third of the way round the world but what with cycling 120 miles a day he’s not finding the time to
fundraise (I know, it’s just plain lazy) and is some way off his target. I felt it was the least I could do, given that he’s gone all heroic on us.
What’s a whisky tasting?
Each night will have 5 delicious whiskies and probably the odd bonus thrown in here and there.
I chat, explain each dram and tell hopefully funny anecdotes. It’s pitched to the interested beginner drinker so you need not know anything about whisky (that’s the point). It will be informal, relaxed and entertaining.
Who the hell do you think you are?
I am web and whisky manager for http://www.royalmilewhiskies.com, a respected Edinburgh retailer. Before that I bought whisky for the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, and have also written the odd article here and there. Although tasting presentations are not part of my job I’ve had fun presenting my favourite drink in places as diverse as Glastonbury Festival, The Guardian newspaper and The Tinners Arms (my Dad’s Cornish pub). I have no loyalty or commercial connection to a whisky brand, which means I can say what I like (no marketing guff tonight thanks!)
…Sign me up! How do I attend?
It’s £20 a ticket and we have capacity for 25 people. If you’re interested click ‘Maybe Attending’ or ‘I am attending’ and I’ll get in touch a little nearer the time to explain how you pay for entry by a direct donation to the charity. The specialist tasting will feature rarer and more expensive whiskies so will be a little more expensive.
- HANG ON A MINUTE, WHERE’S ALL THIS WHISKY COMING FROM?
I am using my own whisky collection as the initial pouring stock but am hoping that the industry and other whisky fans might be kind enough to contribute the odd bottle so I don’t give away my entire pension plan. I will if I have to though.
For the sake of clarity, I am paying all my other expenses myself.
- Why should the industry contribute?
I know, us whisky workers are endlessly approached for bottles for charity events. That’s why I’m not directly hassling contacts I know well and hoping kind industry people will come to me. That’s Plan A anyway, don’t make me come get you.
- Why should whisky collectors contribute?
Michael Jackson was the foremost beer and whisky writer of his generation but sadly died in 2007 of Parkinsons Disease (any malt fan knows this). With his enthusiasm and talent he did as much as anyone to turn whisky into the valued commodity it is today. Collectors and drinkers who were inspired by MJ to hoard a few single malts have a lot to thank him for. You could go the hassle selling all your bottles on ebay and make a buck or two, or you could send me a bottle and I will attempt to make other people fall in love with malt. More expensive/rare bottles will be used in a rarities tasting to maximise the amount of money we can raise. MJ was an exceptionally kind person.
If you’re interested in donating please e-mail me on bumpmotley@gmail.com
