Laphroaig

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

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

- 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

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

at 8.00pm on wednesday, lets hope the weather is good - I know the whisky will be!

Slàinthe

John Campbell posted by Mike Newbold EOF