April, 2014 - Malt and Oak: Whisky Tasting Notes | Whisky Guide | Whisky Blog

About Me

When not nosing, tasting, drinking and reading about malt whisky, I own one of Israel's premiere boutique coaching practices, specializing in small businesses and executive teams.
Trained in the law, I was an international law attorney and took part in Israel's peace negotiations with the Palestinians, as well as representing my country at the UN for parts of the negotiations on the implementation of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. Later I was appointed to the military bench.
My favorite thing, other than whisky, is teaching.
You can contact me through the social media buttons above or by email: michael(at)maltandoak.com, replacing the (at) with an @.

Statement of Integrity and Guidelines

Malt and Oak is an independent whisky blog, offering my own views, opinions and news from the world of malt whisky.
These are my guidelines:

1. All whisky reviews published are of whiskies I have personally tasted and noted. Guest bloggers only write about their own personal tastings.

2. With the exception of official whisky samples, I accept no consideration whatsoever from any distillery, bottler, distributor, drink company or store for my opinions.

3. I maintain strict impartiality and objectivity in tasting all whiskies, not least when tasting official samples. Any review of official whisky samples sent to me will be so noted in the post.

4. I will accept invitations to tastings, events and official visits, and full disclosure will be made on any tasting notes and articles resulting from these events or visits.

5. Any sample received over 30 ml in volume is shared with fellow whisky bloggers. In any event, no sample larger than 100 ml will be accepted.

6. No advertisements promoting specific brands will be accepted.

7. I will answer any inquiry by my readers as quickly and as fully as possible.

8. Should I give a link purchase the reviewed whisky, it will be given free of any commercial interest. The link given will always point to cheapest selling price I found on the web. No commission is paid, nor any other consideration given, for such link.

9. As of July 2017, I serve as Douglas Laing’s Israel brand ambassasdor. As such, I will obviously not be posting reviews of Douglas Laing products.

Tasting the Caperdonich 1972 Gordon and McPhail Reserve

By Michael Bendavid | April 28, 2014

Tasting the Caperdonich 1972 Gordon and McPhail Reserve

One of the great things about our whisky passion is our desire to share it with fellow malt meshugenes (crazies in Yiddish). At any given time, postal services around the world handle thousands of packages containing sample offerings being sent world over between lovers of whisky. In this spirit (well…pun intended), Joris Kooijman, a friend…

Whisky Tasting NotesCaperdonich , Closed Distilleries , Scotch Whisky , Sherry , Speyside , Whisky

Ardmore Traditional Cask…A VERY Special Dram (for me)

By Michael Bendavid | April 23, 2014

Ardmore Traditional Cask…A VERY Special Dram (for me)

This dram is connected directly to my re-submergence into the whisky world, after a de-facto absence of almost two decades. I grew up around whisky. In fact, my grandfather bought a bottle of Dimple in 1948 during my grandmother’s pregnancy for the toast at the ‘bris’ – the circumcision ceremony – of his firstborn son….

Whisky Tasting NotesArdmore , Highlands , Linger , Nose , Palate , Peat , Scotch Whisky , Single Malt , Tasting Note , Tasting Notes , Whisky