1824 Collection | 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.

Macallan Rare Cask Black – Travel Retail

By Michael Bendavid | December 16, 2015

Macallan Rare Cask Black – Travel Retail

When you think of Macallan whisky, the last thing that comes to mind is a peated whisky. Yet, this is what Macallan presented in the Rare Cask Black. This isn’t Macallan whisky that was aged in peated casks, like Balvenie did with the Islay Cask some time back, rather truly peated Macallan spirit aged in…

Macallan, Official Bottling, Scotch Single Malt, Travel Retail, Whisky Tasting Notes1824 Collection , Highlands , Linger , Macallan , Nose , Palate , Rare Cask Black , Scotch Whisky , Sherry , Single Malt , Tasting Note , Tasting Notes , Travel Retail , Whiskey , Whisky , Whisky Blog , Whisky Guide , Whisky Tasting Notes

It’s WAY Overpriced – But Darn Good! Finally a Macallan I REALLY Like…

By Michael Bendavid | June 27, 2015

It’s WAY Overpriced – But Darn Good! Finally a Macallan I REALLY Like…

I’m not a huge Macallan fan, and that’s not really a secret, and my disappointment with the new NAS line (Gold, Amber, Sienna and Ruby) didn’t add points to the brand. I’ve tasted quite a few Macallans (Sherry Oak 12-25, Fine oak 10-25, the full regular retail 1824 Series NAS line, several of the 1824 Collection…

Macallan, Official Bottling, Scotch Single Malt, Travel Retail1824 Collection , Highlands , Linger , Macallan , Nose , Palate , Scotch Whisky , Sherry , Single Malt , Tasting Note , Tasting Notes , Travel Retail , Whiskey , Whisky , Whisky Blog , Whisky Guide , Whisky Tasting Notes