Islands | Malt and Oak: Whisky Tasting Notes | Whisky Guide | Whisky Blog - Part 13

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.

Two Quick Drams: Double the Trouble With a duo of Taliskers

By Michael Bendavid | July 4, 2014

Two Quick Drams: Double the Trouble With a duo of Taliskers

I clearly remember my first brush with the Talisker 10. It was brought out in a Johnny Walker Gold, Green and Blue labels tasting I attended, where some of the single malts at the core of the blends were shared too. It was love at first sight with two of those whiskys: Clynelish 14 and…

Core Range, Official Bottling, Scotch Single Malt, Whisky Tasting NotesBourbon Barrel , Islands , Linger , Nose , One Quick Dram , Palate , Peat , Scotch Malt Whisky Society , Skye , Talisker , Tasting Note , Tasting Notes , Whisky , Whisky Guide , Whisky Tasting Notes

One Quick Dram: Isle of Jura 21 Whisky Tasting Notes

By Michael Bendavid | June 3, 2014

One Quick Dram: Isle of Jura 21 Whisky Tasting Notes

Back to the basic OQD format: Isle of Jura 21 (44% ABV) Color: Copper Nose: Kumquat, a small whiff of almonds, star anise and nuts. yet there is a roughness on the nose. Time spent in glass wasn’t kind to the nose, which developed an unpleasant undertone which I couldn’t quite name… Taste: Very dry in mouth, citrus and…

Whisky Tasting NotesIslands , Isle of Jura , Linger , Nose , One Quick Dram , Palate , Scotch Whisky , Single Malt , Tasting Note , Tasting Notes , Whisky