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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.

A Special Finish Aberlour

By Michael Bendavid | August 2, 2015

A Special Finish Aberlour

Aberlour is really big in France, and this, like most of the distillery’s special releases are geared exclusively for the French market (although they can be had in some other markets), including a 12 year old that’s non chill filtered. I have yet to taste the non chill filtered 12 year old, and I hope to…

Aberlour, Limited Edition, Official Bottling, Scotch Single Malt, Whisky Tasting NotesAberlour , Linger , Nose , Palate , Scotch Whisky , Sherry , Sherry Finish , Single Malt , Speyside , Tasting Note , Tasting Notes , Whiskey , Whisky , Whisky Blog , Whisky Guide , Whisky Tasting Notes

Double Balvenie – A Song of Oak and Sherry

By Michael Bendavid | May 5, 2015

Double Balvenie – A Song of Oak and Sherry

If asked what Balvenie’s “thing” is, I’d say it’s finishes. Granted, some of the expressions are unfinished, but very few are “straight up” bourbon or sherry cask matured. But looking at Balvenie’s core range, it secreams finishes: from the 12 year old DoubleWood (reviewed here), the 14 year old Caribbean Cask (reviewed here), today’s 17…

Balvenie, Core Range, Official Bottling, Scotch Single Malt, Whisky Tasting NotesBalvenie , Bourbon Barrel , DoubleWood , Linger , Palate , Scotch Whisky , Sherry , Sherry Finish , Single Malt , Speyside , Tasting Note , Tasting Notes , The Balvenie , Whiskey , Whisky , Whisky Blog , Whisky Guide , Whisky Tasting Notes