Whisky Live Tel Aviv | 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.

A Tormore to Remember – Whisky Live Tel-Aviv 2015 Special Bottling

By Michael Bendavid | April 12, 2015

A Tormore to Remember – Whisky Live Tel-Aviv 2015 Special Bottling

Tormore is one of those distilleries that have no real fans. With official bottlings that were put out sporadically and not really marketed, despite there being a new 16 year old bottled at 48% and non chill filtered out on the market for over a year (the other OB is a 14 year old bottled…

Independent Bottling, Scotch Single Malt, Tormore, Whisky Events, Whisky Tasting NotesLinger , Nose , Palate , Scotch Whisky , Sherry , Single Malt , Speyside , Tasting Note , Tasting Notes , Tormore , Whiskey , Whisky , Whisky Blog , Whisky Guide , Whisky Live Tel Aviv , Whisky Tasting Notes

A Seven Year Old Craigelleachie – Whisky Live Tel Aviv 2015 Bottling

By Michael Bendavid | April 3, 2015

A Seven Year Old Craigelleachie – Whisky Live Tel Aviv 2015 Bottling

There’s some real history being made here. In the summer there were a couple of travel retail exclusive bottlings for Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport (and you can see my review of the controversial Aultmore XO, and there was also a Craigellechie 18 I didn’t get to taste), but those are limited to people flying…

Craigellachie, Independent Bottling, Scotch Single Malt, Whisky Events, Whisky Tasting NotesCraigellachie , Linger , Nose , Palate , Scotch Whisky , Sherry , Single Malt , Speyside , Tasting Note , Tasting Notes , Whiskey , Whisky , Whisky Blog , Whisky Guide , Whisky Live Tel Aviv , Whisky Tasting Notes