Another year, another FNB Whisky Live Festival! With the Cape Town leg gone and the addition of Soweto things are certainly a bit different to previous years. One thing you can count on at Whisky Live though are excellent whisky workshops hosted by whisky folks who are at the top of their game. This year is no exception.
2013 Whisky Live SA – Workshop Presenters
Dave Broom |
|
 Dave Broom is a prolific – and highly respected – whisky writer and serves as the face (or ambassador if you prefer) of the FNB Whisky Live Festival. If you’ve met Dave before, you’ll know just how engaging, knowledgeable and fill of mirth he is. And his recent award – 2013 IWSC Communicator of the Year – is richly deserved. Dave is presenting 3 workshops in Sandton and chances are they’ll already be sold out by the time you read this. So if you want to spend some time in his company, get your tickets now and get them fast!
|
|
Gerry Tosh |
Rob Allanson |
 Higland Park’s Global Marketing Manager, Gerry Tosh, knows a thing or two about whisky. Expect great insights into “The Best Spirit in the World” and some top class whisky.
|
 Whisky Magazine’s editor has been lured back to SA for another year of great workshops. Make sure you pick the brains of one of the WWA judges while he’s out here.
|
Ian Logan |
Andy Watts |
 The Glenlivet are sending over the big guns this year! Global Brand Ambassador Ian Logan knows his whiskies and has some great insider stories to share over a dram or 2.
|
 Master Distiller Andy Watts makes fantastic whisky in the form of Three Ships and Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky. Meet the legend and discover just why “local is lekker”.
|
Ian Chang |
Ian MacMillan |
 Who’s the man behind the great whisky coming out of Taiwan? Meet Ian Chang and discover the treasures of Kavalan.
|
 Ian MacMillan, Burn Stewart Distillers’ Master Blender, is the perfect candidate to regale you with the history and stories of Bunnahabhain and Islay.
|
Whisky Live Workshops – Wednesday, 6th November 2013
Wednesday 18h30-19h15 – The Forgotten Coast: The Whiskies of Scotland’s North-East |
| Presented by Dave Broom: Not too many folk venture up into the far north eastern part of Scotland, which is a pity as there are some great drams that await you if you do! Dave will introduce you to some of these bold, charming, seductive and idiosyncratic whiskies of the north east. |
Wednesday 18h45-19h45 – Kavalan |
| Presented by Ian Chang: Kavalan is a relative unknown here in SA, but it won’t stay that way for long! Get a front row seat to Ian’s discussion on the origins of this Taiwanese distillery and the challenges of producing great whisky in the subtropics. |
Wednesday 20h00-21h00 – Highland Park |
| Presented by Gerry Tosh: Highland Park’s Global Marketing Manager is bound to have some great drams up his sleeve. Join Gerry as he unveils some top class Orcadian drams for your tasting pleasure. |
Wednesday 20h15-21h15 – The World Whisky Awards |
| Presented by Rob Allanson: With a series of drams that were voted as Whisky Magazine’s “Best in the World” at their World Whiskies Awards you just know that there are going to be some stunning whiskies on hand! And Rob is just the person to tie their history and story together as you get to taste them. |
Whisky Live Workshops – Thursday, 7th November 2013
Thursday 18h30-19h15 – The “Sherry Influence” |
| Presented by Dave Broom: You’ve heard of sherry cask whiskies before. Dave will delve into the world of sherry and take you all the way from liquid/cask interaction of sherry and then the Scotch whisky that follows and the great relationship between sherry and whisky. |
Thursday 17h15-18h15 – Barnard’s Footsteps |
| Presented by Rob Allanson: A journey back in time. Barnard visited every working whisky distillery in GB and Ireland from 1885 to 1887 – a staggering 162 distilleries! Rob will take you along for the ride as you follow the great Victorian writer on his travels. |
Thursday 18h45-19h45 – The Glenlivet Legacy Tasting |
| Presented by Ian Logan: An epic journey awaits you as Ian explains the origins of Goerge Smith’s The Glenlivet’s fine single malt scotch whisky to its proud position in the industry today. |
Thursday 20h00-21h00 – Discover the World’s Best – SA Whisky |
| Presented by Andy Watts: A must-attend workshop for SA whisky lovers! Join Andy Watts and found out more about the award winning whiskies produced at the world class distillery nestled in Wellington in the Western Cape. Andy’s special cask samples are worth the ticket price alone! |
Thursday 20h15-21h15 – Independent Treasures |
| Presented by Rob Allanson: Independent bottlers (IB) provide a slightly different offering when it comes to your favourite distilleries’ whiskies. Try something different to the core range of expressions you know and become an IB convert! |
Whisky Live Workshops – Friday, 8th November 2013
Friday 18h30-19h15 – User’s Guide to Blends |
| Presented by Dave Broom: Enjoy sitting back and watching Dave blast through the preconceptions that whisky should never be mixed and drunk neat only. If you’re a single malt, neat-only snob, come along and take part – it’s virtually guaranteed that you’ll not see whisky the same again. |
Friday 18h45-19h45 – Discover the World’s Best – SA Whisky |
| Presented by Andy Watts: A must-attend workshop for SA whisky lovers! Join Andy Watts and found out more about the award winning whiskies produced at the world class distillery nestled in Wellington in the Western Cape. Andy’s special cask samples are worth the ticket price alone! |
Friday 20h00-21h00 – The Bunnahabhain Experience |
| Presented by Ian MacMillan: Ian MacMillan is no stranger to SA, having been over for several Whisky Live Festivals in the past. Join his workshop and be introduced to the gentler taste of Islay. You’ll have a great time exploring the non-chill filtered Bunnahabhain range. |
Friday 20h15-21h15 – Kavalan |
| Presented by Ian Chang: Kavalan is a relative unknown here in SA, but it won’t stay that way for long! Get a front row seat to Ian’s discussion on the origins of this Taiwanese distillery and the challenges of producing great whisky in the subtropics. |
Please note: These times and workshops were correct – as provided – at time of publishing, they may have changed since. Always check on the official ticket site when planning your outing.
There you have it! No excuses now… Go ahead and book your tickets via the FNB Whisky Live Festival website. I’ll see you all there!
Sláinte!