I promised you a report on this years Whisky Live Festival, and I know I'm late with that report. The thing is, I had full intention of posting my report on Saturday morning, but I really could not get myself to do anything but make coffee and sleep. I also had to fly to Port Elizabeth on Sunday morning for a business trip.
Whisky Live 2011
In short, the festival was awesome, although the following day I could not stomach the thought of whisky, let alone writing about anything involving it. This is how I reassured myself that I am not cut out for the whole 'alcoholic' thing.
I was like a kid in a candy store, hopping from stall to stall, trying not to miss out on anything. To my disappointment, Ardbeg was not at the show. Nevertheless, there were one or two whiskies that really stood out.
The star of the show, for me, really was The Peat Monster by Compass Box (review to follow), and I could not resist buying a bottle. H was impressed by Orangerie- also by Compass Box- and I must admit it is a very interesting whisky.
The blending session hosted by Compass Box was very informative, and we had a good laugh blending our own whiskies. H nearly poisoned everyone at our table with her concoction. She was not listening when we were told to add water to our blends (typical), and walked around for a good part of the night proclaiming that she could not feel her lips. Haha, I love my wife!
After the blending session, we spent some time at the BenRiach stall, and it is here that we found not one, but two little gems.
The BenRiach range caters for everyone, and we slowly but surely made our way through most of the whiskies that they had available. That's when I came across the Curiositas Peated 10 yr. I know what you are all thinking ... All he ever talks about is peaty, smoky whisky. You are absolutely right, I love the stuff. For me, a whisky should stare at you with a twitch in his eye, his hand on a Magnum, and say ... "Do you feel lucky, Punk?" The Curiositas does exactly that.
Standing at BenRiach, H was handed a glass of what looked like Amarula. But this was no Amarula, this was something they simply called Magnum. It is bottled in a unique silver canister that resembles an old milk or cream can. Wow, is this stuff awesome. It's like a butterscotch and cream factory exploded in your mouth. We were lucky enough to get a bottle and I will share it with you as soon as I am back in town.
The rest of the evening is a bit of fuzzy, and I know that there was a lot of Drambuie consumed. The show lasts for about 4 hours (if it were any longer, I think I might still be in bed) and there is something for everyone.
If you are in Johannesburg and don't have your tickets yet, go and get them now! You really will not be disappointed.
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