Durban – The Independent on Saturday is a sponsor of the Whisky Live festival that offers a superb range of great whiskies for you to taste this week.
On hand will be Islay single malts Laphroaig, Bunnahabhain, Bruichladdich and Ardbeg. Lighter, fruitier Speyside and Highland whiskies are also on offer, as well as The Macallan Fine Oak, The Glenlivet, Aberlour and Glenmorangie at the Wavehouse in Gateway from June 1-3.
We spoke to Owen O’Reilly owner of SIP Exclusive and Black Bottle Whisky ambassador, whose whiskiy will be available to taste at the show, to dispel the myths about whisky that could be holding you back from enjoying it to the fullest.
1 All whisky tastes the same
As a spirit with one of the most diverse flavour profiles, you can enjoy a variety of sweet, fruity, floral, spicy, herbal, oaky, nutty, dry and smoky tastes depending on the whisky you are sipping. This wide variety of tastes is influenced by region, grain, distilling method and the type of oak barrels it’s matured in to name a few.
Whiskies hold rich and varied flavour profiles, such as peaty Islay Scotch whiskies and fruity Speyside whiskies, to blended whiskies. No two whiskies are exactly the same, and there are many delicious flavours to enjoy.
2 Only poor quality whisky is used in cocktails
Forget the sugary sweet concoctions that come to mind when you hear the word cocktail. We are talking about cocktails with fresh ingredients and quality mixers.
Whisky cocktails have been enjoyed for decades, and good quality whisky is used within the cocktails so that the flavour of the ingredients and whisky complement each other to perfection.
Blended whisky, like Black Bottle, which contains lighter grain whiskies as well as single malt, has a wide spectrum of tastes that is ideal for cocktails.
3 It’s expensive, so it must be the best
While an 18-year-old whisky is going to be more expensive than a 10-year-old due to its extended time in the casket, it doesn’t mean that you’re going to enjoy it more. Similarly, a well-recognised brand name and hefty price tag doesn’t always equate to a drink that you’ll love.
What’s exciting, is that there are so many fantastic whiskies on the market – both single malt and blended – that can appeal to both your palate and wallet.
4 Only men drink whisky
There is a common misconception that whisky is an older man’s drink, as scenes of cigar bars, leather seats and men’s clubs of yesteryear come to mind. The reality is quite different.
With the wide varieties of flavour profiles available, whisky appeals to both men and women, and is enjoyed at various occasions, celebrations, or just to unwind after a long day.
5 Single malt is superior to blended whisky
You get good single malts and bad single malts, and it’s the same with blended whisky. They’re two different styles of whisky, with different profiles, but there are exceptional blended whiskies that combine the best that’s available.
Tickets cost R200 from www.ticketpros.co.za. Entry includes a glass bottle of Consol Still Water, 16 whisky tasting vouchers, a tasting glass and also a South African Whisky Handbook when voucher cards are returned on exit. Tickets are R230 at the door. For more information visit www.whiskylive.co.za,
WIN WIN WIN
Three lucky readers will each stand a chance to win four tickets to Whisky Live. To stand a chance of winning sms TIOSWhisky followed by your name and number to 33258 by midday on Wednesday May 31. Sms charged at R1.50 Terms and Conditions Apply. Winners will be contacted via telephone.