If you think the annual FNB Whisky Live Festival is just about tasting different whiskies, think again. It is an interactive, dynamic show, where whisky representatives and distillers from around the world showcase their brands in all their glory.
The Festival runs from November 2 to 4 in Cape Town and from November 9 to 11 in Johannesburg, and according to Sian Neubert, co-organiser of the FNB Whisky Live Festival, “it is an explosion of the senses”.
“The festival is about a journey of exploration – and our aim is to create an interactive experiential whisky trail, where around every corner, there is a new whisky experience. Don’t expect a traditional sampling show. It is about showcasing whisky in an innovative way to broaden its appeal, whether you are a newcomer to whisky or a connoisseur. It is an explosion of senses from exploring flavours, defining aromas and experimenting with whisky pairings and mixes,” Neubert says.
The Festival consists of two parts, a tasting Hall where all the whisky brands on show are available for tasting, and the whisky workshops held in the breakaway rooms.
“To really appreciate the Festival, we encourage all whisky enthusiasts to attend at least one workshop,” says Karen Chaloner, co-organiser of the festival. “There is also a combo ticket option, which includes entry to the main tasting Hall, plus a whisky workshop, allowing visitors to take full advantage of all that is on offer.”
Over the last nine years, visitors to the FNB Whisky Live Festival have consistently voted the event’s workshops as the highlight of the show – and with exclusive tasting opportunities and whisky experts sharing their vast knowledge and expertise in a fun and interactive format, it’s easy to see why these master classes will be once again be the first port of call for whisky lovers this year.
“The whisky workshops are so popular that they usually sell out well before the festival begins in Cape Town and Johannesburg,” says Neubert
These interactive one-hour tutorials give visitors the opportunity to expand their experience at the show beyond the tasting hall, and according to Neubert, are a great forum for newcomers to learn from the experts, and for connoisseurs to sample the elusive rarities that have been sourced especially for the workshops, and are not available in South Africa.
“Last year, Billy Walker, master distiller at BenRiach, shared whiskies that had never been tasted by anyone beyond the distillery. South Africa was the platform and it was an exceptionally rare treat much appreciated by workshop goers,” Neubert says.
“Whisky has always been a great conversation-starter, and the workshops give those with a passion for the spirit the opportunity to learn together,” adds Chaloner. “Taking a whisky-loving client to one of the workshops is also a great way to network and build on existing relationships.”
The whisky experts who lead the workshops are all globally recognised masters in their fields who are gifted with storytelling savvy.
To whet your whisky workshop appetite:
* Glenfiddich brand ambassador Jason Duganzich will present a Deconstruction Tasting of Glenfiddich 15 Year Old, which will include a tasting of each component of this whisky, allowing workshop goers to gain a deeper and more meaningful understanding of exactly how Glenfiddich 15 Year Old is created.
* International whisky writer Dave Broom will present two workshops: “Irish eyes are smiling” and “American Whiskey: A New Frontier”. In “Irish eyes are smiling”, Broom will take you on an Irish whiskey pilgrimage exploring the history, landscape and glorious future of Irish whiskey. Workshop goers will discover unique ways of production, the rebirth of single pot still, and explore - and explode - a few myths. In “American Whiskey: A New Frontier”, Broom explores the world of American whiskey. As major distillers and new arrivals from the craft world ask the question: 'What is American whiskey?', Broom explores the answer by looking at the different grains, woods, and mindsets that go into whiskey-making in America.
* Billy Walker, master distiller at BenRiach will present “A historical journey: the BenRiach Decades”. Walker invites you on an historical journey of BenRiach, sharing five or six single cask or premium malts from the 1970s, 1980’s, 1990’s and 2000s – some of which may not yet have even been bottled and will be actual cask samples only.
* Rynard van der Westhuizen, malts advocate and Keeper of the Quaich member, will present The Classic Malts and Lindt Experience. He will match various singles malts, including Talisker 10 Year Old, and Lagavulin 16 Year Old, with the finest Lindt chocolate. The workshop promises to awaken your senses and add fire to your imagination.
* Rob Allanson, editor of Whisky Magazine, will present Journeys Blend. Allanson will take you on a motorcycling odyssey around Scotland to create the ultimate blended malt. The session will encompass the four extreme whiskies, the final blend, the stories and saddle sores of this epic motorbike trip. Whiskies include: Glen Garioch, Highland Park, Kilchoman, Bladnoch and Journey's Blend.
* Dennis Malcolm, master blender at Glen Grant will present Glen Grant – 170 years of Tradition and Innovation on the 9th and 11th November only. Tasting opportunities will include the Glen Grant Single Malt The Major’s Reserve, and the Glen Grant 170th Anniversary Limited Edition, among others.
* The complete whisky workshop line up is available on the festival website – www.whiskylivefestival.co.za. Tickets for the whisky workshops are available from Webtickets (accessed via www.whiskylivefestival.co.za) and cost R100 per person, per hour-long workshop. Combo tickets, which will allow entry into the Tasting Hall, and one whisky workshop, are available at R265 per person.