When I first started drinking whisky, I’d pour it into a glass with some ice, sit back, relax and feel like a boss all day. The only problem was that I was never dedicated to it. I only enjoyed one type of whisky, the smooth Jameson original, this ‘water of life’ is everything.
Thanks to boutique-style tasting events like the Whisky Live Festival, one got to explore a whole new range of other whiskies. I remember attending the first Whisky Live Celebration. I did not know which way to go or which whisky to start with- there was a lot. So this time around I knew I had to aim for those I haven’t tried out.
Jameson Caskmates
Since I am a Jameson girl there was no way I was going to pass this stand. Well, I did try it out last time and I just had to once again. A whisky for curious minds, I’m really falling in-love with it. I like how it’s smoother and suits my palate. Jameson Original is light and a little fruity and the Jameson Caskmates (an Irish whisky finished in stout barrels) also has grassy fruitiness, still has a light mouth feel and a smooth finish- now you know why I love it? And oh, it’s enjoyable neat!
Paul John
My second stop was at the Paul John stand. This is one of the newcomers at the Whisky Live Festival. Paul John is The Great Indian Peated Single-Malt whisky with a slight smokiness on the nose. I requested something smoky and Bold was it. It also has an incredibly smooth mouth feel, fun filled and with all dimensions of pleasure.
Rock Oyster
This is a Douglas Laing whisky. What caught my eye into it is that they said it tasted like an ocean, and what I know about the ocean is that it’s salty, so how can alcohol be salty? Well it was. On the palate it did have spicy and salty notes with hints of vanilla. This was quite nice and very different.
Maker’s Mark
This was the last stand I went to, I needed something sweet before I hit the road and to my advantage it offered just what I needed. Maker’s Mark is America’s only handmade bourbon whisky. Bourbon is made with wheat in the mash bill, which is a mix of grains used to make it and gives out quite a sweeter taste on the finish and fruitiness on the nose.
The Whisky Live Celebration is held at the Sibaya Casino’s Sun Park and ends tomorrow the 23rd.