Showcasing whiskies from all around the world, the FNB Whisky Live Festival is the largest, whisky and lifestyle event of its kind. It not only attracts whisky drinkers but whisky connoisseurs from around the globe, more than any other whisky festival globally.
The festival takes place in Cape Town from 3 October - 5 October, in Durban from 1 November - 2 November and in Johannesburg from 7 November - 9 November. Some of the experts who will be on hand:
Dave Broom
Dave Broom is irrefutably the much loved official FNB Whisky Live Festival ambassador and makes a welcome return to SA for our tenth anniversary. Dave Broom will be hosting two unique workshops during the FNB Whisky Live Festival in Johannesburg - billed as A Coming of Age and Plotting the Peat. Dave will be giving South African whisky lovers a rare insight into whiskies not available in the Tasting Hall.
Dave, who is well known for his contribution in writing about whisky for the past 26 years as a journalist and also a renowned author, comes with extensive knowledge of the whisky industry. He has written for Whisky Magazine ever since the magazine started and is widely recognised in the South African industry for his exceptional tasting skills and his boundless knowledge of whisky.
Martine Nouet
Martine Nouet is a leading writer on spirits and former editor of Whisky Magazine in France for six years. Over the years Martine has written various books on spirits. Being an expert in food and whisky pairing, this lady is a force to be reckoned with in this male dominated world of whisky. Her one “must do” tasting combo….. open an oyster, throw off the water, let the oyster make new water, pour a few drops of peated whisky on to the oyster and enjoy!
Ian MacMillian
Sharing his extensive knowledge and experience in the whisky industry again this year is Ian MacMillian, Master Distiller of Bunnahabhain who has been instrumental for the success of the brand thus far. Ian will be hosting workshops in Durban and in Johannesburg.
Jason Duganzich
South African brand ambassador Jason Duganzich for the world's best-selling single malt, Glenfiddich, The Balvenie and Grants, will also be one of the FNB Whisky Live Festival 2012 highlights. Jason has travelled around the globe exploring the world of whisky. Known for his food and whisky tasting sessions for corporate groups and sharing his broad knowledge, be sure to catch him at the Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg shows. His workshops are lively, entertaining and take hugely informative. Jason has the uncanny knack of explaining whisky jargon in simple everyday language. Don't miss his “Glenfiddich Decontruction” workshop as well as the opportunity to taste a very new release to the SA market - the Glenfiddich 19 Year Old Age of Discovery, Madeira Cask Finish in his Glenfiddich Innovation workshop.
Dave Hughes
Dave Hughes, Master Distiller and Whisky Raconteur, served an apprenticeship as a distiller at African Distillers in 1956 and filled several positions before moving to South Africa in 1986. Dave moved up the ranks and earned his reputation when he held several managerial positions. A charming person, Dave is a fountain of knowledge and will be the Malt Master host at the new-look Whisky Tasting Room which forms part of the Whisky Lifestyle Lounge. These workshops are the secret gem of the festival offering whiskies not available in the Tasting Hall.
Billy Walker
Born in a big whisky town, Dumbarton, it was inevitable that Master Distiller, Billy Walker would be a whisky expert. Billy has worked with Scotch whisky for almost 30 years and he has been involved in blending and cask selection, understanding maturation, how casks behave and the individuality of the casks, just to name a few. Billy will be in South Africa to host the BenRiach and GlenDronach workshops in the Durban and Johannesburg shows. Billy has also handselected the anniversary 10th edition Whisky Live Festival special bottling - a must-have collector's item
Dennis Malcolm
Dennis Malcolm, Master Distiller for Glen Grant, is back again in the country by popular request. A charming and irresistibly humorous Scotsman, Dennis will be back at the helm hosting the Glen Grant Distillation Zone as well as two dedicated workshops where he will share his passion and knowledge of whisky. Dennis has extensive knowledge of the whisky industry after being born into this industry. Dennis's dad worked for the Glen Grant distillery and so did his dad before him. Dennis has worked for a number of distilleries over the years but has since returned to Glen Grant where he started at the tender age of 15 years old as an apprentice cooper.
Damian Riley Smith
Publisher of the Whisky Magazine International Damian Riley Smith is also one of this year's international speakers. He is also the founder of the Whisky Live, a global event that takes place annually.Damian has also hand selected some unique whiskies for the two exclusive tastings for the Connoisseur's Tour in each region, as well as a fabulous line up of whiskies from the Independent Bottlers' Challenge and the World Whiskies Awards. A must for whisky lovers who want to taste whiskies not available in the Tasting Hall.
Paul la Cock
Paul la Cock is the founder and owner of SA based online premium whisky and spirits retailer, Aficionados. He offers expert advice on the top whiskies to invest in. Aficionados' has the widest range of premium products such as whisky, cognacs, premium brandies and sprits. Its main specialty is whisky. He is one of the most popular whisky experts in South Africa and no stranger to the Whisky Live Festival. The public can catch up with Paul at the Cape Town and Durban events where he will share a quick overview of the whisky production process highlighting the influence of peating, mashing, fermentation, distillation and maturation in wood, each illustrated with an interesting whisky.
Emil den Dulk
Emil den Dulk, director of Liquidity - purveyors of fine wines & spirits - has had a love affair with wines and whiskies for many years. Since his early days assisting at the family wine farm, De Toren Private Cellar, he has honed his skills behind the bars of some of London's top venues and been the mastermind behind the introduction of some amazing spirit brands into SA. He enviably has one of the most discerning palates in the industry, a vast knowledge of all craft spirits (including tequila, whisky, cognac and rum) and can also muddle up a mean cocktail or two on demand!
Dr Nicholas Morgan
Dr Nicholas Morgan joined the United Distillers (now Diageo plc) in 1990. He is now Head of Whisky Outreach at Diageo plc, which is the leading global authority on the Scotch whisky industry as well as the marketing of Scotch whisky around the world. Nic's extensive knowledge of the whisky industry has landed him the role to inform, educate and motivate not only other whisky key influencers but bloggers, writers, food writers and business commentators. Nic has also worked in the Diageo's Marketing Department for years working closely with flavour experts and distillers. Nic will be at the FNB Whisky Live Festival 2012 sharing this vast knowledge at the Cape Town and Johannesburg events.
* 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). Combo tickets, which will allow entry into the Tasting Hall, and one whisky workshop, are also available.
FNB Whisky Live Festival Facts
The annual FNB Whisky Live Festival return for its 10th Anniversary to The Cape Town International Convention Centre from the 3rd - 5th October 2012 (18h00 to 22h00 daily), the International Convention Centre Durban from the 1st - 2nd November 2012 (18h00 to 22h00 daily), and the Sandton Convention Centre from the 7th - 9th November (18h00 - 22h00 daily) for its showcase of whiskies from around the world.
A variety of ticket options are available for purchase via the website - www.whiskylivefestival.co.za. The organisers suggest you book early to avoid disappointment. There will also be deli-style food available to complete your “great night out” experience.
For more information please visit the website or e-mail [email protected]
Please follow us on Twitter @WhiskyLiveSA and Facebook.com/FNBWhiskyLiveFestival
The FNB Whisky Live Festival promotes responsible drinking. No persons under the age of 18 years old will be allowed into the Tasting Hall. Designated driver tickets are available with discounted food vouchers and a bottle of Valpré mineral water included in the ticket price. Various chauffeur drive services and drive responsibly initiatives will be on hand to ensure that everyone in your party is able to have a good time. Part of the ticket proceeds will continue to be donated to The Foundation for Alcohol Related Research.