Whisky Live is an annual event that takes place in several of the world’s major cities. It aims to be the “world’s premier tasting whisky show”, and given the range of whiskies discussed and available to sample, it certainly lives up to this claim. In March each year the event reaches London. Digital Journal paid a visit.
The latest leg of the touring event was held at the Honourable Artillery Company Armoury House in Finsbury, just north of the City of London. This itself is fine a building of character and distinction. The Hounourable Artillery Company forms part of the British Army Reserve.
Entry to into Whisky Live includes samples of exhibited whiskies, hot food, served buffet-style, the Whisky Live tasting glass, food and whisky combination samples and the Whisky Live show guide. For so-called VIP guests there are additional food options and more tasting events. Here the extra tasting events are very worthwhile, but the food portions curiously smaller and less interesting than those offered to the visitors paying the standard ticket price.
The exhibition hall offered some forty stands (some big enough to act as full-blown bars) offering whisky from around the world. The majority, as would be expected come from Scotland, however other countries were also well represented.
This year a number of U.S. companies were exhibiting offering a range of rye (which must be distilled from at least 51 percent rye; Knob Creek is a common example) and corn (made from a mash made of at least 80 percent corn) whiskies, together with some mature, very smooth bourbons (which are better quality corn whiskies.) One “whiskey” that caught the eye was one that used blue corn as the starting ingredient. This was called Baby Blue (prepared from roasted heirloom blue corn.) Although an interesting concept, the whisky itself was non-descriptive and had a rather harsh alcoholic aftertaste.
Whisky from Japan was represented by a large booth from Nikka, who had some 10 whiskies on display. Here there were two interesting single malts on offer among the various blends – Yoichi and Miyagikyo. Of most interest was Miyagikyo which had a fragrant aroma, produced by steam heat distillation.
The Asian market was also represented by whisky from India and from Taiwan. Indian whisky has improved a great deal in the last decade, with Amrut ‘Portonova’ Single Malt Indian Whisky a stand out. Digital Journal’s reporter was less familiar with whisky from Taiwan. As with Japanese whisky, a fair range was on offer. Most whisky from Taiwan has only been commercially available since 2008. Here the leading distillery is Kavalan, and the best to sample is probably one called King Car Conductor. This whisky is pleasing on the palate, with mango throughout, spicy barley, gentle oak and creamy richness.
In terms of the vast range of Scottish whisky on offer (and here there must be of been close to 1000 different types), Tullibardine Sovereign was one of the best. This whisky had a spiced, creamy finish, with plenty of vanilla and cinnamon. There was also a good range on offer from Tobermory and an interesting new one called Black Ram, for those who like sweet, honeyed whisky.
Some of these whiskies could be sampled at small scale tastings.
As well as whisky,a few rums, gins and other spirits were marketed.
The highlight of the day was a master class is whiskies from Scottish Islands. Six premium whiskies were available to sample, including ones from Arran, Islay and Mull. The highlights included a distiller’s edition Oban, which was a little less sweet than the standard 14 year-old Oban available in most shops. This edition imparted bountiful notes of cooked fruit and wine-like qualities. Oban, the town, occupies a beautiful setting in the Firth of Lorn.
Also of interested was a peated Kilchoman. On the nose, other than the light smoke, was plenty of peat, along with buttery milk chocolate and candied peels. With the taste, there was for this reviewer at least, weet peat and slightly drying oat cakes.
However, the best of those island whiskies on offer was an Ardbeg, from the island Islay. The distillery, which is part of the Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy group, produces a heavily peated whisky using malted barley sourced from the maltings in Port Ellen. On offer today was a type that can only be purchased direct from the distillery shop on Islay. This is bottled as Kildalton. The whisky was distilled in 1980 and release in 2004, with only 1,300 bottles released. This rare whisky was something magnificent.
On the nose, Kidlalton delivers a buttery, creamy, herbal, blast, with perhaps a hint of pine. The palate delivers characteristic smoke with spices. The finish is delightful: salty, medicinal, tarmac and chili pepper.
Most of the whiskies available to sample could be purchased. As well as whisky various whisky themed gifts and books were available to buy. Perhaps the best thing is the chance to mingle and discuss the finer points of whisky with different people. The people attending were a mix of different ages and there was a fair balance of both men and women.
Whisky Live presents good value and if you like whisky and the roadshow is coming to a city near you it is worth paying a visit. The best thing is being able to sample anything and this helps to overcome the sometimes bewildering array on offer in shops and on-line, and to make the best choice according to your palate.
Digital Journal covered the London step of Whisky Live back in 2013. A review of this event can be found here.
