A dram good tipple to taste

BIANCA COLEMAN

AH, WHISKY. One of my favourite things in the world. Which makes Whisky Live one of my favourite annual events, taking place from April 6 till 8 at The Lookout in Granger Bay.

Not only is it a celebration of whiskies from all over the world; Scotland, Ireland, US, South Africa, but it caters for all levels of whisky lovers. Plus, there are always men wandering around in kilts, which is an added attraction. If they are genuine Scots and have the accent, well, that’s just a bonus.

Regular attendees will be familiar with many elements, like meeting Mr Whisky and Africa’s only Master of the Quaich, Pierre Meintjes, who will be presenting Bunnahabhain Islay single malt. The classic Hebridean Bruichladdich will also be available for sampling, and much loved by smokeheads, Laphroaig and Ardbeg will vie for peat lovers’ attention.

Whisky always brings with it wonderful stories; the first whisky in space, the Islay spirit Ardbeg, is now also the first whisky to conquer the Atlantic. Lone paddler Chris Bertish took three Ardbeg miniatures with him on his Atlantic crossing. Visitors to the festival can toast Bertish and stand a chance to be part of the video being made to mark his achievement.

While the world’s biggest names are represented at Whisky Live, and you can get to sample ones you maybe can’t afford to have at home, the event also showcases new and/ or limited releases and award winners. Like the triple distilled, triple blended, and triple cask-matured Tullamore D.E.W. Only 70 casks of the 14 Year Old were produced, and it will be available for sampling in limited quantities.

Musicians putting their names to spirit brands is nothing new; even Jack Parow has his own brandy. The Pogues – the whiskey (with an “e” if it’s Irish is the accepted spelling) named after the Irish Celtic rock band – joins the Whisky Live circuit for the first time. Launched in 2015, The Pogues rebels against the norm with a blend of 50% Irish grain whiskey and 50% Irish single malt whiskey. Aficionados will know that blends usually include a lot more than two whiskies.

The Irish are nothing if not unconventional. Jameson Cask Mates will also be available, aged in craft beer barrels with notes of cocoa, coffee and butterscotch. It’s jolly good.

Some people mistakenly think Jack Daniel’s is bourbon, but it is in fact Tennessee whiskey (again with the “e”, being American). Although similar, what sets Tennessee whiskey apart from bourbon is that after the spirit is distilled, Tennessee whiskey is filtered through sugar-maple charcoal, known as the Lincoln County Process. You don’t want to look like too much of a rookie, so, armed with this knowledge, you can confidently taste the JD range from Jack Daniel’s Old No7, Gentleman Jack and Single Barrel through to Woodford Reserve and Woodford Reserve Double Oaked.

Having said that, bourbon is indeed a type of whiskey; learn more at the Maker’s Mark stand, where the distinctive red-dipped bottle will be open for business.

Of course, we must not forget our very own multi-award-winning South African whisky, Three Ships, which will be presented by master distiller Andy Watts. A special treat will be limited amounts of Three Ships 15 Year Old Pinotage Cask Finish whisky – a world first – as well as the recently released Three Ships 10 Year Old Single Malt with a 2005 vintage statement. Watts will also be presenting Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky to taste alongside a work-in-progress 15 Year Old grain whisky which has not yet been released nor bottled. You will notice we adopt the Scottish spelling of whisky, without the “e”.

Whisky Live is at The Lookout, V&A Waterfront, from Thursday to Saturday, 6pm till 10pm. Tickets are R200 from www.ticketpros.co.za and R230 at the door – if the event is not sold out. All tickets include 16 whisky tasting vouchers, a glass bottle of Consol water, a glass and an SA Whisky Handbook on return of voucher card on exit. For more information, go to www.whiskylive. co.za. Whisky Live supports responsible drinking. No under-18s.