November will be, without doubt, whisky month as it sees the annual FNB Whisky Live Festival return for its eighth year to Cape Town and Johannesburg for its showcase of whiskies from around the world.
The festival, which remains the largest and most exciting whisky show of its kind in the world, will run at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from Wednesday, 3 November to Friday, 5 November and at the Sandton Convention Centre from Wednesday, 10 November to Friday, 12 November.
Showcasing more than 180 local and international whiskies, a host of new releases to the South African market, and a range of luxury lifestyle products, the festival continues to highlight how important South Africa is as a whisky destination and a rapidly-growing market for the spirit worldwide.
In fact, annual figures published by The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) say that South Arica is one of Scotch Whisky’s top 10 export markets, with shipments up 7% in 2009. And according to festival organiser, Karen Chaloner, last year close on 17,000 people tasted their way around the world of whisky in South Africa, so its popularity is growing.
“In our ongoing efforts to demystify whisky, and make it more accessible to a wider audience,” she says, “it’s encouraging to see that the number of younger attendees and women has increased across the different cultures that make up our country.”
This year promises to, once again, demonstrate why the FNB Whisky Live Festival is regarded by the global whisky industry as the biggest, liveliest and most entertaining show in the world.
“Not only will we offer many returning favourites for the 2010 festival but also a whole host of new features,” explains Chaloner.
Hot on the heels of the soon to be launched new flagship fresh food store, Pick n Pay on Nicol, in Hurlingham Johannesburg, The Pick ‘n Pay Food and Whisky Pairing Zone will be showcasing the fine art of pairing the sublime flavours of whisky with the intricate taste of fresh oysters, salmon, handmade chocolates, Italian meats and French cheeses.
According to festival organiser, Sian Neubert, education has always been a key focus of the festival.
“This year,” she says, “three free and revamped educational initiatives will be on offer in the main tasting hall - The Macallan Maturation Zone, the new Glen Grant Distillation Zone and an even bigger Schweppes Art of Whisky Cocktail Making.
“Led by whisky industry experts in their field, these zones will give you the opportunity to interact with the people behind the brands, and discover and unlock the mystery around whisky.”
Master Distiller, Dennis Malcolm of Glen Grant will be hosting two workshops every evening in Johannesburg, taking visitors through an interactive informal workshop on understanding the significance of copper stills in the whisky distillation process.
Global Ambassadors from The Macallan return to demonstrate the importance of wood in The Macallan Maturation Zone, which will provide visitors with a fascinating insight into the affect wood has on the colour and flavours of The Macallan range.
The team from Schweppes and LiquidChefs will also be returning with a bigger and more flamboyant whisky cocktail making area, challenging consumers to rustle up their own whisky cocktail creations. Three workshops will be hosted each evening.
“All these workshops will be held in the main Tasting Hall and will operate on a first come first served basis,” Neubert adds.
Whisky workshops, which have been consistently voted as the best learning experience/best value for money at the show by visitors, will once again be available at the festival.
These one-hour tutorials are led by whisky experts, who have the knack of explaining whisky jargon in simple everyday language. They also provide visitors with the opportunity to taste unique whiskies generally not available in the Tasting Hall or even in South Africa.
“The Whisky Workshops are the festival’s secret gems. We recommend that all visitors attend at least one workshop to get additional value and deepen their knowledge of some of their favourite whiskies,” Neubert explains.
The Whisky Live application, in association with CORE GROUP, the Apple Authorised distributors for Southern Africa, will be available to Whiskey Lovers soon. It can be downloaded onto iPhones, iPod Touches or iPads, will give you a comprehensive guide to the whiskies available for tasting, indicate where they are situated in the tasting hall and furthermore, categorise the whiskies by flavour, enabling you to discover more whiskies that suit your palate.
The much sought-after Lexus Whisky Lifestyle Lounge will once again provide the perfect setting for networking and client entertainment or simply meeting up with like-minded friends in relaxed and enjoyable surroundings. A hospitality package includes access to the lounge, a whisky cocktail, coffee and a light dinner.
The lounge, which is situated within the Tasting Hall, will for the first time ever host the addition of The Whisky Boutique Bar, offering a selection of approximately six premium whiskies not available in the Tasting Hall. This new unique deluxe whisky experience will be hosted by world whisky experts Rob Allanson, Editor of Whisky Magazine, and Dave Broom, international award winning whisky writer.
The popular Lexus Connoisseur’s Experience – the Ultimate Guided Tour – which continues to sell out within hours of tickets opening each year is back. Offering festival goers the opportunity to be chauffeur driven to the festival in a Lexus and join a guided tour to savour rare whiskies generally not available to the public.
VisitScotland, the national tourist board of Scotland, and Scottish Development International, the trade and investment agency of the Scottish Government, will offer Whisky Live fans the opportunity to win a trip to Scotland.
The lucky winner will experience the Home of Malt Whisky with tickets to Whisky Live in Glasgow in September 2011, and will be accommodated at one of the country’s top distilleries. To enter, please visit Whisky Live’s international website.
download the joburg intinerary here.
Where: Sandton Convention Centre, Maude Street, Sandton
Date: 10 – 12 November 2010
Time: 6 – 10pm
Contact person: Sian Neubert
Email: sian@ncconnect.co.za
Booking fees: Tickets are from R100 – R180pp at www. whiskylivefestival .co .za
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