Whisky Live ~ London 2001 - Whisky Tasting and Sampling Show

Whisky Live London 2001 Review

Approximately 400 visitors enjoyed the 2001 event at the Churchill Intercontinental Hotel in central London on April 6th & 7th.

Whisky Magazine Live 2001 Review The sole aim was to taste and appreciate whisky, with access to 20 exhibitor stands in two halls, hosted by Michael Jackson and Charles MacLean.

Each visitor was equipped with a hand-made Glencairn Crystal nosing glass, which they kept as a memento, and a plan of the exhibitor stands so as to map out the ideal tasting odyssey.

The best way to learn more about whisky is to taste and talk to like-minded individuals. Whisky Magazine assembled an impressive number of Master Blenders, Master Distillers, Distillery Managers and Brand Ambassadors who were more than willing to talk about their whiskies and have them tasted.

The Masterclasses: tasting with the experts

Visitors to Whisky Magazine Live 2001 had the chance of attending tutored tastings with Master Blenders, Distillers and industry experts.

Masterclasses with the experts As well as a wealth of information on the characteristics and production of each whisk(e)y, every question was answered and the floor open for debate.

In the Chivas Regal very practical demonstration of blending for instance, Master Blender Colin Scott encouraged the participants to mix six different whiskies and create their own unique blend, which they were able to take away afterwards.

The Springbank tasting with Ewan Mitchell afforded the exclusive chance to taste a cask strength expression of Springbank matured in a Port cask.

The Masterclasses provide an exciting chance to meet well-known industry figures in the flesh, such as Elmer T. Lee of Buffalo Trace, whose affable, amusing and authoritative style allowed his audience to relax and ask a number of questions on subjects ranging from maturation to preferred levels of corn content in whiskey. All of these questions were answered without delay and in a style that made it feel like he was talking to a group of friends. Participants gain a sense of 'whisky celebrities' as real people with opinions and personalities, who are very willing to impart their own thoughts on the whisk(e)y industry, and leave behind the tired marketing drill. And there promises to be even more variety at Whisky Magazine Live 2002, 2003 and onwards...

Your Feedback

Ken Busbridge, Hatfield, UK (right):
"It's been brilliant, but I'm afraid I'm far too merry! Today has confirmed the fact that Aberlour is my favourite, I've sampled the many expressions on offer here. Cutty Sark is definitely my next port of call."

Adam Thompson, Welwyn Garden City, UK (left):
"It's a pretty good show, I like the way it's laid out. For me the Jameson's stand has been the best - I like smooth, sweet whiskies - but I'm going around and trying to sample other things as well."

Steven Sekely, London, UK:
"Fabulous. I've learnt a lot. It's interesting to try an Ardbeg from the distillers themselves and then from two different independent bottlers. That's very intriguing, literally three variations on a single theme. I enjoyed Van Winkle, crazy name but fabulous, premium product. I've gone overboard for the 25-year-old cask strength Highland Park. It's been an incredible chance to taste things you'd never be able to afford or even consider buying."

Marie-Claire Sekely, London, UK:
"On the whole, the day has been very exciting. There's so much variety and I've learnt a lot about whiskies. I've met some very interesting people and there has been a notable camaraderie between visitors and exhibitors."

Jenny Harrison, Hemel Hempstead, UK:
"This has been a wonderful opportunity to try different whiskies. We've been to similar wine events and it compares well even though it is on a smaller scale. However, there's more special products and it's good that you can take time talking to exhibitors whereas wine exhibitors have less time."

Mr. R. Brown, Luton, UK:
"It's been a good event. I attended the Springbank Masterclass: it was excellent and well presented. The Springbank Port Cask which I sampled was beautifully crafted. An excellent whisky at a super event."

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