THE water of life flowed freely at this year’s Whisky Live show in Glasgow, with thousands of dram hunters making the pilgrimage to the event held in the main square of Scotland’s biggest city.

More and more Scots want to learn about their national drink. The evidence is that they are putting their money where their mouth is. More than 2500 people paid anything from £11 to £46 to attend this weekend’s ‘Whisky Live Glasgow’ held at the George Square venue.

With people paying at the door and passers-by discovering for themselves this new annual event, attendance was the highest ever.

Three quarters of the advance bookings were from Scotland but reservations have been made from Sweden to South Africa and from Austria to Australia.

Canadian James Harris said he was stunned by the size of the show – this year held in one large marquee.
He added: “It was good to see such a wide variety of whisky under one roof. I will definately be back next year to try the ones I missed.”

Visitors got the chance to sample whiskies voted as the world’s best by professional tasters. They could attend masterclasses and learn the secrets of Scotch from distillers and blenders. There was even a chance to cook with Scotch with the help of food writer Sue Lawrence.

Australian Dave Pearce said the masterclasses were one of the highlights of the event.
He added: “It’s great to learn so much from someone like Dave Broom – who is always an engaging speaker and passionate about educating people.”

Nor was it necessary to taste on an empty stomach. The hot snacks on offer included porridge for the earnestly Scottish – in no fewer than eight flavours. “Our guests have diverse tastes,” says Rebecca Laurance, event manager.

For a truly rounded experience, visitors could sample the best cigars from this year’s Whisky Magazine Whisky and Cigar Challenge.

“Scots used to take their national drink for granted but now it attracts the same connoisseurship as wine and food, ” says author Michael Jackson consultant editor of Whisky Magazine, organisers of the event.
Whisky and golf has gone hand in hand down the ages – and at this year’s show visitors got to try their hands at putting for a bottle at the Glenlivet stand – and for the more confident there was a blind putting challenge.

“People enjoy learning about whisky. They have fun and in the end get enjoyment of their whisky and a better understanding of what constitutes a good dram and good value,” adds Damian Riley-Smith, the magazine’s publisher.

“We’ve been delighted with the surge and growth of visitors to this year’s Whisky Live Glasgow and this spectacular venue and whisky environment is being recognised throughout the world. The desire to learn more about the greatest spirit of the world is clearly on the rise and we are proud to be driving this enthusiasm from whisky’s heartland, Glasgow.”

The city welcomed the show back with open arms and relished the chance to sample some truly fantastic whiskies in the historic centre of Glasgow.

"We are delighted to welcome the return of Whisky Live Glasgow to the city this weekend. Last year’s event proved tremendously popular with our visitors and we have no doubt that the rich diversity of the 2005 programme will also attract whisky aficionados from both home and overseas,” says Scott Taylor, chief executive, Glasgow City marketing bureau.

And why should Whisky Live have gone to Glasgow?
“Where better to enjoy a decent dram from some of the world's finest whiskies than in Scotland's largest and best city? I'm sure citizens and tourists alike will indulge responsibly in a celebration of Scotland's national drink and we are delighted to play host once again to Whisky Live,” comments Councillor Alex Mosson, spokesman for events and marketing at Glasgow City Council.

Coming Soon

Photographs of the show