By James Atkinson
With more than 1000 attendees, the Whisky Show held in Sydney on Friday and Saturday was the biggest ever whisky event held in Australia, the organisers say.
Held by specialist retailer World of Whisky at Tattersalls Club, the show featured more than 150 whiskies from around the world, including Australia.
It also included the first ever Australasian Whisky Awards, won by Old Hobart Distillery, and the Glenmorangie Whisky Cocktail Competition, won by Eau-De-Vie's Luke Redington. [continues below]
World of Whisky ambassador Dan Woolley told TheShout the show was "literally the biggest thing that's happened in Australia for whisky, ever".
"Somewhere between 1000 and 1100 people were served all up, and there were massive sales in bottles – an average of one out of every two people made a purchase," he said.
"Everything sold well, but the Australian whiskies sold phenomenally well. Most of the Australian whiskies completely sold out of most their stock."
"All of the suppliers, all of the distributors were very, very happy."
Woolley said he was pleasantly surprised at the demographic of attendees, who were aged anywhere between 18 and 70 and equally divided between male and female.
He said the event will be held again "same time next year – but it's going to be bigger".
First up, big fan of World of Whisky shop in Double Bay. Was very excited about The Whisky Show. What a shame it was totally over-subscribed. Not impressed with the wait time to enter. Arrived at ten past two for a two pm start time and had to wait 20 mins to get in. Also very unimpressed with paying $50 for pre-purchase online tix on the advice of shop staff, only to find tix on sale for $30 thru Living Social in the last week.
The Good:
Everything on offer from Elements of Islay, all cask strength – Bunnahabhain, Bruichladdich, Caol Ila, Laphroaig, Port Ellen. The Lp & Pe were stand-outs.
Jura 1993 Boutique
Glenmorangie 18yo
Yamazaki 12yo
Dalmore Cigar Malt Reserve (Brilliant – one to buy now!)
Glenfiddich 15 Year Old Distillery Edition
The Bad:
Sorry but Luke Redington’s ‘Hit and Run’ cocktail was just rubbish. Luke is a fabulous fellow and I love Eau de Vie, but the way that cocktail was served up did nobody any favours. The truffle honey had an amazing nose, then totally failed to make itself felt in the finished product. Lacking in body, anemic cocktail.
Aus and NZ whiskies – at least the Show confirmed my suspicions that we just can’t make drinkable whisky in this country (& NZ) yet, with the exception of Lark Single Malt Distiller’s Edition. A rather good whisky and an experience to be had.
Overall: Lots of Americans on show (US & Canada) but nothing I’m not already familiar with. Worth the price of admission for Elements of Islay alone. Very over-crowded, for the numbers should have been in the main ballroom, not the smaller function rooms. Would I go again next year? Probably, but I’ll wait for the discounted tix on Living Social. And if you’re a Scot, for heaven’s sake wear your kilt!