I go to many many whisky shows all over the world and now, as Whisky Live London kicks off, I would like to share with you my trips on how to survive the weekend and make the most out of your time during any Whisky Festival…

Plan Your Day

• Do some research beforehand on which brands are goingand whether they will be exhibiting anything new, rare or exciting so you can plan who you want to visit.  
• Identify if there are any brands/products on show that you haven’t tried before or really want to sample again.  Make these your first port of call as its best to try them when you have a clear, fresh palate.
• If the event is working on a token system for expensive/rare drams then make sure you ‘cash’ your token early in the day.  Again this to ensure your palate and nose are fresh to really savour the taste and also, in some instances these drams maybe limited so go early to avoid disappointment.
• Check out for any Master Classes or Special Sessions as soon as you book.  All the best ones get snapped up quickly so make sure you manoeuvre with all the stealth of an SAS man or Navy Seal to secure that ticket!
• Make sure you come to say hello to the folks at the Whyte & Mackay stand.  Not only do we have some cracking whiskies but we have a very knowledgeable and passionate staff who will be happy to chat and answer any whisky questions you may have. 

Dress Code

It’s likely there won’t be a dress code in operation at the event but it’s worth considering the following:

• Wear comfortable clothing and shoes – there is a lot of walking to be done around the stands and a lot of standing about during the day.
• You may have quite a lot of items to carry so consider bringing a rucksack or one of those fashionable man bags with you to help you carry your glasses, promotional leaflets and also any purchases you make on the day.     

Water, Water Everywhere

When sampling the fine whiskies on offer, have a quick nose and sip to assess the initial quality and then add just a splash of water and watch the whisky open up fully.    Once you have the water in then it’s time to say ‘Hello, how are you?’…

And it’s best to remember the 3 R’s.  Use the water available to clean out your glass between each whisky.  There are a lot of different and competing flavours between each whisky you sample so make sure you Rinse and Repeat before you Re-fill with whisky.

It’s Not a Race

Make sure you enjoy yourself at the event but remember there is no prize for the person who samples the most whiskies – it’s better to sip and savour what you are drinking, rather than knocking it back like a cowboy.   Stay safe, make sure you keep hydrated with the free water throughout the day and as most tickets now include food, make sure you visit the restaurant during the day to refresh and recharge.    For more info visit www.drinkaware.co.uk 

Tasting Whisky

You can check out one of the many whisky tastings video’s I’ve done but here is a quick summary for you

• Add a dash of water to the whisky to open up the wonderful tastes and aromas
• Get stuck in there!  Make sure you get your nose right into the glass and then say ‘hello’ , ‘how are you’, ‘quite well’ and ‘thank you very much’.  Roughly translated – make sure you smell the whisky four times as only then will you start to get a true sense of the aromas inherent in this wondrous spirit.
• Take a sip of whisky and hold it long in the mouth, rolling it across, on top and underneath the tongue.  If the whisky is a 12 year old then make sure you hold it in your mouth for at least 12 seconds, if it’s an 18 year old then its 18 seconds and if it’s a non-aged then give it 30 seconds for luck!
• Once you swallow, take a big breath and allow the flavours to hit you. 

But what about you Whisky Live veterans? Any other tips you would share? 

So, another week and two more letters showcasing some of the best bars in the globe. As always, let us know what you think of these and if there’s any others you would add… 

K  

Kon Tiki, Arizona, USA

 This Polynesian restaurant has been a fixture in unique dinning in Tucson since 1963.  Known for their extensive cocktail list and vibrant atmosphere, it’s a great place to try a dram of Dalmore when you are next in town.  

Killarney Restaurant and Irish Pub, California, USA

This pub was designed and built in Ireland before being shipped to California for assembly, so it really does have Irish roots!  We recommend you visit  Riverside California to enjoy a dram of Dalmore 12 year old in this traditional Irish pub.  

Kelvin Arms, Houston, Texas, USA  

Decked out in traditional Scottish tartan and proudly waving the Scottish flag, this bar has a great selection of the amber nectar. With Scottish tunes blasting on the jukebox and a shrine to the legend that is Sean Connery, Houston’s Scottish pub is really a home away from home for us Scots.  

L  

Brasseri Lipp, Gothenburg, Sweden

One of the oldest running restaurants in Gothenburg. Great whisky selection and has been awarded membership status to The Dalmore King Alexander III Society. 

Liquid, ISTA Hotel, Bangalore, India  

An alfresco Lounge Bar experience with a delectable selection of signature drinks and snacks. The ambience of a rooftop garden, views of the city heights, and a live band set the mood.  

Latter, Aker Brygge, Oslo, Norway

Great entertainment venue with on-site restaurant, bar, club and theatre area which has live bands and artists throughout the year.   

Lismore, Glasgow, Scotland

One of Our hometown’s best whisky bars. A traditional friendly pub that serves up a great selection of whiskies.