Whisky Live

[DavidH]

I've written up a slightly gossipy post on Whisky Live...
http://www.liquidirish.com/2012/05/whis ... eries.html

... and a note about the whiskey and food pairings from Bord Bia. The smoked duck and air-dried lamb matches I tried were delicious.
http://www.liquidirish.com/2012/05/iris ... rings.html

I might write up another later.

Any more tidbits of info acquired at the stands? Do share!

[Pudge72]

I've written up a slightly gossipy post on Whisky Live...
http://www.liquidirish.com/2012/05/whis ... eries.html

... and a note about the whiskey and food pairings from Bord Bia. The smoked duck and air-dried lamb matches I tried were delicious.
http://www.liquidirish.com/2012/05/iris ... rings.html

I might write up another later.

Any more tidbits of info acquired at the stands? Do share!

Is there a particular reason (or just outright speculation ) as to why Bushmills would not make an appearance at what I would assume (please correct me if I'm wrong) to be one of the most significant whiskey events in 2012 within Ireland?

[Distiller]

So... What was it like? Any craic? What was the crowd like? I know who was there and who was not there. What we want to know is was it any good? How about the Masterclasses? Did anyone get to try that whiskey they always wanted or find anything new?

What do you think of Whiskey Live Dublin 2012?



or

[JohnM]

I thought it was good, but I preferred it last year. Would have been better if Bushmills had turned up, along with more Scottish distillers. It was really like being at a "free" bar, well stocked with whiskey. If other distillers had the same presence as Cooley and IDL had, it would be better. But Ireland is so small, it's probably not worth it for them.

[IrishWhiskeyChaser]

Yes John, I think that is the biggest issue it will have, Variety, as it was very much the same as last year. Only for Ally in the Celtic Whiskey shop and his selection it would probably be quite disappointing. It's great meeting all the Irish Industry people but from the whiskey point of view it could get very boring if IDL & Cooley are the main anchors all the time. I had tasted all the Cooley stuff before and Yellow Spot was the only one I wanted to taste from IDL. So I spent the majority of my time at Ally's stall. Can't believe I missed Jefferson's again this year

However it is always great to meet the people and that in itself is enjoyable but if you can't enjoy a few hours drinking whiskey well then there is something wrong

I got the VIP ticket and thought it was not really worth the effort. Basically the VIP Tasting was the main benefit, which I did enjoy. The food was small and the same as last years regular food. The VIP lounge was the same as the VIP eating area and basically was a cramped balcony overlooking the event which I don't think is acceptable. And I could take or leave my free tasting notebook. I can't think what else I got from my €57 and it could have been worse at €69 if I had not got a discount. So I may have to consider as to whether to go at all next year?

But yes it was enjoyable ... We missed the big Yank though

[Distiller]

Thanks

[rathbeggan]

I got the VIP ticket and thought it was not really worth the effort. Basically the VIP Tasting was the main benefit, which I did enjoy. The food was small and the same as last years regular food. The VIP lounge was the same as the VIP eating area and basically was a cramped balcony overlooking the event which I don't think is acceptable. And I could take or leave my free tasting notebook. I can't think what else I got from my €57 and it could have been worse at €69 if I had not got a discount. So I may have to consider as to whether to go at all next year?

I was disappointed with the VIP ticket too. Essentially we got the same stuff last year as regular attendees, plus a couple of miniatures, which we didn't get this year. There was a bit more food than normal tickets and than last year (cheese and little desserts.) I didn't get the magazine. We got sunglasses in the goody bag. It also wasn't clear what the "special VIP pourings" were - that should have been stated (maybe I missed it but I didn't see it mentioned anywhere. Michael F mentioned there was one at his stand, but I asked another stand and they said no. So the difference was food and the class. I'm not sure it was worth the extra money from my viewpoint.

When I got an email about a survey I sent a message to ask were we supposed to get something else on the way out but apparently not. I think they were a little hurt that I wasn't entirely happy.

Absence of Bushmills is very disappointing. As against that, nice to taste the Yellow Spot, the Black Bull at Michael F's masterclass (I preferred the 12yo to the 40yo myself), the Imperial at the Whisky Mag table, and the Kilchoman at the CWS table which I hadn't had before. And absolutely, IWC, it's great to spend a couple of hours drinking whisk(e)y and meeting friends.

[IrishWhiskeyChaser]

We got sunglasses in the goody bag. It also wasn't clear what the "special VIP pourings" were - that should have been stated (maybe I missed it but I didn't see it mentioned anywhere. Michael F mentioned there was one at his stand, but I asked another stand and they said no. So the difference was food and the class. I'm not sure it was worth the extra money from my viewpoint.

No sunglasses in my bag I'm presuming they were Whiskey related ...???

Even within the group of people I was with 3 of us got samples and 2 others didn't. It is small little differences that make it all look a bit unprofessional.

[rathbeggan]

No sunglasses in my bag I'm presuming they were Whiskey related ...???

No discernible whiskey connection that I could establish. They had a logo for yelp.com. What samples did the people in your group get - was that the VIP pourings?

[varizoltan]

Hi all

pictures of the event can be found here;

https://picasaweb.google.com/1122988984 ... directlink