A Connoisseur's Dream Event

[desouza]

I have just learned of a very unique whisky tasting and master class event to be held next year at Wynn/Encore , Las Vegas. See link below to get details.
Derek

To be held at the Wynn-Encore resort in Las Vegas on March 18th - 19th 2011.
For further information and updates please visit the website
http://www.universalwhiskyexperience.com

[mikeymad]

yep.

Still interested in a pour list for this... the promise of a pricey pour does not mean much to me. Will keep my eye on it.

Thanks for the link...

(BTW) please try not to double post... this is the right place for this post.

Cheers,
Mikey

[desouza]

Hey Mikey!

Sorry about the duplication.
Keep checking their website as they will be adding updates on an on-going basis.
My guess is that by January next year you will have a pour list to determine if this is something you may want to attend.

Cheers,
Derek

[desouza]

Has anyone seen the "Super Pour" list?
I'm drooling just looking at it - what a line up!

[desouza]

I just got this code to get a 15% discount off admission ticket price.

UWE 276876

This code at checkout will give you the 15% off. Use it or lose it!

Slainte!

Derek

[desouza]

If you attended this event last Friday and Saturday your whisky dreams came true in Las Vegas! This was indeed the Ultimate Whisky Experience!
I have attended many different whisky events over the years, but this one was the "creme de la creme", primarily because of the number of high end and rare whiskies and the lack of "maddening crowds". Instead there were a few hundred or so , serious single malt aficionados whose singular purpose was to taste, discuss and savor the finest of rare high quality malts. All attendees were well rewarded with an exceedingly generous conglomeration of goodies!
The "piece de resistance"of the event was the 70 yr old Glenlivet that was officially
inaugurated in the US by Michael Urquhart, a joint Managing Director at Gordon & Macphail.
This "slice of Heaven" at a cask strength of 45.9%ABV, was matured in American Oak for 70 years and had absolutely no wood"on the palate". An exceedingly mesmerizing malt with marzipan , orange and peach flavors that lingered into a long warm finish.

Next year look for this event on March 2-3, 2012 at the Encore in Las Vegas

[corbuso]

The price of the event was quite hefty.
By curiousity, could you please let me know what you have tasted?

[desouza]

Granted the price tag was "hefty", but compared to what? The malts I personally tasted over the 2 day period were phenomenal.I missed out on some because of no interest on my part and others because I didn't want to be carried out on a stretcher!
Here they are: (Feel free to drool!)

Ardbeg 1974 Single Cask
Balvenie- 40 yr 2011 release
Benriach -40 yr SMWS cask 1.124
Bowmore -Gold
Dalmore - Astrum - 40 yr old 2011 release
Dalmore - Aurora - 45 yr old 2011 release
Dalmore- Castle Leod -1995
Dalmore- Cigar- New release
Dalmore - 18 yr
Dalmore- King Alexander
Glenfarclas- 1966 Single Cask exclusive for Nth 2011 show
Glenfarclas- 40 yr Released last May(2010)
Glenfarclas - 40 yr Current release - 51.5%ABV
Glenfarclas - 105 - 40 yr anniversary
Glenfiddich - Snow Phoenix
Glenfiddich - 21 yr - Caribbean Rum cask
Glenfiddich - 30 yr
Glenfiddich - 40 yr
Glenfiddich - 52 yr- 45.9%ABV
Glenglassaugh - 40 yr
Glenlivet - Nadurra
Glenlivet- 15 yr French Limousin Oak
Glenlivet 1983- 20 yr
Glenlivet- XXV
Glenlivet 1964 Cellar Collection
Glenlivet- 70 yr - Gordon Macphail 2011 release
Highland Park- 12 yr cask strength
Highland Park- 1990 Vintage cask
Highland Park- St Magness - 12 yr American Oak cask
Highland Park- 25 yr cask - 48.1%ABV
Highland Park- 40 yr
Macallan- 1950 Fine & Rare
Yamazaki 1984

As you can see this was indeed a dream come true!

Slainte!

Derek

[corbuso]

If you could indeed taste all the malts listed, then it was indeed worthwile.
By reading the description on the website of the event, I thought you could only taste only 1 of the super pour.

At events such as the Whisky Live or the whisky show, you will pay about $150-170.

[desouza]

Its all about quality and price! The base price included 2 super pours and unlimited other whiskies - typically that you'd find at other events.
By registering for Master classes each costing an additional $ 55 you got to taste some very high end malts - typically 4 -5.
Using your example of Whisky Live for the $ 150 - 170 you have a few hours of pretty much "every day" malts. Probably a 21 yr old would comprise the top tier and very few at that, I might add. if you factor in the time - one evening vs. spread over 2 days - 1 full day for Master classes and one evening for serious tasting. The 70 yr old was at a special event that people attended on a first come basis - no extra cost.
The other important factor was there weren't 1000's of people, but rather 100's. These were serious aficionados, collectors, industry folks. The event was very classy all the way, so one could not even start to compare it to anything else ,since there is "no comparison".
I figured that the retail cost of all the malts I tasted approached close to $ 85,000,
had I bought all the bottles. All I was interested in doing was to taste unique, pricey and tasty malts that I wouldn't normally buy. From the list shown above I feel I got my money's worth, even though you may disagree with me.

Slainte!

[desouza]

Just got my tickets to the 2012 - Nth The Ultimate Whisky Experience in Las Vegas, March 2 - 3 at the Encore!
Looking forward to another fantastic experience since there will be prominent vintage single malts from renowned distilleries like the 1950 Macallan, the 50 yr Glenfiddich , Bowmore Gold among others of equal repute and stature!
Do we have any other Whisky Magazine enthusiasts attending?

[Knolly]

I went last year as well and it was indeed excellent, especially considering that it was a very ambitious first year event. Awesome location, quite well organized and a fantastic exhibitor and pour list. Also, it wasn't too crowded - kind of felt like you had space to move around and hang out with the exhibitors.

This review from whisky intelligence is pretty much bang on accurate:
http://www.whiskyintelligence.com/2011/ ... isky-news/

(Count me as one of the barricaders for the G&M Glenlivet 70yo!)

I'm hoping to go again this year, but the date is interfering with work travel (though there is a chance that i might be able to pull it off!).

That being said, heading to the excellent Victoria Whisky Festival in a few days - yeah!

[whiskgeek]

I was looking at the website, not long ago. Due to the various price packages and separate events, I couldn't get a good idea as to what it might cost. May I ask a what you paid, ballpark?

[desouza]

The regular entry is $ 525 and the High Roller is $ 1995. Hotel for 4 nights $ 700
and Airfare.Total cost $ 3000
I attended as a High Roller and here's what I tasted over the 2 days:

NTH 2012 Whiskies Tasted

Auchentoshan - Valinch
Balvenie (40yr) - Batch 2 release
Benriach ( 21yr) -Authenticus
Black Bull - 40 yr Blend
White Bowmore
Gold Bowmore 1964
Bowmore 1961(Not available for another 2 years)
Bowmore 1982
Dalmore Ceti (30yr)- To be released soon)
Dalmore Astrum (40yr)
Dalmore Aurora   (45yr)
Dalmore 1967 (44yr) -Sirius 
Fettercairn - 24 yr
Fettercairn -30 yr
Fettercairn - Fior
Fettercairn -40 yr
Fettercairn 1966 (45yr)-Sirius 
Glendronach - (33 yr)
Glenfarclas - Family Cask 1960 (50yr)
Glenfiddich - Vintage from a 1939 Cask (50yr)- To die for!
Glenfiddich - Vintage from a 1961 Cask (50yr)
Glenfiddich - Vintage from a 1972 Cask (40yr)
Glen Garioch - 1986
Glen Garioch - 1994
Glenglassaugh 30 yr
Glenglassaugh 38 yr
Glenglassaugh Aged over 40 yrs (Actually 45 yr) 
Macallan - 21 yr - Fine Oak
Macallan - 25 yr - Sherry Oak
Macallan - Easter Elkes Collection
Macallan Vintage 1950 - Cask 600
Macallan 1969 -Duncan Taylor
Samaroli - Bunnahabhain - 1990
Samaroli - Tomatin 1967 Vintage 
Samaroli - Evolution 2011 (vatting of aged whiskies)  
Springbank - (21YR) Return of a legend limited release of 150 bottles to US
Springbank (40yr) - Chieftain's
The Glenlivet - 2010 bottling Founders Reserve

I believe I got my moneys' worth!

Slainte!

[desouza]

The 2013 Nth is even greater and grander than before!

If you have ever dreamed of drinking great whisky on the floor of the Grand Canyon-dream no more!
Check out the Nth site - http://www.universalwhiskyexperience.com

[desouza]

If you want to get an idea as to what it is, you will actually experience at the Nth- The Ultimate Whisky Experience , check out the video below:


http://vimeo.com/40673396

If you have problems then you can go to the website too:

http://universalwhiskyexperience.com/


Hope you can make it to the 2013 event - you'll be glad you did!
Slainte,
Derek