Whisky Live Glasgow 2008

[Muskrat Portage]

Check with Matt to see if any sort of recognition is being planned.
Musky

[Deactivated Member]

I've just booked for both days and for the Ardbeg masterclass.

[fishboy]

I'll also be there for both days and the Ardbeg Masterclass (as well as the Dalmore MC).

I'm counting the days.......

[les taylor]

Why does Whisky Live Toronto get only one day, where as Whisky Live Glasgow, London etc gets 2 days?

[JCSkinner]

I'll be there for both days. I'm booked for the Connemara MC (got to support the Cooley boys!), the Ardbeg MC (see you both there, gentlemen), and also the Glenmorangie MC, the Ardmore and Laphroaig MC and the silence of the drams MC.
My thinking is that theConnemara MC, Ardmore/Frog MC and the Ardbeg MC in conjunction should finally persuade me on the issue of peated malts, whereas the Glenmorangie will be a nice relief from all that peat.
I'm rolling a dice on the Whisky Magazine MC, but I'm hoping that they've got some very special bottles hidden away for those who attend.
It's a heavy schedule, but since I'm working on a whiskey book at the moment, I see it as necessary homework!
At least, that's what I told the mrs!
By the way, anyone got any info on how to reserve the 98 Macallan? There's nothing on site as yet. I'm not a Macallan fan, but a friend asked me to grab one for him.

[Deactivated Member]

Gosh - that's... er... 5 masterclasses and somewhere probably in excess of 25 drams. Then you get your 8 tokens per day, making another 16 drams. And then, perhaps, some drams that don't have vouchers taken...

And at 2cl a dram, that's well over a bottle of whisky - all in the space of 27 hours.

[JCSkinner]

You don't have to swallow them all! I may have to make use of a spittoon on day two, though.
I could equally emulate a European I once met who used his tokens at a Whisky Live event to obtain drams which he them emptied into sample bottles for taking home!
And you don't need to use all your tokens, either.

[Willie JJ]

Gosh - that's... er... 5 masterclasses and somewhere probably in excess of 25 drams. Then you get your 8 tokens per day, making another 16 drams. And then, perhaps, some drams that don't have vouchers taken...

And at 2cl a dram, that's well over a bottle of whisky - all in the space of 27 hours.

True Nick, but it's not absolutely compulsory to go to the pub afterwards.

[fishboy]

The very first year of WL Glasgow, my friends and I only went on Saturday, but booked two masterclasses. The second one was a Balvenie masterclass and included a few 30 year old cask samples. We shared a table with Dominic Roskrow, and I hope his tasting notes were better than mine. He was certainly in a better state than we were by the end of the day.

Still, you live and learn (or not). Since then, we've always been to both days and restricted ourselves to one masterclass per day, with much happier results.

But as you say JC, you don't have to finish everything your poured or use all your tokens.

Hope to bump into some of you there!

FB

[JCSkinner]

It's my intention to avoid drinking in the pub (though if anyone's around for some socialising, I might well pop along for some refreshing mineral water!)
And I'll likely leave my tokens until after I've done my tastings at the masterclasses.
In one sense I just couldn't resist. Cooley and Connemara I'm very fond of, and I think that the Islay masterclasses will be really informative and helpful to me.
Like I said, I'm rolling a dice with the Whisky Mag class, but I'm hoping they'll have something special that I'll not get to ever taste again.
I suppose the Glenmorangie class is a non-essential. But I like their dram and want to know a bit more about their range.

[fishboy]

Dear Whisky Live people,

I realise you guys are probably quite busy, but is there any chance of an updated exhibitor list. The current list has been reading "more coming soon" for a while now - It would be nice to know who else (if anybody) will be exhibiting.

Cheers

FB

[Deactivated Member]

I think that the Islay masterclasses will be really informative and helpful to me.

I hope so - but it would have been nice to see a list of the Laphroaig samples that they will have. If they just did QC, Cairdeas, 10 and 15 + the Ardmore then it would be disappointing. But if they had new spirit, 27 or 30 (or cask samples) then the interest factor would pick up...

[fishboy]

I think that the Islay masterclasses will be really informative and helpful to me.

I hope so - but it would have been nice to see a list of the Laphroaig samples that they will have. If they just did QC, Cairdeas, 10 and 15 + the Ardmore then it would be disappointing. But if they had new spirit, 27 or 30 (or cask samples) then the interest factor would pick up...

That's a really good point Nick - and exactly why I didn't go for that masterclass.

FB

[BigPapi]

Hi everybody, I've been drinking whisky for about 10 years now, but i am now just starting to understand it and enjoy it more.

I have booked up for the Saturday afternoon of Whisky Live Glasgow and was wondering what i should expect when i get there?

[les taylor]

Hi BigPapi and welcome to the forums. First of all you'll feel like a child in the sweetie shop who can have anything you'd want. My advice is to pace yourself. Take your time to talk to the guys behind the stalls you'll enjoy it much more. If you can take in a Masterclass. Enjoy the samples but don't drink everything and take advantage of the bottles of water.

You'll have a great time and won't want to leave when it finishes and you can't believe how quick the time goes.

Hope you enjoy it.

[Deactivated Member]

My advice is to pace yourself. Take your time to talk to the guys behind the stalls you'll enjoy it much more.

Sound advice. In particular, your first two or three drams are the most important as they will be tasted on a relatively clean palate. Check out the entire hall before making your choice.

[Deactivated Member]

No sign of Bruichladdich? I was hoping to try some Resurrection...

Just Saturday for me, by the way, and no masterclasses. There's a recession, don't you know...

[fishboy]

No sign of Bruichladdich? I was hoping to try some Resurrection...

Just Saturday for me, by the way, and no masterclasses. There's a recession, don't you know...

At the risk of sounding like a broken record - I'd really appreciate an updated list of exhibitors (even if it just appears as a post on this topic). As it stands, who knows who'll be there when we walk in?

FB

[BigPapi]

Thanks for the welcome and the advice, much appreciated.

I am assuming that bottles will be available for purchase as well? Can credit cards be used or is it cash only?

Sorry for all the questions, just want to be prepared!

[Deactivated Member]

As it stands, who knows who'll be there when we walk in?

I imagine we will, by the evidence of our own eyes.

[fishboy]

As it stands, who knows who'll be there when we walk in?

I imagine we will, by the evidence of our own eyes.

Does that mean you don't think its prudent for the WL organisers (who are trying to promote this event and sell tickets) to maintain an up to date list of exhibitors?

FB

[les taylor]

Thanks for the welcome and the advice, much appreciated.

I am assuming that bottles will be available for purchase as well? Can credit cards be used or is it cash only?

Sorry for all the questions, just want to be prepared!

At London there has been Royal Mile Whiskies and you can buy through them. And no problems using a credit card. I'm sure there will be a whisky shop. Whisky Mag might have a show bottle to look at as well which you can buy directly from their stand. It has in the past anyway.

[Jimmy321]

First WL for me too. I can only go Friday, planning to be there before the doors open so i can get in at opening time and check the place out before it gets busy.

[r900p]

I haven't gotten my house in order and forgotten to write this in my diary and gets ticket, but i have left friday free i ws wondering why and now i know.

Tickets on the day are they easy to get hold of?

And how easy is the venue to fin from the station.

Cheers,

Rob

[Willie JJ]

You can buy tickets on the door Rob but it is slightly more expensive. Order it online and collect it at the door.

Only time I went to SECC before it took ages from Queen St, but then I didn't find the best route I'm sure. Advice anyone?

[Jimmy321]

If you can get to Glasgow central you can get the low level train to the SECC. Then theres a walkway from the station the SECC.

I find looking at places from google earth makes directions easier when you arrive at places.

[r900p]

Well i'm stuck in an office right now and won't be able to get up to the event.

Now the cheeky part on two counts, 1) i've been asked by a Canadian friend if i know if anyone can pick up one of the Macallans, 2) so is anyone likely to be able to get a spare.

All costs will be covered obviously and the bottle WILL NOT appear one ebay, scouts honour.

Pm if there is a possibility.

Cheers,

Rob

[Jimmy321]

Just back via the pub.

It was not what i expected.

The best stand for me was the Independent Bottlers where i spent all but 2 of my tokens.

The other stands just had their standard bottles, i.e. Ardbeg had the 10, Beist, Uigeadail, Blasda. Laphroaig had the 10, CS, QC and if you ask Cairdeas 2008.

I would have been willing to pay to try other expressions.

Perhaps i should have booked the master classes but this was my first visit to whisky live i did not know what to expect.

[Deactivated Member]

A masterclass helps to add to a day at WL - but more than one might detract.

The range of stands this year seems quite limited - there were more last year. But there is interesting stuff here this year. The Breton whiskies are well worth trying, as are the Four Roses whiskies. Tomorrow I'll spend some time at Mackmyra and try some of the Independent Challenge whiskies. And I have booked a place at the Laphroaig/Ardmore masterclass.

[Deactivated Member]

A masterclass helps to add to a day at WL - but more than one might detract.

The range of stands this year seems quite limited - there were more last year. But there is interesting stuff here this year. The Breton whiskies are well worth trying, as are the Four Roses whiskies. Tomorrow I'll spend some time at Mackmyra and try some of the Independent Challenge whiskies. And I have booked a place at the Laphroaig/Ardmore masterclass.

I've been wanting to try the Cape Breton ones since I was in Canada in February and I couldn't actually find them anywhere! Good tip, cheers!

[mrbump]

I must say I was very dissapointed with Whisky Live Glasgow this year, there were so few companies and very little on offer. The voucher system was also a joke, 8 vouchers per person which gave me 8 drams (10cl) under 13yo or 4 drams over 13yo. I could have bought extra vouchers but at £1 each this would make the cost of a standard whisky (at 25ml) £2.50 or anything over 13yo £5!!! This was the worst value whisky event I have ever attended and there will be no way i will attend in the future.

[Deactivated Member]

I must say I was very dissapointed with Whisky Live Glasgow this year, there were so few companies and very little on offer. The voucher system was also a joke, 8 vouchers per person which gave me 8 drams (10cl) under 13yo or 4 drams over 13yo. I could have bought extra vouchers but at £1 each this would make the cost of a standard whisky (at 25ml) £2.50 or anything over 13yo £5!!! This was the worst value whisky event I have ever attended and there will be no way i will attend in the future.

I'm not quite sure which stands you were visiting but most weren't taking the vouchers. In fact, it was a novelty to find a stand that would take what we had left at the end to get rid of them.

Here's my take on the day (Saturday):

Well, this was probably the most pedestrian and uninspired whisky event I have been to this year. Where were Bunnahabhain? Where were Bruichladdich? Where were Glenlivet and Glenfiddich and any independant bottlers? I'll tell you where - not at this event. That set alarm bells ringing from the start...

The hall was half-empty and it showed. Had Nick not come along and mentioned to me that there were tickets left for the Ardmore/Laphroaig face-off I would've had a pretty miserable time wandering round and round and round trying to find something worth trying. This was £26 (plus booking fee) plus £13 for the masterclass. Not exactly value for money, some might say (including me).

Don't get me wrong - there were plenty of whiskies there to try, and we definitely had a go at as many as we could, but still we were left struggling to find anything worth shouting about. Even Diageo decided to be somewhere else. And for goodness sake will someone not give Richard Patterson a microphone...I still have ringing in my ears...

So I lost my Whisky Live virginity today...and I can't say it's something I will remember for the rest of my life. Far from it, I will probably be trying to forget about it pretty quick.

Your roving reporter in Glasgow.

Out.

[Jimmy321]

I'm not quite sure which stands you were visiting but most weren't taking the vouchers. In fact, it was a novelty to find a stand that would take what we had left at the end to get rid of them.

I went on Friday and arrived 15 mins before the start, i only got one 'free' sample and all the others took vouchers it only took an our to use them.

[mrbump]

I did visit a few stands that didn't take a voucher but I feel that giving only 8 vouchers out was shocking value for money by the organisers. I am not suggesting that I was only there to drink as much free whisky as I could but it did make me have to think about what to try. Compared to this years Whisky Fringe this was a pathetic excuss for a Whisky event, next year I'll take £30 along to the Pot Still and have a much better experience.

[Deactivated Member]

I have to mention the great fun it was to meet up with everyone again and meet some new faces, including Gordon SOI et al over at the SMWS in Leith.