Finding Nemo
The fifth Whisky Live in Japan not only attracted a sell-out crowd, but it was a major success too. Marcin Miller reports
Whisky Live in Japan attracted more than 1,000 visitors as it celebrated its fifth year – and a host of other anniversaries.
The event opened with a welcome speech from the British Ambassador, Sir Stephen Gommersall, at the VIP reception.
The Ambassador took the opportunity to mix with many representatives of the whisky industry.
Of the 1,000 attendees some 400 participated in the opening seminar which celebrated a plethora of anniversaries: Suntory’s 80th, Hakushu’s 30th, Springbank’s 175th and Frank McHardy’s40th to name but a few.
Robin Laing provided the first public performance of his specially commissioned tribute to Whisky Magazine.
Richard Paterson of Whyte and Mackay provided the fireworks – literally as well as figuratively on this occasion.
The seminar featured 22 whisky makers and blenders on stage and finished with a mass tasting of the special Whisky Live bottling of a 1977 Brora.
The most popular Masterclasses sold out within hours of going on sale.
Highlights are too numerous to mention but a battle of the blenders featuring Richard Paterson and John Ramsay was a unique occasion.
It sounds glib but, although the whisky industry is clearly competitive, there is a genuine sense of community.
For example, the whisky makers are all prepared to pull together to donate bottles to a good cause and even to join in the spirit by auctioning off their own bottles.
Their efforts raised more than 2,500,000 Yen (£13,800), divided equally between Chi.....
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By Marcin Miller
Section : Whisky Live
Page number : 16
