June is synonymous with a few things in Cape Town: it’s winter, there’s a lot of rain, it’s Father’s Day… and it’s the month that the city celebrates the golden dram at the Whisky Live Showroom! With more than 100 expressions of the world’s finest whisky available for sampling and purchase, the Showroom offers sons and daughters of best dads in the Mother City the perfect Father’s Day gift shopping location.
Emily Stockden the CEO of the Whisky Live Festival shares
some of her top tips for Father’s Day shopping at the Cape Town Whisky Live Showroom.
- The Kavalan Soloist Vinho Barrique was named the best single malt in the world at the 2015 World Whisky Awards. Produced at the King Car distillery in Taiwan, the various expressions of Kavalan will be introduced by master distiller Ian Chang on a rare visit to South African shores. And he’s available to sign your purchases too!
- Buy your dad a bottle of Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky signed by master distiller Andy Watts. This award-winning whisky is completely home-grown in South Africa using local ingredients – a perfectly South African gift for the perfect South African dad!
- Learn more about Bunnahabhain, an unchill-filtered Islay single malt whisky, from Keeper of the Quaich, Pierre Meintijes. Time with this veteran of the whisky world is a gift in itself, so maybe bring Dad along to the Showroom so that he can engage with this master storyteller face-to-face.
- Another long-time Keeper of the Quaich, Brian Glass, will present Scottish Leader’s Signature, guiding fans of the dram through the beautiful story of this new Hebridean expression.
- Balbair will be offering a range of expressions for tasting, with a gift of two Balblair-branded Glencairn crystal glasses being included with the purchase of its 1989 or 1990 expressions.
- If it’s smooth whisky your dad prefers, then Glenbrynth is the dram for him! Presented by the ‘black Scotsman’ Mickey Baloyi, this range of whiskies will include a 40 year old that is available for sampling.
- While everyone loves making new whisky friends, it’s important to keep close to old favourites. Edward Snell & Co will present expressions of The Glendfiddich, The Balvenie and Glen Grant for tasting. The Glenfiddich 18 Year Old in its elegant new packaging of clear glass with an embossed cartouche, sealed with a classic wooden stopper, will be available for sampling.
- The Glenlivet is the single malt that started it all, with pioneer George Smith having established the first scotch distillery in 1824. The Glenlivet lends itself to pairings with chocolate, so buy your dad a bottle of The Glenlivet 12 Year Old and a slab of Lindt Excellence Caramel with Sea Salt for a sublime tasting experience.
- Try the 1824 Series from The Macallan, with local whisky expert Candice Baker introducing a new way of looking at whiskies with Amber and Sienna non-age statement expressions. The natural colours of these two beauties are sure to brighten up Father’s Day!
- Glenmorangie look forward to showcasing its two most popular products, Glenmorangie Original & Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban. These Glenmorangie expressions perfectly showcase how they create exceptionally delicious Single Malt Whisky.
- Dad not a whisky drinker? Bring him with to the Showroom, and let the Brandhouse Flavour Profiles experience help him choose his perfect dram: a quick questionnaire suggests the ideal whisky flavour profile –Bold, Vibrant, Rich or Fresh – for your palate guiding you (and your Dad) in your choices for the rest of the Showroom.
Tickets to the Whisky Live Showroom in Cape Town cost R170 each on www.whiskylivefestival.co.za and include a complimentary tasting glass, a 500ml bottle of Valpré water and a 2015 SA Whisky Handbook (while stocks last). Tickets also include 15 tasting vouchers, and those who register for the Whisky Live Festival Club at the event will get R20 cash back, or an extra five tasting vouchers.
There are limited tickets available for the event, and whisky lovers are encouraged to book their tickets online in advance to make sure that they don’t miss out, especially after last year’s sold-out success.
