Whisky Live & Fine Spirits Sydney 2018

Whisky Live 2018 took place over the weekend at the InterContinental Sydney but for the first time, the show introduced other spirits, making it “Whisky Live & Fine Spirits Sydney 2018”.

Disclaimer: Unlike our previous reviews of Whisky Live, Gourmantic was only able to attend one session on Friday night and as a result, this review is not as comprehensive as previous years but bears no reflection on the quality of the show.

The first thing that was noted was the sheer number of stands and variety of spirits on offer during a 3.5 hour tasting. The Rare & Old Bar returned as well as water and food stations including hot and cold options to keep visitors well fed and hydrated.

Navigating the show with a variety of spirits proved to be a challenge, particularly in one session. Unlike the way Fine Spirits (vodka, gin, tequila of various ages, liqueurs, rum, brandy) were listed separately in the catalogue, the stands for these were interspersed among whisky and bourbon. In other words, if you wanted to begin the tasting with vodka, gin, and tequila to keep the palate fresh then progress to rum, brandy and whisk(e)y, it would have been much easier if white spirits were located together instead of being segregated around the venue. Nonetheless, there was plenty to tempt no matter your preference, be it white or dark spirits.

For the first time, Whisky Live 2018 presented their own exclusive bottling of Woodford Reserve (45.2% ABV), a personal collection selected from two barrels and blended to create three expressions.

Woodford Reserve Whisky Live Australia #1 is all about classic Woodford Reserve flavour profiles but amplified, mainly vanilla, citrus, green pepper spice and a hint of chocolate on the finish.
Woodford Reserve Whisky Live Australia #2 is more floral and fruity, softer on the palate with notes of stone fruit, orange, black pepper, grapefruit and cloves.
Woodford Reserve Whisky Live Australia #3 brings flavour of Christmas spices, brown sugar, ginger, cedar, butterscotch, nutmeg and cinnamon in a dryer style with dark chocolate on the finish – an exquisite expression, and the favourite of the series.

Here are some of the highlights of Whisky Live & Fine Spirits Sydney 2018 listed in no particular order:

Potocki Vodka (40% ABV) from Poland is made from 100% rye base spirit, triple distilled and filtered for a very smooth and clean palate. On the other end of the flavour spectrum, Potocki Vodka Lithuanian Tallgrass (39% ABV) is sweet and funky, more suited as a cocktail modifier.
The Naked Grouse blended malt (from The Macallan, Highland Park, Glenturret and Glenrothes) aged in first-fill Oloroso sherry casks for six months – very pleasant fruity flavours, well suited for cocktails.
Starward Bottled Cocktail, New Old Fashioned (32%) with demerara sugar, wattleseed, orange and aromatic bitters.
Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Proof 65.25 % ABV, surprisingly smooth for its ABV with classic Jack Daniel’s getting coffee, chocolate and spice notes. Well worth keeping an eye out for as it will be a limited release.
Sylvius Gin (45%) from the Netherlands – a bold, spice-forward gin with a warm palate, notes of star anise and liquorice on the finish.
The much underrated St Agnes Brandy – particularly St Agnes XO Imperial 20 yo with its long, smooth and satisfying finish.
Inspired by explorer Ernest Shakleton’s voyage into the Antarctic, Shackelton Blended Malt (40%) is supposedly the same whisky as Mackinlay’s Shackleton Rare Old Highland Malt Whisky we previewed in 2013 though it warrants a side by side comparison.
Gin & Jonnie Gastro Gin (45% ABV) – an intriguing gin made up of 5 types of pepper, 2 types of fennel and a selection of citrus as well as other standard botanicals. A soft nose leads to a bold and pepper spice gin that invites experimentation.
Plantation Rum 20th Anniversary – a blend of 12 to 20 yo Barbados rums aged for 2 years in ex-Cognac barrels
The range of Ratu Rum from Fiji – particularly the Signature 8yo and Lautoka 16 yo limited release of 1000 bottles globally
The Chita Single Grain (43% ABV) – well suited to cocktails or in a highball
Four Roses Small Batch (45% ABV) – rich and spicy with a creamy texture and a long finish