Whisky Show Sydney 2018

The Whisky Show Sydney 2018 presented by Alchemist Events returned to the Stamford Hotel in Mascot last weekend. Running over two consecutive days, the event coincided with World Whisky Day on Saturday 19 May 2018.

Below are the highlights and standouts of the Whisky Show Sydney 2018 in no particular order:

Whisky Show 2018 Highlights

Making its Australian debut, Cotswalds Single Malt 46% is aged in 30% ex bourbon and 70% ex red wine barrels from Portugal. Red berry aromas, fruit driven with honeyed notes and a nutty finish.
Also launching at Whisky Show Sydney 2018 is The English Whisky Company with their impressive range of 3 peated and 3 non-peated expressions. Favourites were the The English Smokey, a peated version of the Original with woody campfire aromas and flavours with honey sweetness and good length; and The English Chapter 16, a small batch release of the Smokey expression matured in PX casks. And if you had a taste of The English Whisky Company’s Nelstrop’s Pedro Ximenez, you were in for a real treat.
After a long absence, Johnnie Walker Double Black (launched in 2011) was on taste along with the new Johnnie Walker Black Sherry Edition 40%, an expression with enhanced fruity notes of JW Black due to spending 12 months in sherry casks.
It was good to get reacquainted with Limeburners’ Tiger Snake Sour Mash Whiskey , Australia’s first answer to an American bourbon we first tasted back in 2012.
Also from Limeburners Darkest Winter Single Malt Whisky, a cask strength peated and winner of Best Whisky in the Southern Hemisphere in the 2018 Jim Murray Whisky Bible. Complex smoke along with spice and floral aromas make for a most delicious sipping.
Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit Bourbon, 101 proof single-barrel bourbon 50.5% ABV – Wild Turkey on steroids.
Teeling Brabazon 49.5% ABV, part of a new series of limited edition Single Malts, no chill filtration, sherry sweetness, red berries, nuttiness and toffee, with a hint of liquorish and clove.
From the stand at The Whisky List, Iniquity 46% batch 11 is a fine example of a unique Australian whisky.
Highland Park Valkyrie 45.9%, subtle smoke, oakiness and sherry cask influence make for easy drinking and cocktails.
Willet Straight Rye, 54.3% ABV, spicy, dry and delicious
Ben Nevis Signatory 1991 aged 26 years 56.5%, needs few words…

(Sherry) Bombs Away Masterclass

Bombs Away! A Masterclass of unique single cask Sherry matured whiskies was presented by David Ligoff of Alchemist Events. The tasting was comprised of unique single cask, cask strength, numbered casks and 100% sherry matured whiskies.

Ben Nevis 19yo 1996, cask number 2121, 50.6% ABV. Bottle no. 485 of 606, bottled for Whiskybase – good measure of spice and heat that lingers long on the finish; water enhances the spice and fruit notes and makes it a very sippable dram
Arran Fino Sherry Distillery Exclusive, 58.7% ABV. one of just 308 bottles and available at the distillery – dry and spicy with notes of dark chcoclate becoming more evident with a few drops of water; the finish is rather short and dry
Glenrothes 11 yo 2006, cask number 5465, 66.8% ABV. One of 605 bottles, a UK exclusive – fruity with spice notes and strong oak influence with some tannins; a few drops of water open up the fruity and floral notes.
Edradour 14yo 2001, cask number 2203, 56.0% ABV. One of just 692 bottles – coffee, mocha and chocolate are they key flavours while the fruit notes take a back seat; water brings out the spice notes along with the mocha flavours
Glendronach 19yo 1995, cask number 3804, 54.2% ABV. A PX sherry puncheon bottled exclusively for Whiskybase. Bottle no. 543 of 694 – viscous on the palate with the richness of PX, sweet raisins, dark chocolate, coffee and some tannins which contribute to a dry finish. The tasting was paired with a date covered in dark chocolate and encasing a coffee bean – a perfect pairing for an exquisite whisky.

Whisky and Food Pairings

Johnnie Walker whiskies were paired with a selection of chocolates. Johnnie Walker Black was paired with Jaffas, Johnnie Walker Black Sherry Edition was partnered with Cherry Ripe and Johnnie Walker Double Black with Reece’s Peanut Butter Cups.

At the Beam Suntory stand, salted dark chocolate was paired with Bowmore Darkest 15 yo, Danish cheddar was complemented by Laphroaig Select and Smoked Prosciutto was a delight with Laphroaig Quarter Cask.

Wild Turkey and Russell’s Reserve were paired with a range of Koko Black chocolates with the standout pairing being Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit with Koko Black Macadamia, Cherry and Cranberry.

And who could forget the Laphroaig ice creams, Spotty-Pete with chocolate chip and Latte-phroaig with coffee.

The Whisky Show Sydney 2018 was held on 18 and 19 May 2018. Check out the Gourmantic Facebook page for the extensive photo coverage of the Whisky Show Sydney 2018.

Until next year, Slainte!