Whisky Live Cape Town 2007 kicked off last night and whilst I would love to comment on the festival as a whole, I cannot, as I found myself bogged down on my stand.
What I did get to see is surely one of the very best shows the world has to offer.
I am very fortunate to be manning the Independent Bottlers Challenge stand this year, and those of you lucky enough to have sought me out last night I am sure will agree. The collection of malts is absolutely superb.
One has to wonder how much longer the independents are going to be able to get hold of such gems as they have over the last decade or so. As demand increases distilleries are less likely to let go of their casks opting rather to release proprietary labels only.
Having said that the malts on offer are as always of the highest quality with most of the older whiskies attracting the most attention. It is probably the hardest thing to convince someone that age does not mean better especially when whiskies like The Balblair 40 from whisky exchange and Duncan Taylor's 39 years Old Bunnahabhain not to mention Dun Bheagans 31 years Old Glen Scotia offer such a good argument to the contrary.
Of the independents on show though its rather interesting that more and more now own distilleries too. Ian Macleod owns Glengoyne, Signatory owns Edradour, Cadenheads owns Springbank or is it Springbank owns Cadenheads, Gordan MacPhail owns Benromach, I guess its a trend and there are many more examples.
What is evident though is that the independents are still offering some of the very best casks of whisky available and I for one would be very sad to see them fade away. My favourite drams thus far have got to be the Highland Park 18 and Port Ellen 24 from Dewar Rattray , The Tamdhu 13 and Rosebank 15 from DunBheagan. Old Malt Casks Port Ellen 25 and Ardbeg 15 I have to get through at least another 50 drams over the next 2 days and will report on the actual results from whisky magazine too and then decide for once and all which are my favourites of the lot.
Get yourself to the stand and try some for yourself, it is truly an experience not to be missed.
See you then Slainthe Mhath.
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