Luk Loves Whisky

Nikka Masterclass i Collector Room

During the Whisky Live Singapore 2014 I participated in one Masterclass, which I had to sign up with the purchase of the ticket. The organizers tried to make as many people would choose a Masterclass, hence the participation in several of them was not possible. You could choose from: Trade masterclass Rum appreciation debate Johnie Walker from farmer to global Scotch icon Nikka masterclass GlenDronach masterclass Pernod Ricard Boutique Malts Glenfiddich Solera...

My trip report

On 17 and 18 May 2014 (last weekend) Whisky Fair Limburg took place (for the 13th time). As luckily happened I participated in the event. Hurrah! I do not have to hide that I really like whisky festivals. They give you the opportunity to try many different single malts, meet people, discuss on the World of Whisky, and just have a good time. Admission to the Whisky Fair organizers valued at 10 Euro - tasting glass included. Tickets could also be purchased in advance through the Josef-Kohlmaier...

Single malt from New Zealand

I have met The New Zealand Whisky for the first time during Whisky Live Paris 2013 (here and here). Then I tried a few of their releases, they were all good. Good memories caused that I decided to buy The New Zealand Whisky The South Island 21 years old. Whisky was created in Willowbank Distillery in Dunedin, the southernmost distillery in the World. Local barley and water from snowmelts from Southern Alps were used for the production. The distillation in this site was shut down in 1997, and...

The good start of New Year

The Yamazaki is the flagship single malt from Suntory and the oldest distillery in Japan. I wrote about the beginnings of whisky in this country, inculuding Suntory and Yamazaki, in the post about Japan and whisky (it is in Polish only). It is worth to mention that Hakushu is the second Suntorys single malt distillery. I also wrote about one of its Single Cask version on the blog. Here you can also read about my visit to the distillery. [caption id=attachment_2627 align=alignnone...

Nikka Lunch

Nikka - the second largest producer of whisky in Japan (the owner of Yoichi and Miyagikyo, but also Scotch Ben Nevis) offereded at Whisky Live Tokyo 2013 special lunch. First Stanislav Vadrna, whose I previously met at TIBS & Whisky Live Tokyo 2013, prepared Mizuwari (whisky mixed with plenty of water and ice) based on Nikka Blended Whisky. [caption id=attachment_2292 align=alignnone width=801] Whisky Live Paris 2013 Nikka Lunch[/caption] [caption id=attachment_2293...

for Whisky Live Tokyo 2013

In the post about Mini Stages TIBS I have promissed to give you tasting notes of single malt, single cask whisky BenRiach 1985, launched especially for Tokyo International Bar Show & Whisky Live Tokyo 2013. Before tasting notes it is worth to write that BenRiach for many years was little known distillery. Everything changed in 2004 thanks to Billy Walker, who gathered around him a group of people with appropriate finances and breathed new life into the distillery. BenRiach means the...

Whisky tasting.

[caption id=attachment_1194 align=alignnone width=801] The Hakushu[/caption] In addition to the official, organized demonstrations you could try countless editions of whisky, mostly from Scotland and Japan. Tastings was included in the ticket price, besides very rare editions, which could be obtained for the so-called Premium Vouhers, I mentioned which in the part 3 TIBS. You just needed to approach a particular distillery booth and ask, if the presenter has not already suggested...

Orgaziers prepared four official bottlings.

[caption id=attachment_1160 align=alignnone width=801] Official bottlings TIBS 2013[/caption] Festival was held for two days for the weekend of 20 and 21 April. The organizers prepared four official bottlings that you could taste for the so-called Premium Vouchers, subjected to a relatively small fee. Official bottlings: Mizunara - Yamazaki Distillery, 50% ABV – vatting of a few casks made of Japanese oak, centered of destilates from 1984 – bottle price 52.500 YEN, ab. 1.500...

This year the organizers decided not to do payable Masterclasses in favor of included in the ticket price Mini Stages, of course with limited seating.

In the case of whisky, Mini Stages consisted of a presentation of whiksy expression specially prepared and bottled for the Tokyo Intenational Bar Show & Whisky Live Tokyo, talking about the history of the distillery and of course tasting. Demonstrations were run by representatives of producers with the participation of Dave Broom - editor of Whisky Magazine. Everything was smoothly translated from English to Japanese. It concerned interesing situations, as in Japanese there are many words,...