Global Whisky Live Event A First For New Zealand

Global Whisky Live Event a First for New Zealand

Kiwis who enjoy a quality dram will be spoilt for choice next month when global whisky festival Whisky Live hits our shores.

The international event has been run for the past eight years in major cities around the world including; London, Tokyo, Paris and Glasgow and will now head to Auckland for the first time courtesy of local distributor Bart Burgers.

Burgers has been involved in the whisky industry for seventeen years often conducting his own smaller whisky tastings at his two Auckland stores - he now has the international license for Whisky Live.

Whisky Live (February 16th at The Civic) provides New Zealanders with an international platform on which to sample the finest malts in the world, says Burgers.

"Whisky Live offers visitors the unique opportunity to taste and compare the greatest whiskies in the world, while mingling with industry celebrities, producers, and distillers, all within one venue," he says.

The full day event will feature themed areas with food and whisky combinations available to try live music and Masterclasses tutored by distillers and other leading whisky experts.

Renowned whisky writer and former editor of UK Whisky Magazine and Scotland Magazine Dominic Roskrow is one of the star guests on hand to host masterclasses.

With more than 100 whisky brands on hand and New Zealanders growing interest in whisky the event is bound to be a success, says Burgers.

"Anecdotally I'd say we've seen a 30% increase in whisky sales over the past five years. Last year spirit sales were up 4% locally with whisky one of the top five spirits consumed by volume according to the New Zealand Distilled Spirits Association," says Burgers.

Katey Rudlin from The Whisky Shop (one of the exhibitors taking part in the event) says an increasing number of women are also trying whisky. Rudlin estimates 25% of her current customers are female.

Burgers says whisky has more complex flavours than wine and there can be more variation between a glass of whisky than a glass of wine which makes it an ideal companion for food.

"Whisky Live is about great whisky and we've taken the opportunity to search high and low for the best whiskies to include in this event. This event is about appealing to the enthusiast and novice alike providing all who visit with the ultimate whisky experience."

"Tickets are available at www.ticketek.co.nz for more information please see www.whiskylive.co.nz

ENDS

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