Stars of the Whisky World to Visit New Zealand

Stars of the Whisky World to Visit New Zealand

New Zealanders will get a unique opportunity to meet seven of the world’s most knowledgeable whisky experts next year.

Representatives from seven of Scotland’s most prestigious whisky distilleries and independent bottlers are flying to New Zealand in late February for the second Dram Fest whisk(e)y festival. Between them they have over 200 years of experience in the industry.

“We think attendees will be delighted with the lineup at Dram Fest this year,” says organiser Michael Fraser Milne. “The stories and knowledge our experts will share comes from a wealth of history covering the spectrum of whisky-making. Ian McWilliam will be here from Glenfarclas, a distillery which has been operating since 1836 through six generations of family ownership. At the other end we have Anthony Wills from Kilchoman, the newest distillery in Scotland, and whose whisky will be tasted for the first time at Dram Fest 09.”

The festival is organised by Fraser Milne, owner of local whisky shop ‘Whisky Galore’. Stocking over 500 whiskies, the store opened in 2003 and is seriously dedicated to all aspects of the whisky public’s needs.

Distilleries and distributors represented at the festival will be Glenfarclas (Ian McWilliam) and Benriach (Billy Walker) from Speyside; Glengoyne (Jonathan Scott), Tullibardine (Michael Beamish) and Glenmorangie (Dr Bill Lumsden) from the Highlands; and Kilchoman (Anthony Wills) from Islay.

They are joined by some of the most-respected independent bottling companies in Scotland - Stewart Laing from Douglas Laing & Co.Ltd., Alex Bruce from Adelphi and Derek Hancock from Gordon and McPhail.

“Dram Fest is a very friendly event, and our stars will be very accessible to attendees,” says Fraser Milne. “Most will have the chance to chat to our experts at some stage during the festival.”

The festival will include tastings and appreciation classes, a whisky cocktail demonstration, a nosing/tasting competition and an evening ‘Whisky Do’.

ENDS

DramFest 09 - 27 February – 1 March 2009 Christchurch, New Zealand
www.dramfest.co.nz www.whiskygalore.co.nz

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