The fourth annual Sydney Whisky Fair will see a curated selection of over 40 of the highest quality international distilleries converge on the Oak Barrel for three sessions of whisky goodness.
Expanding the Whisky Fair’s focus on bespoke, quality whiskies for the discerning drinker, guests will have the opportunity to sample over 150 of the finest Single Malts in the world.
Oak Barrel spirits buyer and educator Dave Withers says that the bottleshop and festival has gone from strength to strength with its whisky tastings and selection.
“Our dedication has been recognised with nomination by Whisky Magazine for the “Icon’s of whisky” award for two years running,” he says. “We are the only Australian store to be honoured in this way. Our education of the Australian imbiber has put us in a strong position to offer our customers only the very best whiskies available in Australia.”
Practically, that means that the store will be the only venue in 2013 to offer a sample of the top three winners of Jim Murray’s World Whisky of the Year – the Thomas H Handy Rye, William Larue Weller and Ballantine’s 17 Year Old.
The work of international and Australian craft distillers are also key focus of the 2013 Whisky Fair.
With sixteen whisky micro-distilleries in Australia and over 300 in America, there has never been such a diversity of flavour.
“In recent times we have seen a rye whisky from Tasmania, a whisky smoked with Texas scrub oak and even whiskies made with Spelt,” says Withers. “These small producers are pushing the envelope and represent the cutting edge of what is being done with whisky. Needless to say that we will have them on taste.”
And for a bit of quirk, What is more, the Whisky Fair will offer tastings of micro-distilled whiskies made from heirloom grain varieties, whiskies matured to dub step music, and an Australian whisky poured straight from the cask.
A limited number VIP tickets have been made available to guests so that they can sample rare whiskies not provided for the general public.
Some new events this year include:
- An opportunity to taste an exclusive independent bottling by Adelphi of 21 year old Longmorn
- A sampling of Jim Murray’s top three ‘2013 World Whisky of the Year’ award winners
- A diverse selection of international micro-distilled whiskies
- An exclusive bottling of Australian whisky straight from the barrel
- An extensive range of independent bottlings including expressions not otherwise seen in Australia
Dates: 5pm–8pm Friday 6 September; 1pm–4pm & 6pm–9pm Saturday 7 September (VIP sessions start 1 hour before advertised times on Saturday)
Location: Tasting room, The Oak Barrel Bottle Shop, 152 Elizabeth Street, Sydney