Top 10 World Whisky Day events

Twas the night before World Whisky Day, when all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

World Whisky Day 2013 is taking place on 18 May all over the globe

Except this isn’t Christmas, and the world’s whisky fans are anything but silent when it comes to celebrating the amber liquid.

As World Whisky Day approaches for a second year, fans around the globe are gearing up for a variety of events from tastings to festivals and food pairings. And the celebrations aren’t restricted to the world’s core whisky markets or producers either.

Thanks to the initiatives of founder Blair Bowman – who we wish good luck to completing his degree in the next few weeks – World Whisky Day has become a sensation in as far as the Netherlands, Singapore, New Zealand, Malaysia and even Bulgaria.

As the countdown begins, we took a look at worldwhiskyday.com‘s event guide and compiled our pick of the 10 most exciting events taking place over the next 48 hours or so.

Melbourne, Australia: Passport to World Whisky Day

For just AUS$35 visitors to Whisky and Alement on Melbourne’s Russell Street will be offered a passport for the evening that will given them access to a choice of three half and halves – the Aussie version of a boilermaker – from destinations around the world. Six pairings will be available from Belgium, New Zealand, Japan, Australia, the US and Scotland.

Passports can be purchased online at www.whiskyandale.com.au and redeemed on the evening between 7pm-1am.

London, UK: Dramatic Whisky Tasting

Join Mark Thompson, whisky ace and director of Dramatic Whisky, as he guides you through six exquisite drams from the less-celebrated whisky-producing countries around the world. Stops include India, Australia, South Africa and England as Thompson guides you through a history of world whisky and its production through a 90-minute tutorial. www.matchbar.com/world-whisky-day

Zwolle, Netherlands: Glenmorangie Cask Masters

The Glenmorangie Cask Masters is coming to the Netherlands with an event being held at Diezerstraat in Zwolle. Participants on the day will be given the chance to vote for the next special bottling of Glenmorangie.

Indiana, US: Free Whisky Tasting

Vine & Table in Carmel, Indiana, is hosting a giant free whisky tasting event in aid of World Whisky Day. The speciality wine retailer will be offering free samples fro over 150 whiskies from across the globe, including US whiskey, Scotch, and Irish, and promises the inclusion of some rare and exclusive bottlings to boot.

In addition, all whiskies available for sample will be on sale at ‘Super Prices’ for one day only. The event takes place between 12-3pm, and visitors are asked to register in advance.

Wayne, Philadelphia: Tutored Tasting

Philadelphia’s own Lew Bryson, managing editor for Whiskey Advocate magazine, will be leading a tutored world whisky tasting at Teresa’s Café on North Wayne Avenue.

Taking place between 12.30-3pm, participants will be given a guided tour of the world’s best whisky examples, which include six craft spirits paired with a specially created food menu. Those interested can register at www.teresascafe.com. Tickets cost US$45.

Ergolding, Germany: Independent Bottler’s Cask Strength

German drinks retailer Special Whiskys is holding a tasting of cask strength whiskies from independent bottlers in Ergolding for World Whisky Day.

Tickets cost €45 each and include a sample of seven whiskies, including a 12-year-old Tomatin, a 20-year-old Glen Grant and an 18-year-old Deanston single cask bottlings.

London, UK: London Whisky Festival and Jam & Dram

Regardless of whether you’re a whisky novice or aficionado, this year’s London Whisky Festival has something to suit everyone. Taking place at Village Underground in Shoreditch across two days, the festival will have two very distinct events.

On World Whisky Day itself, the festival will feature a range of whiskies to taste from all over the world, with free guided tours and a Glencairn Crystal whisky glass to take away for £35.

On 19 May tickets, which are a jot less at £25 each, include a new concept in live music, brought to visitors by some of the most respected names in the whisky industry. Playing for their enjoyment will be Sam Simmonds of The Balvenie, Nick Morgan of Diageo, Neil Ridley of Caskstrength, and Rob Allanson of Whisky Magazine.

Visitors will also have a chance to participate in some live blending activites.

Christchurch, New Zealand: 7 Nations & 7 Whiskies

Christchurch whisky retailer Whisky Galore is hosting a tasting of some special whiskies from across seven different nations.

New Zealand will be the first country to see in World Whisky Day, and Whisky Galore intends to follow up last year’s festivities in style.

Bulgaria: World whisky tasting

For the first time, Bulgaria will be participating in World Whisky Day celebrations with a tasting event hosted by the Grand Hotel Varna Resort & Spa.

The event will include a tasting of seven whiskies accompanied with a tutorial on their history and production.

Zdravko Ivanov, the Bulgarian with the largest number of miniature Scotch malt whiskies at over 1,500 bottles, will be on hand to present his collection and discuss his hobby, which accounts for a seventh of the total value of Scotch miniatures.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Whisky Tango Foxtrot

Whisky Tango Foxtrot in the growing metropolis of Kuala Lumpur is celebrating World Whisky day with ‘free flow’ of its whisky and cigars at it shows its appreciation of its patrons support.

The event will take place on 17 May from 6.30-11.30pm.