I will start by saying that living in the UK has made me spoiled rotten when it comes to whisky events, that being said the I will now give my review on the event and the whiskies I have sampled during Whisky Live Tel Aviv 2015.

To start of the entrance funnel was also the exit, which made coming in or going out very difficult as you had to push your way past the masses going the other way (which ever it might be in that particular moment in time).

Once you made it in there wasn’t any flow to the positions of the presentations and placement of booths, I suspect that this is due to the variety of importers and the amount each was willing to pay for their position.

The options for sampling, considering the heritage of the name “Whisky Live” was rather limited and catered to the more well-known expressions from the distillers and parent companies, with some exceptions to the rule. Some Brand ambassadors and members of the industry were present, but not in a ratio that gave the feel that the companies they represent don’t care much about the local market.

One of the main attraction in this event was meant to be the new local distillery, and you’d think they will put them front and centre so they can be easily accessed, but they were hidden in the corner off the main hall.

Given all that, the event gave you large serving bars in the main hall with 7 major Drams available and each had it’s industry representative (be is brand ambassador or in the event with Tomintoul – The Master Distiller), you had the chance to bottle your own bottle from a selection of small barrels (Rum, Vodka, Whisky, Bourbon) and you could participate in a blind tasting event.

Criticism over, now I will review the whiskies I sampled:

Jura 21 years 44% Sherry Matured

Nose: Traces of Sea weeds,citrus, peppers and cloves.
Colour:Deep honey, smooth swirl, no legs.
Platte:Smooth down, no after burn with a slow release of flavours, traces of Almonds, Caramel, Pines and Bannana.

Added Water
Nose: added traces of Peppers, the aroma is much more pungent almost obtrusive.
Colour:No discernible change.
Platte:Strong after burn, too over powered and a slow release.

Overall : Nice dram, but nothing out of the ordinary from Jura.

Tomatin 14 years 46% Portwood finish

Tomatin 14 years 46% Portwood finish

Nose : very subtle almost nonexistent hints of smoke and mold.
Colour : Amber red.
Platte : For a 46% dram the flavors are very subtle, hints of dates, honey, and peppers. A slow after burn

Added Water
Nose: All gone.
Colour : No change.
Platte : Just a Burn, but no flavors.

Overall : Water ruin the drink, it is a good drink without it and the port finish really shows and feels in the drink.

Jameson Black Barrel 40% NAS (Blend of Pot still + Grain whiskey)

This is a new Jameson expression that I have not sampled before and was very curious to try. I had a nice conversation with the Brand Ambassador Aislinn O’Keeffe, which seemed to have been surprised to find an Irish Dram fan among all the Bourbon and Scot Malt enthusiasts.

Nose :Very soft aroma coming from the glass, very faint traces of smoke, some plums and touch of honey.
Colour : A like caramel honey, almost hazel.
Platte : Very delicate, smooth, almost like a velvet drink – on the border to becoming too smooth, no pungent after burn, traces of Banana and Chocolate.

I have not added water to this one – as the stand ran out of water at the time, but I very much enjoyed the Dram and the conversation while drinking it.
Overall -I liked this expression, and would like to have another run at with with some water, For any Irish whiskey fan it will be a treat.

Tomintoul 21 years 40%

When approaching the stand for this bottle, I was happy to find the Master Distiller standing near the booth and talking to visitors, we had a wonderful chat and I got an invite for a tour in the distillery(generally closed to the public) when I am next time in Scotland – hopefully not to long till that happens.
We talked about places we both know and appreciate in Speyside and he shared my excitement and wonder for the magic of the Fiddich Side Inn , then he suggested the 21 for sampling.

Nose :Gentle, full of Pines, Honey, raisins and freshly cut grass.
Colour : A strong tea, light golden hue.
Platte :Chocolate,Peppers,Honey and Vanilla, a wide range of flavors come out of this dram, and it goes down smooth with no strong burn, it has a slow release once down in a good way.

Then there is the added Water
Nose : The Pines come out to be more dominant, but other then that no big change.
Colour : no change.
Platte : Again very subtle changes, the Peppers are more extenuated, and a burn is felt.

Overall very nice dram, suitable for every day – if not for the price, it is meant to be discontinued due to stock shortage, 4/5 .

Dalmore King Alexander 40% NAS

Dalmore King Alexander 40% NAS

Dalmore King Alexander 40% NAS
Dalmore are considered a “exclusive brand” and hence fairly expensive, which is why I have not had the opportunity to sample them in the past, hence I was happy to pay a little bit for the cost of tasting one of the range provided.

Nose : Soft drift of smells, Grapes,Honey,Caramel and Pines are felt.
Colour : Honey, but it feels like there is some caramel in the coloring too.
Platte : Strong burn in the first touch, then the flavors come out: Milk, Citrus,Banana and Peach, and then the after burn comes in with a fast release in the stomach.

Sadly no water was available for comparison.
Overall – Nice Dram , but not something I would keep in my stock.