Whisky Live Paris: the return! After the sad cancellation of the 2020 edition,  the Phenix raised from the ashes during three days, September 25-27 in Paris.

Thousands of whiskey enthusiasts and professionals attended the long-expected gathering, one of the largest Whiskey fair in the world. The atmosphere was joyful all the way through due to a very successful combination of a huge whisky diversity offer, the presence of experts, some very rare expressions, materclasses, and the “after”, in the form of a very dynamic “Cocktail Street”, a place with high energy, loud music, multiple cocktail places and a food court, allowing all the attendees to party freely.

See for yourself wome of the pictures at the event, and plan your trip for next year: if you like whiskey and never attended, don’t wait loneg!

     

Thousands of people arrived early on the Saturday to enjoy this ever growing whisky show. There were multiple good reasons…

Check this out, these are the final figures:

• 15,800 attendees (and 24,000 at the Cocktail street, running in parallel)

• 184 booths, including 18 in the VIP area

• 1,100 different expressions to taste, including 255 new releases never launched before

• 50 masterclasses

• Over three days (two days open to public, one additional day for professionals only)

All major brands were there, from Scotland and Ireland of course, but also from countries you wouldn’t expect: France, Israel, Finland, Sweden, Taiwan, India, Australia, England… and a good US representation.

A few examples of new releases: Ardbeg 19, Octomore 10 series, Glenfiddich 23 years old, Balvenie Tun 1509 batch #6, Bowmore Vault #1 second release, Blanton’s cask #21 special Paris edition.

Some tasting notes:

Ardbeg 19 years old, Traigh Bhan, 46.2% ABV,

named after a beach in Islay. Of course, there is a lot of peat, but with fruit, salt, and a long finish on the smoke. This one requires some time to really enjoy it. If you have a chance, get in a quiet area and sip it like it’s worth dying for! (quote from the brand ambassador!).

Octomore 10 series, 10.1; 59.8%ABV.

Matured for about 5 years in an ex- American oak casks (first fill, from three Bourbons, Jim Beam, Heaven Hill and Buffalo Trace, and from one Tennesse, Jack Daniels). While the peat level is greater by far from any other whisky, 107, the ppm is rather low for an Octomore (remember, it can go up to 309…). But that was on purpose, to better show what is behind the peat. And here we go, we get a soft peat with fruity, honey, vanilla aromas, very pleasant, lingering on the palate despite the young age.

Glenfiddich 23 years old, Grand cru, 43%ABV:

another great release from Brian Kinsman, that will become part of their core range. Paired with chocolate proved to be excellent! Finished for 4 months in ex-Grand cru wine casks from the Champagne region in France. Candied fruits, honey, vanilla, and toasted wood. Hard not to enjoy!

Balvenie Tun 1509 batch #6,

The successful series continues with the new release, very rich, showing spices, honey, candied orange, oaky notes in a very balanced way, lingering forever. Another masterpiece.

Bowmore Vault #1 second release, 50.1%ABV,

a very nice peaty taste with ripe fruits, toffee and mint along a floral component. The sweetness and the ashes are getting along very well.

Blanton’s cask #21 special Paris edition: by La Maison du Whisky, special edition,

only 180 bottles. 55%ABV. Nice combination of spices, wood, vanilla on the nose; the palate is showing vanilla, chocolate, hazelnut and honey. Long finish with fruity and herbal notes. An excellent release, hard to get…

Impossible to list all the new releases…

It is also a great time to discuss with the most prestigious experts of the world, to exchange about making process, taste and future trends.

In discussion with the master distillers of Amrut, Chichibu, Kingsbarn, Arran, Kavalan.

Scotland brands:

Many Islay distilleries were represented, Ardbeg, Lagavulin, Bowmore, Bruichladdich, Kilchoman, as well as iconic names of the mainland, Balvenie, Macallan, Glenfiddich, Aberlour, Benromach, Craigellachie, Dalmore        

Asian brands:

Three Asian countries are really hot on whiskey: Japan, Taiwan and India. While the number of major distilleries in these countries is rather limited (8 main in Japan, 3 in India and 2 in Taiwan), the quality is unquestionable! Chichibu (with the “Paris 2019 release” that almost created a fight to get the bottles!) and Nikka where representing Japan (on top of some independent bottlers), Kavalan (and their peated release) and Yushan were representing Taiwan, and Amrut (excellent Masterclass, and great releases), Paul John and Rampur for India.

      

 

 

American brands:

France is a big market for American whiskies. Lot 40 was the only brand from Canada, then some Bourbons, Tennessee and single malts. Special mention for Matt Hoffman, the famous Westland master distiller and the three releases, all of high quality and taste, showing his mastery! Also, the most French/American whiskey was showcased: Brenne, matured in France, in Cognac casks, offering a very distinctive and pleasant flavor.

  

European brands:

France, who boasts more than 60 whisky distilleries, had a very good representation, with Armorik, Rozelieures, Eddu, Bellevoye and many others. While the production level is not high yet, the quality is certainly worth tasting.

   

   

Ireland is one of the largest whiskey producer in the world, and was represented by Bushmils, Tullamore Dew and Sexton

 

 

Yes, England is making whisky! They are young, but so talented…

 

Unexpected countries where showing their whiskies as well. Mackmyra is well known, but have you heard about the others?

    

VIP lounge:

Masterclasses: to come

Cocktail Street: to come

At the end of each day, there is a gathering of all attendees and exhibitors (and more) at Cocktail street, an area populated by cocktail booths (featuring some of the expressions experiences at the show), a food court, urban music and dance all together. A great way to end up each day!