New expressions on show at FNB Whisky Live Showroom events
Boutique-style tasting events set the scene for the world’s finest whiskies
The FNB Whisky Live Showroom, taking place in Durban, Nelspruit and Cape Town, will introduce fans of the dram to some noteworthy whiskies set to become firm favourites among local palates.
“This new show dedicated to one of the world’s finest and most popular spirits builds on the successes of previous FNB Whisky Live Festivals, and brings a unique whisky experience to more South Africans,” says Emily Stockden, chief operating officer of Whisky Live Festival.
“There will be a number of exciting new expressions for whisky lovers to taste and purchase, along with a broad range of well-loved and familiar favourites. We have chosen each venue for the FNB Whisky Live Showroom events carefully to provide a truly remarkable experience for every visitor that provides the perfect backdrop for an evening of sampling some of the world’s finest whiskies.”
The 1989 and 2000 expressions of Balblair will be on display, with the brand challenging the way that punters think about whisky.
“Balblair is bucking the current trend of moving away from age statements, with each product in its range not just being of a specific age, but also of a specific vintage,” says Paul laCock of Aficionados, which represents Balblair in South Africa. “This means that each product is a whisky distilled in a specific year – whereas most single malts are made up of whiskies from different years. The year of bottling Balblair is also stated on the bottle, so that the consumer can deduce its age too.”
Ian MacMillan, the master blender behind Scottish Leader, will be on hand at all three Showrooms to introduce visitors to this masterful blend of up to 30 of Scotland’s finest whiskies. Available in more than 60 countries worldwide, Scottish Leader is produced at the Deanston Distillery on the banks of the river Teith, in the historical central Scottish Highlands.
Kavalan will be showcased at the Showrooms, and is produced by the first distillery in Taiwan. The distillery is in a subtropical area, which is much hotter and more humid than conventional whisky-producing areas. The higher temperatures result in a much quicker interaction of the whisky with the wood of the barrels, leading to much quicker maturation – but the higher temperatures cause more rapid evaporation, and the greedy angels take up to 15% of the whisky every year.
Firm favourite Johnnie Walker will be showing its full range of Red, Black, Gold, Platinum and Blue Label blends, offering visitors the opportunity to experience the different expressions in the context of its Flavour Wheel. The Wheel takes the mystery and guesswork out of tasting whisky and then explaining the experience by offering guidelines such as ‘malty,’ ‘dried fruit,’ ‘winey,’ ‘floral,’ and ‘smoky’ among others.
Black Bottle, a daringly bold blend of all the renowned single malts from the Islay balanced by the finest Highland, Lowland and Speyside malt and grain whiskies, will be available for tasting. Originally blended by Gordon Graham, a tea merchant who shifted from blending teas to blending whiskies in the 19th century, Black Bottle is presented in a unique pot-still shaped bottle.
Fans of South Africa’s Three Ships whisky will be able to taste Three Ships 5 Year Old, named the World’s Best Blended Whisky in 2012 at the World Whiskies Awards. Bain’s, Cape Mountain Whisky, another South African whisky masterpiece that was named World’s Best Grain Whisky in 2013, will also be available for tasting.
The FNB Whisky Live Showroom events take place in Durban on 25 and 26 April, in Nelspruit on 16 and 17 May, and on 19 and 20 June in Cape Town. Tickets cost R150 each at www.whiskylivefestival.co.za and Facebook/FNBWhiskyLiveFestival, or R170 at the door. All ticket prices include a complimentary tasting glass, a 2014 SA Whisky Handbook, a 500ml bottle of Valpré Spring Water, 15 tasting vouchers, and a variety of additional value adds, such as a R200 voucher for all first-time users of Uber’s taxi services (valid in Durban and CT only), R50 off any purchase of more than R500 at the on-site FNB Whisky Live Shop and a 10% discount voucher for purchases on www.whiskyshopsa.co.za after the event (some terms and conditions apply).
Follow @WhiskyLiveSA on Twitter, ‘like’ the FNB Whisky Live Festival Facebook page at Facebook/FNBWhiskyLiveFestival, or check www.whiskylivefestival.co.za for regular updates about the events.
The FNB Whisky Live Showroom promotes responsible drinking. No persons under the age of 18 years will be allowed into the Showroom. Designated driver tickets are also available at R95 per ticket. Part of the ticket proceeds will be donated to The Foundation for Alcohol Related Research (FARR).
DURBAN PLAYHOUSE COMPANY: THE REALS FESTIVAL
'The Reals' will perform four unique shows, each with a varied selection of repertoire and themes. Expect to hear original songs, creative covers of their favourite blues and rock artistes and excerpts from their hit tribute shows, including Rodriguez, The Eagles, Woodstock and Dire Straits. The Reals will be presenting in the first half of each show 4 different selections of music – so even if you see all 4 shows, you will be hearing something new at each performance. An opportunity to see some of the musical creations of one of Durban’s Top Bands.
Shaun Dragt will be the guest guitarist for Dire Straits and The Eagles in Durban. The guest guitarist for Dire Straits and The Eagles in PMB – (to be confirmed).
Book at COMPUTICKET, phone or e-mail Roland for bookings:
Sunday 06 April 2014. Show starts 14:00 - DBN
Sunday 06 April 2014. Show starts 18:30 – DBN
Competition for energy efficient designsDesigners are invited to enter the Eskom Energy Efficient Lighting Design Competition with R200 000 worth of prize money.
The competition offers a two-fold opportunity:
- For one, Eskom is inviting high school learners, students and professional designers to think outside the box and submit imaginative lamp designs that not only work, but that are also pleasing to the eye. As the name of the competition implies, it is of major importance that all designs make use of energy-efficient light sources.
- Secondly, professional designers are also invited to submit innovative energy-efficient designs, systems or products that are suitable for residential applications. These may include, for example, a complete lighting system that caters for a low-cost housing development. Once again, the key word is energy-efficiency.
The theme of this year’s competition is: Celebrate 20 years of democracy! and the closing date is 15 August 2014.
Prizes:
Category A: Residential Luminaire Design (Students)
First prize: R30 000
Second prize: R20 000
Third prize: R10 000
Educational institution prize money: R10 000
Top regional finalists (6): Lenovo 7” Android tablet (wifi and 3G enabled)
Total prize value: R85 000
Category B: Innovative Energy Efficient Lighting Design (Professional)
Prize money:
First prize: R40 000
Top regional finalists (6): R5000 each
Total prize money: R70 000
Category C: Most Promising Young Designer (Learners)
Prize money:
Most Promising Designer (Individual): R10 000
Top regional finalists (6): Lenovo 7” Android tablet (wifi and 3G enabled)
Educational institution prize money: R10 000
Total prize value: R35 000
Special Award: Most Promising PDI designer (Individual)
Prize money:
Most Promising PDI Designer (Individual): R10 000
Total prize money: R10 000
Full details are available on the following website:
www.lighting-design.co.za, or from the competition organisers at tel 021 949 7419 / 083 293 2848 or via e-mail at
karin@dalajunction.co.za
Market Photo Workshop seeks coordinator
Vacancy: Coordinator: Photojournalism and Documentary Photography (PDP)
To facilitate teaching and learning in the Photojournalism and Documentary Photography Programme (PDP) through logistics and resource management, and to contribute to the development of a curriculum that is relevant to the media sector and contemporary documentary practice.
Job requirements:
- A relevant qualification (photography, visual arts, media, journalism)
- Minimum 1 year experience in a junior management or supervisory position within the media, arts and culture industries, non-profit OR minimum 3 years relevant experience in the media, arts and culture, non-profit
- A good understanding of the needs of photojournalists and documentary photographers in South Africa and the continent as a whole, and also a critical awareness of the nature and role of the media on the continent.
- Good communication, writing and organisational skills.
- Excellent computer skills – especially MAC based, good knowledge and understanding of Photoshop, internet research, email
- Work well under pressure
- Experience of working at an education and training NGO or similar organisation would be an advantage
- Compliment the skills set of the Market Photo Workshop
- Committed to excellence in and relevance of photography education in South Africa
- Passionate, driven and dynamic
Level of education: Relevant qualification – either in photography, cultural management and/or Media.
Remuneration: R7,500 - R9,000 per month cost to company negotiated according to qualifications and experience. Only applications submitted electronically will be considered and must include:
1. A covering letter: summarise career, explain interest in the position.
2. A comprehensive CV with contactable references.
Manager: HR
Manager: Programmes and Projects
Do business this year at INDABA in the world-class, Premium Lounge
"Think of the Lounge as your office away from the office during INDABA" South African Tourism Chief Executive Officer, Mr Thulani Nzima.
INDABA IS THE single biggest and best opportunity on the African continent for everybody who does business with the African travel and tourism industry.
Based on international trade show best practice, INDABA will this year, for the first time, introduce an exciting new format by launching a new Premium Lounge. INDABA is set to migrate over the next few years from double-storey stands to a beautifully appointed studio configuration.
South African Tourism is directing additional efforts towards the top international travel trade buyers who have expressed or demonstrated their eagerness to make Africa an important and valuable component of their businesses. These influential travel trade buyers have direct responsibility of uncovering products from Africa. The purpose of the new Premium Lounge zone will be to fast-track the focus of INDABA back to deal-making, giving premium exhibitors an area perfectly equipped to accommodate their meetings with buyers.
"Think of the Premium Lounge as your office away from the office," says South African Tourism Chief Executive Officer, Mr Thulani Nzima. "We're locating the lounge in the heart of the International Convention Centre. It will comprise 52 professionally managed office studios that will come equipped with modern furnishings, access to plug points, uncapped high-speed Wi-Fi and regulated branding panels. All these will be designed to make it easy for buyers to find the space of the exhibitor they are scheduled to meet with."
Exhibitors who make use of the Premium Lounge are guaranteed up to 15 meetings with quality, hosted buyers every day. Entry to this zone will be carefully managed to make sure that only people who (literally) mean business are granted access. Hostesses (one per four studio hubs) will be assigned to assist with refreshment requirements. Optimised, managed diaries will give Premium Lounge exhibitors maximum business value and face-to-face meeting time with the best hosted buyers.
Premium Lounge studios will only be available to exhibitors who have already taken up INDABA stands of at least 18 square metres, and therefore already meet the product exhibitor qualification criteria.
Applications for the 52 studios will be processed on a first-come-first-served basis. South African Tourism anticipates strong demand for the spaces. To manage this, the application will be available only for 72 hours after it goes live online today at midday (GMT+2).
The cost of a Premium Lounge studio is at a premium as benchmarked against global trade show studio rates. However, in the spirit of partnership, recognizing the transition of INDABA in 2014, and to illustrate tangible support of the trade, South African Tourism will be sponsoring the majority of this cost, for this year only. Premium Lounge exhibitors whose applications are successful will only have to pay the cost of R10,000 ex vat.
Confirmed main exhibitors may apply for a Premium Lounge studio by
signing into the Exhibitor Zoneand following the link to the 'Premium Lounge' application form. Complete it, submit it, make payment and the space is yours - provided yours is one of the first 52 applications received, evaluated and verified. The website will give you all the info you need.
"It's that simple," Mr Nzima says, "and it's that easy to secure a beautiful, professionally-equipped space for your INDABA meetings."
South African Tourism and the INDABA team have reaffirmed their commitment to the trade, to craft a revamped groundbreaking travel trade show for Africa. INDABA seeks to showcase best-in-class travel products throughout Africa that optimise the finest experiences that our beautiful continent can deliver, to captivate discerning international buyers. All African exhibitors and international buyer delegates come to INDABA each year to meet, close deals, network, strengthen relationships and plan future business. South African Tourism is dedicated to creating the best possible sales and marketing environment that results in short-term and long-term business to African suppliers.
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