Whisky Tasting at Diageo

 

A sample!

On Wednesday 13 July those of us with a taste for the 'water of life' descended on Diageo's London headquarters in St James's Square. Approximately 40 members and their guests participated in this very informative and enjoyable evening.

On arrival we were greeted with glasses of champagne accompanied by excellent canapés and a chance to meet new members and renew old acquaintances.

Our chairman, Warwick Morris, introduced our hosts: Ian Wright (Corporate Relations Director), Peter Smith, (Head of UK Government Affairs) and Peter Butler (Public Affairs Manager).

Ian Wright provided an overview of Diageo's global business and the key growth market of Korea then handed over to Peter Smith who led us through the delights and complexities of three contrasting styles of whisky:

• Cameronbridge: a grain whisky, fermented in American oak
• Royal Lochnagar: a single malt, fermented in European oak
• Windsor 17 year old: Diageo's largest single export, specially created for the Korean market, 40% grain whisky, 60% single malt.

The evening concluded with a raffle of a bottle of Windsor 21 year old, one of only two which exist outside Korea. This was won by a delighted Chris Hollands.

Sir Stephen Brown thanked Peter Smith on behalf of the Society for his fascinating insights into the world of whisky manufacture, and also expressed our appreciation to Diageo for making us so welcome. Diageo have been generous sponsors of the Anglo-Korean Society since 2008, a relationship we look forward to continuing.

Cathy Kim

A slideshow of images from the evening:

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