“Whisky. I might actually have learnt to love you” Tweet by @felion84

• When: 25th March 2014
• Where: The Hoxton Hotel
• Spirit: Scotch whisky (Cask strength from The Scotch Malt Whisky Society)
• Host: Mark Thompson

Our first ever event, and what a night it was! See the film here.

We kicked things off with an Old Fashioned made with grain whisky (Cask G4.6 Ray Mears’ Digestif) in The Hoxton Hotel’s private Apartment rooms – we’re not at all snobby about whisky in cocktails.

43 people then neatly slotted themselves into the Library where the charismatic Mark Thompson led us through the evening’s whiskies with wit and wonder.

“About to break the rules of whisky tasting and then remake them with @markofrespect at WHISKY I LOVE YOU a #drinksgalore event for everyone” Tweet by @alexblogg

I carefully chose the each dram to tell a story:

1. 9.76 – Out of Africa (25 year old) – A great example of what a whisky can be
2. 96.7 – For a Sweet Tooth (7 year old) – A wonderful young whisky
3. 21.28 – Relaxing in a Tropical Garden (37 year old) – An absolute cracker – exactly what an older whisky should be
4. 4.186 – Aromatic Spices and Exotic Fruits (22 year old) – Spicy rather than peaty, a good intro to the peated style
5. 3.217 – A Delicatessen Shopping Basket (16 year old) – Much more peaty, but not eye popping. A challenge to those who say they don’t like Islay

There was no doubting which we all loved the most – the 37 year old silenced even the rowdiest of the group with awe and appreciation and any spare drams were quickly hoovered up.

By the end of the night we were all better educated and not a little misty eyed, we’d drunk, we’d laughed, we’d made new friends. Onwards to the next one.

With 100% of the attendees rating it Excellent or Very Good and 100% “extremely likely” to recommend it to others, I am very proud indeed. The bar is set high for future events.

“Whisky, I have loved you, but it is time to say goodbye. For now… ” Tweet by @Philternz

“… just wanted to say thanks again for a great night, I am staying firmly in my seat on this drinks galore bus, ding ding next stop…” Rob Atkin

Thanks to Joe and Katie from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society for helping to make this happen, and Mark for hosting us. Special thanks to Hannah from The Hoxton Hotel for providing us with the space, promotion and food on the night, and for believing in the concept from the early days.