Drinks Galore was worth every penny and I greatly look forward to attending the next event they put on.

Thanks to Jim Birkett, guest at Whisky I Love You for this Guest Event Summary:

Drinks Galore at the Hoxton Hotel was a great introduction into the wonderful world of whisky featuring 5 drams of very different and distinctive flavours in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

The initial fear I had of attending such an event was always my perception of those high-brow whisky tasting clubs that are only reserved for people who can tell the difference between a micro-percent of grain and use complex descriptions of flavours. Drinks Galore couldn’t have been more the opposite and by the end I actually felt I could tackle those highbrow types with the knowledge I had acquired throughout the evening.

It started where I was warmly welcomed by the concierge at the Hoxton Hotel and being ushered into a private room which looked like a arty Berlin kitchen. I noticed a whole range of well prepared small food snacks, that were way more than just a pack of crisps. Warm pig in blankets, Burger Sliders and Salads, all were delicious. A gentlemen behind the bar was preparing an elegant cocktail ‘Old Fashioned’ (I believe) and explained to me how we was composing this fine drink. Offering a small selection of miniature flavourings as to how I would like the cocktail to taste. I had never seen this before but already was quite impressed and it tasted excellent too.

After a few minutes Mark Jennings presented the evening speaker who was like the Oracle of Whisky

After enjoying the cocktail, food, and chatting with some very interesting people from all walks of life, Mark Jennings (the founder) announced that we all make our way to the next room where the tasting shall begin. There were large tables set out in a row and each seat had a beautifully presented custom place mat featuring the 5 drams and a small sheet explaining what we would expect to taste. After a few minutes Mark Jennings presented the evening speaker who was like the Oracle of Whisky, this chap seemed very down to earth and knew so much about whisky which he conveyed in such an understandable way. Especially to the punter like me.

Each dram we went through over the course of nearly 2 hours had such a broad contrast between them, some people who were seated near me had never really tasted whisky properly apart from the odd JD and coke at parties. They were just as stunned as I was realising that not only the taste of each dram can be so different in personality but the fact each flavour can compliment times of the day, food and what we would want to look for when choosing a whisky the next time we are at a bar or shop.

By the end of the tasting the room had such a great atmosphere, any reservedness people had was removed

During the tasting the speaker had explained a brief history, how it was made, and how to identify and name flavours and so much more. By the end of the tasting the room had such a great atmosphere, any reservedness people had was removed and some great conversations between strangers were taking place on each table. Drinks Galore was worth every penny and I greatly look forward to attending the next event they put on.