10th Anniversary Tour in Germany – a review
As they did last year, Peter and James Wills, the sons of the founder and Managing Director Anthony Wills, once again toured Europe in the Kilchoman Land Rover this autumn. To mark the distillery’s tenth anniversary, they spent six weeks in September and October travelling through Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Germany, Denmark and Sweden.
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We would like to look back on the German leg of the tour here.
As a reminder, these were the dates in Germany:
- Wednesday, 30 September: afternoon: „meet & greet“ at Probieren & Genießen, Mannheim
evening: Tasting at Barbara’s Wineyards, Schwetzingen - Thursday, 1 October: afternoon: „meet & greet“ at Royal Spirits, Aschaffenburg
evening: Tasting at Scotland’s Glory, Würzburg (Steinburg) - Friday, 2 October: aternoon: „meet & greet“ at weltfein, Hannover
evening: Tasting at wiertz genussvoll, Gifhorn (Eiskeller) - Saturday, 3 October: evening: Tasting at Weinquelle Lühmann & Hansemalt, Hamburg (Gallionsfigurensaal in the Altonaer Museum)
- Sunday, 4 October: afternoon: „meet & greet“ at Martin’s Weindepot, Kiel (Ben Briggs)
evening: “sit-in” at Mc Lang’s Pub, Kiel
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James and Peter Wills presented the entire Kilchoman whisky range:
- Machir Bay
- Sanaig
- 100% Islay
- Loch Gorm
- Vintage 2008 Release
- Madeira Cask Matured Release
In addition, attendees were able to sample the recently launched ‘Kilchoman Bramble Liqueur’ and purchase a tour bottling available exclusively on the tour – yet another ‘Machir Bay’ at cask strength, in a limited edition of 1,500 bottles.
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As was the case last year, the tour was once again a resounding success. Brilliantly organised by the German importer Alba Import, represented on site by Dietmar Schulz, with events that were consistently sold out; James and Peter Wills always on top form despite their hectic schedule; exceptional whiskies; and, at the evening events, delicious food in some truly extraordinary venues such as the Steinburg in Würzburg or the Gallionsfigurensaal at the Altonaer Museum. What more could one ask for?
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Here are a few highlights; the photos were once again provided by Alba Import:
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