Kilchoman European Tour 2014 in Germany – a review

In September 2014, George, James and Peter Wills – the three sons of founder and Managing Director Anthony Wills, who are responsible for sales and marketing at Kilchoman – embarked on a major marketing tour of eight European countries in the Kilchoman Land Rover. They showcased the Kilchoman range and introduced the distillery at whisky shops in Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland and France.

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We would like to look back here at the German leg of the tour, which was undertaken by James and Peter Wills.

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These were the stops on the 2014 European Tour in Germany:

• Friday, 12 September: „meet & greet“ at Weinhaus H. Hilgering, Dortmund (afternoon)
  Tasting in Hotel Essener Hof by Rolf Kaspar Spirituosen, Essen (evening)
• Saturday, 13 September: „meet & greet“ at Whisky Depot Köln, Köln-Rhodenkirchen (afternoon)
  Tasting in Brühl by Brühler Whiskyhaus (evening)
• Sunday, 14 September: Kilchoman Barbecue in Eppertshausen by Whisky & Dreams (afternoon)
• Monday, 15 September: „meet & greet“ at Whisky-Spirits, Frankfurt (afternoon)
  Tasting in Gießen by VINsky, Linden (evening)
• Tuesday, 16 September: „meet & greet“ at Scotch Broth Whisky & Spirits, Fürth (afternoon)
  Tasting in Nürnberg by Gradl’s Whiskyfässla & Celtic Whisky, Nuremberg (evening)
• Wednesday, 17 September: Tasting in Ingolstadt by Cigar Malt & More, Ingolstadt (evening)

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Alongside Kilchoman’s standard range (Machir Bay, 100% Islay, Loch Gorm), James and Peter Wills also presented New Make, a Single Cask Release (Cask No. 85/2009) and the new Port Cask Matured Release at the promotional events (“meet & greet”) and tastings.

There was also a release bottled exclusively for the European Tour to sample: a “Machir Bay” at cask strength, the bottles of which were sold exclusively during the tour. Furthermore, specifically for the German leg of the tour, the German Kilchoman importer Alba Import had an exclusive single cask release bottled. The PX Sherry Cask Finish 395/2009 for German Roadshow 2014 was the first Kilchoman PX finish for the German market.

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The tour was a resounding success. It followed on seamlessly from the German Tasting Tours led by Anthony Wills in 2010, 2011 and 2012 and by John MacLellan in 2013.

Perfectly organised by the German importer Alba Import, who were on hand throughout, the events were well attended and featured two presenters, James and Peter Wills, who made sure that nobody missed their father Anthony or manager John MacLellan.

We hope to see more of the same in the years to come!

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Here are a few impressions; the photos were provided by Alba Import:

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