Inaugural Winter Whisky Festival: A Celebration Of Flavour And Craftsmanship
Nelson is gearing up for an extraordinary event that whisky enthusiasts won’t want to miss. The inaugural Winter Whiskey Festival, organised by Nick & Kymberly Widley from Kismet, is set to take place from June 11th to June 15th, featuring a remarkable lineup of 17 different events spread over five days. With a variety of whisky tastings, dinners, and educational sessions, this festival promises to be a celebration of the rich flavours and craftsmanship that whisky lovers cherish.
Festival Kick-off: Ardbeg Whisky Dinner at Brick Eatery
The festival kicks off on the Tuesday night with an exquisite whisky dinner at Brick Eatery, featuring Ardbeg Whisky. This event pairs the smoky barbecue flavours of Brick Eatery’s cuisine with the distinctive smoky notes of Ardbeg Whiskey, creating a harmonious dining experience.
Whisky Whispers: Lunchtime Learning
From Tuesday to Friday, the festival will host a series of midday events called “Whisky Whispers.” These sessions, designed as a take on TED Talks, offer half-hour anecdotal tales about the whisky industry, featuring brand ambassadors sharing stories and insights. Each session includes a dram of whisky and a sandwich for $25. “It’s a great lunch break,” Widley notes, “where you can come along and listen to some brand ambassadors waxing lyrical about their brand.”
Wednesday Highlights: Tastings and Fleetwood Mac & Cheese
Wednesday evening will feature a Michter’s Bourbon tasting, where attendees can sample five different Michter’s whiskys. Additionally, downstairs at the venue, Scapegrace Whisky will host “Fleetwood Mac and Cheese,” an event pairing four different whisky’s with various mac and cheese toppings, accompanied by a live band playing Fleetwood Mac music. “You can just come along and be part of it, even if you don’t drink whisky,” says Widley. “There is something for everybody.”
Thursday’s Luxury Pairings: Whisky Dinners and Tastings
Thursday night offers a luxurious whisky dinner at Hopgoods & Co, featuring Macallan Whisky. “It’s two luxury brands joined together,” Widley mentions. Meanwhile, Kismet will host four different tastings in separate rooms, showcasing New Zealand Whisky, Waiheke Island Whisky, Maker’s Mark, and Glenfiddich and Balvenie.
Friday’s Tasting Sensations and Seafood Supper
On Friday afternoon, the festival continues with two more Whiskey Whispers sessions. One will focus on Waiheke Whiskey, and the other will explore tasting whiskey using gummies to enhance flavour perception. That evening, Hardy Street Eatery will host a Kilchoman Whiskey dinner paired with a seafood supper. Additionally, Rod and Gunn will offer a Michter’s Bourbon tasting during the day. The day concludes with “Jam and a Dram” at Kismet, featuring music, special cocktails, and free samples.
Saturday Market and Grand Finale Ceilidh
Saturday transforms Kismet into a market space, complementing the Nelson market. Attendees can enjoy cheese, honey, and whisky-related books, with brand ambassadors offering samples and pairing them with cheese. The festival wraps up with a grand Ceilidh in the evening, featuring Scottish dancing and bagpipes.
Festival Origins and Future Plans
The idea for the Winter Whisky Festival emerged from a casual conversation after a whisky tasting event. “We thought, ‘Oh, it’d be great to put a couple of whisky tastings all in one week,'” Widley recalls. Initially, the plan was modest, but interest from suppliers and brands quickly grew, indicating a bright future for the festival. “Next year is going to be bigger and better,” promises Widley. Plans include involving more venues throughout Nelson, making it a city-wide celebration.
Join the Celebration
The Winter Whisky Festival offers something for everyone, from casual whisky drinkers to connoisseurs. Whether you’re interested in educational talks, luxurious dinners, or just a fun night out with music and whisky, this festival has it all.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit kismet.co.nz. You can also contact the organisers at cocktails@kismet.co.nz for any inquiries. Don’t miss out on this unique celebration of whiskey in the heart of Nelson.
Contact Information:
Website: kismet.co.nz
Email: cocktails@kismet.co.nz
Tickets: Available through Event Finder
I would love to gatecrash that party