ARDBEG DAY

What better way to hail in the winter months than with a handful of whiskey? On June 1, under the direction and styling of MARILYN GRACE, Ardbeg Whiskey and their Ardbeggian comrades did exactly this with an afternoon of fun, food, music, games and of course lots of whiskey!

The ‘shindig’ was held popup bar The Park in the Centennial Parklands, providing the perfect outdoor setting to celebrate Ardbeg’s annual ‘Ardbeg Day’ and the launch of Ardbeg’s new Limited Edition Bottling range, Ardbog, named in honour of the peat bogs of Islay.

Simon Thompson hosted the afternoon, introducing the archaeological theme of the day and giving a great running commentary of the ‘big dig’, the headlining game of the day. Everybody had the chance to get involved in the games. Quoits were tossed and skittles were bowled over, tusks were pinned on ‘the mammoth’, played for the prizes of ‘shorty the dog’, Ardbeg tumblers, leather key chains and cardholders and copies of ‘Ardbeg: A Peaty Province’. A treasure hunt was held with only five elusive gold coins hidden and hunted for in return for a bottle of the Limited Edition liquor.

A bagpipe troop gave a nod to Ardbeg’s Scottish connection, marching in with their pipes and drums Chariots of Fire and ending the formal games with a rock rendition of Scotland the Brave. The Bearded Gypsy’s then carried on to provide the perfect soundtrack to the day; their eclectic melding of gypsy, jazz and folk clearly enjoyed by all Ardbeggian punters.

Sydney caterers, Katering, piled the tables high in plates of spit-roasted pork and beef, wintery kale and walnut salads, wheels of cheeses, herbed mashed potatoes, baskets of fresh breads and fruit puddings. Scotch eggs, mini quiches and pies were offered as very Ardbeggian canapés throughout the day. The bar flowed with passionfruit and Ardbeg cocktails, Bloody Marys and of course the starring whiskey served simply neat in signature tasting glasses.

Australia was the first country to officially launch the new whiskey release which had its first public tasting on the day and our guests looked their most dapper with tweed and bottle green being the dress code du jour.

The weather played its part in the day, rolling in the clouds and sending down the rain into the whiskey tumblers, ending the truly wonderful afternoon in proper Scottish style!