Whisky has never really been my thing. In fact, any hard spirits are usually avoided at all costs by me. So when we stopped in Dullstroom and saw the sign for Wild about Whisky, I was in two minds. I was curious because whisky tasting isn’t something I’ve done before, but I was also concerned about not enjoying it at all.

Nonetheless, P was very keen to do the tasting so I decided that I really should go with an open mind and try it out. He was very certain about the sort of whiskies he wanted to taste, but I had absolutely no idea where to even start. The incredibly comprehensive tasting list is sorted into different whisky ‘experiences’. There are six whiskies to taste in each experience and they all follow a theme or come from the same region. Obviously this confused the hell out of me, but Wild about Whisky were kind enough to help me choose an experience that had a mix of different whiskies that would introduce the different varieties, Coast to Coast.

The whole experience is very comprehensive. Pictures on the walls depict the entire whisky distilling process, while the lady that served us gave a detailed run down on every single whisky that was laid in front of us. The placemats that your tasting glasses sit on also share more information on each glass and if you adore something you’ve tasted, you can even purchase it here.

The walls are lined with bottles from all over the world and there isn’t a single space that isn’t covered by something related to whisky. There are quite a few tables inside and comfy chairs mean that you’re meant to sit here and really savour your tasting experience. You aren’t rushed along at all and the atmosphere is wonderfully cosy in what was a very rainy Dullstroom that day.

The prices on the experiences range on what you choose between about R200 all the way up to about R600 for premium whiskies. If you’re a newbie like me, I would recommend asking for something like I had that provides a mix of whiskies to try, I definitely feel more confident in the whisky basics than I did before, and if you’re a seasoned whisky fan then you’ll definitely enjoy choosing from your favourites. The fact that I knew nothing and P knew quite a fair amount about whisky didn’t hinder form the experience at all because each person’s experience is their own.

When I go back, because I will, I’m going straight for the chocolate and whisky pairing…