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Whisky writers hosting tasting to support Ukrainian refugees

Award-winning whisky writer and regular Whisky Magazine contributor Felipe Schrieberg and Whisky Exchange drinks ambassador Billy Abbott will be co-hosting an online whisky tasting supporting Ukrainian refugees who have fled to Poland from the violence in their country. 

Taking place on Monday, 28 March 2022 at 7pm UTC, the charity tasting will see packs containing six delicious whiskies sent to guests’ homes by whisky subscription service, The Dram Team. Guests will then join Schrieberg and Abbott on Facebook and YouTube at The Virtual Whisky Masterclass.

All profits from sales of the tasting packs will be donated to Polish Humanitarian Action (PAH), a relief organisation working with displaced Ukrainian refugees. Though the tasting itself is free to watch and accessible for anyone, even if they don’t have a whisky pack, optional ‘viewing only’ tickets are also available to purchase, with all proceeds going to PAH as well. 

The tasting pack includes drams of Compass Box Spice Tree, Glenturret 12 Years Old, Jura Seven Wood, Lakes Distillery The One Sherry Limited Edition, Glen Scotia Victoriana, and Royal Brackla 18 Years Old Palo Cortado Finish.

Both Schrieberg and Abbott are extremely experienced tasting hosts – the former has welcomed over 3,500 people across more than 250 online tastings since April 2020, while the latter has fronted tastings at many whisky festivals, both physical and virtual. Both have both won Whisky Magazine’s Icons of Whisky award for Communicator of the Year in the ‘Rest of World’ category (Schrieberg won this year’s prize, and Abbott received it in 2021).

Schrieberg, who is currently based in the Polish city of Gdansk, was inspired by the compassion shown by his adopted country when he decided to put together the tasting. “Over half of the refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine are arriving here in Poland,” he said. “The response from Poles all over the country has been truly moving, and everyone coming here from Ukraine needs all the help they can get. We’re very excited to be able to share some very tasty whiskies to support an excellent organisation doing amazing work here.”  

Tickets are available to purchase on Designmynight.com at £45 for the tasting pack and £15 for the optional ‘viewing only’ ticket.

2 March 2022 - Bethany Whymark