Doltek, William Grant introduce Whisky Lounges in Zimbabwe

A new concept is in town for whisky lovers and those curious about this lifestyle beverage.

Doltek and William Grant & Sons are partnering up to roll out what they call whisky pop-up lounges in Harare and Bulawayo.

The announcement was made at a luncheon hosted by the two companies in Harare on Thursday.

William Grant brand specialist Thami Banda referred to whisky has a process to how it is consumed:

Many people will drink an 18 year-old whisky and not think of what they were doing 18 years ago.

He added that the consumption was like spending time in the kitchen and understanding what you were doing with it.

Doltek’s Humphrey Mliswa added that many people did not have a clear reason why they consumed a certain type of whisky. The idea is to help them understand what they like. Don’t we all?

The key is to enhance the whisky presence on the market with a view to getting drinkers to get more from the experience. This includes knowledge around the brands they offer among them Monkey Shoulder, Grant’s and Glenfiddich. Banda stressed the need to create a whiskey culture before worrying about competition.

William Grant regional marketing support manager Zanele Ngomana said their brands being high end was not a hindrance as they believe their drive trial strategy would convince imbibers to cross over to their brands. In essence aspire for better comrades.

Mliswa insisted the lounges will not interfere with the activities at the different entertainment spots they will pop up in, saying that the brands were there to enhance what was already happening in the establishments. So if you are worried that a pop-up lounge might affect your old school at your favourite watering hole, stay calm.