New magazine launch due in

During February, Whisky Magazine will be launched in South Africa. It is a completely locally owned, edited and distributed magazine for both whisky novice and connoisseur.  “Our plan is to shamelessly exploit the fascination that South Africans have with whisky as evidenced by the continued growth and success of annual festivals celebrating the spirit. We’ll be producing six issues a year and it’s going to be a top-notch, glossy 80-page mag full of whisky and whisky lifestyle-focussed content – with a distinctly local flavour,” said Fiona McDonald, former editor of Wine Magazine who has taken the reigns as Editor. Shayne Dowling of Integrated Media is the publisher and co-founder of Whisky along with ad man Andy Drysdale. The initial print run is 10 000 with 6 000 being distributed via the top 100 flagship stores of Tops at Spar.  The balance will go to top hotels, bars (including golf club bars) and cherry picked venues.

Whisky tasting will be a big part of the magazine and despite having an opinion we are about informing our reader and letting them make up their minds,” said Dowling.  “Our content is whisky in all its forms, along with the associated lifestyle, activities and venues. Wherever we can we will be looking for a South African angle.”