Castle Double Malt Said, “Experience, Not Event” — And We Felt That
By Gift Khosa
Before we get into this, can someone please call the brand director of Castle Double Malt, Thomas Lawrence and his team, to the front? Because sir, what was that this past weekend? You had absolutely no business activating summer the way you did.
For context: Castle Double Malt hosted the Extra Smooth Express. And let me be clear — this wasn’t your usual “let’s throw an event, invite influencers, drop a few long speeches, and pray someone posts about it” type of situation. No. This was an experience. The kind we’ve all been begging for. The kind that reminds us why events matter.
All Aboard the Extra Smooth Express
The invite said: meet at the AC Marriott Hotel. Cute, right? But then — plot twist — we boarded a luxury vintage train headed to the Elgin Railway Market. Already, I was invested. And yes, they sent us a theme and a moodboard for our outfits (thank you for that). Pity not everyone read the memo, but hey, we moved — just like the train.
At check-in, we got a cute little bag with a passport-style ticket and even some spending funds for the market later. Thoughtful, branded, on-theme. This wasn’t just an event; it was theatre.
While waiting to board, the space was transformed into a vibey “train station” scene with Castle Double Malt touches everywhere. Double Malt on tap, canapés doing the rounds, hostesses dressed in the brand’s colours — honestly, it looked like something straight out of a movie. Drama? Served.
The Smoothest Ride
Three hours on a vintage train doesn’t sound exciting until you’re living it. Bar on deck. Double Malt flowing. Sun setting perfectly against the windows (because of course the timing was immaculate). And entertainment that kept the mood alive — from DJs spinning to spontaneous dance sessions.
At one point, strangers became friends, phones were out snapping everything, and you could feel everyone was fully in the moment. The vibe? Pure joy with a Double Malt twist.
Destination: Vibes Only
The Elgin Railway Market welcomed us with more music, more food, more magic. Our gift cards came in handy for bites and drinks, and the live performances were top-tier: Ami Faku’s soulful vocals, TKZee bringing the nostalgia, DJ Loyd on the decks, and Kayeezi holding it all together as host.
We laughed, we danced, we got a little boozy, and we relived childhood memories — all under one roof.
