THE MOST ANCITIPATED WHISKY FESTIVAL OF THE YEAR TO LAUNCH 2012 PROGRAMME ON 21ST JANUARY

The new programme and online booking system for the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival 2012 goes live on Saturday, 21st January at www.spiritofspeyside.com. There’s likely to be a rush for some of the Festival’s most exclusive and prestigious events as thousands of whisky connoisseurs and hardcore fans of Scotland’s national drink snap up the sought-after tickets to take part in the undiluted whisky magic of one of the most important whisky festivals in the world.

The 2012 Festival runs from Thursday, 3rd – Monday, 7th May when Speyside invites whisky lovers and aficionados everywhere to come and discover the passion behind the world’s finest whiskies. From whisky master-classes, guided walks, tours and tastings to ceilidhs, music and dance, poetry sessions and family events there’s something for everyone. There’s even a Whisky School for dedicated whisky enthusiasts and industry professionals who want to learn more about the process of whisky making.

Speyside boasts a higher concentration of whisky distilleries than any other region on earth, including Cardhu, Glen Grant, The Glenlivet, Glenfiddich, The Macallan and Benromach, and it’s not just the range of whiskies at the Festival’s 230 events which is staggering, but the diversity of locations is outstanding – Festival goers can enjoy a dram in a castle, in a village hall, on a train, on a landrover tour, at a world class distillery or even on top of a mountain.

Festival highlights include the opportunity to visit distilleries not normally open to the public, the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival Awards which is judged by Festival goers, and the popular opening Gala Dinner which will be held at The Macallan on Thursday, 3rd May.

Speyside whiskies are in a class of their own, and the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival successfully blends together an exciting and enriching range of authentic Scottish experiences mixed with a spirited passion for all things whisky.

To find out more and book tickets (on sale from 16th January, 2012) go to www.spiritofspeyside.com, and keep up to date with the Festival programme on www.facebook.com/WhiskyFestival or www.twitter.com/spirit_speyside.

ENDS

Notes for Editor:
– Next year’s Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival runs from 3rd-7th May. Check out www.spiritofspeyside.com for up-to-date news.
– The Festival also runs several competitions and awards including the prestigious Spirit of Speyside Whisky Awards as well as the Photographic Competition
– The Festival runs a subsidised dial-a-bus service and taxi voucher scheme
– Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival has received funding from EventScotland and is also financially supported by many other private and public partners