Oban: West Coast Whisky Feis 

A new whisky festival to be held in Oban, written by Paul McLean of MCLEANSCOTLAND

Gather your strength and gather your pennies … there will be a superb new whisky festival in Oban this July, we will be there and it would nice to see as many friends as possible, to support this new festival.  So where? When? What? And Who?

Where? My hometown, Oban, gateway to the isles and the capital of seafood in Scotland.  It’s only a few hundred yards from Oban Distillery, where you are surrounded by great pubs, food outlets, shops and of course – accommodation, our advice, stay the night, or like Liz and myself, make it a weekend! Just over the water on Mull is another distillery; Tobermory, with an excellent pub within spittin’ distance, owned by a pal of ours, Macgochans Bar.

When? From 12pm – 6pm on Saturday, 22 July, at Oban’s Skipinnish Cèilidh House.

What?  West Coast Whisky Feis, the brainchild of local drinks retailer, Oban Whisky and Fine Wines, good pals of ours by the way (I think everyone in the drinks industry are friends!).  Skipinnish Ceilidh House will host a range of exhibits from west coast distilleries and food stalls highlighting local producers.

And who? Scotland’s west coast distillers. Distilleries such as Isle of Arran, Caol Ila and Ben Nevis. The local Diageo-owned Oban Distillery will also hold on-site master classes a couple of hundred yards away, based around their world famous whiskies.

Euan Finlayson, owner of Oban Whisky and Fine Wines, said, “We wanted to create an event that shows off the incredible whiskies that the west coast has to offer. The aim is to offer a range of whiskies and master classes that can appeal to newcomers and aficionados alike.”

Ticket holders will receive a dram glass and will be able to take samples from all of the exhibitors. There will also be a nosing competition where attendees can attempt to identify various whiskies by smell alone, with a bottle of single malt whisky up for grabs. Samples are included in the event ticket price and master classes are available for an additional fee. Tickets cost £30, available; www.westcoastwhiskyfeis.co.uk/ – the official website, go and soak up the aromas of this new dramfest. The good news just got better, they are offering subsidised UK & worldwide shipping from the Fèis shop within the venue, so no need to be stuck carrying bottles around with you when the shows over.  www.whiskyfix.com/  Whisky Fix is a company specialising in single malt scotch whisky, for whisky lovers, connoisseurs and collectors alike. Working closely with distillery partners to offer very rare and collectable whisky along with your everyday whisky needs. So if you have been looking for a certain bottle to complete that collection, get in touch, you never know.

For any help with this new fest or interested in whisky tours around Scotland and Ireland,

ask Paul and Liz; info@mcleanscotland.com  We can certainly assist with add on dates before/after this event.

http://www.mcleanscotland.com/     http://www.wwhiskytours.scot/