SPIRIT OF SPEYSIDE WHISKY FESTIVAL – 2011 PROGRAMME ANNOUNCED

Devotees of the dram from around the world started logging on to the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival website last week as details of the 2011 programme were revealed and the online booking system went live.

The Festival programme annually boasts over 200 events, although there’s usually a rush for some of the most exclusive and prestigious events, ranging from the Opening Dinner and the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Awards to unique distillery tours and masterclasses and the renowned Spirit of Speyside Whisky School.

The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival (28th April – 2nd May, 2011) is one of Europe’s largest whisky festivals and, now in its twelfth year, has established itself as one of the key events on the Scottish tourism calendar.  Last year the Festival generated almost £3/4m for the local and Scottish economy attracting 26,000 visits to the area.

Fans of the traditional tipple are expected to travel from destinations worldwide to attend the event, and recent Festivals indicate an ever-increasing overseas audience, in particular from countries such as the Netherlands, Sweden and Germany. One notable Dutch attendee will be the well-known whisky author Hans Offringa, who has selected the festival as the venue for the relaunch of his book ‘The Road to Craigellachie Revisited’, an autobiographical diary tour through the world of whisky and Scotland.

Some of the highlights of the 2011 Festival calendar include the chance for whisky fans to enjoy a rare behind the scenes insight into distilleries which are usually closed to the public, such as Benrinnes, Glenrothes and Mortlach, and to take advantage of in-depth guided tours at iconic distilleries such as Cardhu, Glen Grant, The Glenlivet, Glenfiddich, The Macallan and Benromach.

New for the 2011 programme are half and full day Food and Drink Tours, which look closely at the links between Speyside’s signature pouring and other regional produce by exploring the area’s reputation for top quality meats, game and fine foods and the culinary legacy of a lifetime of liquor-making.  Visitors will be able to explore the role of whisky in Scottish cuisine and sample some of the finest food offerings from an area that is also home to big Scottish brands such as Baxters and Walkers.

And unique to the Festival is the Spirit of Speyside Whisky School, which features three days of undiluted and informative malt whisky education of the highest standard and includes seven expert-led technical lectures and seven top level technical site visits conducted by distillery managers. 

Festival chairman Jim Royan said: “We are excited to be revealing the programme for the 2011 Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival this week – we know it has been eagerly awaited by whisky lovers everywhere.

“Connoisseurs from all corners of the world travel to Speyside to take part in this unique event each year and we are looking forward to greeting whisky aficionados and non-whisky drinkers and to welcoming newcomers and returning visitors alike.

“Speyside is an outstandingly beautiful region that is rich in history and tradition and the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival offers us a unique opportunity to showcase not only our heritage but also our produce, landscape and hospitality.”

To find out more and book tickets 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.

Notes:

– Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival 2011 runs from Thursday, 28th April-Monday, 2nd May.  www.spiritofspeyside.com
– Easy access by rail or air, including a number of low-cost airline options to Aberdeen and Inverness airport
– The Festival runs a subsidised dial-a-bus service and taxi voucher scheme
– The Festival also runs several competitions and awards including a Whisky Cocktail Competition, Photographic Competition and the prestigious Spirit of Speyside Whisky Awards

– Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival 2011 has received funding from EventScotland and is also financially supported by many other private and public partners
– EventScotland is the national events agency.  EventScotland is working to make Scotland one of the world’s leading event destinations. By developing an exciting portfolio of sporting and cultural events EventScotland is helping to raise Scotland’s international profile and boost the economy by attracting more visitors.  For further information about EventScotland, its funding programmes and latest event news visit www.EventScotland.org