Friday, February 15th, 5-7PM 

Local Whiskey: 

Sonoma Co Distillery 

Founded in 2010 in the heart of Sonoma County, Sonoma Co Distillery is California’s premier whiskey distillery. Their ‘grain-to-glass’ approach to whiskey brings a hands on quality to every bottling, producing a delicious selection of bourbons and ryes. A variety of popular and upcoming releases will be sampled, with distillery representatives and whisky experts on hand to answer all your whiskey questions.

More Details & RSVP 

Note: This tasting was previously scheduled for February 1st, 

but will be held on the 15th.

“The 2019 Victoria Whisky Festival happened, and Pat Dunlop of thewhiskymafia.com was there! Flanked by a host of friends, colleagues, well wishers and whisky personalities, Pat waded into the always amazing Festival with unbridled enthusiasm. Was this the greatest Victoria Whisky Festival of all time? All signs point to yes. To get the full scoop on Western Canada’s premier whisky event, you’ll most certainly want to click here“

Another record breaker lined up for Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival as programme is revealed for 20th anniversary year

The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival has kicked off its 20th anniversary celebrations with another record-breaking achievement. As organisers take the wraps off the 2019 programme today (Thursday, 31 January), they have revealed that this year’s festival is on course to host nearly 600 events – almost 100 more than in previous years.

Tickets for the festival will go on sale on Tuesday, February 5 at 12 noon with whisky fans from around the globe poised to snap up places. New ticket sales records have been set almost every year, and organisers hope that 2019 will follow the same pattern.

Event providers from all corners of Speyside – the spiritual home of Scotland’s malt whisky production – have lined up a host of exciting and unusual events for both whisky connoisseurs and first-time visitors from May 1 to 6.

From exclusive behind-the-scenes tours and tastings at distilleries that are never usually open to the public, to fun community-led events with music and food, the festival organisers are promising something for everyone regardless of their level of interest or knowledge about Scotland’s national drink.

Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival chairman James Campbell said: “It’s hard to believe that the festival has been around for 20 years, but when the team launched the festival they knew they had created something very special that had the potential to attract a global audience.

“The festival is fantastic for those who are deeply passionate about whisky because of the unique opportunities that it presents to tour lesser-known distilleries and have a dram with the managers and master distillers that are so important to the industry, but what makes it different to any other festival is the way that it brings people together.

“The atmosphere is second to none whether you’ve visited many times in the past or are coming for the first time. It’s a fantastic way to see the local area and really be a part of the local community – no other whisky festival offers the authentic experience that we do.”

Last year, the festival hosted around 500 events and attracted visitors from as far afield as Tanzania to the Falkland Islands. Many of the top attractions completely sold out within a matter of hours of going on sale, with opportunities to taste rare and vintage malts and whisky-themed dinners being among the most sought-after tickets.

Mr Campbell added: “We are absolutely thrilled to be celebrating our 20th anniversary this year so it is incredibly fitting that the 2019 festival will be the biggest on record in terms of the number of events being hosted.

“Once again, our event providers have done an incredible job in coming up with activities that will provide our visitors with memories of their trip to Speyside that will last a lifetime.”

Visitors to the event are being urged to test their whisky knowledge ahead of the festival – which reveals a new logo as part of its anniversary celebrations – by taking part in a fun online whisky quiz.

The quiz, which can be taken at www.spiritofspeysidequiz.com, tests knowledge of the festival, the local whisky industry and the wider Speyside region. There is a chance for those who take part to win a bottle of Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival malt whisky.

The event programme is available to view now at www.spiritofspeyside.com ahead to the tickets going live next week. There are also regular updates on social media at facebook.com/ /WhiskyFestival and @spirit_speyside on Twitter and Instagram. Use the hashtag #dram19

Campbeltown Malts Festival Schedule Announcement

Campbeltown Malts Festival 

First Announcements – January 2019

Springbank Society,

It’s one of the most exciting days in the Springbank (and Kilkerran and Cadenhead) calendar – it’s the first official announcement about the 2019 Campbeltown Malts Festival.

Below you will see all the details that our colleague Mairi has put together about the events and plans for the festival in May.

—–

We are excited to announce our first detailed programme for the Campbeltown Malts Festival 2019. The festival will take place from Tuesday 21st – Friday 24th May and during the four day event, we will celebrate the quality spirits produced here in Kintyre.

Below, you will find all the relevant information regarding the events and tastings being hosted by Springbank, Mitchell’s Glengyle and Cadenhead’s during the festival. Over the next (almost) four months, you will be kept up to date with any additional information regarding events which will take place over the festival.

How to Order Tickets

In 2018, we decided that an online ticketing system would be a much easier way for our festival goers to purchase tickets. This seems to have worked extremely well with very little teething problems so in 2019, we will once again use this for ticket bookings. This will include all tickets which are available for our Thursday and Friday events, as well as our Wednesday evening dinner.

We will be using a website called Eventbrite – www.eventbrite.co.uk. Wednesday tickets will be available to purchase from Wednesday 6th February 2019 at 2pm (UK time) and Thursday/Friday tickets will be available to purchase from Wednesday 13th February 2019 at 2pm (UK time).

You can register on Eventbrite now to save time entering your details when you order your tickets. You will still be able to order tickets even if you do not register in advance, though it might save you time to do so. Details of the festival will be displayed on Eventbrite prior to the ticket launch, including descriptions of each tasting – which are also detailed below in each section and also in a summary timetable at the end of this announcement.

It will be a maximum of 2 tickets per person for each tasting and, please note (and this is important!), that some tastings do overlap in time so it might not be possible to do all of them. All tastings will last for approximately 1 hour, except for the Springbank Warehouse Tastings on Thursday which will last for approximately 45 minutes.

Tickets for the Cadenhead Club Member Tasting and the Springbank Society Member will not be available on Eventbrite. How to acquire tickets for these events can be found later in this email. This also applies to any event that is only bookable on the day.

Tuesday 21st May 2019

5:30pm: Cadenhead Club Member Tasting – FOC

On Tuesday 21st May at 5:30pm, the Cadenhead Sales Team will be hosting an exclusive tasting for members of our Cadenhead Club. The tasting will take place in the Springbank Malt Barns and will be a blind tasting to choose a future release for Cadenhead Club members.

The Cadenhead Club Tasting will be free to attend but places are very limited so it’s advisable to book your place ASAP. Bookings can be made immediately, by emailing club@cadenhead.scot. Please note that we cannot allow any non-members into this tasting.

Wednesday 22nd May 2019

On Wednesday, festival staples return as we host the Springbank Society Tasting and our special dinner at Mitchell’s Glengyle Distillery.

11:30am: Springbank Society Member Tasting – FOC

On Wednesday 22nd May at 11:30am, the Springbank Sales Team will be hosting our annual exclusive tasting for members of the Springbank Society. The tasting will take place in the Springbank Malt Barns and will involve choosing the next Society bottling, due for release in Autumn.

The Springbank Society Tasting will be free to attend but places are very limited so it’s advisable to book your place ASAP. Bookings can be made immediately, by emailing society@springbank.scot. Please note that we cannot allow any non-members into this tasting.

7pm: Mitchell’s Glengyle Distillery Dinner – £250.00

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the first ever Open Day that J&A Mitchell & Co. Ltd hosted, we are taking our annual dinner back to where it all began. The exclusive Distillery Dinner will be taking place at Mitchell’s Glengyle Distillery, the location of our first Open Day back in 2009.

On arrival to Mitchell’s Glengyle Distillery, you will be greeted with a champagne reception which will also feature a range of locally sourced canapés.

Following this, you will sample a selection of whiskies, hand drawn from the cask by a member of our senior production team. All guests will then vote for their favourite and the most popular choice will be bottled for you to take home on the night.

You will then be led to your table to enjoy a four course meal with a specially selected wine to accompany each course.

To end your unique experience, each attendee will be presented with their own exclusive 70cl hand drawn bottle, chosen earlier in the evening.

Throughout the evening, staff from J. & A. Mitchell & Co. Ltd. will be present to chat to and share some drams with.

There will be a set menu so please advise us of any dietary requirements you have once you have booked. This can be done by emailing festival@springbank.scot.

The cost of the dinner is £250.00 per person. Tickets for this event will be available via Eventbrite from Wednesday 6th February at 2pm (UK Time). Please note this is one week earlier than all other tickets.

Thursday 23rd May 2019

Springbank Open Day

The Springbank Open Day will take place on the third day of the festival. The day will start at 10:30am when the sale of our special Open Day bottles will commence. In addition to the tastings mentioned below, there will also be free distillery tours, local craft and food stalls, exclusive bottlings, our famous warehouse whisky bar, live music and much more happening throughout the day. Events at Springbank will conclude around 9pm.

The tastings and masterclasses taking place during the Springbank Open Day (excluding events that are only bookable on the day) will be available to book on Eventbrite from Wednesday 13th February at 2pm (UK time) and details of each can be found below:

11:30am: The Hazelburn Breakfast Tasting – £30.00

What better way to kick off the Springbank Open Day than with our very own breakfast whisky! Join us as we explore the Hazelburn range and try some exclusive cask samples, including one of the first ever casks of Hazelburn laid down in 1997 (Breakfast not included!)

11:30am: The Art (and Science) of Maturation – £30.00

Join Director of Production Findlay and fellow Brewing and Distilling Graduate Lea as they unveil the art and science of whisky maturation at Springbank, accompanied by a range of whiskies and other wines and spirits.

12:30pm: Springbank Warehouse Tasting – £30.00

Sample a selection of the finest whiskies from Springbank, hand-drawn from the cask in one of our traditional warehouses by a senior member of the production team.

12:30pm: Malting Demonstration – FOC (ONLY BOOKABLE ON THE DAY)

Watch a member of our production team demonstrate our traditional malting process while enjoying a dram of one of our most popular whiskies. This free event serves as an excellent opportunity to learn about Springbank and maybe even try turning the barley yourself! Tickets are only available to book on the day so make sure you head straight for the ticket point (located in our main marquee) to book and collect your tickets.

1pm: Springbank Tasting – £30.00 (ONLY BOOKABLE ON THE DAY)

Only available to book on the day, you can join one of our Sales Team in enjoying a selection of drams from across the Springbank range, from our old favourites to the most recent releases. Whether new to Springbank or an old hand, this tasting has something for everyone. Tickets can be purchased from our ticket point (located in our main marquee) on the day. 

1:30pm: The Directors’ Cut (or The Good, The Bad and The Ugly) – The Sequel – £50.00

More cask samples, Springbank, Kilkerran and Cadenhead’s stories, general whisky chat and terrible jokes with Director of Production Findlay Ross, Springbank’s Director of Sales and Marketing Ranald Watson and Director of Sales for Cadenhead’s Mark Watt. If you were at last year’s tasting you’ll know what to expect (we’ll probably choose some new samples but no promises) and, if not, just remember that the whisky is the most important part of any tasting…

2:30pm: Springbank Warehouse Tasting – £30.00

Sample a selection of the finest whiskies from Springbank, hand-drawn from the cask in one of our traditional warehouses by a senior member of the production team.

2:30pm: Springbank Distillers Single Cask Tasting – £30.00

A selection of exclusive single cask bottlings which have been released around the world. An excellent chance to try rare whiskies from around the globe, all in one sitting.

2:45pm: Malting Demonstration – FOC (ONLY BOOKABLE ON THE DAY)

Watch a member of our production team demonstrate our traditional malting process while enjoying a dram of one of our most popular whiskies. This free event serves as an excellent opportunity to learn about Springbank and maybe even try turning the barley yourself! Tickets are only available to book on the day so make sure you head straight for the ticket point (located in our main marquee) to book and collect your tickets.

3:30pm: Springbank; New and Forthcoming Releases – £30.00

A chance to join us as we try some of the most recent limited releases from Springbank Distillers. The first part of 2019 has seen a number of new whiskies released and this is the ideal opportunity to try them in one sitting in the company of one our trusted Sales Team.  

4pm: Springbank Warehouse Tasting – £30.00

Sample a selection of the finest whiskies from Springbank, hand-drawn from the cask in one of our traditional warehouses by a senior member of the production team.

Please note: 

• The Malting Demonstrations will last for 30 minutes.
• The Springbank Warehouse Tastings will last for 45 minutes.
• All other tastings during the Springbank Open Day are scheduled for 1 hour.
• Some of the tastings will overlap so please be aware of this when making your selections.
• Tasting locations will be listed on Eventbrite, as well as in the timetable included in this announcement.
• Tickets for tastings that are only bookable on the day are not available on Eventbrite and must be purchased from our ticket point at Springbank Distillery on the morning of the Open Day.

Friday 24th May 2019

Cadenhead and Mitchell’s Glengyle Open Day

The final day of the Campbeltown Malts Festival 2019 will be dedicated to Mitchell’s Glengyle Distillery and Cadenhead’s Independent Bottler.

Our Friday events will take place at Mitchell’s Glengyle Distillery where there will be hourly free tours of the distillery, local craft and food stalls, live music, cocktail bar and the very popular Cadenhead Lucky Dip Bar. Please note: The Kilkerran Festival Bottle will be launched on this day.

The tastings and masterclasses for Friday 24th May can be found below:

10am: Cadenhead Warehouse Tasting – £35.00

Sample a selection of the finest Cadenhead whiskies with a member of the Cadenhead’s team. Each dram will be hand drawn from the cask inside one of the warehouses at Springbank, with some wonderful new casks being launched exclusively for the Open Day.  As usual, anything tasted in the warehouse will be available to purchase afterwards.

10:15am: Cadenhead Warehouse Tasting – £35.00

Sample a selection of the finest Cadenhead whiskies with a member of the Cadenhead’s team. Each dram will be hand drawn from the cask inside one of the warehouses at Springbank, with some wonderful new casks being launched exclusively for the Open Day.  As usual, anything tasted in the warehouse will be available to purchase afterwards.

10:30am: Cadenhead Alternative Tasting – £30.00

Throughout its history, Cadenhead’s have been about more than just excellent whisky. This is your chance to try some of our alternative spirits. The tasting will include a selection of Gin, Rum, Cognac and possibly some surprises and will be hosted by Cadenhead’s Director of Sales, Mark Watt.

11:30am: The Evolution of Kilkerran Tasting – £30.00

An opportunity to experience the evolution of Kilkerran. Be part of the journey, sampling some of the earliest Work in Progress bottlings, present day releases and a glimpse into the future with the headline Kilkerran event of the day.

12pm: The “Wee” Cadenhead Tasting – £30.00

An additional tasting added to this year’s festival, the ‘“Wee” tasting will showcase some of our hidden gems which have been bottled and are still available in the market.

1:30pm: Kilkerran Alternative Tasting – £30.00

We have teamed up with an experienced mixologist to showcase the alternative way to enjoy Kilkerran. During the tasting you will enjoy Kilkerran cocktails as a member of our Sales Team guides you through each of the whiskies used.

2:30pm: Cadenhead Masterclass – £30.00

The “Big” Cadenhead Tasting will feature Cadenhead’s Sales Team members, Jenna McIntosh, Cameron McGeachy and Director of Sales, Mark Watt.  In previous years there have been battles between the 3, showcasing their particular drams but this year they may unite to showcase what Cadenhead’s has to offer…or maybe the truce won’t last! Keeping with tradition, there will also be a cask rolled into the venue which will be part of the tasting and available for purchase at the end.

This year, we are looking for more crowd interaction so if you have any questions you wish to ask us for the event, there will be an opportunity to send them to us in the near future.  Keep a close eye on our various social media outlets for more details!

2:30pm: Kilkerran Warehouse Tasting – £30.00

Sample a wide variety of the rarest Kilkerran whiskies, hand-drawn from our finest casks which have been hidden away in the darkest recesses of Glengyle.

3:30pm: Cadenhead Warehouse Tasting – £35.00

Sample a selection of the finest Cadenhead whiskies with a member of the Cadenhead’s team. Each dram will be hand drawn from the cask inside one of the warehouses at Springbank, with some wonderful new casks being launched exclusively for the Open Day.  As usual, anything tasted in the warehouse will be available to purchase afterwards.

3:45pm: Cadenhead Warehouse Tasting – £35.00

Sample a selection of the finest Cadenhead whiskies with a member of the Cadenhead’s team. Each dram will be hand drawn from the cask inside one of the warehouses at Springbank, with some wonderful new casks being launched exclusively for the Open Day.  As usual, anything tasted in the warehouse will be available to purchase afterwards.

4pm: Kilkerran Warehouse Tasting – £30.00

Sample a wide variety of the rarest Kilkerran whiskies, hand-drawn from our finest casks which have been hidden away in the darkest recesses of Glengyle.

Please note: 

All tastings on Friday 24th May are scheduled for 1 hour.

• Some of the tastings will overlap so please be aware of this when making your selections.
• Tasting locations will be listed on Eventbrite, as well as in the timetable included in this announcement.

Additional events happening during the festival week: 

Monday 20th May

5:30pm: Davaar Island Dramble

Kate Watt, founder of Whisky Impressions is hosting two walking tours during our festival week. The first is a guided walk across to Davaar Island to see the famous Crucifixion Cave painting. A wee dram and some Scottish goodies will be provided when you get there. It can be fairly rocky underfoot to sensible footwear is recommended. Maximum 16 people.

Website: www.whiskyimpressions.com

Email: info@whiskyimpressions.com

Tuesday 21st May 

11am – 6pm: Beinn an Tuirc Distillers Open Day

Free distillery tours will be available, which will include tastings of the core range of gins, and other spirits produced in collaboration with others. There will also be food and a cocktail bar available. 

Website: www.kintyregin.com

Email: info@kintyregin.com

4pm: Liquid History Tour

The second of Kate’s tours is a Liquid History Tour. Go along and discover Campbeltown’s distilling past and present on this guided walking tour around the town. There will be pit stops at a local hostelry or two for some liquid refreshment along the way! 

Website: www.whiskyimpressions.com

Email: info@whiskyimpressions.com

8pm: Campbeltown Picture House presents the film ‘Scotch: A Golden Dram’

Storyline:

Shot entirely on location in Scotland, Scotch – The Golden Dram tells the story of Uisge beatha, Gaelic for “water of life.” Scotch is enjoyed in more than 200 countries, generating over $6 billion in exports each year. For more than a century, Scotch whisky has been the premier international spirit of choice. It is time to tell the story of “uisge” to the world. 

While capturing stunning Scottish landscapes, the real heart of the film is the characters – the fascinating men and women who make Scotch whisky. The film explores some of the biggest names in the industry, including Richard Paterson, a master blender whose nose was insured for $2.5 million, Glasstorm, a company specialising in hand-made bottles for rare whiskies that sell for over $10,000 each, and the Cinderella tale of Jim McEwan, the distiller and master blender, a 50 year plus industry veteran who takes on a dilapidated distillery on his home island of Islay in the Inner Hebrides and turns it into an award-winning blend. McEwan acts as the film’s ambassador, guiding us to discover the process and the people, who they are, their personal histories, how they came to immerse themselves in the art and science of making whisky, and their drive for perfection. 

Featuring: Jim McEwan, Richard Paterson, Dr Bill Lumsden, Ian MacMillan, Charles MacLean, Lynne McEwan. 

Website: www.campbeltownpicturehouse.co.uk

Wednesday 22nd May 

Glen Scotia Open Day

Events to be published by Glen Scotia in due course. 

More information on the festival and associated events will be released over the coming weeks and months. Less than four months to go!

For enquiries, please email festival@springbank.scot.

Please see a table of Springbank, Kilkerran and Cadenhead events below:

WOMEN’S WHISKY NIGHT

ELEMENTS OF ISLAY

Tuesday, 5th March, 2019
6:30PM

The first Women’s Whisky Night of 2019!

On March 5th we have some delightful drams from Elements of Islay to sample!

A unique range of single malts and blends from various Islay distilleries, each that embody a distinctive flavour profile from the distillery.

Do not miss this opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women in the industry from this amazing range.

Run by women. For women.

#womenswhiskynight
@womenswhiskynight

Book tickets here!

Milroy’s of Soho ~ 3 Greek Street ~ London, England ~ W1D 4NX ~ United Kingdom

Australian Whisky: Starward

Starward whiskey brings together Australian malted barley and Australian red wine barrels to create a distinctly Australian spirit. Starward’s distinctive whiskies are exclusively matured in Australian wine barrels in the variable Melbourne climate – which experiences “four seasons in one day” – to create a dynamic form of elemental maturation.

More Details & RSVP

WIN A VIP Trip To The Beautiful Isle Of Raasay Distillery

Isle of Raasay Distillery, the home of R&B Distillers, is perhaps the only distillery in Scotland that provides luxury accommodation within the same building as a working distillery. Designed by local architect Olli Blair and renowned Scottish designer Anne Hunter, the distillery offers six exclusive en-suite bedrooms well-appointed with luxury amenities and comfort with either double or queen size beds, and arguably the best view from any distillery in Scotland.

You could WIN a VIP trip there including including accommodation, breakfast, a distillery tour and whisky tasting.

Buy a bottle of The Tweeddale The Evolution to be in with a chance of winning this wonderful prize.

The Tweeddale The Evolution

The Evolution is the oldest expression from The Tweeddale to date. Inspired by Richard Day’s cellar book, The Evolution is a blend of classic Speyside single malts and a Lowland single grain. All the components of The Evolution have been aged for at least 28 years to create a complex expression that embodies the vision and craftsmanship of the venerable Borders blender.

Nose: Juicy black fruits, with cherries and plums, and just a touch of icing sugar.

Palate: Big and full with Christmas cake, blackcurrant and pear notes, with a sweet fruity quality reminiscent of mulled wine.

Finish: A definite American oak influence with a hint of creamy milk chocolate.

52% ABV

70cl

£175 – BUY NOW to be in with a chance of winning

Isle of Raasay Distillery, the home of R&B Distillers

Located between the ferry terminal and Inverarish, the main village on Raasay, the distillery is well placed for exploring the island’s breath-taking natural beauty and historic sites, including the iconic Dun Caan mountain, Brochel Castle and the enigmatic Calum’s Road.

Order a bottle of The Tweeddale The Evolution now for your chance to win:

• 1x overnight stay for up to 2 people at the Isle of Raasay Distillery in one of the luxury bedrooms
• breakfast served in the Gathering Room during your stay
• 1x distillery tour and whisky tasting for up to 2 people during your stay

Full details can be found here

Saturday, February 2nd, 2:30-5:30PM:

Paul John Indian Whisky

Take a sip of the soul of India! The Great Indian single malt whisky John Paul will be featured at this tasting, presented by whisky expert Koray Kaan Ozdemir. Distilled in the valley of Goa, India, John Paul whiskey is traditionally made in copper-pot sills without artificial colors, flavours, or chill-filtration.  Their whiskies have received multiple international awards, receiving Gold from both World Whisky and Wizards of Whisky Awards.

More Details & RSVP

Old & Rare Whisky – Where do I start?

Since its very beginnings, The Whisky Exchange has had a focus that sets us apart from other whisky shops: we love old and rare whisky. Co-founder Sukhinder started as a collector of old bottles and that grew into The Whisky Exchange – we’ll be celebrating our 20th year online later in 2019, and he’s been collecting even longer.

Why old and rare?

Whisky is far from static. Over the centuries of production, the spirit has changed hugely. From uisge-beatha, an unaged spirit infused with herbs – a proto-gin – it has gradually become the oak-matured whisky that we know and love today.

While we haven’t had a huge jump comparable to the ‘what happens if I put this in a cask?’ moment in recent times, whisky these days is not the same as that produced even as recently as the 1980s. Since the early 1980s, for example, regulations on sherry production have changed the way that sherry casks for whisky have been made; meaning that a sherry-matured whisky from that period might taste significantly different to one produced more recently. Step back further, to whisky distilled in the 1960s, and you can easily find large changes, especially in the types of casks used: bourbon casks revolutionised whisky making when they started appearing in the 1950s, imbuing whisky with new flavours which we now so often take for granted.

Learn more about sherry casks >

Some people like older whisky bottlings for collecting, but for us it’s all about taste. Seeing how the flavours created by the distillers, warehousemen and blenders have changed over the years. Old whiskies aren’t necessarily better, but they are different, and that difference is what we enjoy looking for.

First steps

One of the most common questions we’re asked is, ‘where do I start?’

With so many whiskies available, launching into the world of old and rare bottles can be daunting. But worry not – here are a few easy ways to start your journey.

Old Blends

One problem when first setting out to try older bottlings – especially single malts – is that they can be expensive. If you’re looking for a more reasonably priced place to start and develop your palate, then old blends are great.

The way that whisky has been blended has changed a lot over the years. Ratios of grain whisky to malt have shifted, with older blends often having much higher malt content than we find these days. 50% malt/grain recipes weren’t uncommon, compared to the 20% and lower malt whisky content that we usually find today.

The components of the blends were also quite different to today. Not only were the single malts not the same, with different yeasts, fermentation times and distillation techniques used, but the grain whisky has also changed. Changing tastes and new technology has led to a lighter style of whisky, both of grain whisky and modern blended whiskies.

Stepping back to the 1980s is enough to find whisky of a different style. If you find whiskies from the 1970s and earlier, with components often distilled in the 1960s and further back, things change even more. With just a few bottles you can start to unpick the recent history of whisky.

Buy old & rare blended whisky at The Whisky Exchange >

Whisky Clubs

Our next tip is sharing whisky. While that’s at the heart of all whisky for us, when it comes to old and rare whisky, especially more expensive bottles, it’s worth bringing together a like-minded group to share the costs and, more importantly, the experience. A whisky drunk with friends is almost always better than a whisky drunk alone.

Sharing the tasting experience is even more fun with old and rare whiskies than with modern bottlings. Comparing and contrasting your experience with others is better when the whiskies are unfamiliar, as old and rare drams almost certainly will be, at least to start with.

Outside of informal groups of friends, there are whisky clubs in most major cities around the world – a quick “whisky club” search should turn up at least one entry. And if not, why not start your own?

Bars and whisky shows

The single most useful thing for old and rare whisky fans is a place where they can try them without having to buy a full bottle. While many bars offer the chance to try recently bottled whiskies, there are far fewer that specialise in old and rare releases.

There are also a few whisky shows around the world that cater to an audience who want try interesting old whiskies, from Limburg’s Whisky Fair and the Whiskybase Gathering in Europe to an increasing number of shows in the far east. However, as you’d expect, we’d recommend heading to Glasgow at the end of February for our own event – The Whisky Show: Old & Rare.

In the end, the idea behind them all is the same: gather a selection of the top whisky shops and bars out there, as well as the world’s best-known collectors, hook them up with some whisky fans who want to buy their whisky to try by the dram, and let nature take its course.

Whisky Shows are almost always significantly cheaper than buying the same whiskies by the glass in a bar, with many also offering smaller sample sizes than you find in bars – a 1cl pour is standard at The Whisky Show: Old & Rare. You don’t need much of a whisky to be able to tease apart its character, and with 1cl pours you always have the chance to go back for more if you love a whisky. And one thing’s certain when you drinking old and rare whisky – you’ll find something you’ll love.

Originally published on The Whisky Exchange Blog – Old & Rare Whisky – Where do I start?