Women&Whisky
London’s first regular whisky event exclusively for women. Monthly tastings run by women, for women. Join us Tuesday 1st May at 6.30pm for an evening dedicated to women who whisky. Excpect some delicious drams on offer and some insightful information on the creation of the amber nectar.
Exclusive new whisky tour of Edinburgh launched
As plans for Edinburgh’s first single malt whisky distillery in 90 years and a £150 million pound immersive whisky visitor experience in the historic capital city are announced, award winning storytellers, Mercat Tours are encouraging locals and visitors alike to celebrate World Whisky Day (Saturday 19 May 2018) with their exclusive Edinburgh Tour and Whisky Experience (new for 2018).
Taking place at 4pm every Saturday (including World Whisky Day itself), a kilted Mercat tour guide will tell the true story of the city that founded the world’s largest Scottish whisky company and the people that helped whisky production. At the end of the tour, participants will retire to Megget’s cellar in Edinburgh’s historic Underground Vaults (which can only be accessed on a Mercat Tour) for a complimentary candlelit single malt whisky tasting from Scotland’s four whisky producing regions.
Explaining what people can experience on this new tour, Kat Brogan, Managing Director said:
“Walking around Edinburgh’s historic streets, we will begin by telling the story of how King James IV of Scotland and I of Britain, who has been referred to as the world’s first famous whisky drinker, granted a monopoly to Edinburgh for the manufacture of aqua vitae or whisky. He believed in the medicinal properties of whisky which was produced by the Guild of Surgeon Barbers; it’s just one of the transformations of whisky over the centuries.”
“We’ll also tell our guests about Edinburgh’s role in taking whisky to the rest of the world, how the 19th century changed whisky production in Scotland, and of the locals that embraced whisky, from George Ballantine on South Bridge to Andrew Usher Jr at Nicolson Street, the pioneers that created their own whiskies and exported worldwide.”
Indeed, this Mercat tour will cover everything anyone needs to know about the uisge beatha (the water of life) – from how whisky is made, to the effects that different elements such as water, barley, peat and the cask have on the production process. Participants can nose and taste their way through the whisky regions, with sample whiskies from Speyside, Highland, Islay and Lowland distilleries.
The tour costs £30 per person and is for adults aged 18+.
Also new for 2018, Mercat Tours has launched a Scottish Storytelling Supper which costs £60 per person, inclusive of all entertainment, 3 course Scottish meal and a dram of Scottish malt whisky.
For more information about Mercat Tours visit: www.mercattours.com
Notes
Mercat Tours is Edinburgh’s original five-star history and ghost tour company. Established over 30 years ago, the company’s accredited guides bring Edinburgh’s stories to life every day.
The company was first established in 1985 by history teacher, Des Brogan, and three other history teachers, when they identified there were no other existing walking tours of Edinburgh. They researched and created four walking tours, with two of them (Secrets of the Royal Mile and Ghosts & Ghouls) still running today.
Today, Mercat Tours is run by Des’ daughter, Kat Brogan, and now offers a wide range of tours to suit any budget, group size and interest.
Mercat Tours is the only Edinburgh tours company with access to The Blair Street Underground Vaults, which were filled with rubble in the early 19th century and were only rediscovered in the 1980s. Since then they’ve become known as one of Edinburgh’s most famous haunted sites and offer a fascinating insight into Edinburgh’s underground life.
Groups are limited to an absolute maximum of 30 people, with tours running every day and in all weather. With each tour leaving from the Mercat Cross on the Royal Mile in the heart of the city, visitors will find the city’s shops and restaurants within easy reach. Tours vary in length from 45 minutes to two hours, with specially tailored tours available for groups.
All tours leave from the Mercat Cross on the Royal Mile – next to St Giles Cathedral.
There are tours for every generation (from age 5 and up).
More information on the accessibility on Mercat Tours can be found in its Access Statement.
French, German, Italian and Spanish tours are also available for a limited number of tours. Written translations are also available in Russian and Mandarin.
Awards
VisitScotland Five Star rating – first achieved in 2007 and maintained ever since The Green Tourism Business Scheme – awarded gold every year since 2012 for the company’s commitment to the environment and economic sustainability.
Scottish Business in the Community – named SME of the Year in 2014 for the company’s commitment to improving Scots’ lives.
Scottish Thistle Award 2016 – recognised for Skills and Training Development, as a third of Mercat Tours team members have been with the company for over 10 years.
Photography
A range of images of Mercat Tours can be found in this Dropbox
Social Media Platforms
Mercat Tours can be found on the following platforms:
www.twitter.com/mercattoursltd
Resounding Success for WhiskyFest in Chicago and D.C.
This spring’s WhiskyFest events in Chicago and Washington, D.C. showcased the depth and breadth of the whisky world, offering whisky lovers the opportunity to taste hundreds of whiskies, rub shoulders with the leading distillers and blenders from Scotland, the U.S., and beyond, and create cherished memories. Each night was a memorable whirlwind of drams, with classic and new whiskies alike vying for attendees’ glasses.
Read all about the amazing events, and then secure your spot for WhiskyFest San Francisco—coming up on November 2nd—and WhiskyFest New York, happening December 4th. Early bird tickets are on sale now!
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!
Spring 2018: The Innovation Issue
Every issue of Whisky Advocate is committed to helping you grow your whisky appreciation and knowledge. Choose a print, digital, or gift subscription now.
Saturday, April 28th 12-3PM
JVS Imports
Come by our store for a Single Malt Scotch tasting, courtesy of JVS imports! JVS sells almost 1,000 products to California retailers from virtually every major alcoholic beverage category – including some of the rarest single malts we’ve ever featured in-store. From Japan to Islay and independent bottlers the world over, anything could be featured at this surprise single malt tasting! Whatever it will be, however, is sure to be delicious.
RSVP to be notified as the pourlist is revealed!
Ever wanted to know more about the most diverse spirit in the world?
The Whisky School is designed for anyone with an interest in whisky and wants to learn more in an informal but informative fashion. All in the atmospheric and grand setting of the Malmaison.
Find out how whisky is made and discover the different styles produced all over Scotland and the rest of the World. The history, regionality and provenance will be discussed as well as in-depth looks at wood maturation and the new-make spirit.
PLUS attendees will get the chance to blend their very own whisky, choose a brand name for it and take a miniature of it home with them!
After completing the course and successfully passing a final exam, the ‘candidate’ will receive a signed certificate and more importantly the confidence to speak the ‘language of whisky’.
A rough outline of the ‘syllabus’:
Introduction.
History overview. Look at whisky regions of Scotland and tasting.
Production:
Looking at what makes each single malt ‘tick’. All processes looked at with particular emphasis on maturation and wood management.
Blending Workshop:
History of blending, tasting and hands-on blending workshop World Whiskies:
History and production of world whiskies (Japanese, Taiwanese, Indian, American). Maturation/wood management.
Final Exam & ‘graduation dram’
The price includes:
All whiskies sampled (around 20-25)
All course material
2-course light lunch
A Glencairn Whisky Tasting Glass to take home with you A signed Whisky Lounge ‘Whisky School’ Certificate – for successful candidates!
June 23rd
The Whisky Lounge – Whisky School
Malmaison, Barbican, London
https://thewhiskylounge.com/event/whisky-school-london-23-june/
Whisky School – Newcastle
Ever wanted to know more about the most diverse spirit in the world?
The Whisky School is designed for anyone with an interest in whisky and wants to learn more in an informal but informative fashion. All in the atmospheric and grand setting of the Blackfriars.
Find out how whisky is made and discover the different styles produced all over Scotland and the rest of the World. The history, regionality and provenance will be discussed as well as in-depth looks at wood maturation and the new-make spirit.
PLUS attendees will get the chance to blend their very own whisky, choose a brand name for it and take a miniature of it home with them!
After completing the course and successfully passing a final exam, the ‘candidate’ will receive a signed certificate and more importantly the confidence to speak the ‘language of whisky’.
A rough outline of the ‘syllabus’:
Introduction.
History overview. Look at whisky regions of Scotland and tasting.
Production:
Looking at what makes each single malt ‘tick’. All processes looked at with particular emphasis on maturation and wood management.
Blending Workshop:
History of blending, tasting and hands-on blending workshop World Whiskies:
History and production of world whiskies (Japanese, Taiwanese, Indian, American). Maturation/wood management.
Final Exam & ‘graduation dram’
The price includes:
All whiskies sampled (around 20-25)
All course material
2-course light lunch
A Glencairn Whisky Tasting Glass to take home with you A signed Whisky Lounge ‘Whisky School’ Certificate – for successful candidates!
June 30th
The Whisky Lounge – Whisky School
Blackfriars, Newcastle
https://thewhiskylounge.com/event/whisky-school-newcastle-30-june-2-2/
Single Malt Scotch Tasting
Thursday, April 26th
4:30 OR 6:00 PM
Speyside Distillery
with Ed Kohl
Speyside Distillery (which is in Speyside, the region) was the ongoing dream of submarine captain, George Christie . Construction on the distillery was started in the 1960’s and was completed in 1987, with distillation beginning in 1990. Fermentations are long and distillation is slow, everything goes at its own pace at Speyside.
The distillery is now in the hands of The Harvey Family which have strong ties to the whisky industry (Lord Byron presented his friends with “Harvey’s Spey Whisky” upon his wedding in 1815, though obviously it was a different “Spey”). These days most of the whisky is destined for Asian markets, especially Taiwan, though Ed Kohl may have swayed them to work more with the States. He will show us the range personally, we will put the list of single malts and pricing out soon.
Joe Howell
FEDERAL WINE & SPIRITS
federalwine.com | 617.367.8605 | instagram.com/federalwineandspirits
Malt Messenger Bulletin – Scotch Malt Whisky Society Spring Cleaning Sale
Greetings from Frankfurt, where I am off to the Limburg Whisky Fair this afternoon. I am in the midst of a two week European wine and whisky tour, but have taken a break to highlight a special sale this weekend.
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society is having our biggest ever sale this coming weekend. Through Sunday a selection of 49 Scotch Malt Whisky Society whiskies are on sale, with discounts ranging between 10 and 25%. If you are in the Calgary area you can pop in to the store to sample some old favourites. Out of town customers are encouraged to browse online.
This is the biggest ever sale we have had in the 6 years the Scotch Malt Whisky Society has been in Canada. You do have to be a member to take advantage of it, but joining in the Society is easy, and comes with so many rewards. For more info on joining the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, click here!
Society Members got first notice of the deals, and a number of whiskies have already sold out. We started with 55 bargains, but 48 more remain!
There are lots of great up-coming Kensington Wine Market tastings. The full Spring Tasting Schedule is attached below.
I hope you enjoy this Malt Messenger Bulletin. Stay tuned for the next full Malt Messenger this coming week!
Sincerely
Andrew Ferguson
Kensington Wine Market
PS – Don’t forget you can follow me on Twitter:
@scotch_guy, Instagram: @thescotch_guy/
or @kwmwhisky and Facebook: facebook.com/scotch.guy.1
!!!Scotch Malt Whisky Society Spring Cleaning Sale!!!
A couple of notes, as I am travelling, you are best off contacting the store directly or in person to make a purchase. Further, even if the whisky is listed as out of stock on our website, there is a good chance it might still be available. We will try to update the website and remove sold out whiskies as the sale progresses. Whiskies indicated as pre-order, may still be available.
You need to be a member to buy SMWS whiskies, but if you are not a member, could there possibly be a better time to join? There are 49 single cask, cask strength, Scotch whiskies on sale for between 10 and 25% off. If you need more information about joining the Scotch MaltWhisky Society, please click here!
Here are the Scotch Malt Whisky Society Spring Cleaning Sale Deals. You can click on the links to view the products on our website as well as their tasting notes:
25% OFF:
Cask No. 36.97 GINGER PASSIONFRUIT TRIFLE
18 years old; refill barrel; flavour profile: Spicy & sweet
25% off of $184.99
Cask No. 36.101 DANGEROUSLY QUAFFABLE
18 years old; refill barrel; flavour profile: Sweet, fruity & mellow
25% off of $188.99
Cask No. 36.102 AFTER THE RAIN
12 years old; 1st fill barrel; flavour profile: Juicy, oak & vanilla
25% off of $145.99
Cask No. 44.71 INVIGORATING AND INSPIRING
11 years old; refill barrel; flavour profile: Spicy & sweet
25% off of $143.99
Cask No. 55.28 DAINTY, MEASURED AND DELICATE
14 years old; refill hogshead; flavour profile: Light & delicate
25% off of $157.99
Cask No. 55.38 FLAMING RED WINE PUNCH
15 years old; 2nd fill Sauternes hogshead; flavour profile: Spicy & sweet
25% off of $168.99
Cask No. 71.41 CURIOUS AND INTRIGUING
17 years old; refill sherry gorda; flavour profile: Deep, rich & dried fruits
25% off of $194.99
Cask No. 73.71 A SCENE FROM MADEIRA
14 years old; refill sherry butt; flavour profile: Spicy & sweet
25% off of $167.99
15% OFF:
Cask No. 5.53 EXOTIC FRUITS AND EASTERN SPICE
16 years old; 2nd fill Sauternes hogshead; flavour profile: Sweet, fruity & mellow
15% off of $173.99
Cask No. 7.157 CLEOPATRA MEETS ROBIN HOOD
12 years old; 1st fill barrel; flavour profile: Spicy & dry
15% off of $145.99
Cask No. 7.165 DANCE OF THE BUMBLEBEE
13 years old; 1st fill barrel; flavour profile: Juicy, oak & vanilla
15% off of $142.99
Cask No. 9.118 EXPANSIVE AND VOLUMINOUS
19 years old; refill hogshead; flavour profile: Spicy & sweet
15% off of $196.99
Cask No. 9.124 MADEIRA MARKET COFFEE BREAK
12 years old; refill hogshead; flavour profile: Spicy & dry
15% off of $131.99
8 years old; 1st fill Oloroso butt; flavour profile: Deep, rich & dried fruits
15% off of $119.99
Cask No. 30.93 TONKA BEAN CREME BRULEE
19 years old; refill sherry gorda; flavour profile: Deep, rich & dried fruits
15% off of $203.99
20 years old; 1st fill barrel; flavour profile: Light & delicate
15% off of $175.99
Cask No. 36.113 SAWMILL IN A SUMMER MEADOW
13 years old; 1st fill barrel; flavour profile: Spicy & sweet
15% off of $148.99
Cask No. 36.118 CAVORTING IN FLOWER MEADOWS
12 years old; 1st fill barrel; flavour profile: Sweet, fruity & mellow
15% off of $138.99
Cask No. 37.83 AN ODYSSEY OF FLAVOUR
12 years old; virgin oak hogshead; flavour profile: Juicy, oak & vanilla
15% off of $139.99
Cask No. 37.85 EASTERN PROMISE
14 years old; refill hogshead; flavour profile: Spicy & sweet
15% off of $149.99
Cask No. 37.87 PUFF PASTRY PLUM TARTS
13 years old; 1st fill charred ex-red wine hogshead; flavour profile: Spicy & sweet
15% off of $144.99
Cask No. 41.78 POKER NIGHT WHISKY
11 years old; 1st fill barrel; flavour profile: Young & spritely
15% off of $129.99
Cask No. 41.85 ADD A LITTLE SPICE
11 years old; virgin oak hogshead; flavour profile: Spicy & dry
15% off of $122.99
14 years old; virgin oak hogshead; flavour profile: Spicy & dry
15% off of $154.99
13 years old; refill sherry butt; flavour profile: Spicy & dry
15% off of $155.99
Cask No. 46.47 MEXICAN BREAKFAST
14 years old; 1st fill PX butt; flavour profile: Spicy & dry
15% off of $151.99
Cask No. 48.82 VIVACIOUS, ZESTY AND PENETRATING
12 years old; 1st fill barrel; flavour profile: Sweet, fruity & mellow
15% off of $131.99
Cask No. 48.83 AND THE LIVING’S EASY
13 years old; 1st fill barrel; flavour profile: Light & delicate
15% off of $149.99
Cask No. 48.84 SEIZE THE MOMENT
12 years old; 1st fill barrel; flavour profile: Juicy, oak & vanilla
15% off of $119.99
11 years old; 1st fill barrel; flavour profile: Sweet, fruity & mellow
15% off of $123.99
Cask No. 64.81 FLAMBE CREPE SUZETTE
13 years old; 1st fill barrel; flavour profile: Spicy & sweet
15% off of $139.99
Cask No. 64.84 SPRUCED-UP FRUIT SALAD
12 years old; 1st fill barrel; flavour profile: Juicy, oak & vanilla
15% off of $132.99
Cask No. 64.91 PORRIDGE OATS ON A TROPICAL BEACH
10 years old; 1st fill barrel; flavour profile: Juicy, oak & vanilla
15% off of $122.99
11 years old; refill hogshead; flavour profile: Peated
15% off of $121.99
Cask No. 85.42 PUT YOUR FEET UP
16 years old; refill sherry butt; flavour profile: Spicy & sweet
15% off of $169.99
Cask No. 121.81 INTENSE, LIVELY AND DELICIOUS
15 years old; refill hogshead; flavour profile: Spicy & sweet
15% off of $165.99
Cask No. 121.94 DRIED CHERRY LATTICE PIE
16 years old; refill hogshead; flavour profile: Spicy & dry
15% off of $141.99
Cask No. G6.5 CHOCOLATE COVERED JALAPENOS
35 years old; refill hogshead; flavour profile: Sweet, fruity & mellow
15% off of $249.99
10% OFF:
Cask No. 7.167 CHOCOLATE PRALINES IN AN OAK BOX
26 years old; 1st fill American oak PX hogshead; flavour profile: Spicy & sweet
10% off of $239.99
Cask No. 7.176 SILKY SMOOTH SENSATION
23 years old; refill hogshead; flavour profile: Juicy, oak & vanilla
10% off of $214.99
Cask No. 9.119 TASTY AND REWARDING
24 years old; 1st fill charred ex-red wine hogshead; flavour profile: Light & delicate
10% off of $236.99
Cask No. 10.117 SMOKY, SALTY, SWEET PORRIDGE (100ML SIZE)
9 years old; refill barrel; flavour profile: Peated
10% off of $32.99 – 100ml size bottle
Cask No. 35.157 REWARD FOR A BRASS BAND
14 years old; 1st fill barrel; flavour profile: Juicy, oak & vanilla
10% off of $154.99
Cask No. 37.89 A COZY SLIPPER SIPPER
17 years old; 1st fill French oak hogshead; flavour profile: Deep, rich & dried fruits
10% off of $181.99
Cask No. 41.95 JOUSTING WITH FLOWERS
11 years old; refill barrel; flavour profile: Juicy, oak & vanilla
10% off of $139.99
Cask No. 55.46 COMPLEX LAYERS OF FRUIT AND WOOD
16 years old; 1st fill French oak hogshead; flavour profile: Deep, rich & dried fruits
10% off of $169.99
Cask No. 70.20 SPICED SAINT TROPEZ TART
10 years old; refill barrel; flavour profile: Spicy & sweet
10% off of $129.99
Cask No. 73.84 TUG OF WAR IN A MEADOW
15 years old; refill sherry butt; flavour profile: Sweet, fruity & mellow
10% off of $146.99
Cask No. G9.3 FRUIT, SPICE AND ALL THINGS NICE
16 years old; refill barrel; flavour profile: Juicy, oak & vanilla
10% off of $141.99
KWM’s Spring 2018 Tasting Schedule
One of our most exciting schedules ever
There is a lot to be excited about in our Spring Tasting Schedule. Spaces are limited, so if there is something you are interested in, don’t wait too long to register… As always you can register in-store, by phone at 403-283-8000 or online: kensingtonwinemarket.com
Register in-store, by phone at 403-283-8000 or online: kensingtonwinemarket.com>
Thank You for Reading the Malt Messenger!
Contact & Disclaimers
If you have any whisky questions or comments concerning The Malt Messenger please contact me by e-mail, phone, or drop by the store.
All of the products mentioned in THE MALT MESSENGER can be purchased in store, over the phone or from our website at www.kensingtonwinemarket.com. All prices quoted in the Malt Messenger are subject to change and don’t include GST. In the case of discrepancies in pricing, the price in our in-store point of sale will be taken as correct.
Thanks for reading the Malt Messenger.
Slainte!
Andrew Ferguson
Owner & Scotchguy
Kensington Wine Market
403-283-8000
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
403-283-8000
Taiwanese Treasures with Kavalan master blender Ian Chang
TUESDAY 15 MAY 2018 7.30pm-9pm
Tickets on sale now
Kavalan is king when it comes to Taiwanese whisky, and the distillery is taking much more than Taiwan by storm – Kavalan made its way to the UK in 2012 and has been winning awards ever since. Combining a fruity house style with interesting casks, tropical maturation and a willingness to experiment, Kavalan’s whiskies are proving to be a global sensation.
World-class master blender Ian Chang will be flying over from Taiwan for our tasting, and will guide you through some of Kavalan’s top whiskies, including a brand-new exclusive Small Batch Peaty Cask. Ian will illuminate your senses with his expertise and after tasting this amazing line-up, you’ll quickly understand why Kavalan holds the crown.
Ian Chang is the master blender, global brand ambassador and head of research and development for Kavalan. According to Chang, it’s normal in Taiwan to be paid one salary for three jobs, but he doesn’t mind because his is the best in the world – he gets paid to drink whisky every day!
VENUE
SMITH & WOLLENSKY LONDON
THE ADELPHI BUILDING
1-11 JOHN ADAM STREET
COVENT GARDEN RIVERSIDE
WC2N 6HT LONDON
Love is in the air with speed dating at Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival
Heritage, travel, education, music, food and drink, socialising – whatever interests you might list on a dating site, you’ll find an event to match during the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, including speed dating.
It might not be about romance, but if you adore whisky, a one-to-one with some of Speyside’s most highly esteemed whisky experts could be just the ticket.
Speed Dating: Whisky Blethers is billed as the chance to spend an evening with key industry players and ask them all about the craft that they love and cherish. This is a chance to get up close and personal with the coppersmiths, coopers, stillmen, mashmen, warehousemen and managers that have created the whiskies of Rothes, in a festival first taking place at the distillery town’s Seafield Arms Hotel.
Whisky lovers will have the chance to spend up to 15 minutes with each expert, including Dennis Malcolm, master distiller at Glen Grant and a past winner of the Spirit of Speyside Award winner recognising 50 years’ service to the industry; Alasdair Anderson, current manager at Glenrothes Distillery in Rothes; Alexander Tweedie, who retired as technical support manager for Edrington but still hosts VIP tours at Glenrothes; Allan McDonald, now retired stillman and mashman at Glenrothes and Glen Grant; and Brian Webster, head cooper and Edrington’s Glenrothes cooperage.
While engaged in chat with the experts, a modern Rothes whisky flight featuring a dram of Glenrothes, Glen Grant, Speyburn and Glen Spey, will be served along with a buffet. What’s not to love?
Music and blindfolds will be among the tools used to take festival goers on a journey back in time to discover Speyside’s Lost Whisky Legends. The voyage will uncover the incredible story of the lost distilleries, like Speyside’s Towiemore which was built in 1897 in the parish of Botriphnie, just six miles from Dufftown.
This heritage session will lift the lid on the founder, a forgotten Speyside whisky baron called Peter Dawson, exploring his distilling roots, in a multi-sensory tasting experience with music, blindfolds and tastes from a hand-picked ‘chocolate box’ of Scotch to rediscover the pioneering 19th century era of whisky. Lost Whisky Legends Reborn is being hosted at The Drouthy Cobbler in Elgin on May 6.
In a centuries-old industry, it’s rare to get the chance to meet a distillery founder – but festival goers can do just that at Ballindalloch this year.
Share a drink with members of the Macpherson-Grant family and learn about their venture into traditional whisky making. In 2012, the family began the process of converting an old farm steading on their Estate into a distillery. Spirit ran for the first time in September 2014 and they will share their story during the Founders’ Tour on May 3 at Speyside’s newest distillery.
With distillery host Brian Robinson, guests will see what it means to make whisky without the use of automation in a detailed but relaxed look into the distillery, learning about its whisky making process and finding out why it was awarded Icons of Whisky Craft Producer of the Year 2016 and 2018.
What does a whisky tasting in Dufftown have in common with Star Wars? Think Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi, and whether an apprentice can surpass the teacher. In this this case, The Whisky Shop Dufftown’s ‘Lady of Drams’ Vicky Keough takes on shop owner Mike Lord, newly appointed Keeper of the Quaich, in a head-to-head whisky tasting. This will be done in front of an audience at St James’ Hall in Dufftown, who are sure to pick up a few good tips and pointers about the drams they will be sampling, before they decide which one is master or mistress of whisky tasting.
There’s nothing unusual about ceilidhs taking place during the festival weekend but the venue for one – on board a train – is a little out of the ordinary. Speyside has its own whisky line, on which a heritage railway links Dufftown and Keith, and the operators are planning a hooley when passengers will enjoy the sounds of lively local ceilidh band Footerin Aboot, along with a dram and shortbread or whisky cake while passing by some great Speyside scenery. The first Ceilidh On A Train return trip departing from Dufftown has completely sold out but there are still some tickets for the final journey on the afternoon of Saturday, May 5.
James Campbell, chairman of Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, says: “This really is the year to make a date with our festival as we’ve got so many unique events in our programme. Hats off to the whisky lovers who came up with a novel take on speed dating, the chance to meet whisky experts and discuss a shared love, over a dram or two of course.
“While some events have already sold out, there is still time to get tickets for others, and the variety and the character of the offering is as diverse as the many different whiskies that are produced in the region’s 50 plus distilleries.”
Tickets are still available for events in this year’s festival, which runs from May 3 to 7. There’s everything from behind-the-scenes tours at internationally renowned distilleries not usually open to the public, whisky tasting masterclasses, whisky and food pairings complemented by outdoor activities and heritage events, meaning the festival offers something for die-hard whisky fans to those who have never tried it before.
For further information and tickets visit www.spiritofspeyside.com. The Festival is also active on social media: facebook.com/WhiskyFestival and @spirit_speyside on Twitter and Instagram. Use the hashtag #dram18
Photographs: Love whisky? Don’t leave it too late – get your skates on and head for the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival.
