Spirit of Toronto returns on Saturday May 4!

You’d think it would get easier after twenty years.

Yet year in, year out, I legit am holding my breath as the website is updated and our masterclass schedule finally published, after what seems like an agonizing back-and-forth process of confirming presenters, details and, most importantly, the whiskies that will be poured.

By now brands who have already presented at Spirit of Toronto know to expect my call and my ‘pretty please’ as I come knocking – cap in hand – in search of shiny baubles to share with our esteemed guests: you beautiful people who consistently make the effort to join us for one evening once a year, many of you traveling from out of town. We wouldn’t be here without your support throughout the years, and as such it’s a privilege to search out the unicorns that put a smile on your face and give you something to remember us by…

Yes, the Website is Now Fully Updated!

Too long, didn’t read: yes, our website is now fully updated along with our masterclass schedule.

For our 20th anniversary it felt right to limit this year’s series to our first love – whisky, whiskey, uisge beatha – and even more so to have one of our own national treasures present this year’s headline tasting: Dr. Don Livermore who will be unveiling the J.P. Wiser’s Decades Series alongside the latest installment in the Lot 40 Exploration Series… and a one-off blend crafted in celebration of 20 years of Spirit of Toronto – bless!

Once again for 2024 we are running the first set of Early Admission masterclasses before the show, and a second set of masterclasses at 7:00pm. With a bit of planning that leaves ample time to perambulate the floor and visit with our exhibitors and, if you’re in the right place at the right time, taste one of this year’s Signature Selections.

Tickets on sale Tuesday April 2!

Tickets go on sale next week Tuesday April 2 at 10:00am through Roy Thomson Hall’s Box Office, and those subscribed to this list will get an automatic notification one hour beforehand.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.roythomsonhall.com or by telephone at 416-872-4255.

The Box Office is only open three hours before any given performance, so if your preference is to buy in person do call ahead to make sure staff is on hand to assist. It also bears noting that you will be receiving your tickets by email, so double check your spam folder in case your order goes missing.

See you on May 4!

Johanna Ngoh
Founder and Executive Producer

Elijah Craig Bourbon Celebrates the PGA Championship Returning to Louisville, Ky. with a Commemorative Bottle Release and On-Course Activations as the “Official Bourbon” of the 2024 Major Championship 

Fans will have the opportunity to toast the momentous occasion with a special-edition Elijah Craig Small Batch Kentucky Bourbon bottling available nationwide 

(MARCH 19, 2024) – Elijah Craig welcomes the 2024 PGA Championship back to Louisville, Ky. and Valhalla Golf Club after a decade away from the Bluegrass State. To celebrate the Major Championship’s return, Elijah Craig, the Official Bourbon Supplier, will activate the “Elijah Craig Bourbon Speakeasy” on the course for spectators to enjoy as well as release a special Commemorative Edition of its Elijah Craig Small Batch in honor of the 2024 PGA Championship.

As the Official Bourbon, Elijah Craig will activate onsite during the Championship at the 14^th hole of the course aptly named “On The Rocks,” from May 16-19, and during practice rounds. Larger in size and scale than any previous championship, spectators visiting the Speakeasy can taste the distinctive warm spice & smooth flavor of Elijah Craig Small Batch, enjoy hand-crafted signature cocktails, and engage in photo opportunities after signing their name on an interactive signature wall. Throughout the course spectators can also find Elijah Craig featured in a signature cocktail at concessions.  Offsite, area consumers will find displays and engagement opportunities at retail and bar locations promoting Elijah Craig’s exclusive sponsorship. Travelers visiting the Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience in Bardstown, Kentucky will enjoy special Elijah Craig golf cocktails and co-branded merchandise to welcome those from near and far.

A special-edition Commemorative Bottling of Elijah Craig Small Batch is now shipping to select retailers across the country to help fans mark the return of the Major Championship to Elijah Craig’s “backyard” where the brand is distilled, bottled and aged. The bottle will be adorned with a neck label featuring the PGA Championship’s Wanamaker Trophy, a gold coin emblazoned cork showing the 2024 PGA Championship logo and a face label prominently showcasing the “Official Bourbon” designation along with the PGA Championship logo. The barrels for this special release are uniquely pulled from Heaven Hill rickhouses P, 1G and A – to further the ties to Elijah Craig’s Official Bourbon partnership with the PGA Championship and the PGA of America. This one-time offering will become available nationally leading up to the Championship on an allocated basis with a SRP of $36.99.

Speaking about the partnership, Max Stefka, Group Product Director, Elijah Craig Bourbon, said: “The Elijah Craig team is honored to be the Official Bourbon of the PGA Championship at Valhalla. We’re thrilled to mark the occasion with a commemorative edition of Elijah Craig Small Batch and look forward to toasting the best players in the world during this incredible Major Championship just a few miles from where Elijah Craig is distilled and aged here in Kentucky.”

Elijah Craig will further support the partnership with the 2024 PGA Championship with an investment in out of home advertisement in the form of billboards across Louisville and Lexington, Ky. as well as featured ads prominently placed at the Muhammad Ali International Airport in Louisville. Viewers watching the Championship from home will see brand ads running on ESPN+ and CBS during coverage of the event along with digital advertising across social media channels.

”Celebrating the PGA Championship’s return to Louisville, KY, would not be complete without an iconic brand like Elijah Craig,” said Meghan Miller, Director of Corporate Partnerships, PGA of America: “The PGA of America is proud to partner with Elijah Craig as the Official Bourbon of the PGA Championship.”

Elijah Craig continues to leave its mark on the golf world, where it is also known as the Official Bourbon and Whiskey Supplier of the PGA of America, PGA Championship, KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, and an official partner of the PGA National Club Championship. Elijah Craig is also “The Official Bourbon” of PGA TOUR Professional Golfer Max Homa, sports broadcaster Amanda Balionis, and the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am Tournament.

About Elijah Craig Bourbon

Known as “The Father of Bourbon,” Elijah Craig is credited with being the first distiller to age his wares in charred oak barrels to make Bourbon. The clear, unaged corn whiskey became transformed into a bold amber liquid with a distinctively smooth flavor that makes Bourbon what it is today. Elijah Craig’s community impact continues through Elijah Craig Old Fashioned Week, providing total donations of up to $400,000 to date to organizations supporting the hospitality industry. Produced by Heaven Hill Distillery, the nation’s largest independent, family-owned and led distillery and the world’s second-largest holder of Kentucky Bourbon, the Elijah Craig lineup includes: Elijah Craig Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Elijah Craig Straight Rye Whiskey, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, and Elijah Craig 18-Year-Old Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Elijah Craig’s accolades have included Whisky Advocate’s Whisky of the Year, Best Small Batch Bourbon and Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, and World’s Best Small Batch Bourbon and Best Kentucky Small Batch Bourbon at Whisky Magazine’s 2023 World Whiskies Awards. For more information, please visit www.elijahcraig.com. Heaven Hill reminds you to “Think Wisely. Drink Wisely.”

About the PGA of America

The PGA of America is one of the world’s largest sports organizations, composed of more than 30,000 PGA of America Golf Professionals who love the game, are expert coaches, operators and business leaders, and work daily to drive interest, inclusion and participation in the sport. The PGA of America owns and operates numerous championships and events, including major championships for men, women, seniors and the Ryder Cup, one of the world’s foremost sporting events. For more information, visit PGA.com and follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

THE ENGLISH DISTILLERY SCOOPS WORLD’S BEST SINGLE MALT AWARD

–        Norfolk distillery beats off stiff competition from around the world, including Scotland’s finest, to win one of whisky’s ultimate accolades…

–        Just 17 years after laying down its first casks

–        £59 bottles are available now, but be quick they’re selling fast!

A pioneering English distillery that opened its doors just 17 years ago is celebrating winning one of global whisky’s ultimate accolades after scooping Best Single Malt at the annual World Whiskies Awards.

Norfolk-based The English Distillery became the first operational whisky distillery in more than 100 years when it opened for business in 2006.

Now it has claimed an even more impressive first by beating off stiff competition from some of the world’s oldest and rarest whiskies with a sherry cask matured single malt whisky that it launched less than six months ago to critical acclaim.

Bottled by hand at its Breckland-based distillery, The English Sherry Cask is an unpeated single malt whisky, which has been matured from start to finish in the finest PX sherry casks to create a stunning expression that it said had been “well worth the wait”.

The distillery learned of its world-winning success in front of the whisky industry’s finest at Merchant Taylors’ Hall in London on Wednesday evening (20th March) as awards organiser Whisky Magazine celebrated “the best people, places, and products in the whisky world”.

Founded by farmer James Nelstrop to fulfil a lifelong dream, the distillery – guided by the experience of legendary Master Distiller Ian Henderson – began to lay down whiskies in its dunnage warehouses, with the sole aim of making world class single malt whisky in England following a century’s absence of whisky making in the country.

Like all its whiskies, the winning whisky was made using barley grown locally and on the Nelstrop family farms. The entire distillation process of milling, mashing, distilling with a pair of traditional and beautiful copper stills, maturing in the finest oak casks and hand bottling, all take place at the distillery.

James’ son Andrew, who has led the 20-strong team at the picturesque distillery since his father’s death in 2014.

Andrew said: “We’re stunned. Whilst any whisky maker hopes to win an award, winning the big one is the realisation of my father’s sole goal of creating world class single malt whiskies in England, and sharing them with whisky lovers around the world.”

Father of two Andrew, whose wife Katy works alongside him as The English Distillery’s Marketing Director, added: “This is a super way to celebrate our 18th year of whisky distilling. It’s a testament to our distillers’ work and I know my father would have been hugely proud of this achievement, as are we.

“As the English Whisky category continues to grow with pace, this award is another milestone for whisky making in England, particularly when it’s judged against some of the finest single malt whiskies from around the world, including Scotland.”

The winning whisky boasts aromas of rich dark fruits from the sherry-filled casks, which combine in a nose of raw honey and vanilla, leading to a burst of sweet toffee, cherries and digestives on the palate. The result is a wonderfully balanced and rich whisky that is not outshone by the wood.

Bottled at 46% abv, non chill filtered and natural in colour, The English Sherry Cask is a no age statement whisky that is part of the distillery’s core range, which includes The English Original and The English Smokey (both RRP £47.50, 70cl bottle).

Stockist House of Malt describes the winning whisky as a “delightful newcomer to The English Distillery’s core range… with a luxuriously thick sherry character, brimming with flavours of crumbly biscuits, smooth vanilla caramel, simmered berries, and sun-dried figs”.

It is also available to purchase directly from the distillery’s online shop @ https://www.englishwhisky.co.uk/ and through leading global retailers including Bottle Apostle, The Spirt Specialist, and The Whisky World.

The English Distillery

The English Distillery is England’s oldest registered whisky distillery. Founded by the Nelstrop family in Norfolk in 2006, the distillery is still independent and creates multi-award-winning whisky from local barley.

The distillery has a unique place in history. In 1901 the last recorded whisky distillery in England swapped from whisky to gin production before being destroyed by fire. This saw the end of whisky distilleries in England until The English Whisky Co. Ltd was granted a license to distil whisky by HMRC. In 2006 it opened the first registered, operational whisky distillery in England for over 100 years.

Our founder James Nelstrop was the younger son of a Lincolnshire farmer. James spent his formative years farming in Lincolnshire before emigrating to Australia, where farms were bigger and opportunities were plentiful. James returned to England in 1976 and went to work the land in Norfolk, Suffolk and Lincolnshire. He also set up farming charities in Russia to improve the agricultural industry as the country emerged from 30 years of communist control before returning to Norfolk.

As James neared retirement, a lifetime’s dream to make whisky became a possibility. The dream had grown from a throwaway comment made by James’ father, who said it was a “shame all this barley has to go to Scotland to be turned into whisky.”

The decision to build the distillery in Norfolk was quick and with only one caveat: The distillery would produce only the very finest single malt whiskies, regardless of the time it took to get there. This mantra has become the foundation of everything that we do at The English Distillery.

The distillery is now led by James’ son Andrew, who continues to follow in his father’s footsteps.

Scottish stovies and strange sheep are announced as the winning entries for The Glencairn Glass crime short story competition

A sinister story involving a Scottish recipe for ‘stovies’ and a grisly tale about the strange sheep of Greshornish have been chosen as the winning and runner-up stories in The Glencairn Glass crime short story competition this year.

The world’s favourite whisky glass – the Glencairn Glass – produced by Scottish glassware company Glencairn Crystal, has announced the winning author as Philip Wilson, and the runner-up author as Elisabeth Ingram Wallace, in its annual Scottish themed crime fiction competition, now in its third year.

Having supported and celebrated Scottish crime writing talent with its ongoing sponsorship of the prestigious McIlvanney and Bloody Scotland Debut crime-writing literary awards since 2020, the Glencairn Glass launched its very own crime short story competition in 2021.

The competition is run in partnership with Scottish Field Magazine and the Bloody Scotland Crime Writing Festival. Both novice and experienced crime writers are invited to curate “a crime story set in Scotland” in no more than 2000 words.

Over 140 stories were entered into the 2023/24 competition and the winner and runner-up were selected by a panel of three judges including Callum McSorley, a Glasgow based writer whose debut novel Squeaky Clean won this year’s Bloody Scotland McIlvanney Prize for the Scottish Crime Book of the Year. He was joined by Kate Foster; the Edinburgh based national newspaper journalist and author, whose debut novel The Maiden won this year’s Bloody Scotland’s Debut Prize. The third judge was Glencairn Crystal’s marketing director and experienced crime writer Gordon Brown.

The judges have revealed the winner and runner-up as follows: 

Winner: A Recipe For Stovies by Philip Wilson

The gruesome confession of a food blogger who sought revenge on her violent husband after suffering years of domestic abuse.

Philip Wilson is a writer living in Glasgow. He divides his free time between trying to wrangle his rebellious dog and writing off-kilter short fiction. Time and imagination willing, he’s planning to set to work on a full-length novel soon.

Philip said: “I’m ecstatic and really honoured to be selected as this year’s winner of the Glencairn Glass Short Story Competition. I stumbled across the competition by sheer luck but knew immediately that I wanted to submit something. No matter what I write, an element of Scotland seems to worm its way into the material somehow, so a crime story set in Scotland was the ideal opportunity to be playful with it. I just hope my story doesn’t put anyone off of stovies. It’s usually quite a benign dish, cholesterol notwithstanding”. 

Runner-up:  The Strange Sheep of Greshornish by Elisabeth Ingram Wallace 

A sinister tale of a disillusioned tourist guide on the Isle of Skye who sends badly behaved tourists to suffer the same fate as the mad sheep in Greshornish.

Elisabeth Ingram Wallace lives in a Skoda in Scotland, usually somewhere in the Highlands. Her short stories have won prizes including The Mogford Short Story Prize, ‘Writing the Future’ and a Scottish Book Trust ‘New Writers Award.’ Recent work has featured in SmokeLong Quarterly, Atticus Review, Barrelhouse, Wigleaf, and anthologies including ‘FUEL – an anthology of Prize Winning Flash Fictions’.

Elisabeth said: “Thank you so much to the judges and to all at the Glencairn Glass, I am delighted to be the runner up in such a fantastic competition. It is a great challenge to write such a short Short Story; under 2000 words is my absolute favourite length, a test to write but long enough to go a little wild and include the odd zombie sheep. I wrote this story in a Bothy near Neist Point over Christmas, while it rained and rained and rained, and it was a real escape to go and commit a few imaginary murders in the sunshine”.

Competition judge, Callum McSorley, commented: “It was a real honour to read the brilliant work submitted, and certainly made for some lively discussion during the judging process. The winner’s clever story format made excellent use of the limited space to tell a story equal parts funny and sinister which pulled all the judges in immediately. The runner-up’s scuzzy subversion of an imagined, idyllic Scottish Highlands was similarly smart, comic, and dark.”

Kate Foster said: “It was a huge pleasure to read such a brilliant variety of crime stories, and to see the talent in Scottish writing. The judging process was great fun with lots of debate, but we were unanimous in our favourites. The winning entry stood out to me as it was funny, clever, and served up with a flourish. The runner-up was brilliantly written with a really quirky twist.”

Glencairn’s marketing director Gordon Brown said: “The quality of the short stories we receive every year is amazing and as both a crime writer and the Marketing Director of Glencairn Crystal I’m delighted that a competition based around Scotland and Crime Fiction can deliver such great works”.

The first prize of £1,000 goes to Philip Wilson and runner up Elisabeth Ingram Wallace receives £500. Both writers also receive a set of six bespoke engraved Glencairn Glasses. The winning story will be published in the May issue of Scottish Field Magazine (on shelf from 5th April) and the runner up story will then be published on Scottish Field Magazine’s website; www.scottishfield.co.uk. Both stories will also be available to read on the Glencairn Glass website: www.whiskyglass.com.

Last year’s short story competition was won by Frances Crawford from Glasgow, whose captivating tale The Dummy Railway told the story of a disturbing discovery through the eyes of a young Scottish girl.  All previous winners’ stories can be viewed at www.whiskyglass.com

For further information about this year’s McIlvanney and Bloody Scotland Debut crime-writing prizes, as well as the Bloody Scotland Crime Writing Festival taking place in Stirling, Scotland, from the 13^th to 15^th September, please visit www.bloodyscotland.com.

About Glencairn Crystal and the Glencairn Glass:

The award-winning Glencairn Crystal Studio has been at the cutting edge of high-quality decanter and glassware design, innovation, and creativity for four decades. Regarded internationally as one of the finest crystal decanter and glassware manufacturers, the family-run Scottish company has hand-crafted prestigious decanters often for the rarest and most luxurious spirits ever released.

The Glencairn Glass for whisky was officially launched in 2001. Glencairn Crystal currently sell millions of these glasses globally every year making it the world’s favourite whisky glass.

We’re extremely excited to bring you our latest Malt of the Moment, saving a massive £10 on this heavenly single cask exclusive of ours.

A customer favourite, we’re surprised to still have some stock in our warehouse, although availability has now become very low. We need to make some room for new casks coming in, so don’t hesitate in stocking up on this delightful single cask before it goes for good!

This award winning single cask has been bottled from an Oloroso sherry butt at natural cask strength (59.5% vol) with no chill-filtration and without any additional colouring.

Already offering superb value but now at only £59.95 for a sherry matured single cask, it really is outstanding.

EU and International customers can shop VAT free bringing this bottle down to under £50 ex vat.

Award Winning Single Cask (Whisky Magazine)

5 Star Customer Review Rating

Rated 87/100 – Whiskynotes.be

Whisky Base Average Rating: 86.20

Free UK Shipping on orders over £99

Fast EU & Worldwide, Tax Free Shopping

We offer excellent International shipping rates, add any items to your basket to see the fast and great valued shipping options available to your country. Head over to Abbey Whisky via the link below to read the verified customer reviews our this excellent single cask exclusive. As ever if you have any questions at all, please just get in touch.

Slàinte

SHOP NOW

At Whisky Magazine, we’re passionate about bringing you the finest whisky experiences. But we can’t do it alone. That’s why we’re reaching out to you today.

We want to hear directly from you,  about what you love most and what you’d like to see more of. Your feedback will shape the future of Whisky Magazine and help us tailor our content and offerings to suit your preferences perfectly.

By taking just a few moments to complete our survey, you’ll not only be helping us improve but also entering yourself for a chance to win a Glencairn Whisky Decanter Gift Set with Cut Glasses. The winner will be announced on Monday 25 March 2024. So be sure to complete the survey before then.

COMPLETE SURVEY

BC Distilled Returns April 10-14
Early bird tickets on sale now for the 9th annual artisan spirits festival

VANCOUVER, BC – BC Distilled, Canada’s premier artisan distillery event, returns April 10-14. This year, the festival will take place at a new venue, welcome the return of the popular Distillers Dinner at Forage, and offer guided whisky tastings, to deliver an exciting four days of events for artisan spirits fans.

Following the unexpected closure late last year of the festival’s long-time home, the Croatian Cultural Centre, BC Distilled is thrilled to announce its new location for the main consumer and trade tasting event: the Italian Cultural Centre. The festival will feature 30 distilleries, alongside several non-alcohol vendors, as well as the return of Legacy Liquor’s pop-up retail shop, on Saturday, April 13.

“Moving to a new venue has given us the opportunity to refresh the event,” says Alex Hamer, BC Distilled’s founder. “I’m especially looking forward to the addition of food options from the Centre, as well as having all of the participating vendors in one room.”

Mark your calendar:

Whisky Tastings & Book Launch: Wednesday, April 10 and Thursday, April 11
BC Distilled will host two whisky tastings at Taste of Legacy, led by renowned author and Canadian whisky expert Davin de Kergommeaux, who is launching the third edition of his acclaimed book, Canadian Whisky The Essential Portable Expert, 3rd Edition. Each ticket to the tasting includes a signed copy of the book. Tickets: $59.99 (inclusive of the book)

Distillers Dinner at Forage: Friday, April 12
The ever-popular Distillers Dinner at Forage is returning for its final edition at the beloved downtown restaurant. “With the scheduled closure of Forage in the fall, we’re very happy we can hold one last Distillers Dinner at this iconic local restaurant,” says Hamer. “Forage has always been such a committed supporter of BC’s food and beverage producers, so we see this as a perfect send-off.” Tickets: $139.99-169.99

BC Distilled Festival: Saturday, April 13
Tickets are on sale now from bcdistilled.ca/tickets, with a $10 Early Bird discount applied to the first 100 sold. Tickets for the Distillers Dinner at Forage and the whisky tastings are also available for purchase separately. Early Bird Tickets: $64.99

BC Distilled Festival
Saturday, April 13
1:30 to 4:00 pm – Trade and Media Tasting
6:00 to 9:00 pm – Public Tasting
Italian Cultural Centre, 3075 Slocan Street, Vancouver

Participating Distilleries & Exhibitors:

Alchemist Distiller
Ampersand Distilling Company
Antidote Distilling Co.
Bruinwood Estate Distillery Inc
Copperpenny Distilling Co.
DEVINE Distillery
Driftwood Spirits
Heritage Acres Distilling
Holocene Distilling Project
Macaloney Whisky
Mad Laboratory Distilling
Maple Leaf Spirits Inc.
Mixers and Elixirs
Monashee Spirits Distillery
New Wave Distilling

Odd Society Spirits
One Foot Crow Craft Distillery
Raincity Distillery
Resurrection Spirits
Salt Spring Shine Craft Distillery
Sharpe Distillery Inc.
Shelter Point Distillery
Shuswap Highland Stills Ltd.
Snowgoose Brewery Inc.
Sons of Vancouver Distillery
Stillhead Distillery
The Dubh Glas Distillery
The Woods Spirit Co.
Tofino Distillery
Tumbleweed Spirits
Wayward Distillery

Pacific Assistance Dogs Society

Partial proceeds from the festival will be donated to BC Distilled’s designated charity partner, Pacific Assistance Dogs Society (PADS), whose staff and four-legged friends will be in attendance at the show. As well as having the chance to interact with PADS’ dogs and puppies, festival-goers are encouraged to donate to PADS and enter the 50/50 draw. This year’s BC Distilled will also feature a silent auction generously supported by the exhibitors

About BC Distilled

BC Distilled began in 2014 as a consumer tasting festival for British Columbia’s many locally-produced spirits. Held every spring, BC Distilled hosts distilleries from across BC to present spirit samples to members of the public, trade, and media, with support from a team of volunteers, sponsors, and furry friends from Pacific Assistance Dogs Society. bcdistilled.ca

BC Distilled is grateful to be held on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded lands of the Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), Səl̓ílwətaʔ (Tsleil-Waututh), and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations.

NEW MAC-TALLA LIMITED EDITION

Introducing our newest Mac-Talla Limited Edition – Mac-Talla Oloroso. Peated whisky lovers, this one’s for you. This is a heavily peated whisky has spent its life in Oloroso Sherry Butts. With a big and bold nature you can expect robust peat smoke, baking spices and almonds. Available on shelves from the 21st March at select retailers.

Colour: Rich Amber

Nose: Peat smoke, phenols and spice

Palate: Warm spice, rich dark fruits & a big dollop of peat. Brown sugar and baking spices reminiscent of Christmas with a peat fire burning in the background.

FÈIS ÌLE 2024

Fèis Ìle 2024 is gearing up to be a fantastic week! We have lots of fun events planned from a Journey of Taste walk, a festival day full of games and drams to a cinema masterclass with head distiller at MSWD.

Mac-Talla – Journey of Taste Walk
Join us on a guided walk along Islay’s coast with 4 accompanying drams influenced by the Landscape. We’ll enjoy 4 distinctly different Islay Single Malts, while learning about how the location and landscape of the Island influences the whisky produced there.

Date: Monday 27th May 2024
Time: 14:00 – 16:30 approx.
Click here for a ticket.

*ticket price also includes branded hipflask.

Indie Whisky Festival

The Indie Whisky Festival is back this year with lots of exciting indie bottlers! Hosted by Dramfool it’s an event that’s not to be missed! We will be going along and showcasing our core range, alongside our more limited releases and of course our 2024 festival bottling.

Date: 28th May 2024
Time: Several sessions throughout the day
Location: Ramsay Hall, Port Ellen
Click here for a ticket

Mac-Talla Cinema Masterclass
Join Mac-Talla for an immersive journey of taste in the Machrie Cinema. Hosted by the man behind the liquid – Graeme Mackeddie, explore a selection of varied drams that showcase the diversity of the Island.

Date: 28th May 2024
Time: 14:00 – 16:00
Location: The Machrie Hotel
Click here for a ticket

Journey of Taste Whisky Dinner
Enjoy a welcome reception in the Machrie’s screening room, where Brand Ambassador Thomas Cuthbert will take you through the Mac-Talla range. Following the reception, we’ll enjoy a four course dinner, served alongside hand-picked whiskies, including a new, limited edition and Morrison Family cask sample whiskies.

Date: 28th May 2024
Time: 18:00 – 22:30
Location: The Machrie Hotel
Click here for a ticket

Journey of Taste Festival Day
We are delighted to host a tropical Journey of Taste Whisky Festival at the Machrie Luxury Golf Hotel Courtyard. You can expect a welcome dram in a complimentary branded glass, delicious BBQ, a dram token for an additional whisky  while you enjoy live music by the amazing Tàlan and fun lawn games to some prizes!

Date: 29th May 2024
Time: 16:00 – 19:00
Location: The Machrie Hotel
Click here for a ticket

Lochside Bar Takeover
Join us for one night only as we take over the Lochside side bar for cocktail imbibing in Caribbean style. Brand Ambassador, Thomas Cuthbert, will be flexing his mixology skills with a Caribbean-themed cocktail menu. Please note that the free tickets are for event awareness only. No tickets required for entry.

Date: 29th May 2024
Time: 16:00 – 23:00
Location: Lochside Hotel
See event here

Islay Sea Adventures with Mac-Talla
Islay Sea Adventures and Mac-Talla Islay Whisky have teamed up for a whisky and wildlife tour, taking in the Island’s stunning scenery, paired with delicious whisky! Mark, from the Mac-Talla team, will be on board to enlighten guests all about our award winning whisky.  You will have the opportunity to purchase Mac-Talla products on return to the harbour from a pop-up shop.

Date: 27th May 2024
Time: 14:00 – 16:00
Location: Islay Sea Adventures
Please call Islay Sea Adventure on 01496 300129 to book tickets