Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival 2022

Here are our events during Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival 2022 and the links to buy tickets:

FRIDAY, 29 APRIL 2022 14:00-15:15 - Whisky Tasting: Isle of Arran Distillers tasting with Mariella Romano - This masterclass style whisky tasting is hosted by Mariella Romano, Global Brand Ambassador & Brand Manager for Isle of Arran Distillers. The Isle of Arran Distillery opened in the village of Lochranza in 1995 and in 2019 the Isle of Arran Distillers opened their doors to a sister distillery, Lagg Distillery, on the southern tip of the island.  During the tasting you will get the opportunity to try fabulous samples from both their distilleries and find out about Isle of Arran Distillers.  Mariella says, “First time ever attending the Spirit of Speyside festival and can’t wait to bring along the delicious drams that the beautiful Isle of Arran has to offer!”.  To get tickets click here.

FRIDAY, 29 APRIL 2022 17:00-18:15 - Whisky Tasting: Douglas Laing with Callum Neilly - This masterclass style whisky tasting is hosted by Callum Neilly, UK Business Development Executive for Douglas Laing.  Glasgow-based Douglas Laing & Co is an independent bottler and blender headed by Fred Laing. Those at Douglas Laing regard themselves very much as a company of sensitive souls - artisans, if you like - steadfastly creating a quality selection of the finest Scotch whisky. Their care and devotion has earned themselves an enviable reputation at home and abroad for style and taste.  During the tasting you will get the opportunity to try some of the whiskies from this independent bottler so expect whiskies from a wide range of different distilleries.  To get tickets click here.

SATURDAY, 30 APRIL 2022 FROM 14:00-15:15 - Whisky Tasting: A Very Serious Examination of Whisky with Vicky & Mike from The Whisky Shop Dufftown - This masterclass style whisky tasting is hosted by Vicky Keough and Mike Lord from The Whisky Shop Dufftown. During the tasting Vicky and Mike will show you a selection of whiskies that have grabbed their attention and hopefully bring a fun and informative side to tasting whisky. There may also be a mention of the importance of Dufftown in the world of single malt whisky.  Vicky says, “You may well be surprised”.  To get tickets click here.

SATURDAY, 30 APRIL 2022 FROM 17:00-18:15 - Whisky Tasting: "Glenfiddich - the ones you think you know, but don’t" with Mark Thomson - This masterclass style whisky tasting is hosted by Mark Thomson, Ambassador to Scotland for Glenfiddich.   Little could William Grant, the founder of The Glenfiddich Distillery, have known as he watched the first pure spirit flow from his second-hand copper stills on Christmas Day 1887, that Glenfiddich would still be owned and run by his family over five generations later.  Glenfiddich’s range of single malts have become the most awarded whiskies in the world, a true reflection of the passion, integrity and pioneering spirit passed down through all five generations of William’s family. Still making whisky their own way.  During the tasting Mark will give you the opportunity to try some great expressions from the Glenfiddich range plus some very special drams not usually available. The one thing they all have is a great story for Mark to tell.  He says, “I’m looking forward to handing out the more unusual drams from our very well-known distillery”.  To get tickets click here.

SUNDAY, 1 MAY 2022 FROM 14:00-15:15 - Whisky Tasting: Benriach's World of Flavour with Stewart Buchanan - This masterclass style whisky tasting is hosted by Stewart Buchanan, Global Brand Ambassador for Benriach.  During the tasting you will get the opportunity to explore the rainbow of flavours created at The Benriach Distillery from signature smooth to smoky expressions and their use of casks from around the world. There will be an opportunity to try some of the styles of liquid that were first filled into the casks. Stewart says, “You will taste across the range of BENRIACH expressions as well as showcasing the cask inclusions and flavour development across the range, sampling the original style of the cask: Oloroso and PX sherry, Port, Marsala, Rum, Bourbon and an example of Virgin oak”.  Should be fascinating for the mind and the palate.  To get tickets click here.

SUNDAY, 1 MAY 2022 FROM 17:00-18:15 - Whisky Tasting: Berry Bros & Rudd with Andy Stewart - This masterclass style whisky tasting is hosted by Andy Stewart, Business Development Manager (Scotland) for BB&R.  With two Royal Warrants and more than 300 years of history, Berry Bros. & Rudd is Britain’s original wine and spirits merchant and probably Scotland's oldest independent bottler of single malts. Founded in 1698, the cellars of Berry Bros. & Rudd have been, for centuries, a temporary resting place not only for the very finest wines but also for some quite exquisite spirits.  During the tasting you will get the opportunity to try some whiskies from the latest releases from this independent bottler so expect whiskies from a wide range of different distilleries.  To get tickets click here.

MONDAY, 2 MAY 2022 FROM 14:00-15:15 - Whisky Tasting: Two Sides of Speyside (John Dewar & Sons) with Matthew Cordiner and Gary Ross - Join Global Brand Ambassador Matthew Cordiner and Distillery Ambassador Gary Ross for a ‘Two Sides of Speyside’ tasting, featuring some very tasty drams from John Dewar & Son’s two Speyside distilleries; Aultmore & Craigellachie. This tasting will show you two very different sides to Speyside whiskies with Aultmore considered by many as a perfect example of the Speyside ‘style’; light, floral and fragrant. Craigellachie, on the other hand, does not conform; powerful, muscular, and robust, thanks to its use of worm tubs and other old-fashioned techniques. As well as a deep dive into the history of these two distilleries, the session will also be paying tribute to unsung whisky hero Alexander Edward, founder of both distilleries. It’s sure to be a great event.  To get tickets click here.

MONDAY, 2 MAY 2022 FROM 17:00-18:15 - Whisky Tasting: The Campbeltown Whisky Company with Mark Watt - This masterclass style whisky tasting is hosted by Mark Watt, co-owner of the Campbeltown Whisky Company. Watt Whisky is owned and run by Kate and Mark Watt. Founded in December 2019, they have gained a reputation for bottling excellent casks. That's probably not surprising as between them they have over 40 years experience in the industry. Their ethos is it is all about the taste.  During the tasting you will get the opportunity to try some of the whiskies from this independent bottler's Watt Whisky range so expect whiskies from a wide range of different distilleries.  Mark says, “Great to be coming home to Speyside for the festival.  My first ever tasting was in The Whisky Shop Dufftown so it is a great pleasure to come full circle and return with our own Watt Whiskies”.  To get tickets click here.