Each year, the Festival strives to deliver one of the most inspired events programmes in Scotch Whisky. Six events made it into the shortlist for our Best New Event award - no mean feat!
John Boyle, our judge had the enviable task of attending all shortlisted events. What we don’t envy, however, was the decision of having to crown one the winner at the end of the Festival.
THE DRAM QUEEN WHAT IS SPEYSIDE? A REGION, A STYLE, A STORY ?
Explore Speyside in an interactive tasting and discussion with the Dram Queen, Ann Miller.
Speyside’s geographical boundaries are now officially recognised but there are many variations between drams. The regional style used to be, “fruity, floral, rich” but recently distillers have offered a more diverse range of flavours. Speyside’s identity draws on its history and sense of place.
In the comfort of Ann’s Dram Room in the heart of Speyside, you can explore the evolving nature of Speyside over a varied selection of interesting drams and enjoy Speyside one dram at a time.
ABERLOUR DISTILLERY PRESENTS: SENSATIONS
Join us as we explore the key components of Aberlour's flavour through unconventional pairings and disruptive cocktails.
This event is a first for Aberlour and will only be available at this year's Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival. Featuring some of our best loved whiskies from our Distillery Reserve Collection; whiskies you can only buy from Aberlour.
A sensational experience not to be missed!
MURRAY McDAVID - BUILD YOUR OWN WHISKY CASK WITH MURRAY McDAVID'S COOPER
Have a go at building your own whisky barrel with Jason Taylor, the cooper at Murray McDavid's Coleburn Distillery Whisky Warehouses. Casks are at the beating heart of what gives whisky its flavour and Coleburn Warehouse's very own experienced Cooper will guide you on how to make yours. At the end of your gallant efforts to construct your cask, you will toast your efforts with a few drams, and enjoy a good chat with Jason about the craft of cask-making.
SPEYBURN DISTILLERY: BEHIND THE SCENES TOUR & TASTING
Speyburn Distillery Behind the Scenes Tour: With Assistant Distillery Manager & Senior Brand Ambassador followed by a Speyburn masterclass and opportunity to sample our Exclusive Single Cask launching for Spirit of Speyside Festival 2023.
After 125 years, this will be the first time Speyburn will open its doors to the public, an opportunity to be one of the first people in the world to see what goes on behind the scenes at our distillery.
TAMDHU - MALT MASTER
Tamdhu Distillery is closed to the public all year round, except for three days during the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival. This year, we're debuting a unique 'Malt Master' experience which will allow our guests to marry five sherry-matured single cask whiskies together to create a unique, 1 of 1 Tamdhu bottling.
The experience will kick off with a behind the scenes distillery tour, where you will learn all about our dedication to award-winning Tamdhu Single Malt Scotch Whisky, exclusively matured in the finest Oloroso sherry seasoned European and American oak casks.
Following this there will be a Spanish-themed tapas lunch at 12.30 along with the opportunity to be among the first to sample our new SOSWF Distillery Exclusives - Dalbeallie VI and a special-edition, Single Cask surprise. Finally, the Malt Master workshop will be guided by none other than our Distillery Manager, Sandy McIntyre, and Global Brand Ambassador, Gordon Dundas.
GORDON & MACPHAIL: RELATIONSHIPS - G&M THE SHERRY BODEGAS
For over 125 years and through four generations of family ownership, we have maintained long-standing relationships with sherry producers in Spain where we source the finest quality casks to create single malt Scotch whisky of exceptional quality.
Gordon & MacPhail Whisky Advisor, Jack Dickinson, will pair his passion for Scotch Whisky and his years of experience in the wine trade for this tasting exploring sherry production, how our casks are made and the influence they have on our whiskies.
The tasting will bring together five sherry-matured single malts and two specially selected sherries.
