It may be Best New Event, but it was an old favourite that nabbed the prize…
We’re thrilled to reveal that Drams from the Archives at Dallas Dhu Distillery has been crowned Best New Event at the 2025 Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival!
This standout experience marked a truly special moment for whisky fans: the long-awaited return of the historic Dallas Dhu Distillery. Closed to the public for years, the site threw open its doors once more—and what a welcome it gave. Guests were treated to a behind-the-scenes tour of the beautifully preserved Victorian distillery, followed by an intimate tasting of five rare Dallas Dhu expressions, all distilled in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Guided by Dean Jode, Head of Whisky Creation at Murray McDavid, festival-goers explored the mash house, tun room and still house, soaking up stories of Speyside’s whisky past. From clambering through original distillery equipment to sipping a 1982 10 Year Old in the atmospheric barley loft, this was an experience steeped in history, heart, and world-class whisky.
This year’s judge, whisky writer and Whisky Advocate contributor Jonny McCormick, called it an “exemplary event,” praising the way it welcomed visitors from around the globe and brought a long-closed distillery vividly back to life. “The competition was incredibly high,” he said, “but Dallas Dhu stood out. This award recognises the welcome return of the distillery and the impact it will have on the festival, the local community, and the wider whisky world.”
This award recognises the welcome return of Dallas Dhu Distillery and the impact the project will make to the Spirit of Speyside Festival, the local community, and the wider whisky world, both in 2025 and the years ahead.
The event was part of the Dallas Dhu Open Day, which drew in crowds of locals, whisky lovers, and curious first-timers. A surprise appearance from Edward Odim, Managing Director of Aceo Ltd—the company restoring Dallas Dhu—added an extra special touch, as he joined the final dram and shared insights into the future of the site.
In a shortlist packed with unforgettable experiences—from Glenfiddich’s Milestones Tour with Archivist Andy Fairgrieve, to the final public visit to Aberlour Distillery before its transformation; from rolling up your sleeves at the Caledonian Cooper’s Whisky Barrel Build Experience, to spirited debate and a live podcast recording at A Clash of the Stills; and from fine dining at Linn House to rare archive tastings at Dallas Dhu—Drams from the Archives struck a chord. It reminded us that sometimes, the most exciting new stories are the ones that begin with a legendary chapter from the past.
Here’s to the return of a Speyside icon. And here’s to many more chapters still to come.
