WORLD’S LARGEST WHISKY FESTIVAL UNVEILS DRAM-PACKED VIRTUAL PROGRAMME – Scotch Whisky News

WORLD’S LARGEST WHISKY FESTIVAL UNVEILS DRAM-PACKED VIRTUAL PROGRAMME

Tickets for what’s set to be one of the world’s biggest online celebrations of whisky are going on sale today (Thursday 18th March) at 10am (GMT). The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival which is enjoyed by whisky novices, budding master blenders and everyone in between is back this April with an extra special online programme of over 60 events using a world-leading, interactive platform.

Now in its 21st year, the festival provides the ultimate opportunity for people around the world to taste and learn about whiskies from the world-famous Speyside region. This year, for the first time, people are invited to take part from the comfort of their own homes. Festival goers will be able to speed network with other whisky lovers, get up close and personal with their favourite brands in the exhibition centre and catch up with friends old and new in the social lounge on the virtual platform.

Whether it’s having exclusive behind the scenes access to distilleries not usually open to the public, taking part in tastings with some of the best known whisky brands in the region, or getting the opportunity to chat all things Scotch with some of the biggest names in the industry, attendees will have plenty of online events to choose from during the four-day virtual festival (29 April – 2 May 2021).

Programme highlights include:

  • Would I Lie to You?: Hosted by Gordon & MacPhail’s Director of Prestige, Stephen Rankin, some of the industry’s top names, including Glen Grant’s Dennis Malcolm, Glenfarclas Distillery’s George Grant, Kirsten Grant Meikle of the William Grant family, The Balvenie’s Gemma Paterson and whisky writer Blair Bowman, battle it out to become the best storytellers in Speyside.
  • The Glenlivet Scotch Whisky School: A unique opportunity to meet Master Distiller Allan Winchester, get a whirlwind virtual tour of the distillery and complete The Glenlivet’s Whisky School in just one hour.
  • Benriach’s World of Flavour: For the first time live from Benriach’s brand new visitor centre which is opening soon, join Global Brand Ambassador Stewart Buchanan for a few drams and an engaging conversation, discovering all there is to know about Benriach’s world of flavour across its acclaimed new portfolio.
  • Musical Drams: Ann Miller, the Dram Queen, challenges special guests including world-renowned whisky writers and experts such as Charles MacLean, Dave Broom, Becky Paskin, and festival ambassadors to bring their chosen whisky to life by matching a dram from Speyside to a piece of music with the option to taste along at home.

James Campbell, Chairman at The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, said: 

“We were determined to capture the spirit of the world’s largest whisky festival and I think we have done just that. With over 60 events in conjunction with distilleries across the Speyside region, there is something for everyone to enjoy at this year’s virtual Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival.

“Although we can’t get together to celebrate in person this April, we’ve come up with as many opportunities as possible for people to get together to celebrate the fine spirits of Speyside using a new interactive online platform. There will be speed networking, an exhibition centre, social lounge and much more as we host the world’s largest online whisky festival.”

More information, including the full programme of events, can be viewed on the Spirit of Speyside website.

Tickets are on sale from 10am (GMT) on 18th March 2021 on the Spirit of Speyside website.

Notes:

About the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival

First launched in 1999, the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival’s annual celebration of Scotland’s national drink has developed into one of the largest events of its kind anywhere in the world. The Festival is a mecca for the curious beginner and the whisky connoisseur alike. Over the past 20 years, festival events have taken place throughout Speyside, the biggest whisky producing region in Scotland, located in the Moray area in the North-East of the county between Aberdeen and Inverness. This year is the first year that the festival has adopted an online format.

Over the years, the Festival has developed close links with many Speyside businesses and communities who help to fund the festival. It is a true team effort to deliver an ever-improving range of events and services to make the Festival a truly unforgettable experience.

The company is limited by guarantee, it runs the festival with a voluntary board of directors drawn from key areas of the whisky industry along with other local businesses and tourism organisations.

About the Virtual Festival

This event will be hosted on the Airmeet, an interactive virtual events platform that will bring the festival to life whilst everyone is at home.
The festival will have live events, recorded tours, a social lounge for meeting new friends and whisky lovers, speed networking, an exhibition centre and much more – making it the most interactive virtual whisky festival ever.

For further information please visit:

Website:  www.spiritofspeyside.com 
Facebook: WhiskyFestival
Instagram: spirit_speyside
Twitter:  spirit_speyside