GLASSES ARE BEING raised for the return of Spirit of Speyside: Distilled – a celebration of the region’s favourite drams with a dash of food, gin and beer added for good measure.
The mini-festival, which brings together Speyside’s leading distillers under one roof and on their own doorstep, is being held for the second year running.
Speyside is the beating heart of Scotland’s whisky industry – it is home to more than half of the country’s distilleries and a host of internationally renowned brands. Many of those will be taking part at the event, which takes place on September 1 and 2 in Elgin Town Hall.
Visitors will have the chance to taste whisky from the distillers attending, but Spirit of Speyside: Distilled has much more to offer than malts. It will also feature local gin distillers, breweries and food producers.
The event reflects the broad range of food and drink on Speyside, and global companies will exhibit alongside small producers that are just starting out. There will be an opportunity for visitors to sample all that they have to offer.
In addition to visiting the dozens of exhibition stands, those who go along will have the opportunity to attend masterclasses on a wide range of topics related to Speyside whisky, gin, beer and food – some of which will feature exclusive and rare malts – led by industry experts.
Spirit of Speyside: Distilled is split into four separate sessions taking place from 1pm-5pm and from 6pm-10pm each day. Tickets for each session cost £20 – masterclasses are an additional £15 – and include vouchers for six 10ml tasting samples of whisky, gin, or a tasting measure of beer, a Glencairn crystal nosing and tasting glass and a lanyard.
Tokens, costing £1, will be available at the event and these can be used to taste an extensive range of additional samples. Tickets are on sale on the Spirit of Speyside: Distilled website.
Spirit of Speyside: Distilled is active on social media at facebook.com/distilledscot and on Twitter and Instagram @distilledscot