Spirit of Speyside organisers promise heady mix

THE trio of festivals that make up Spirit of Speyside will be the most heady mix yet, say organisers.

Last year the combined Spirit of Speyside whisky, gin, and food and drink celebrations welcomed several thousand local and international visitors to the region.

Flagship event the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival will feature more than 700 whisky-themed activities this year. The six-day programme will be announced next month, with events for the whisky novice, the budding master blender or those simply interested in learning more about Scotland’s national drink. The programme will include behind-the-scenes distillery tours, food pairing masterclasses and music.

Following a successful launch last year, the Spirit of Speyside Gin Experience will return to celebrate the growing number of local gin producers. Visitors can try new expressions, explore cocktails with top bartenders and enjoy a variety of street food. The inaugural gin festival last year saw events in local venues and at Gordon Castle Walled Garden, offering cocktails and paired canapés, classic G&Ts, distillery tours, tastings on the Strathspey Steam Train and afternoon teas.

The third event making up the sampling table, Spirit of Speyside: Distilled, brings together whisky distillers alongside award-winning brewers, gin crafters and food producers under one roof at Elgin Town Hall.

Lauren Mustard, events co-ordinator at The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, said: "Spirit of Speyside’s trio of drinks festivals will return this year in what will be our most significant celebrations yet, letting visitors experience first hand why Speyside is the global epicentre of distilling.

"The majority of Speyside’s tourists are drawn here by its whisky, but with the increase in gin production and Speyside’s larder becoming widely celebrated, our revered food and drink offering is becoming a major draw which is great to showcase and celebrate through our three festivals."

Launched in 1999, the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival has forged close links with many Speyside businesses and communities who help to fund it.

The Whisky Festival will take place in venues across the region from April 29-May 4, and tickets go on sale at noon on February 12.

The venue is yet to be announced for The Gin Experience, between July 10-12. Distilled will take place at Elgin Town Hall on August 28-29.

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