Whisky festival

[Paulm]

Hi all,

Tickets purchased to my first whisky festival. Kicks off around 5.45pm and finishes around 9.30. So apart from the obvious 'take your time and savour don't neck it' what can I expect,? What tips would you give a first timer?

Many thanks

[James T]

If you can get hold of a list of what will be available to drink on the day of the festival it is a good idea to have a rough plan of what you will want to taste on the day so you don't miss anything you may have fancied tasting.

[BigShing]

Are you an experienced whisky drinker? If you are then as James says you will want to try and get hold of a list beforehand if one is published (often they aren't), or what you shoudl do when you get into the festival is have a walk around looking at the different stalls, making a note of what you wanna drink because trust me, that 4hrs will go by fast and it pays to target the whiskies you really wanna try and get them out the way.

Same thing with Dream Dram tokens, I assume you're given at least one token at the festival you are going to, so have a look at what fancy whiskies have been held aside for Dream Dram tokens and choose whatever appeals most to you. Always remember to use your dream dram token within say the first 2hrs of the festival, because some stalls do burn through their bottles by the final hour of the festival. I go to the Whisky Birmingham festival in March and they always seem to run out of their dream dram whiskies by the final hour.

Another good tip: Stalls get crowded and you might find yourself standing waiting ages for a pourer to finish talking with a group of eager whisky fans who are asking them questions, whilst requesting pours from the various bottles. If you end up in that situation, just pay attention to what the stall assistant is pouring, and if it's a whisky you fancy and you're within reach of the table, shove your hand out while he is pouring, that way he can continue to give his presentation to the other group and make sour you get your pour at the same time. Don't hang back expecting to eventually get to you. Your time at these things is valuable, shove that glass out, get yer dram, and move on if the stall is too busy - You can always come back later when it's quieter! :D

Also bear in mind when the last pour is. Often it's at least 30mins before the end of the festival. Also remember to take home your glass if it is included in the ticket price! Chances are they'll give you a Copita Tasting Glass or a Glencairn, which are the best glasses you can get for drinking whisky anyway!

[Paulm]

Thanks chaps

[Paulm]

So much choice, I could be trollied after the first couple of stands 😂 Roll on Saturday

Paul John (India), Kilkerran (Scotland), Lakes Distillery (England), Cotswolds Distillery (England), Hatozaki (Japan), Hinch (N. Ireland), Mossburn (Scotland), Arran (Scotland), Mackmyra (Sweden), Forest Distillery (England), Buffalo Trace (USA), Eagle Rare (USA),1792 (USA), Stagg Jr (USA), Kaiyo (Japan),Van Brunt (USA), Benromach (Scotland),Kilchoman (Scotland), Amrut (India),Nikka (Japan), Port Askaig (Scotland), Kavalan (Taiwan), Michter’s (USA), Glenfiddich (Scotland),The Balvenie (Scotland), That Boutique-Y Whisky Company (Independent Bottler), Douglas Laing & Co. (Scotland), Nomad (Outland), Jefferson’s (USA), Rebel Yell (USA), Evan Williams (USA), Rittenhouse (USA), Elijah Craig (USA), Mellow Corn (USA), The Dalmore (Scotland), Fettercairn (Scotland), Jura (Scotland), The Whisky Works (Scotland), Tomati (Scotland), GlenDronach (Scotland), BenRiach (Scotland), Glenglassaugh (Scotland), Laphroaig (Scotland), Bowmore (Scotland), Macallan (Scotland), Suntory (Japan), Highland Park (Scotland), Maker’s Mark (USA), Whistlepig (USA), Starward (Australia), Cu Bocan (Scotland), Loch Lomond (Scotland), Glen Scotia (Scotland), Uncle Nearest (USA), Bunnahabhain (Scotland), Deanston (Scotland), Ledaig (Scotland), GlenAllachie (Scotland), Balblair Distillery (Scotland), Old Pulteney (Scotland), Compassbox (Scotland), Mars (Japan), Moncreiffe (Scotland), Old Forester (USA).

[BigShing]

I completely forgot about this thread, how did the whisky festival go in the end? Looks like a pretty impressive lineup!