Spirit of Speyside announces second event

The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival is to host a second annual whisky event, set to take place in Elgin in September 2016.

The organisers of the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival has announced a second event, to be held from September 2016

Described by the organisers as a “brand new dramfest”, the new gathering aims to bring Speyside distillers together to celebrate the region’s malt whisky and extend the summer tourist season.

Set up to “complement” the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival held annually in May, the September event will feature local gins, craft beer and fine food produced in the region alongside single malts.

Tastings, cocktail making and master classes will all feature, with distilleries, businesses and event partners encouraged to develop “themes” to add to the visitor experience, the organisers said.

Plans for the second event were revealed at the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival AGM.

Festival chairman James Campbell said: “Our annual whisky festival has grown in size and stature to become one of the leading events of its kind in the world. We are now creating a brand new weekend event with the big difference that the distilleries will be together, under one roof, and that’s something that doesn’t normally happen on their home territory.

“We’ve chosen Elgin for the venue because it is central, with good transport links, and we’ll be encouraging businesses and other partners to get involved too. Further announcements on what people can expect from the new event, including its official title, will be made in the coming weeks and months.

“While the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival has an international audience, and overseas visitors may be among the contingent, we expect our September event to have a particular appeal to the home market, including people from the local area.

“We look forward to developing our plans and helping keep one of Scotland’s most famous whisky producing regions well and truly on the map, inspiring more visitors to develop their interest and knowledge of our national tipple.”

The new Spirit of Speyside event will take place from 9-11 September 2016 at Elgin Town Hall.

The 2016 Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival will be held from 28 April-2 May, with tickets on sale from January. Last year it attracted more than 26,000 visitors from 34 countries.