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Top 10
What’s on in April
From whisky festivals and trade shows to disco nights, April is packed with a range of spirits-themed events – check out our round-up below.
This month’s ‘What’s on’ guide delivers an array of festivities for dram fans, gin lovers and Cognac drinkers around the world.
Put your feet up while immersing yourself in a Bridgerton cinema experience with a gin in hand, or explore a range of whiskies at UK festivals in Leeds and Speyside.
Cognac and Julep cocktails also gain their much-deserved chance in the spotlight this April, with masterclasses available for both drinks.
Keep scrolling for our top events taking place in the spirits world this month, and fill up the calendar for April.
Warner’s Gin X Bridgerton
What: Warner’s Gin cocktails at a Bridgerton cinema experience
Where: Wembley, London
When: Until 24 April
As the official gin for the immersive Secret Cinema X Bridgerton collaboration, Warner’s will fit into the ballroom-style aesthetic for avid fans watching the period series on the big screen.
The brand will be serving up cocktails including Elderflower, Cucumber & Mint Collins, Rhubarb and Peach Negroni, Ginger Bee’s Knees and Strawberry & Chamomile French 75. An alcohol-free Pink Berry Fizz is also available to try.
Tickets cost £49 (US$64.13), and can be purchased from secretbridgertonball.com.
Swift Shoreditch’s Disco Drinks
What: Exclusive cocktails and spinning decks
Where: Shoreditch, London
When: 8 April
Swift is launching a disco night every Thursday and Friday for the foreseeable future, kicking off this Friday (8 April), with an event hosted by DJ Vivien Solak and featuring special guests.
From 8pm-12am (BST), Swift will offer exclusive cocktails and all the tunes to get you dancing.
The Disco Drinks menu presents £9 (US$11.78) cocktails, or a bargain of three drinks for £20 (US$26.18).
Leeds Whisky Festival
What: Whisky-themed festivities
Where: Leeds, UK
When: 9 April
Offering talks, masterclasses and tastings, the Leeds Whisky Festival is sponsored by well-known brands including Japanese whisky Nikka, Woodford Reserve Bourbon, and Three Cents mixers.
A ticket guarantees a guest access to more than 100 different whiskies on display, as well as a branded tasting glass and guide. It will take place at Leeds Corn Exchange.
Summit of the Americas
What: Trade show for the travel retail sector
Where: Palm Beach Convention Centre, Florida
When: 10-13 April
This year’s Summit of Americas is the first physical show of its kind since before the pandemic. Organised by the International Association of Airport and Duty Free Stores (IAADFS), the 2022 iteration is said to be placing a lot of focus on content and networking opportunities, with a scaled back exhibit space.
Plus, there will be plenty of products for spirits fans to sample – the category will be represented by companies such as Brown‐Forman, Diageo, Flor de Caña rum and Pernod Ricard.
Jack Daniels’ Live at Last tour
What: Celebrating the return of live music
Where: Various locations across Australia
When: 12, 21, 24, 28 April
American whiskey brand Jack Daniel’s has collaborated with music company Secret Sounds to raise money for Support Act, a charity delivering crisis relief services to music workers across genres due to Covid-19.
The tour involves rock band Pond, playing at Solbar on the Sunshine Coast on 12 April; Psychedelic Porn Crumpets, performing at Factory Theatre in Sydney on 21 April; San Cisco (pictured), a pop band taking to the stage at Fortitude Music Hall in Brisbane on 24 April; and Ruby Fields, a solo artist playing at The Espy in Melbourne on 28 April.
Tickets are available to buy for just AU$10 (US$7.59) through secretsounds.com.
Julep masterclass
What: A guided talk on the history of the Mint Julep
Where: New Orleans, US
When: 19 April
Learn the roots of the Bourbon-based Mint Julep, and how it’s made, with this fascinating 60-minute masterclass hosted by drinks historian Elizabeth Pearce.
Tickets cost US$30 per person for the event, and the event is to take place at the acclaimed Sazerac House in New Orleans. Guests must be 21 and over to attend.
Glenmorangie House’s whisky weekend
What: Whisky weekends away
Where: Tain, Scotland
When: 22-24 April
Boutique hotel Glenmorangie House is offering up the chance for dram fans to stay the weekend in the scenic Scottish Highlands.
Just a short distance from Glenmorangie’s distillery, the hotel is promising an immersive experience, with its six bedrooms featuring whisky ‘weaved into the sensory fabric’.
The two-night experience is also available from 24-26 June, 30 September to 2 October, and 21-23 October, for £1,110 (US$1452) per standard room.
The Whisky Exchange’s Cognac Show
What: Trade event marking the renaissance of Cognac
Where: London Bridge, UK
When: 22-23 April
The Whisky Exchange is bringing Cognac to life at Glazier’s Hall in London. With more than 150 Cognacs available to try at the event, fans of the spirit will also be delighted to find masterclasses, cocktails and food pairings.
Attend the event with a £50 (US$65.44) ticket, from 5.30pm-9.30pm Friday, or 12-6pm Saturday. A trade session will be held on Friday from 12pm to 4pm.
Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival
What: Six days celebrating Scotland’s national drink
Where: Speyside, Scotland
When: 27 April – 2 May
Scotland’s annual festival of whisky is returning, one of the largest events of its kind anywhere in the world. With a programme of more than 560 dram-inspired events across six days, venues from historic castles to whisky bars offer authentic experiences and the chance to meet fellow whisky lovers.
Malt Whisky Trail
What: A battle of the drams
Where: Moray, Scotland
When: 28 April
Taking place during the Spirit of Speyside festival at The Drouthy Cobbler in Elgin, some of the world’s ‘finest’ whiskies will compete for the rank of best single malt, as judged by attendees. Guests will sip their way through the Malt Whisky Trail, and have the option of ordering a cocktail from a menu crafted by the Drouthy Cobbler team.
The malt whisky distilleries included in the line-up are Glen Moray, Benromach, Strathisla and Glenfiddich, plus more.