The dates and events for The Campbeltown Malts Festival, Scotland’s smallest whisky-making region, have been announced. The celebration of Campbeltown’s whiskies and its three remaining distilleries Glen Scotia, Springbank, and Mitchells Glengyle as well as independent bottler Cadenhead, begins on Monday May 20 ending with Cadenhead’s Warehouse Tasting on Saturday 25 May.
This year the Glen Scotia team will be joined by a host of industry experts who will help uncover the history and heritage of the former ‘Victorian Whisky Capital of the World’, from behind-the-scenes tours to product masterclasses to meeting the people at the heart of production.
Glen Scotia’s programme kicks off with the Glen Scotia Malts Festival Dinner on 21 May at the Machrihanish Airbase where guests will hear from Glen Scotia Master Distiller and Distillery Manager Iain McAlister, and later in the week, visitors can enjoy a series of ticketed and free talks, tastings, and music, including performances from Rhuvaal and We.R.Soul.
Glen Scotia are also hosting journalist Dave Broom who will team up with Loch Lomond Group’s Master Blender, Michael Henry for Exploring the World of Sherry and Whisky, a 60-minute session delving into the history and flavour profile of different sherries and their influence on the Glen Scotia spirit. Later in the week spirits writer Millie Milliken and Iain McAlister will conduct the New Make Spirit School, offering insights into the various stages of the distillation process and uncovering the flavours that define Glen Scotia’s signature style.
Traditionally, Thursday is dedicated to Springbank, Hazelburn and Longrow with Friday being a combined celebration of Kilkerran and Cadenhead’s but because 2024 is the 20th anniversary of Kilkerran Single Malt, the main focus for Friday will be on Kilkerran.
Cadenhead’s will feature throughout the week with tastings each day instead of only on Friday.
Iain McAlister, Master Distiller and Distillery Manager at Glen Scotia, said, “The Campbeltown Malts Festival offers us a wonderful opportunity to open our doors to visitors and share the spirit of Glen Scotia. This year, we have a fantastic line-up of events and are very lucky to be working with some of the top names in the industry who we also call good friends. It is a special few days for the team, and we’re always humbled by the visitors who travel far and wide to see us and discover what makes Campbeltown such a special whisky place.”
Tickets and event details for Glen Scotia’s can be found here and the Springbank, Kilkerran & Cadenhead’s events can be found here.
Picture: Glen Scotia Dunnage warehouse tasting with Master Distiller Iain McAlister,