Smugglers’ trails, the river Spey and the railways were all important to the success of Speyside’s single malts.

Join me to discover more about these themes during tutored tastings which bring each to life with a selection of drams which illustrate the rich variety of whiskies from Speyside. During these talks and tutored tastings I will bring to life three of these themes with a selection of drams which illustrate the rich variety of whiskies from the region.
These three tutored tasting events will take place in my new and exclusive tasting room. With a maximum of 12 guests, current guidance on Covid precautions will be observed. It may be possible to help arrange transport from and back to the Elgin area – please contact me for more information.

Discover Speyside’s Story – Dram Queen Tasting 1 on Wednesday 3rd November 14.30 – 16.00

This tutored tasting will focus on drams from Speyside’s distilleries which can trace their origins to the time of the smugglers’ trails.

https://tickets.spiritofspeyside.com/event/959:2437/959:6642/

 

The pioneers of Speyside whisky industry were illicit distillers scattered over the remote glens, crofts and farms of Speyside who had to conceal their activities from the prying eyes of the authorities. Once their spirit was ready, they would set off along hidden trails in the dead of night to smuggle it to their customers. Ann will share stories of these pioneering men and women who established many of today’s successful single malt distilleries as she presents a selection of the drams they created.

Discover Speyside’s Story – Dram Queen Tasting 2 on Thursday 4th November 10.30 – 12.00

Taste drams from a selection of Speyside’s distilleries set up following the 1823 Excise Act.

https://tickets.spiritofspeyside.com/event/959:2438/959:6643/

After 1823, it was possible to distil legally and no longer necessary to hide in the hills so legal distilleries were established closer to the towns and villages of Speyside. Many of these are now iconic names and Ann will share some of their stories as she presents a selection of the drams they distil.

Discover Speyside’s Story – Dram Queen Tasting 3 on Thursday 4th November 14.30 – 16.00

Discover the impact of the railways on distillation in Speyside during this talk and tutored tasting of drams from some of the distilleries set up along the newly built railways which exported their single malts far beyond Speyside.

https://tickets.spiritofspeyside.com/event/959:2439/959:6644/

 

With the arrival of the railways in the middle of the nineteenth century offering reliable transport to the cities of Scotland and beyond, the opportunities for Speyside’s single malts expanded. Many distilleries were established close to the railways which brought them coal and exported casks. Discover some of their stories as you enjoy a tasting of a selection of the rich variety of these single malt whiskies from Speyside.