Speyside comes to New York!
The Brandy Library in New York City will host the first ever US based tasting as part of the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival’s Whisky Awards on Monday 16 April at 5.30pm and at 7.15pm.
These whisky awards are like no other competition as the real experts - whisky consumers - have the final vote and decide the winners in a blind judging session.
You will join whisky drinkers from around the world and Festival-goers in Speyside itself to taste these delicious Speyside whiskies as they battle it out at blind tastings to decide the winners. This eagerly anticipated annual contest will take place at the Brandy Library in New York with delicious canapes to complement the drams.
The eight finalists in four categories were whittled down from an extensive entry list by a panel of independent whisky experts. The awards, sponsored by coppersmiths Forsyths of Rothes, are unique in that the winners are determined by whisky-lovers.
In the Non Age Statement category, Glen Moray Classic Chardonnay and The Glenlivet Nàdurra Peated will go head to head, while Strathisla 12-year-old and Glenfiddich 12-year-old are contenders in the 12-year-old and under category.
Aberlour 18-year-old and Glen Moray 18-year-old will be vying for top honours in the 13-20-year-old category and in the class for malts aged 21 years and over, it will be a battle between Cragganmore Special Release 25-year-old and Glenfiddich 21-year-old.
Judging will be in the form of a blind taste test, ensuring that drinkers have to pick a favourite on taste alone and cannot be swayed by brand loyalty. The winners will be announced at the end of the Festival.
Ann Miller, one of the Festival’s volunteer Directors and an International Brand Ambassador, will be on hand to guide you and answer and any questions.
For more details of the Awards please go to www.spiritofspeyside.com/awards
The Festival takes place from May 3 to 7, with over 500 events taking place over the five days across Speyside.
The programme for the Festival, which attracts both connoisseurs and the curious, also features behind-the-scenes tours at internationally renowned distilleries not usually open to the public, whisky tasting masterclasses, whisky and food pairing. It has traditional music, outdoors activities and heritage events, meaning the festival offers something for die-hard whisky fans and those who have never tried it before.
For further information and tickets visit www.spiritofspeyside.com. The Festival is also active on social media: facebook.com/WhiskyFestival and @spirit_speyside on Twitter and Instagram. Use the hashtag #dram18