Countdown to Scotland’s Dram-Atic Weekend in the West

Countdown to Scotland’s Dram-Atic Weekend in the West

 

News release 11.05.09

 

Final preparations are being made for the much hyped Spirit of the West festival that takes place in Inveraray this weekend, a major event marking the midway point in Homecoming Scotland 2009’s Whisky Month programme.

 

The inaugural festival is expecting between 4000 and 6000 visitors across the weekend from as far as Australia, USA and Canada and as near as neighbouring towns of Oban and Dunoon.  The event is set to be a global gathering that will celebrate Scotland’s west coast whisky, food and culture in the stunning grounds of Inveraray Castle. 

 

Festival highlights include a bag-rocking opener from the Red Hot Chilli Pipers (Saturday), cooking with whisky demonstrations by celebrity chef Nick Nairn (Sunday), 16 world famous west coast whisky distilleries, an array of mouth watering local Argyll produce in the Food & Drink Marquee (sponsored by Scotland Food & Drink) and a huge cultural line up of outdoor theatre trails, music, dance, drama and family entertainment. 

 

A whole range of whisky masterclasses, for over 18s, will also take place across the weekend, each run by whisky industry celebrities in their own right, including the entertaining Jim McEwan from Bruichladdich and the “New Kid on the Block”, Islay’s new Kilchoman Distillery. 

 

The team behind Spirit of the West, The Whisky Coast, which is a collaboration of 16 whisky distilleries, 20 first class hotels and restaurants along the scenic west coast, marked their two year birthday last month and the festival is set to raise even more awareness of the region and the popularity of whisky tourism. 

 

Nicky Murphy, Project Manager for The Whisky Coast and Event Manager for Spirit of the West said: “The west coast of Scotland is so dramatic and offers the most spectacular scenery.  The region is incredibly rich in culture that is unavoidably absorbed when visiting.  A taste of whisky goes a long way and this weekend we want to share with those who have a love for Scotland, whisky and all things west what lies behind every single malt – from its people to its food, its craftsmanship to its song.”

 

She added: “Preparations are going very well and building work has commenced in the castle grounds.  We are looking forward to sharing our love for whisky culture in the west with people from all over.”

 

Join in the celebrations at Inveraray Castle on Saturday 16th & Sunday 17th May, 11am to 6pm daily and be part of Homecoming Scotland 2009’s whisky month.  Visit
www.spiritofthewest.co.uk
 for more information.  Tickets are available to buy online at
www.seetickets.com/spiritofthewest
 or by telephone on 0871 230 5580.  Quote SOTWPROMO to claim 10% discount in advance. Tickets will be available to purchase on the gate. 

…ends…

 

For more information please contact:

Pauline Foster

PR & Events Executive

Pure Shores PR

Tel:       01631 569 651

Mob & Out of Office Hours:         07791573247 

Email:  
pauline@pureshorespr.co.uk
 

Note to Editors:

·         Please visit the events official website www.spiritofthewest.co.uk
·         Spirit of the West’s food & drink marquee is sponsored by Scotland Food & Drink, with support from the Scottish Government. www.scotlandfoodanddrink.org.
·         Ticket Information (available from www.seetickets.com/spiritofthewest): Adults: £14.50 per day; £22 for weekend; Children under 16: £10 per day; £18 for weekend; Family (two adults, two children):  £45 per day; £75 for weekend; Children under eight: Free; Senior Citizens & Concessions: £10 per day, £18 for weekend
·         In addition to a day or weekend ticket, whisky masterclass tickets cost £10 per head per class or £15 per head for extended classes.  Tickets for masterclasses will be available for purchase on the day and is based on a first come first serve basis. 
·         Inveraray Castle lies on the beautiful banks of Loch Fyne in the old town of Inveraray in Argyll, 60 miles north of Glasgow with road links north and south. 
·         Please visit www.whiskycoast.co.uk for more information and for details of whisky coast members.
·         The Whisky Coast & Spirit of the West encourages responsible drinking and supports the Drinkaware Trust which campaigns and educates to reduce alcohol misuse and minimise alcohol related harm.
·         For more information on Homecoming Scotland & Whisky Month please visit www.homecomingscotland2009.com/whiskymonth.

Festival Programme:

The Marquees: 

The Dram Room – 16 world famous whisky distilleries from the west
The Whisky Theatre – 12 whisky masterclasses across the weekend
Arts & Crafts – a showcase of wonderful top quality gifts, arts and crafts from the Whisky Coast.
Food & Drink – Demonstrations & a selection of local food producers, such as the Food from Argyll group, preparing freshly cooked dishes that are to die for!
Heritage & Culture – includes music, dance and drama performances, tartan fashion shows and genealogy advice. 

Saturday 16th May

Whisky Masterclasses (Whisky Theatre)

11.30am – Lagavulin/Caol Ila       1pm – Ben Nevis

2pm – Arran Distillery                 3pm – Springbank/Glengyle

4.20pm – Kilchoman                  5.20pm – Ardbeg

Food & Drink

12pm – Isle of Eriska chef demonstration

1.30pm – The Three Chimneys chef demonstration

3pm – Crerar Hotels chef demonstration

4pm – Willie Pike, award winning Scottish Chef and member of the Federation of Chefs, Scotland, presenting 'A modern twist on Canapes and finger food'

5pm – Auchrannie (Arran) chef demonstration

Dance & Drama

11am – Red Hot Chilli Pipers open the show!

12pm – Robin Laing – whisky folk singer/song writer

1pm & 5pm – Royal Scottish Country Dance Society “The Homecoming Dance”

2pm – Norma Munro – the Islay songbird

3pm – Fashion Show – presentation of the West Coast clan tartans

4pm – Children’s workshops with The Walking Theatre Company

Outdoor

12.30pm & 4.30pm – The Drakes of Hazard – the duck herding sheep dog!

11.30am & 3.30pm – Cumberland Birds of Prey

2pm – The Walking Theatre Company trail “The Whisky Way”

Performances throughout the day – The Archie McCallister Trio

Performances throughout the day – Lindsay Ritchies

Performances throughout the day – Clann an Drumma (Pipe & Drums tribal group)

Performances throughout the day – Big Rory and his big dog Ochie!

 

Sunday 17th May

Whisky Masterclasses (Whisky Theatre)

11.30am – Bunnahabhain/Tobermory        1pm – Bruichladdich

2pm – Bowmore                                     3pm – Oban/Talisker

4.20pm – Jura                                        5.20pm – Laphraoig

Food & Drink

12.30pm & 5pm – Nick Nairn cooking with whisky demonstrations

3pm – Nick Nairn is joined by Shirley Spear of Skye’s The Three Chimneys restaurant

4pm – Willie Pike, award winning Scottish Chef and member of the Federation of Chefs, Scotland, presenting 'A modern twist on Canapes and finger food'

Dance & Drama

11am – Taynuilt Gaelic Choir

12pm – Norma Munro – the Islay songbird

1pm & 4pm – Fashion Show – presentation of the West Coast clan tartans

2pm – Robin Laing – whisky folk singer/song writer

2.30pm – Storytelling by Linda Strachan author of the Hamish McHaggis collection

3.30pm – Children’s workshops with The Walking Theatre Company

5pm – Inveraray Pipe Band and the Highland Dancers

Outdoor

11.30pm & 3.30pm – The Drakes of Hazard – the duck herding sheep dog!

12.30pm – The Walking Theatre Company trail “The Whisky Way”

2.30pm & 4.30pm – Cumberland Birds of Prey

Performances throughout the day – Lindsay Ritchies

Performances throughout the day – Clann an Drumma (Pipe & Drums tribal group)

Performances throughout the day – Big Rory and his big dog Ochie!

 

Pauline Foster
Pure Shores PR
01631 569 651
07791573247

www.pureshorespr.co.uk
 

pauline@pureshorespr.co.uk
 

 

 

The Dram Room Arrives for Spirit of the West

The Dram Room Arrives!  Preparations for Spirit of the West Festival Well Underway
 

News Release 13.05.09

 

The ‘Dram Room’ arrived today at the stunning grounds of Inveraray Castle as preparations for the spectacular Spirit of the West weekend festival get well underway.  The marquee, set to be popular amongst whisky lovers from all over the world, is one of five themed marquees that will all celebrate west coast Scottish culture. 

 

The Dram Room will host 16 world famous whisky distilleries that lie along the west coast of Scotland including Springbank & Glengyle from Campbeltown, Isle of Arran, all eight distilleries from the Isle of Islay including Ardbeg, Bowmore, Bruichladdich, Bunnahabhain, Caol Ila, Kilchoman, Lagavulin and Laphroaig, Isle of Jura, Oban, Tobermory from the Isle of Mull, Ben Nevis from Fort William and Talisker from the Isle of Skye. 12 Whisky Masterclasses with key industry figures are also to take place across the weekend in the Whisky Theatre. 

 

Festival highlights also include a bag-rocking opener from the Red Hot Chilli Pipers (Saturday 11am), cooking with whisky demonstrations by celebrity chef Nick Nairn (Sunday), an array of mouth watering local Argyll produce in the Food & Drink Marquee (sponsored by Scotland Food & Drink) and a huge cultural line up of outdoor theatre trails, music, dance, drama and family entertainment. 

 

Join in the celebrations at Inveraray Castle on Saturday 16th & Sunday 17th May, 11am to 6pm daily and be part of Homecoming Scotland 2009’s whisky month.  Visit www.spiritofthewest.co.uk for more information.  Tickets are available to buy online at www.seetickets.com/spiritofthewest or by telephone on 0871 230 5580 until 12 noon Friday 15th May.  Quote SOTWPROMO to claim 10% discount in advance.  Thereafter, tickets will be available to purchase on the gate. 

 

…ends…

 

For more information or to attend the festival please contact:

Pauline Foster

PR & Events Executive

Pure Shores PR

Tel:      01631 569 651

Mob & Out of Office Hours:    07791573247 

Email:  pauline@pureshorespr.co.uk

 

Note to Picture Editors:

Photo Caption:

The Duke of Argyll toasts to the arrival of the Dram Room at his grand home of Inveraray Castle as preparations for Spirit of the West Festival get well underway. The Dram Room will be one of five themed marquees for the festival that will celebrate west coast Scottish culture.  www.spiritofthewest.co.uk

 

Note to Editor:

·         Ticket Information (available from www.seetickets.com/spiritofthewest until 12noon Friday 15th May or available to purchase at the gates): Adults: £14.50 per day; £22 for weekend; Children under 16: £10 per day; £18 for weekend; Family (two adults, two children):  £45 per day; £75 for weekend; Children under eight: Free; Senior Citizens & Concessions: £10 per day, £18 for weekend

·         In addition to a day or weekend ticket, whisky masterclass tickets cost £10 per head per class or £15 per head for extended classes.  Tickets for masterclasses will be available for purchase on the day and is based on a first come first serve basis. 

 

 

Pauline Foster
Pure Shores PR
01631 569 651
07791573247
www.pureshorespr.co.uk
pauline@pureshorespr.co.uk

Ardbeg Aligator

Ardbeg Alligator

Lurking within is an Ardbeg of hidden depths. Extremely fierce charring of the cask gives Ardbeg Alligator a unique spicy bite that’ll catch you unawares.

This wild, untamed release has been matured in new, heavily charred casks of air-seasoned American white oak, imparting additional smoky, spicy, barbecue flavours. Ardbeg Alligator. Charge your glass…

None chill filtered.

Product Description

Lurking within is an Ardbeg of hidden depths. Extremely fierce charring of the cask gives Ardbeg Alligator a unique spicy bite that’ll catch you unawares. Charge your glass with a splash of water and roll it around and around in your jaws!LONG NOSE
Warning signs of cumin and barbecue sauce.BIG TASTE
Hot and spicy flavours grip you, ginger and chocolate thrash.FINISH YOU OFF!
Slow and long mocha espresso while cigar smoke ebbs.
 

Value : £ 65.00  

Ardbeg only ships whisky in *UK — wahhhh..

If you want this in Denmark contact

Juul’s Vin & Spiritus
Varnedamsvej 15
Copenhagen
DK-1819 Frederiksberg

 

Smokehead Extra Rare

Smokehead

http://www.smokehead.com/ Extra Rare

Ian Macleod

Tasting note: If you want to start with Islay whisky this is a nice “starter”

More information available at http://www.smokehead.co.uk

Smokehead is a rich seaweedy and intensely peaty whisky.

Flavour is fresh frutiy and immense with a hint of sherry, iodine and toffee.

Nose:
Heavy smoke and peat. Amazing richness. Lemon, fresh ginger, plum jam. Salty and spicy.

Body:
Like a cannonball – hits the palate at once with cocoa, peat and some honey sweetness then explodes with peppery spice and more earthy peat. Spreads to all the areas of your mouth with more peat and light sweetness.

Finish:
Even more peat, spice, mandarin – then dries up.   When you think it?s all over the peat comes back to hit you again.

Impresssion:
A rollercoaster of peat and spice with some delicate sweetness.

 

Double Eagle

Double Eagle

(Very much taste like Bushmills malt.)

Local currency value 1050,-

Double Eagle Premium Whisky

A premium whisky aged in imported Oak barrels

Manufactured, bolled and labbled under the direction of:

Free Lanka Trading Co.Ltd. By Sri Lanka Distilleries Ltd. for Free Lanka Trading Co.Ltd.

37.7% Alc. (750ml)