Rothes Glen’s Ultimate Whisky Weekend is, on paper, a no-brainer for any fan of Scotch whisky. Its convenient location close to dozens of Speyside distilleries, together with the rich history of bottles and stories within its castle walls, adds to an overwhelming aura that feels otherworldly for a Scotch drinker. However, on paper only tells half the story, and it’s the experience and feelings that permeate only by living through this actual whisky extravaganza that truly make this weekend one like no other. The sensationalism of the weekend began before even reaching the castle. Snow was falling and the River Spey was frozen on approach, the sort of weather that would be more akin to a Hollywood adaptation of a Scottish story. At Rothes Glen, the roof was soaked in whiteness, but it stood regally among the freezing temperatures.
The first night was a perfect settler — a tour of the Castle’s rooms and intricacies — before sitting down inside the dining hall for a first opportunity to build camaraderie with fellow guests. There was a diverse range of personalities, ages, and backgrounds, all gathered to share a common interest — whisky.
One of the real perks of the Ultimate Whisky Weekend is the opportunity to talk to professionals within the industry and listen as they explain their processes and the stories behind their passion. On night one, representatives from Glenfarclas joined guests at the head of the table to showcase an age-diverse collection of some of the distillery’s finest drams. They talked through the importance of maturation and patience, and thoughtfully provided insight into the ups and downs of the industry’s current state.
A three-course meal was presented, displaying an impeccable range of flavours using locally sourced ingredients which purposefully and carefully paired with each of the expressions of whisky tasted during dinner. Alan Robertson is the castle’s chef, and — confidently — the price of the Ultimate Whisky Weekend is worth it just for the sensory experience of the impeccable food and its thoughtful pairings.
The following two days had a similar dinner set-up, with Gordon & MacPhail and House of Hazelwood bringing a selection of their products for guests to taste and to educate them on the history and foundation of these brands. The selection from Gordon & MacPhail featured a magnificent single malt from its private collection, a 1977 from Speyburn Distillery which would normally set consumers back at least £2,000 to get their hands on. For almost everyone at the table, it was a first-ever taste of the rare whiskies from House of Hazelwood, especially those coming from afar who would find it too difficult to acquire a bottle. If tasting limited-edition bottlings aged more than 40 years paired with a three-course meal to the backdrop of bagpipes doesn’t make this the most memorable of trips, nothing will.
The second day allowed guests to see first-hand the production process of the Glenfarclas drams from the night before with a distillery tour. For many of the American guests that had flown over, this was their first time seeing inside a Scotch distillery, but for all ranges of experience it was a special place to look around, not least of all because of the history consumed the previous night. Most enjoyable for the guests was the Glenfarclas tasting room, which had a range of age statements from single digit to 50 Years Old or more. Throughout the weekend, other distilleries were attended including Benromach, which again concluded with a tasting of its latest offerings available at the shop, much to the enjoyment of the guests.
Not all entertainment happened from outside of the castle walls. There were a couple of tastings masterclasses taking place in the magnificent tasting room, complete with a table crafted by Barrel Creations. One of the most popular events on the itinerary for guests within the castle was a Casino night. Games of blackjack and roulette were enjoyed, accompanied with an extensive selection of drams, where we all enjoyed the low stakes and pressure-free gambles with play money.
Rothes Glen’s diverse range of rooms allowed us all to entertain ourselves in our own way when the official itinerary had been completed each night. Some took to the snooker room to fancy themselves as the next Ronnie O’Sullivan, some climbed to the castle’s top tower to enjoy a dram or two underneath the stars looking out at the Speyside landcape, while others enjoyed a nightcap next to the fire, telling life stories and building bonds and friendships that would outlast the weekend’s activities.
The weekend also allowed guests to see the surrounding areas of Speyside, even away from the fun of the world of whisky (not that you can ever truly be away from the whisky world when a distillery passes you on the roadside every other mile). We took to the beach at Lossiemouth to enjoy ice cream on the sand and even visited a Benedictine monastery. While many on the trip were passionate whisky lovers, not everyone had gone into the weekend with the same interest. There were a couple of whisky novices, however any scepticism on whether the Ultimate Whisky Weekend could be enjoyed even with no prior knowledge or tasting experience quickly evaporated. Don’t let a lack of expertise be any barrier.
The final night gathered guests outside, wrapped in warm blankets, to watch a breathtaking fireworks display while sipping on our whiskies (and in some cases, cocktails) of choice. It was a stunning conclusion to what had been an unforgettable weekend of the finest whiskies, accommodation, and company. Events like these are often described as once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. But with so much still to explore in Speyside, and the number of whiskies tasted barely scratching the surface of those available, there’s no reason not to come back again and again.
More information on future Ultimate Whisky Weekends can be found at www.rothesglen.com/weekends.
Upcoming Ultimate Weekends:
Ultimate Whisky Weekend
6–9 November 2025
Ultimate Christmas Weekend
5–7 December 2025
Ultimate Whisky Weekend
23–25 January 2026 (Burns Night)
Ultimate Gourmet Weekend
19–22 March 2026
Ultimate Scottish Weekend
16–19 April 2026
Ultimate Speyside Weekend
29 April–5 May 2026
