The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival begins next week, running from 30 April–5 May 2025. A calendar highlight for Scotch lovers, this annual celebration of Speyside's most famous product is so chock-full of whisky experiences that it's almost too much to take in.
With that in mind, we're doing away with the laws of time and space to create our perfect day at the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival. Two events running at once? Not a problem in the dream-whisky-event universe. So, with reality on hold, here is a week-long festival compressed into an ideal day.
Breakfast
Breakfast tour at Glen Moray
Daily 30 April–4 May, 09:30–11:15, Glen Moray Distillery Visitor Centre
A proper Scottish breakfast, a dram, and a distillery tour. Sounds like a good way to start a day at a whisky festival.
Morning activities
Dallas Dhu Distillery Open Day
Saturday 3 May, 10:00–16:00, Dallas Dhu Distillery
After 40 years of silence, Dallas Dhu was revived last year by Aceo, the company behind whisky bottler Murray McDavid. This open day is an opportunity to experience the new distillery through a multitude of mini-events, including 'Sketch and Scotch', a photography competition, a cooperage display, and mini Highland games.
Iconic Distilleries with Distillery Manager Kelsey Bruce
Friday 2 May, 10:00–12:00, Strathisla Distillery
Led by distillery manager Kelsey Bruce, this tour takes you to both Strathisla and Glen Keith distilleries, making it an opportunity to discover the differences between these two Chivas Brothers-owned whisky producers. A tasting of fine and rare whiskies will be offered from both distilleries, and the ticket price includes a bottle of a 22-year-old Single Cask Edition of Glen Keith, signed by Kelsey.
Lunch
Whisky Paired Lunch with Glenfiddich & Balvenie
Daily, 13:00–14:00, The Dowans Hotel
Dowans is offering a "hearty" two-course lunch paired with Glenfiddich and Balvenie drams, to help you refuel between distilleries and tastings.
Afternoon activities
Cardhu Flavour Journey Meets Ice Cream — 'The Perfect Match'
Run several times daily, 45 or 90 minute sessions available, Cardhu Distillery
After lunch, head to Cardhu for a sweet-sounding whisky tasting which pairs Cardhu's single malt with ice cream made by Sheila at the nearby Fochabers Ice Cream Shop. Cardhu says that "your full-sensory, field-to-glass tour culminates in our Tasting Kitchen where your host will guide you through an exploration of Cardhu's flavours like never seen before."
Caledonian Cooper: Whisky Barrel Build Experience
Run several times daily, 2.5 hours, Caledonian Cooperage
Held by Caledonian Cooperage, this is an opportunity to get hands-on with a crucial part of the whisky-making process: the cask. The cooperage says that each guest will "dismantle and rebuild a full sized cask using some of the traditional hand tools, just as it has been done for centuries".
Dinner
Rothes Glen Luxury Highland Dinner, hosted by Whisky Magazine
Saturday 3 May, 18:30–23:00, Rothes Glen
Hosted by Whisky Magazine, this four-course dinner at luxury castle Rothes Glen will be paired with rare drams from the Glenrothes and Gordon & MacPhail. Usually an exclusive-use venue, this is the first time Rothes Glen has held a dinner at the festival.
Evening activities
Evening Q&A session with Billy Walker and the GlenAllachie team
Thursday 1 May, 17:30–19:30, The GlenAllachie Distillery
Meet master blender Billy Walker and the GlenAllachie team in the new GlenAllachie whisky bar and tasting lounge for an "intimate discussion" and insights into how the World's Best Single Malt is made.
Spirit of Speyside Ceilidh 2025
Friday 2 May, 19:00–23:45, The Osprey Arena
Hosted by the festival and co-hosts Speyside Distillers, this ceilidh sounds like the perfect way to celebrate Speyside's spirit in style. Share a dram with distillers over a two-course Scottish meal, then dance the night away to music from the Dandy Ceilidh Band.
To see the full programme of events, visit the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival website.
