LOVERS of the subtleties of whisky and whiskey alike can celebrate their love of the fermented grain mash this September at the Manchester Whisky Festival 2012.
Whether you know your Laphroaig Quarter Cask from your Monkey Shoulder or you once had a Famous Grouse and Coke in Wetherspoons and liked it, this year’s festival wants to bring whisky ‘back to the people’.
Now in its fourth year the Whisky Festival is partnered with the wider Manchester Food And Drink Festival. It will be taking place at the Palace Hotel on Oxford Road on 22 September in two sessions, 11am–3pm and 4pm–8pm.
“Like everything good in life, it’s about the moment and learning to enjoy it.”
Whisky drinking can often reach the high levels of elitism and snobbery as wine tasting but festival organiser and self-proclaimed ‘Whisky Evangelist’ Eddie Ludlow wants to ‘demystify’ the amber spirit.
1000 whisky lovers and ‘newbies’ will have a choice to sample from around 200 whiskies from 40 distilleries throughout the day. Whiskies from both major and independent distilleries and the traditional areas of Ireland (whiskey) and Scotland (whisky) will be on offer alongside whiskies from more recent distilleries from England, India and Japan.
Of the event, Eddie Ludlow said: “The incredible range of flavours and styles on offer is breathtaking and there truly is something for everyone at this show (But presumably not the children, eh Mr Ludlow? Ed). One of our commitments is to bring new followers to the ‘flock’ and to show them that whisky is not about lairds, tartan and stags.
“Like everything good in life, it’s about the moment and learning to enjoy it.”
Aside from sampling whiskies old and new there are other sights to see, or see twice if you’ve ‘sampled’ enough. Tutored workshops and various master-classes will give you an insight into the industry and its processes. Alongside this will be live cooperage demonstrations to show how traditional whisky casks and barrels are made.
Alternatively you can take a tour of the famous Glenfiddich distillery without leaving the Palace Hotel. Despite being located north of the Cairngorms the Scottish whisky giant will be offering virtual tours around their distillery. This could be asking for trouble if confused whisky fans are trying to find their way home to Manchester again.
No doubt there will be lots of drink responsibly signs around the place. Confidential thinks that given the nature of the festival some mild irresponsibility may be in order.
Tickets are available through www.foodanddrinkfestival.com and include access to demonstrations, all samples in the main hall, a Glencairn nosing glass, a bottle of water and a festival programme for £25.
The Palace Hotel from Oxford Road Station
