Raising a Glass at Spirit of Speyside: CopperCairn’s Festival Highlights

Mitch Bechard
Jun 23
4 min read

Updated: Jul 7

Whisky is more than just a drink. It’s a story, a tradition, and a community. This past May, we were honoured to take part in one of the world’s most celebrated gatherings for whisky lovers, the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival. At CopperCairn, we’ve always believed that whisky isn’t just something you sip. It’s something you experience. From the scent of the cask to the stories shared over a dram, every detail matters.

This year, we were thrilled to host five events across the festival, including a foraging trip, a brand ambassador tasting, all of which sold out in record time. One of our events, "Clash of the Stills," was even nominated for Best New Event, a recognition we’re incredibly proud of.

Another standout was our Whisky Safari, a guided adventure through the landscapes and flavours of Speyside. What began as a festival one-off has now become a full-time, bookable experience, available directly through our website. If you're ready to explore Speyside’s wild side, dram in hand, you can instantly book our Whisky Safari right here either with a group or as a private experience.

Speyside: A Whisky Lover’s Dream

There are few places on earth more synonymous with whisky than Speyside. Nestled in the northeast of Scotland, it is home to more than a third of the country’s distilleries and an unmistakable whisky heritage. Each year, the region throws open its doors to welcome thousands of enthusiasts during the Festival. It is a five-day celebration of craft, culture, connection and of course whisky.

At CopperCairn, we were in good company. With over 50 distilleries represented, the festival offered everything from classic distillery tours to off-the-beaten-path adventures. But what made this year truly special for us was being part of the community, not just attending but contributing.

Our Favourite Moments

Every event we ran this year was different, but they all had one thing in common: genuine connection.

At our "Barrels and Botanicals Tour," guests were treated to a guided walk to Linn Falls with a local forager. Along the way, they learned about the edible landscape of Scotland—tasting wild ingredients as they were infused into whisky cocktails right there in nature. One attendee described it as “like a whisky school trip for adults, but with more laughter,” and we couldn’t have put it better ourselves.

Whisky Festivals: More Than Just Tastings

Whisky festivals like Spirit of Speyside are not just about sampling the good stuff, though there’s plenty of that. They are about immersion in flavour, in tradition, and in the lives of the people who bring whisky to life.

You might find yourself in a dunnage warehouse breathing in the musty sweetness of decades-old casks. You might meet a cooper who still hand-mends barrels the same way his father did. Or you might chat with a visitor who flew in from Tokyo just to taste a peated expression that is not available anywhere else.

These are not just events. They are experiences that linger, on your palate and in your memory.

Whisky Festivals Around the World

While we are a little biased toward Speyside, whisky festivals are a global affair. From The Whisky Show in London to the smoky shores of Islay’s Feis Ile, the world of whisky is vast, varied, and vibrant. No matter where you go, the heart of each event is the same. People gather to share in something they love.

A Few Tips for Festival Goers

If you’re thinking of attending a whisky festival (and we highly recommend it), here are a few tips from the CopperCairn crew:

Plan ahead - Events sell out fast. Prioritise the tastings or tours that excite you most.

Hydrate - Water is your friend. Sip often, especially between drams.

Take notes - Trust us, by dram six it is easy to forget which one had that perfect honeyed finish.

Be curious - Try something outside your usual style. A smoky dram or a sherry bomb might surprise you.

Ask questions - Don’t be shy. Distillers love talking shop, and you’ll walk away knowing more than you came in with.

A Toast to Community and Craft

At the heart of every great whisky event is community. The bond between distillers, fans, and the land itself. The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival reminded us why we do what we do at CopperCairn. We share, we celebrate, and we honour the craftsmanship that goes into every bottle.

To everyone who joined us this year, thank you. And to those we haven’t met yet, we hope to raise a glass with you soon.

Join Us for What’s Next

The festival may be over, but the journey continues. Keep an eye out for upcoming tastings, pop-up events, and new releases. And if you’re ever in Speyside or simply in the mood for a good story and a great dram, you know where to find us.

Slàinte mhath

The CopperCairn Team