The Hebridean Whisky Festival, a celebration of one of Scotland’s finest exports from one of the most wild and beautiful parts of the country, brought together enthusiasts and distillers alike for a week of tastings, tours, and community spirit. This year’s festival was a sensory adventure, featuring unique events at member distilleries along the Hebridean Whisky Trail, culminating in a Festival Finale at Torabhaig Distillery on the Isle of Skye. Here are some of the highlights of the week’s events that made this year’s festival unforgettable.
Day 1 : Festival Kickoff
Jura
The festival launched at the south end of the Hebridean Whisky Trail at Jura, with participants taking part in a special Manager’s Tour and Tasting. Led by Brand Home Manager Kirsty Wright and Distillery Manager Graham Logan, guests enjoyed an in-depth exploration of the production process, with a few lucky participants drawing whisky out of the casks for everyone to taste. Later, guests savoured three drams while learning about the spirit’s fruity and balanced character. Each attendee left with a complimentary glass and a 70cl Single Cask Distillery Exclusive bottling.
Day 2 : A Day of Discovery
Day two was all about exploring two exciting new distilleries, each showcasing their unique journey.
North Uist Distillery
North Uist Distillery had an electric atmosphere, welcoming visitors all day long, with refreshing gin samples, Hebridean Whisky drams, and creative cocktails from the Island Life bar. Guests were treated to tours of their brand-new production hall and the story of how they will become the first carbon neutral field to bottle whisky distillery in Scotland.
Among the day’s highlights was the Hebridean Whisky Tasting led by Iain Faller of Island Spirits Whisky Shop, showcasing five exceptional whiskies from the Hebridean Whisky Trail. Attendees also had the chance to unleash their creativity during an Autumn Wreath Making Workshop with Sian Swinton, using bere barley and hops.
Benbecula Distillery
Benbecula Distillery, the newest addition to the Whisky Trail, also opened its doors as a sneak preview to what the visitor centre will soon become. Guests were greeted at the door by their piping distiller, dressed in a tartan of his own design, and providing the real Scottish experience to a coach tour of American visitors.
Guided tours were provided of the new production hall and iconic glass lighthouse feature which houses a beautiful shiny new copper still. The highlight of the visit was the opportunity to taste their new make spirit, a creamy, aromatic exciting preview of what their whisky will be.
Day 3: First Single Cask Release and Warehouse Tours
Isle of Harris Distillery
The Isle of Harris Distillery made waves with the launch of their Festival Release. Guests were queued outside the door and around the building for more than an hour before opening, eagerly anticipating their first-ever single cask release.
Warehouse tours provided a behind-the-scenes look at where the casks are stored, with many attendees searching for their personal reserved casks. Attendees sampled the Hearach during complimentary mini tours. Iain and Connor Faller of the Island Spirit Whisky Shop offered another guided tasting of the exceptional drams found on the Hebridean Whisky Trail.
The day featured a Q&A session with Lead Distiller Norman Ian MacKay and Distillery Blender Shona MacLeod, providing insight into the nuances of whisky production, from fermentation to bottling and allowing for a deeper understanding and appreciation of the craft.
As evening fell, the famous Harris Cèilidh brought everyone together for a night of dancing and celebration, highlighting the cultural connection between music and whisky in the Hebrides, and reinforcing the festival’s community spirit.
Day 4 : A Day of Adventures
Talisker
Talisker Distillery hosted a series of special sensory experiences, with something for everyone. Guests joined knowledgeable guides for a behind-the-scenes look at whisky production, culminating in a cask draw where they sampled whisky straight from the barrel.
For the more adventurous, a partnership with South Skye Sea Kayaks offered an unforgettable paddle along the rugged coastline embracing the stunning outdoor scenery that lends its character to their whisky, ending with a warming hot toddy and Talisker drams.
Talisker also offered a unique Sensory Tasting Experience, immersing guests in the aromas and flavours of three specially selected drams. Inside, guests were offered the ability to fill their own Hebridean Whisky Festival bottle, while outside the courtyard was filled with live music, dancing, food, drinks and general merriment.
Isle of Raasay Distillery
The Isle of Raasay Distillery celebrated the festival with a special Hebridean Whisky Festival Whisky and Chocolate Tasting, where participants learned about the distillery’s rich history, were treated to an exclusive whisky, and enjoyed pairings with Chocolates of Glenshiel’s divine chocolates. Guests were also given the opportunity of a special distillery tour culminating in a trip to the Bottling and Dunnage Warehouses, the inner sanctums of their whisky making.
Not to be left out of the festivities, the resident dolphin pod entertained many guests on the ferries that day on the short crossing between Raasay and Skye.
Day 5 : The Festival Finale
Torabhaig Distillery
The festival culminated in a spectacular Finale at Torabhaig Distillery, where all members of the Hebridean Whisky Trail gathered together for a day of cheer and good spirits. Attendees sampled a wide array of spirits and cocktails, indulged in delicious hot food, and enjoyed live music from talented local artists, including the Breakish Ceilidh Band, The Isle of Skye Pipe Band, the Portree Gaelic Choir, and Mike Vass, among others.
The day was highly anticipated, with visitors from across the UK and Ireland, and further afield such as Denmark, Germany, France, Switzerland, Netherlands, America and Canada. The car park was filled to overflowing with a queue along the road patiently waiting to get in. Attendees were spread throughout the distillery in various areas, meeting each of the Hebridean Whisky Trail members, participating in tours and events, and outside under the tent enjoying hot food and listening to music. Despite the truly Scottish weather, guests enjoyed themselves and were kept warm with laughter, community and delightful uisge-beatha to toast their insides.
Torabhaig’s Whisky Maker, Neil MacLeod Mathieson held a masterclass in the new Warehouse, where guests enjoyed three cask-strength tastings while learning about the relationship between the spirit and the wood. Torabhaig also offered an intriguing savoury Whisky and Food Pairings class, teaching guests how to evaluate how whisky complements various foods.
Torabhaig also released their second special Distillery Festival Reserve bottling, rounding out a trio of three special releases for the Hebridean Whisky Festival. As gracious hosts, Torabhaig offered a bottle of their Distillery Festival Reserve to two young lads, Anthony Wilson and Courtney Howell, who were the first two guests to ever attend the full week-long Hebridean Whisky Festival, experiencing adventures at each distillery (plus a few more along the way including sleeping in a ditch and hitching a ride with a school bus, but that’s a story for another day).
Another highlight of the day was the Panel Discussion featuring leaders from the Hebridean Whisky Trail, sharing stories behind their craft and the history of Hebridean whisky, offering insights into what makes this whisky region unique.
As the festival wrapped up, the evening ended with a lively cèilidh at An Crùbh, featuring traditional music and delectable stovies, leaving attendees with unforgettable memories.
The Hebridean Whisky Festival 2024 was an extraordinary celebration of whisky, community, passion and culture. Attendees enjoyed whiskies in the breathtaking setting of the Hebridean Islands, while mingling directly with the distillers and blenders. With unique experiences, engaging discussions, and delectable tastings, participants left inspired and eager for next year’s festivities. Here’s to more adventures on the Hebridean Whisky Trail! Tìoraidh! 🥃
We would like to thank everyone behind the scenes who made this week-long festival happen, we know it takes a lot of work to make something like this such a success. Events rarely go according to plan, and this year was no exception. The Scottish weather interfered with many of our events, and we want to offer a special shout out to Grant from Stretched Out West, our tent engineer who kept the tent rooted to the ground despite the gales all day long, and to Graeme at the Torabhaig Health and Safety team who ensured the guests were safe as well as happy. Lastly, we also want to thank each and every guest who came along to any part of the festival, as you’re the reason we do this and it wouldn’t be any fun without you!
