More attendees, More exhibitors, More whisky!
We have a passion for whisky, sharing whisky and connecting the people who make it with those that enjoy it. And so with our 2024 Summer Festival we challenged ourselves to go bigger and bolder, with more exhibitors, masterclasses, a greater selection on our tasting table but still sticking within our ‘small festival’ format.
Based on feedback so far, we think we succeeded:
“Just a brief note to acknowledge what a brilliant event the Festival on Saturday was and to pass on the thanks of my little band of co-conspirators. Each and every one of us enjoyed the day enormously. The venue is superb and we felt the numbers worked very well in the space afforded. You hit the nail soundly on the head when you mentioned that you wished to create a more social atmosphere with time and space to chat with fellow guests and the stand holders. You certainly achieved that.”
So, before the thank-yous, let’s talk about that tasting table – we thought we’d pushed the boat out with 38 hand-selected special releases, first editions, festival malts and unusual whiskies, but then at the start of the event, two more bottles arrived for a 40 strong knock-out selection. If you want to peruse, here’s the list.
Jasper + Jim
BIG THANKS 🙏 to Ellers Farm Distillery
You’ve seen the ads with Ricky Gervais for Dutch Barn Vodka but what we are most excited about is the arriving whisky – The Evolution Collection. With the 12 month spirit available, we were delighted that Ollie and Dan agreed to not only share this on their stand in The Theatre Room but they also ran a masterclass, giving attendees background to the distiller’s beer made in collaboration with Theakstons and a walk through their journey so far. Join their newsletter, if you want to follow their journey to first release and you can buy The Evolution Collection on their website now – they will ship the later bottles when they leave the stills.
BIG THANKS 🙏 to Spirit of Yorkshire
As part of the origin story of York Whisky Club – when we worked together, we used to swap SoY maturing malt – we were SUPER keen to get some of the Filey Bay drams we know and love at the festival. Morgan went two better, running a boilermaker beer/whisky tasting masterclass AND turning up with a delicious single cask ex-PX Sherry for the Swiss market. Jump on their mailing list if you want to find out about their latest releases first!
BIG THANKS 🙏 to The Whisky Nest
Ben attended our first ever York Whisky Club tasting, presented at our 2nd and brought The Whisky Nest to our first festival, so we definitely wanted a return for our 3rd. With a warehouse clearance in progress, attendees were not only able to attend a masterclass in world whisky but also go home with some bargains.
Before they restock, definitely check out the bargains on their online shop:
https://www.thewhiskynest.com/shop
BIG THANKS 🙏 to Whiskysauction.co.uk
Whiskys.co.uk were one of our Summer Festival exhibitors last year and having just launched their new auction website (whiskysauction.co.uk), they were keen to offer attendees insight into the whisky auction world. Obviously, it would have been mean to chat without a dram, and they brought some FANTASTIC drams like this 30yr old 1977 Dufftown and 16yr old 1990 Rosebank, both bottled by Douglas Laing & Co.
BIG THANKS 🙏 to York Medical Society
When we were looking for a venue for our summer festival, we found out about YMS and it’s a fantastic place to hold an event, deep in the heart of medieval York.
We’ve had great feedback about the character of the building and the ability to relax in the garden, so if you are planning an event, definitely check them out!