Archives for 2022

Leeds Whisky Fest is NEXT Saturday 9th April!

Rolling Social Events are pleased to announce the next wave of brands who will be joining in the festivities at the inaugural Leeds Whisky Festival, which will welcome guests for an afternoon or evening of tasting, learning and entertainment, taking place at Leeds’ historic Corn Exchange next month.

Joining previously announced sponsors Nikka, Starward, Woodford Reserve, Slane and Port Askaig will be Rolling Social Events’ new mixer sponsor, Three Cents. Inspired by bartenders for bartenders, their range of premium mixers will be providing the ultimate accompaniment for your whisky on the day. As well as bringing their quality mixers to Leeds Whisky Fest, Three Cents will also be partnering with Rolling Social for all of their future events including Leeds Rum Festival and their popular sipalong evenings. Other brands visiting Leeds on Saturday 9th April include Kavalan, Amrut, Benriach and Arbikie who will be bringing the world’s only rye scotch whisky to the festival.

Also joining the festival will be an array of international household names such as Jack Daniels, as well as homegrown brands including Filey Bay, which is brewed in Yorkshire, and The English Whisky Co.

New names join a packed line up of over 100 whiskies

A ticket to Leeds Whisky Festival will not only get you access to the festival but it will also cover attendees’ samples, talks, masterclasses and tastings – not to mention an exclusive Leeds Whisky Fest branded tasting glass and guide. In addition to over 100 different whiskies that will be on show at the festival, a fully stocked bar will be available for anyone keen to opt for a local craft beer, as well as an excellent range of highball cocktails.

Previously announced sponsors Starward have confirmed that they will be bringing a number of limited edition spirits to the festival.

We are really looking forward to coming to Leeds Whisky Festival and sharing our Australian single malts. We will also be bringing several of our limited ‘Projects’ releases, including a Ginger Beer Cask finished whisky so be sure to swing by our stand if you are interested to learn more about whisky done different!
– Claire Morrow: Marketing Manager, Starward

Starward will also be hosting a masterclass entitled ‘Starward Whisky: Whisky done different’. Attendees will learn that Starward whiskies are, like their hometown of Melbourne in Australia; versatile, and…different. Join the UK Brand Ambassador for a tasting through their single malts and learn more about the impact of wine casks on their expressions and how they are not bound by the rules of the old-world whisky club.

Other masterclasses will come in the form of Speciality Brands’ ‘A History of Japanese Whisky’ and Edrington UK’s Naked Malt blending session. Distributor Speciality, who are bringing their brands Nikka, Kavalan and Amrut to the festival, will take whisky fans on a crash course tasting into the world of Japanese whisky with ambassador Nathan Shearer.

Attendees will learn the history and production methods whilst tasting incredible samples from the Nikka distillery. And anyone who has ever wanted to try their hand at blending their own whisky will be in luck as Edrington UK’s Senior Whisky Specialist Mike Green will be hosting a hands-on session of whisky blending- participants will also be able to take their very own blended whisky away with them.

Here at Speciality Brands we’re absolutely thrilled to be taking part in the inaugural Leeds Whisky Fest, we’ve always worked very closely with bars, restaurants and retailers here and it’s great that there is now an event for us to come and talk to more people about our wonderful products.

We’ll be bringing a host of whiskies from all over the world and introducing people to some of the fantastic producers that we’re lucky enough to work with including Nikka, Michter’s, Elixir Distillers, Amrut, Kavalan and Waterford.
– Nathan Shearer: Whisky Ambassador, Speciality Brands

Food vendors on the day include Ooey Gooey Bakes and Mans Market. Ooey Gooey will be whipping up a host of sweet treats including bourbon brownies in collaboration with Woodford Reserve, which you won’t be able to try anywhere else. Mans Market will be bringing their unique dining experience to the festival, a combination of theatre and authentic Chinese food.

Punters can choose to head down to either the afternoon session (12-4pm) or the evening session (5-9pm) of Leeds Whisky Fest, with tickets available for £40

We’re thrilled to be part of the Leeds Whisky Festival and excited to bring our home grown brand of Chinese Street Food to the Whisky enthusiasts of Yorkshire. Mans Markets’ fun, street food vibe will let the drinkers feast in style whilst enjoying the quality brands on offer at the festival.
– Sophia Austen-Meek: Mans Market

We are delighted to be welcoming Leeds Whisky Festival to Leeds Corn Exchange. Following our popular Christmas Market with Rolling Social last year, we know that the festival will be a huge success. The Rum Festival is a firm favourite of Leeds, so we can’t wait to see how this new event is received from local whisky lovers.
: The Operational Team at Leeds Corn Exchange

Leeds Whisky Festival will take place on Saturday 9th April at Leeds Corn Exchange. Punters can choose to head down to either the afternoon session (12-4pm) or the evening session (5-9pm) of Leeds Whisky Fest, with tickets available for £40 at eventbrite.co.uk

Edrington UK – ‘Naked Malt Blending Session’
Heaven Hill – ‘Evolution of Bourbon’
Slane – ‘Deconstructed Irish Whisky’
Cask – ‘Starward Whisky: Whisky done different’
Woodford Reserve – ‘The Flavour of Bourbon’
English Whisky Co. – ‘Pioneers of English Whisky – Quarter Cask Festival Exclusives & more’
Ten Locks – ‘The Story of West Cork Distillers’
Nikka, Speciality Brands – ‘A History of Japanese Whisky’
Elixir Distillers – ‘An Introduction to Islay Whisky’