Every Pour and More: My Edinburgh Whisky Festival Experience

There’s something truly special about walking into a room filled with that unmistakable whisky buzz — the low (to begin with) hum of chatter, the clink of tasting glasses, and the shared excitement of hundreds of people all there for the same reason: to discover something delicious. The Edinburgh Whisky Festival was exactly that — a lively celebration of Scotland’s finest drams and the people who make (and love) them.

From the moment I walked in, I was greeted by rows of beautifully presented bottles and smiling faces behind each stand. Distilleries and independent bottlers from all over had gathered, their stories (and samples!) ready to be shared. The atmosphere was equal parts educational and fun — with plenty of laughter, tasting notes, and those inevitable “what was that one again?” moments as the drams added up.

Naturally, I made my way to the Bunnahabhain table — because of course I did! Their stand, draped in whisky from not just Bunnahabhain but also Deanston and Tobermory, and buzzing with visitors eager to try a pour or two. It’s always heartwarming to see how much love people have for a whisky that’s such a huge part of my life!

A highlight for me, however, was talking to the guys at The Cabrach Distillery. Hearing the incredible plans they have for their small distillery was completely enlightening for me and made me realise that the distilleries on Islay really are giants! I really hope to get to learn more and watch this distillery grow into the incredible project they have planned!

The event, supported by the wonderful Dodie Foundation, was the perfect blend of passion, craft, and community. By the end of the afternoon, I left with a happy heart, a full camera roll, and a few new favourites I can’t wait to revisit.

And Thank Goodness For Bevvy!

If you think that after five drams I’d still be able to tell you what they were… absolutely not! By dram number five, I’m just nodding enthusiastically and declaring, “This one’s my favourite!” for the third time in a row.

Thankfully, I had a rare moment of foresight/being Gen Z, earlier in the day and took photos of all the bottles. Granted, looking back at these photos, they are absolutely horrendous quality, and I seriously need to rethink the fact that I have a filmmaking qualification…When I got home (a little less wobbly), I could open up Bevvy and scan each one to see exactly what I’d been enjoying. Somehow, the app could still figure out what on earth was going on in these pictures and allowed me to make a list of what I tried!

Samaroli Bevvy Blend

ABV - 50%

This is a very exciting new project for Bevvy and Samaroli, with only 321 bottles in existence!

Prickly was the initial word I used to describe this. Honestly, it was so interesting. I went into it blind; I had absolutely no idea what I was trying. I held my glass out and said yes (because I always have faith in the Bevvy Boys). I liked it, I am a bit of a woose when it comes to the actual taste of alcohol (I know sinful). Adding some water to this made it for me, such an interesting and unique dram! Can’t wait for it to be released!

The Antiquary 30 Year Old

ABV - 40%

Maturation - Sherry Casks From Jarez (no specification)

This was so interesting for me. It was the first I had tried from this range from Tomatin, and honestly, it was intriguing but also completely puzzling. I couldn’t make up my mind on what I could taste. I liked it, but did it blow me away? No.

Glen Scotia 12 Year Old

ABV - 46%

Maturation - All first-fill Bourbon Baby!

Honestly, this was exactly as it says on the tin. Full of vanilla, your classic Campbelltown flair is extremely prominent. I genuinely think you could tell this is a Glen Scotia 12 just by the nose. It is heavy on the bourbon for obvious reasons!

Overall, didn’t blow me away, but I didn’t hate it.

2011 Royal Brackla - Hunter laing First Edition

ABV - 56.4%

Maturation - One single Pedro Ximénez Sherry Hogshead

This was the most puzzling dram of the day. It didn’t have the classic Christmas cake taste you normally get from a sherry, but instead, it was replaced with this sweet, malty bread taste for me. It was actually much more pleasant than it sounds, I promise!

Ambir

ABV - 49.8%

Maturation - Majority bourbon with a little Oloroso

I can’t lie to you, this was my favourite of the day.

There was something about the nose on it for me. I have begun to realise that I absolutely love a chocolate malt and lo and behold, one of the four malts that Hollyrood use in Ambir is Chocolate Malt…Seems as though there may be a theme in my palette!

A huge thank you to the wonderful team at Bevvy for inviting me along — it was such a brilliant way to spend a Saturday afternoon! There’s something really special about being surrounded by people who share the same passion for whisky, all comparing notes (and pretending to still have a functioning palate after dram number five).

The atmosphere at the Edinburgh Whisky Festival was fantastic from start to finish — lively, friendly, and full of that unmistakable whisky buzz. Every pour came with a story, every chat turned into a laugh, and I left with both a happy heart and a very full camera roll.

All in all, a truly brilliant day — and one I’ll definitely be talking about… well, once I’ve checked and reminded myself of everything I tried…

All my love,

T x