Virtual Fife Whisky Festival raises funds for charity
A virtual whisky tasting hosted by the team behind Fife Whisky Festival has boosted the funds of a local charity.
Article Source: Fife Whisky Festival
Last Updated: 15 March 2021 12:10
The `Fae Fife’ online tasting was organised specifically to support Age Concern Cupar raising £1,000 for the group.
It also brought some lockdown cheer to Scottish whisky lovers who were disappointed the annual Fife Whisky Festival had to be cancelled this year.
Instead, 40 whisky fans from across the country were treated to ten drams from a range of Fife distilleries during a two-hour tasting session.
Fife Whisky Festival co-founder Karen Somerville said: “When we realised we wouldn’t be able to have our usual 700-strong crowd gather for the Festival we decided to host the next best thing – a tasting from Fife distilleries.
“We always raise money for Age Concern Cupar at the Festival with a raffle and we didn’t want them to miss out this year especially when they need funding more than ever to support elderly people through the difficult times we are all facing.
“The distilleries and our festival retailer, Luvians, kindly provided the whisky for us and we were limited to just 25 tickets which meant we sold out in about three minutes as hundreds of whisky lovers tried to snap them up!
“It was a great night and everyone had fun - the drams were great; we heard some interesting presentations from the distillers and brand ambassadors and best of all we raised £1,000 for Age Concern through ticket sales and some generous donations.”
Anne Ronaldson, Manager of Age Concern Cupar, was delighted with the funds raised by the whisky tasting.
She said: “I’d like to thank the team at Fife Whisky Festival for their continued support which is much appreciated.
“We’re closed now, due to lockdown, but are looking forward to welcoming people back for activities and social evenings when we can and this donation will make a big difference to us.
“I really appreciate the organisers thinking about us and hosting the tasting to help us this year.”
The distillers and brand ambassadors involved in the event also enjoyed the evening.
Murray Stevenson, UK Sales Manager and Brand Ambassador at Lindores Abbey Distillery in Newburgh, said: “It’s a real honour to be part of an event showcasing the thriving industry of Fife Whisky distilling which has gone from strength to strength during the past decade with Single Malt Whisky from our little corner of the globe now among the most sought after worldwide.
“For us here at Lindores Abbey Distillery attending the Fife Whisky Festival, be it virtual or the real thing, is one of our most important and enjoyable dates in our calendar.
“With Lindores being a young distillery, we relish the opportunity to engage with whisky enthusiasts in our local community and introduce them to our phenomenal malt spirit, beautiful distillery and incredible history of the ancient Abbey that is on their doorstep.
“The Festival is also a fantastic platform to communicate our brand and story to those further afield from Fife too and it is a real joy to be part of the new wave of whisky tourism coming to the area and welcoming the world’s whisky pilgrims to the Kingdom of Fife.”
The tasting session began with drams from Lindores Abbey Distillery and Lady of the Glen - an independent bottler whose new warehouses are in Dalgety Bay.
They were followed by a dram presented by Kingsbarns Distillery’s Peter Holroyd, who also treated viewers to a live tour of the distillery, before Francis Cuthbert presented a single cask whisky from Daftmill Distillery in Cupar.
The fifth dram was a single malt from Eden Mill Distillery in St Andrews followed by a taste of last year’s festival bottling of a 22-year-old Cameronbridge which was finished in a marsala cask for 12 months.
This dram was presented by Vince Fusaro, owner and founder of Luvians Bottle Shop, and Hugh Barron – Sales Manager for whisky specialists James Eadie who bottled the Cameronbridge.
The ‘Fae Fife’ finale featured four tasting samples in a deluxe pack from InchDairnie Distillery in Glenrothes and a presentation from distiller Scott Sneddon.
Karen Somerville and her co-founder Justine Hazlehurst are now planning the next Fife Whisky Festival which takes place in March 2022.
Ms Hazlehurst said: “We’ve already booked the Corn Exchange in Cupar for March 5 and aim to bring the Festival back to Fife bigger and better than ever.
“As usual we’ll have more than 30 distilleries and independent bottlers from all over Scotland showcasing their whisky wares.
“It will be an opportunity not to be missed and I think we’ll all be looking forward to it after having to cancel our 2021 event.”
Mrs Somerville, Managing Director of award-winning giftware firm Angels’ Share Glass, and Ms Hazlehurst, founder of Kask Whisky, launched Fife Whisky Festival in 2017 with the first event held in March 2018.
The annual Festival aims to showcase the renaissance of whisky-making in Fife by bringing together the best whisky producers from the region and beyond with the next event scheduled for March 4-6, 2022.
It will feature an Opening Dinner at Lindores Abbey on Friday March 4 followed by tasting sessions at the Corn Exchange in Cupar on Saturday March 5 with additional, smaller events on the Sunday.
Tickets for the 2022 event are due to go on sale in September this year.
For more details about the Festival, visit www.fifewhiskyfestival.com
Image: Murray Stevenson of Lindores Abbey Distillery
Sponsored Links
Latest Fife News
Van Gogh experience announces Scottish premiere dates
A spectacular multimedia show celebrating Vincent van Gogh's life and stunning artworks is coming to Glasgow this summer!
READ MORE
A Big Map for the Big Yin! Interactive map launched to celebrate Billy Connolly
National Theatre of Scotland launches a new interactive map for Scotland to demonstrate its love for the Big Yin, inviting people to share their own Billy Connolly memories.
READ MORE
Cast announced for Scottish tour of Hen Night Horror
Touring Scotland from June, the cast is announced for Hen Night Horror, an original musical comedy that promises to put the willies right up ye!
READ MORE
The Best Home Bar competition from Aldi Scotland returns for 2024
Aldi Scotland's popular 'Best Home Bar' competition has returned for another year, with a year's supply of beer up for grabs!
READ MORE
Paisley Food and Drink Festival returns for a delicious double helping
Paisley Food and Drink Festival returns to the town this weekend for a two-day feastival with plenty for everyone to sample and enjoy.
READ MORE
Nationwide campaign encourages adults in Scotland to take the plunge
With a staggering 14 million adults in the UK unable to swim, the team behind The Learn to Swim National Framework has launched a new campaign to encourage adults in Scotland to learn the life skill.
READ MORE
Top tips for visiting the Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show
Now in its 30th year, the show is the go-to exhibition for any self-builders or renovators looking for practical tips, expert advice, or the chance to view 1000s of products.
READ MORE
New Finds at Culloden Battlefield shed more light on intensity of battle
Latest investigations by National Trust for Scotland archaeologists at Culloden Battlefield have recovered a wide range of artefacts.
READ MORE
Scottish Game Fair returns for its 35th year
The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) Scottish Game Fair (SGF) is back for 2024, celebrating its 35-year anniversary at Scone Palace.
READ MORE
Dobbies Garden Centres unveils Afternoon Tea and Planting Experience
Dobbies, the UK's leading garden centre, is inviting plant enthusiasts and foodies alike to a brand new Afternoon Tea and Planting Experience at its stores nationwide.
READ MORE
POSTPONED: Springfest at Loch Lomond Shores
This year's Springfest, set to take place this weekend, has been postponed due to forecasted high winds.
READ MORE
Historic sites across Scotland get ready to reopen their doors
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has announced that over twenty sites across the country are set to reopen their doors to visitors this weekend.
READ MORE
Diabetes Scotland will host a virtual event for young people 11 to 25 living with type 1 diabetes
Join Diabetes Scotland for a virtual event about an exciting new programme supporting children and young people 11 - 25 living with type 1 diabetes - Together Type 1.
READ MORE
Local pupil wins Easter hard hat design competition
A local pupil from Pathhead Primary School in Kirkcaldy is the winner of Miller Homes’ first ever Easter hard hat design competition, the homebuilder’s take on the traditional Easter bonnet.
READ MORE
Iconic Noughties stars make cheeky comeback to launch limited edition IRN BRU flavours
Noughties stars The Cheeky Girls, Gareth Gates and S Club 7's Bradley McIntosh have taken a sip back in time to mark the release of IRN-BRU's new 2000s-inspired flavours!
READ MORE
Free activities this Easter at Dobbies
Dobbies is welcoming families along to 68 of its stores this Easter to enjoy an array of free activities, including its Little Seedlings Club workshop and Easter Holiday sessions.
READ MORE
Deadline looms for 30th Scottish Thistle Awards public nominations
The search is on to find the best of the best in Scottish tourism as the Scottish Thistles Awards returns.
READ MORE
Springfest is back this April... with all things foodie as well as a host of entertainment and things to do!
This year's FREE Springfest is playing host to two great Scottish chefs – Niall Murray and Rohan Wadke, who will inspire visitors with their FREE cooking demonstrations.
READ MORE
Fun family favourites leap into action on the big screen this Easter break at Vue
A host of brand-new family favourites are landing at Vue this Easter, meaning there are plenty of opportunities to spend quality family time at the big screen during the holidays.
READ MORE
A taste of what is to come at Paisley Food and Drink Festival
Spring is in the air and with it comes the return of one of Scotland's largest outdoor food and drink festivals to Paisley!
READ MORE
National Theatre of Scotland announce full cast and creative team for Maggie & Me
Full cast and creatives announced for the tour of Maggie & Me, the first stage adaptation of Damian Barr's award-winning memoir touring UK in May and June!
READ MORE
Dobbies invites nominations for national community initiative
Dobbies today launches Dobbies Community Gardens, to offer support for community and charity groups across the UK to help transform, restore or start their indoor or outdoor green spaces.
READ MORE
Scottish stovies and strange sheep are announced as the winning entries for The Glencairn Glass crime short story competition
A sinister story involving 'stovies' and a grisly tale about the strange sheep of Greshornish have been chosen as the winning and runner-up stories in The Glencairn Glass crime short story competition
READ MORE
Easter fun for every bunny with the National Trust For Scotland
The National Trust for Scotland is going hopping mad for Easter and hosting a bumper 35 Easter egg trails at the special places in its care this spring.
READ MORE
Inspiring runners demonstrate transformative power of running
Great Run 2024 series highlights inspirational stories from runners around the UK.
READ MORE
Dobbies invites families to hop along to its breakfast event
Dobbies, the UK's leading garden centre, is bringing back its much-loved Easter event, inviting families to hop along to their nearest store and enjoy an Easter Bunny Breakfast egg-stravaganza.
READ MORE
Celebrate International Womens Day at Vue with these iconic stories
Friday 8th March marks International Women's Day and to celebrate Vue is set to screen four inspiring films which follow the achievements of incredible female leads.
READ MORE
Scottish trad music is on the rise
New research released by VisitScotland reveals the growing popularity of Scottish traditional music, finding that over a third of Scots (34%) are listening to it more often in the past year.
READ MORE
The 5th Paisley Book Festival programme is announced
A stellar line-up of authors are set to take Paisley by storm at this year's Paisley Book Festival in April!
READ MORE
Last chance to secure an Earlybird Entry for the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run
The AJ Bell Great Scottish Run is back on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th October, and the Earlybird offer to save up to £8 off your entry ends this Friday 1st March at 10am.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links