Festivals are BACK, baby, and if you prefer epic whiskies over warm cans of cider and would rather chill on your sofa rather than in a muddy field, you're gonna love this, 'cause the OurWhisky Virtual Whisky Festival is returning for a second year with a line up worthy of Glastonbury levels of hype.
ICYMI last year, the inaugural event was all about uniting whisky makers + whisky lovers through a series of cool, interactive and informative masterclasses all while raising money for charity. Education never tasted so good, amirite? With over 16,000 people joining for the first event, and 200 tasting packs sold, they managed to raise over £12k for The Drinks Trust, with funds going to hospitality and drinks industry pros that faced difficulties as a result of the lockdowns. With such an epic success like that, it's no surprise they're bringing it back for a second year and tickets are on sale now. BOOM.
The OurWhisky Virtual Whisky Festival 2021 will feature five sessions with unique themes, each designed to help you explore a specific area of whisky:
29th April: Who Run the World? - SOLD OUT
Meet some of the most talented and inspirational women running the world of whisky today, while enjoying some of their exquisite creations.
6th May: Club Tropicana
Pineapple, banana, mango, cherries – who doesn’t love a fruit bomb in their whisky glass? Join us for a selection of the most mouthwateringly fruity whiskies around.
13th May: The Ryesing Tide
Move over America – there’s a new wave of innovative distillers around the world making rye whisky, and they’re pretty damn good at it too. Discover a new side to this trendy whisky style.
20th May: New Kids on the Block
Join this special session to discover some of the newest and most exciting whisky makers around, including a few surprises you’re unlikely to have tasted before.
27th May: WonkaVision
The Candyman has run wild and stuffed this tasting box with delectable and nostalgic treats that pair perfectly with whisky. Bring your appetite.
Just like the inaugural edition, the festival comes with a twist (and not necessarily of the citrus variety) – the contents of each tasting pack, as well as those presenting them, will remain a surprise until the day of the event. “We want to recreate the anticipation and excitement of walking into a real-life masterclass while helping everyone explore whisky without preconceived expectations," says Becky Paskin, co-founder of OurWhisky. "It’s a chance to discover new expressions whisky lovers of all levels may have otherwise overlooked."
"We have an incredible line-up of 25 whiskies, including some our guests will not have tasted before. This festival is going to be the best yet.”
With the anticipation of finding out which epic whiskies you're gonna get to try, the OurWhisky team have also spiced up the excitement with the introduction of special Golden Tickets, five of which will be hidden among the tasting packs. Lucky finders will be able to choose a full bottle of whisky of their choice from their tasting. Way better than a lifetime supply of chocolate, IMO. If you aren't lucky enough to find a golden ticket, the OurWhisky retail partners Milroy’s of Soho (AKA the whisky mecca of Soho) are offering their virtual guests an exclusive discount on bottles featured in the festival. Legends.
Tickets are on sale now for £30 from www.ourwhisky.com/virtual-whisky-festival. Each ticket includes a tasting pack of five 30ml whisky samples. The OurWhisky Virtual Whisky Festival will be live-streamed at 7pm GMT on 29th April, and 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th May on OurWhisky’s Facebook, Twitter and YouTube channels. Due to current logistical challenges, tasting packs can only be sent to UK addresses.
All profits from the event, which is also being sponsored by the featured brands, will be donated to The Drinks Trust.