250 single malts on offer at Midlands Whisky Festival

WHISKY enthusiasts from across the West Midlands will be spiriting themselves away in a Birmingham conferencing and events centre tomorrow as the 10th Midlands Whisky Festival arrives in the city.

Taking place at thestudiobirmingham, Cannon Street, the festival is the biggest event of its type in England outside London – and it is the first time is has been staged in the city.

There will be more than 250 whiskies for visitors to sample, with each visitor being given a special tasting glass as part of their entrance fee.

The event, which takes place between 11am and 6pm, has attracted 30 exhibitors and the range of drams on offer have been designed to offer something for everyone, from novice to connoisseur.

Whiskies from the traditional Scottish regions – Lowland, Highland, Speyside, Islay and Islands – will all be available, while visitors will also be able to sample drinks from Ireland, Japan and elsewhere.

There will be a series of masterclasses including one exploring the drinks from the Ancnoc, Balblair and Old Pulteney Highland distilleries.

There will also be a Japanese whisky masterclass featuring award-winning examples from Yamazaki and Hibiki; a luxury tasting experience with the UK ambassador of Glenfarclas, featuring six whiskies; and award-winning cigar distributor, Hunter & Frankau, will be pairing Dalmore single malts with the finest Cuban cigars on thestudio’s roof terrace.

The festival is being organised by Stourbridge-based Nickolls and Perks, one of the UK’s oldest wine and spirits merchants, established in 1797.

Tim Robbins, marketing and events manager, said: “We’re delighted to hold the festival in Birmingham at such a central location. This show will boast a record number of exhibitors and we hope that visitors will be impressed by the quality and quantity of what’s on offer, as this is a testament to the relationship we have established with them over many years as independent merchants.”