Glenfarclas are pleased to announce their program of tastings and events for the 2008 Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival. This year’s program will include masterclasses featuring a selection of The Family Casks, and a walk to the distillery’s water source on Ben Rinnes.The Family Casks are a unique collection of 43 single cask whiskies from Glenfarclas, with one cask bottled for every year from 1952 to 1994 at cask strength. During the 2008 festival there will be three opportunities to sample a selection of The Family Casks, with George Grant, Brand Ambassador and sixth generation of the family which own and manage the distillery. On Friday the 2nd of May, after a tour of the distillery, George Grant, will host a Masterclass at the distillery featuring a selection of casks distilled in the 1950s and 1960s. On Friday evening, George will introduce The Family Casks from 1958, 1968, 1978 and 1988 to guests at Ballindalloch Castle, an event not to be missed for anyone celebrating a major birthday this year. To accompany each whisky Mark Braidwood, of the Mash Tun, has devised canapés playing on the flavours of the whisky.  On Monday the 5th of May, George will present a tour and tasting of six Glenfarclas expressions, including a sherry butt from 1958 of which only 455 bottles are available. Glenfarclas will offer a guided hill walk to the distillery’s water source, on Ben Rinnes, on Sunday the 4th of May. As Robert Ransom explained ‘This is hill walk over rough ground, but weather permitting we should be rewarded with a fantastic view of Speyside, whilst we enjoy a dram of Glenfarclas ‘105’, beside the Glenfarclas water source’.

The distillery, which is open weekdays throughout the year, will in addition open on the Saturday and Sunday during the festival, with further tours and tastings, featuring Glenfarclas 10 Years Old, 15 Years Old, 21 Years Old, 25 Years Old, 30 Years Old and ‘105’ Cask Strength. For full details of Glenfarclas events, and to book, please visit www.spiritofspeyside.com