Dornoch Whisky Festival Programme

Below, you will find the programme of events that we had at last year’s Dornoch Whisky Festival!

This year’s Dornoch Whisky Festival programme is just around the corner, and we are so excited to announce that the programme and tickets will be available soon. While we put the finishing touches on this year’s event, have a browse through last year’s festival to remind you of the type of events to come.

From tastings, dinners, and masterclasses, the Dornoch Whisky Festival offers a range of experiences. Whether you’re a seasoned whisky enthusiast or simply curious about the drink, the festival provides the perfect opportunity to enjoy and educate yourself with Scotland’s finest spirit.

With limited availability for some of our more popular events, don’t miss your chance to be a part of this years event.

Tickets for the festival are  nearly ready, so keep an eye out for announcements and make sure to secure your spot.

We aim to have tickets available for sale by the end of May.

Friday 28th October 2022

Brand Masterclass with Special Guest
Carnegie Whisky Cellars
Approx: 3pm

Join us in the Carnegie Whisky Cellars Tasting Vault for a special brand masterclass on Friday afternoon. More details will be revealed soon, but it’s a good one!

Thompson Brothers Indy Bottling Tasting
Dornoch Distillery Warehouse
Approx: 3:30pm

The Thompson Bros will be putting together a selection of indy bottlings for you to enjoy at their warehouse site.

Brand Tasting
Eagle Hotel
Approx: 5pm

New for 2022, join us at the Eagle Hotel for a soon to be announced brand tasting. 

Blind Gin & whisky Tasting
ROYAL DORNOCH GOLF CLUB
5:30 PM

Back for 2022 – come and try your hand at sampling 3 gins and 3 whiskies and then identify which ones they are.

Blind Regional Tasting
Carnegie Whisky Cellars
Approx: 6pm

Join David as he takes you through a Blind Regional Tasting on Friday evening in the Carnegie Whisky Cellars Tasting Vault. 

Independent Bottlers Masterclass
Online - Zoom
7pm
For those of you who can’t join us in person, Michael from the Carnegie Whisky Cellars will be hosting his Independent Bottlers Masterclass on Zoom.
 
Featuring bottlings from 6 outstanding independent bottlers featured at this years Dornoch Whisky Festival Grand Tasting.
Sensory Menu @ Mara with Special Guest
LINKS HOUSE AT ROYAL DORNOCH
Approx: 7pm
Following on from the success of 2019’s Sensory Tasting Menu at Links House, the culinary team at MARA are wishing to tantalise your senses once more!
 
The menu will be retrospectively designed in accordance to our ‘special guest’s’ whisky choices and paired with bespoke whisky based beverages.
SMWS Dinner
Dornoch Castle Hotel
Approx: 7:30pm
We are delighted to be brining back the SMWS dinner at the Dornoch Castle Hotel. 
 
This will be a 5 course dinner with SMWS whisky match per course and hosted by a wonderful SMWS ambassador.

Saturday 29th October 2022

An Introduction to Barley Varietals
Dornoch Distillery Warehouse
Approx: 11am

Join the distillers of Dornoch for an introduction to the barley varieties distilled at Dornoch Distillery; including some heritage varieties. 

Dornoch Whisky Fesatival: Grand Tasting
DORNOCH WHISKY FESTIVAL MARQUEE​
1pm - 5pm

The 2022 Grand Tasting will be back on Saturday afternoon with a selection of over 20 exhibitors and many more brands. 

We’ve been waiting to bring this event back for two years now and cannot wait to be back in the Dornoch Whisky Festival Marquee!

For those of you who purchased tickets to the 2020 event, they are valid for the 2022 one. 

Malts Multiverse
Carnegie Whisky Cellars
Approx: 6pm

A twist on the usual tastings will see Michael of the Carnegie Whisky Cellars flip regional characteristics on their head. 

Mara Whisky Degustation Menu - plus special guests Q&A
Links House At Royal Dornoch
Approx: 7pm

Another retrospectively designed degustation menu with some of our special guest’s favourite drams.  An evening of Whisky infused and paired dining, followed by an exclusive Q&A with our special guests.

Behind The Scenes With the Brands
DORNOCH WHISKY FESTIVAL MARQUEE
Approx: 8pm

New for 2022, we will be meeting the people behind the brands on Saturday night! With several distilleries in attendance, each giving a short highlight on their brand and a dram (or maybe two!)

Sunday 30th October 2022

David Urquhart Memorial Trophy
Royal Dornoch Golf Course
10am

Stableford, Championship course yellow & red tees

Open to men and ladies who hold a WHS handicap index of (24.9 men) (30.4 ladies) or less

Member £25, Struie member £50 & visitor £75 (includes a bacon roll prior and luch after your round)

Dornoch Whisky Festival Community Market
DORNOCH WHISKY FESTIVAL MARQUEE
11am - 3pm

Our community market will give you a great chance to pick up some Highland goodies! With a range of products from homemade bakery items, to photography and crafts, there’s something for everyone here.

Sweet Treats
Carnegie Whisky Cellars
Approx: 12pm

Partnering with local companies to bring you a selection of sweet treats paired expertly with the perfect whiskies. 

Boozy BBQ Brunch
Links House At Royal Dornoch
Approx: 12pm
We thought we’d bring back the boozy bbq brunch from 2019, as it proved so popular!
 
Guests will be welcomed with a complimentary Red Snapper cocktail and treated to a selection of brunch classics from both the kitchen and the BBQ.
Private Collection: Indy Bottlings
Eagle Hotel
Approx: 12:30pm

Join us at the Eagle Hotel for a selection of drams bottled exclusively for the Eagle Hotel. Last year Eric very nicely decided to open some of his (extensive) collection for the Dornoch Whisky Festival and has thankfully decided to do it again.

A9 Whiskies
Carnegie Whisky Cellars
Approx: 3pm

Join David for a virtual road trip along the A9 as we delve into 7 whiskies that are produced – you guessed it, in distilleries along the A9. 

Indy Bottling Masterclass
Carnegie Whisky Cellars
Approx: 6pm

Join us for the well loved Carnegie Whisky Cellars Indepenedent Bottling Masterclass. Featuring bottlings from 6 outstanding independent bottlers featured at this years Dornoch Whisky Festival Grand Tasting.

An online variation of this is available on the Friday night.