A massive whisky festival is coming to Manchester – featuring rare and exclusive tastings

If you’re a fan of the strong stuff, this is what dreams are made of.

The Manchester Whisky Festival 2017 hits the city on the first weekend of September with  so many whiskies from around the world that it’s a two-day extravaganza.

Organised by renowned whisky evangelist and all round drinks guy Eddie Ludlow, the two days include brand new workshops and an opportunity to try some particularly rare and exclusive whiskies.

Bonus points for the fact that the festival takes place in the beautiful Great Hall in Manchester Town Hall.

Whether you’re a connoisseur or don’t know your Scotch from your Bourbon, this is the place to taste the best homegrown whiskies as well as an incredible selection from all over the world.

More than 1500 visitors enjoyed last year’s event, making it the biggest one day whisky festival in the country.  If you fancy getting in on this year’s action, here’s what to expect.

Grab yourself a hearty breakfast so you’re not stumbling around the city like a lightweight and then head over to any of the exhibitor stands, ask for a dram and you’ll receive a tasty glass of whisky.

If you’ve been hankering for a taste of something new and elusive, this place will stock it. If they don’t, we have no idea who does.

Exhibitors include Talisker, Laphroaig, Highland Park, Kavalan, Aberlour, Springbank, Nikka, Elements of Islay, The Quiet Man and The Macallan.

Special features this year include labs where you can create your own blend under the watchful eye of the Master Blender and cocktail workshops where you’ll be taught how to make classic whisky cocktails – and drink them of course.

After the event there’s The Whisky Pilgrimage where you’ll be able to collect stamps at local bars or whisky partners and get free drams and prizes for completing the pilgrimage. Full details haven’t yet been announced but watch this space.

“The 2017 Manchester Whisky Festival is set to be the best yet,” said Eddie. “We are always looking for new, interesting features for the event, making sure there’s something exciting and innovative for visitors, and this year there’s plenty of that!

“Our whisky crèche, cocktail workshop and blending lab are all brand new additions that we’re excited to bring to Manchester. The sessions will be jam-packed with more of the best whiskies than ever before, presented by our lovely friends in the whisky industry. Roll on September!”

We couldn’t agree more.

Manchester Whisky Festival 2017 tickets

For more info and to purchase tickets, click here.