The Scottish Rum Festival goes live and in-person for the very first time

Following on from two highly successful virtual events during the pandemic, The Scottish Rum Festival is excited to announce its first live in-person event in Edinburgh on Saturday 2nd September 2023.

The Festival, for rum lovers and newbies alike, aims to introduce audiences to the nation’s finest rum distilleries and blenders through a variety of unique brand experiences, tasting sessions and masterclasses on key topics within the industry.

The day itself will feature a strong line up of Scottish producers presenting their rums to sip and mix, including: Banditti Club Rum, Base Spirits Collective, Brass Neck, Brewdog Distilling Co., Illicit Spirits, IslandSlice Rum, Islay Rum, Jacobites Spirits, J. Gow Rum, Matugga Distillers, Ninefold Distillery, North Point Distillery, Ron Cabezon and Sugar House Rum, alongside some exciting brand new entrants to Scotland’s thriving rum scene.

Each of the Scottish rum producers at the festival will be showcasing their brands, giving attendees the opportunity to taste and learn about their backgrounds, unique flavours and production techniques. A programme of expert talks and panel sessions will introduce audiences to topics such as Scotland’s rum heritage, and the synergies between Scottish rum and whisky. Speakers include spirits experts and educators Peter Holland and John Boyle, and Sir Geoff Palmer, Professor Emeritus and Chancellor of Heriot-Watt University. With such a diverse range of products on offer, there will be something to suit every taste and preference.

Supported by Scotland Food & Drink and leading commercial law firm Burness Paull, the Festival marks the start of Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight and Scottish Rum Week, giving rum a prominent place amongst the best of Scottish produce.

Jacine Rutasikwa, co-founder of Matugga Distillers, said: ‘We are absolutely delighted to see the very first live Scottish Rum Festival in 2023. Despite challenges in previous years, the virtual festival proved popular with rum lovers up and down the country, and we can’t wait to bring them all together to enjoy the world-class high-quality and variety of rum production in Scotland, and meet the producers that are putting Scotland on the global rum map.”

Dr Kit Caruthers, owner and head distiller at Ninefold Distillery, said: “Scottish rum distillers are at the forefront of a new wave of UK-distilled and blended rums. At less than a decade old we are already producing some of the finest and respected rums in the world, and this first in-person Scottish Rum Festival will be a great opportunity for both new and experienced rum drinkers to taste what all the fuss is about.”

The festival will take place in Patina, Edinburgh, and consist of two sessions: an afternoon session from 12:00 to 16:00 and an evening session from 17:00 to 21:00.

Tickets for the event are now available and can be purchased directly through the festival's website: www.scottishrumfest.com