WIND AND WAVES AT BENROMACH’S NAUTICAL WEEKEND
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More than 1,000 people descended on Speyside’s smallest working distillery, on Sunday 6th May to attend the seventh annual Benromach Free Family Fun Day. This year’s event celebrated Benromach’s involvement with the Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper, by offering visitors an afternoon of nautically themed displays, entertainment and excitement for all the family.
The inter distillery cask rolling competition took centre stage at the event, with teams from Benromach Distillery, Glenfarclas Distillery and Speyside Cooperage, negotiating a tricky slalom course to compete for the inter distillery trophy. Following an exhilarating final, Speyside Cooperage pipped Glenfarclas to the winning post and were announced ‘Speyside’s top cask rolling squad’. |
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To get in on the competitive spirit of the afternoons events, visitors challenged their inner strength by entering the Benromach Cask Strength Challenge, by winching a whisky barrel up a ramp. Competition was fierce, but the winching champions of the day were announced as David Cusworth of Clipper Ventures with a remarkable time of just over 15 seconds and Amy Macpherson with an impressive time of just over 26 seconds.
The nosing competition, which took place in the visitor centre challenged competitors to master the art of ‘nosing’, and identify the varying sub-aromas that give each whisky its unique character. |
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Entertainment and music was supported by displays from Moray Inshore Rescue Organisation and Moray Gig. Charity stalls reported a busy afternoon of trading and over 160 people toured Benromach Distillery itself. Team members from Clipper Ventures Plc, the organisers of the Clipper 07-08 and members of the Glasgow: Scotland with style marketing team were also in attendance.
Over the weekend, Benromach Peat Smoke was added to the Benromach range. Benromach Peat Smoke is complex, intense and challenging - yet balanced with the fruity elements of Speyside. |
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| On Saturday 5th May, Findhorn Bay was host to the inaugural Benromach Open Regatta, which was held in conjunction with The Royal Findhorn Yacht Club. Sailing from Findhorn, Cruisers and Dinghies raced a course fashioned in the shape of a capital ‘B’. |
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| Throughout the afternoon, over 70 people experienced a thrilling ride around the bay in a Zap Cat speedboat, reaching top speeds of around 50 mph in three seconds. The Benromach Cask Strength Challenge, invited sailors and spectators to test their strength and willpower. The Benromach Cask Strength Champion, who remained undefeated over the weekend, was Mike Duff who wowed the crowds at Findhorn with a record-breaking time of just over 14 seconds! |
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At the prize giving on the Saturday night, a presentation and tasting of Benromach Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky and a selection of Scottish Micro Beers was followed by a talk from David Cusworth, Race Recruitment Director for Clipper Ventures Plc. In the cruiser category, first place was awarded to David Horn with his boat Blue Moon, with Robert Campbell racing to victory in his Laser 157743, in the dinghy category. Both sailors are members of the Royal Findhorn Yacht Club.
The day’s events raised a total of £407, which is to be donated equally between the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and Moray Inshore Rescue Organisation. |
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Commenting on the weekends events, Ian Urquhart, managing director of Gordon & MacPhail, proprietors of Benromach Distillery says, ‘We were delighted to welcome visitors to our weekend of nautically themed events, to celebrate Benromach’s involvement with the Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper. All involved thoroughly enjoyed the weekends events and the nautical theme provided a wide range of activities and displays for all the family to enjoy.’
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Benromach Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Race Partner of the Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper
in the Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race |
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