SCOTTISH whisky fans are being given the chance to become "Europe's best whisky taster" in a new competition this summer.
The event, Caskmaster 2026, will see participants given 30 minutes to nose and taste eight drams and identify each one from a line-up of nine.
The top five from each of the heat will go straight through to the final hosted in Edinburgh on November 12.
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) are hosting the preliminary heats throughout August and September and have granted the competition access to their prestigious collection boasting of bottles from over 180 distilleries.
These are usually exclusively reserved for the 40,000 society members.
Event organiser and SMWS member experience manager Calum Lawson, said: “It’s a rare opportunity to test your palate against likeminded people, and, for one person, to walk away with a prize that will last a lifetime.”
The winner of the competition will be granted a lifetime SMWS membership worth £100 a year, as well as a four-day trip to the north of Scotland on the "Speysider whisky retreat" hosted by author and podcaster Mitch Bechard.
Doors will open for the Caskmaster 2026 heats at 6pm in the following locations:
- The Vaults, Leith (Wednesday, August 12)
- Queen Street, Edinburgh (Wednesday, August 19)
- Bath Street, Glasgow (Wednesday, August 26)
- 19 Greville Street, London (Wednesday, September 2)
It will cost £50 to attend the event, with a meal supplied alongside their eight drams.
Tickets are open to anyone throughout Europe. Organisers highlight that "whether you are a seasoned whisky drinker or an ambitious newcomer, all you need is a ticket".
Taking inspiration from a similar event organised by the Australian branch, Caskmaster 2026 will be the first blind whisky tasting hosted by SMWS in the UK.
Lawson outlined the purpose of the event, commenting: “At the society, we have always believed that flavour should do the talking.
“Caskmaster puts that to the ultimate test. This is whisky as it should be, shared, debated and enjoyed, but with a healthy dose of competition thrown in.”
SMWS was founded in 1983 with the first meeting organised between a group of friends in Edinburgh. The society now has branches in 27 countries, bottling casks from distilleries all over the globe.
Tickets here are now on sale.
