April 1st-4th 2017
For those in the drinks trade, I think it’s widely accepted that the biggest cocktail and spirits focused event in the world is Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans, USA. It’s a seriously large event that’s now set to celebrate its 15th incarnation this year on the July 18th-23rd. For those also in the know, Tales on Tour started seven years ago – taking the seminar format out on the road; giving people a taste of the main event and creating a buzz wherever they could. The good news for us Brits is that Tales on Tour is rocking up in Edinburgh this April (and next year as well) and its set to be the epicentre of awesome as so many super cool drinks industry folks head towards one of the best cocktail cities in the UK.
TotC On Tour is not heading to Edinburgh to teach the locals how to make cocktails. It’s heading there because there’s a great vibe, an existing scene and it’s not the UK’s capital – a point Ann Tuennerman seemed keen to re-iterate. The Tales team are looking forward to bringing a spotlight on the city.
My view on Edinburgh is that the drinks scene is full of talent and innovation, well supplied with fantastic places to drink and a fab place to be. I’m also sure that under the gaze of the world, the city will polish the brasses, puff out its feathers a little and be a welcoming and fantastic host to the great and the good that will surely head there for the event.
For any brands reading this – whilst the seminars are fixed, there are still opportunities to be involved if you want to create related events. I’m sure Edinburgh’s bars will be looking for tie-in’s as well. Contact Melissa Young or Emily Coleman at TotC – I’m sure Laura Cavanagh at Steely Fox PR (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) will happily connect you together.
Official Press Release and Seminar Details:
After successful stops in Vancouver, Buenos Aires and Mexico City, Tales of the Cocktail on Tour is on the move again. This year to Edinburgh, Scotland for four days of seminars, tastings and networking events from April 1-4. In addition to nightly events that allow attendees to explore the unique cocktail culture of Edinburgh, Tales of the Cocktail® on Tour will feature a line-up of 12 seminars, presented by some of the world’s most renowned cocktail experts including Ryan Chetiyawardana, Charlotte Voisey, Claire Smith-Warner, Jack McGarry, Jacob Briars and many more.
“I’m excited to announce our most extensive line-up of seminars for a Tales on Tour ever! As well as featuring more than one of the top-five seminars from Tales New Orleans 2016 such as “Talking Rot,” “Going Back To Your Roots To Find Success” and “Nutmeg,” we are proud to be curating brand-new seminars from some of the cocktail world’s most revered presenters. The city won’t know what’s hit it!” Philip Duff, Director of Education.
Just like the annual Tales of the Cocktail® in New Orleans, the seminars in Edinburgh will dive deep into the techniques, history and business of making drinks. These 12 original seminars were selected by a panel led by Philip Duff to offer a wide breadth of cocktail knowledge - everything from the history of New Orleans drinking and cocktail photography to Rancio and the psychology of drink preferences. Attendees will be able to choose six seminars (three per day) to attend during Tales of the Cocktail® on Tour.
Tales of the Cocktail® on Tour 2017 Seminars:
Going Back to Your Roots to Find Success
- Ian McLaren with Ryan Chetiyawardana, Jim Meehan and Craig Harper
- Sponsored by Bacardi
New Orleans: The Cradle of Civilized Drinking
- Phil Greene with Chris Hannah and Chris McMillian
- Sponsored by Sazerac Rye Whiskey
#instadram – The Benefits of Drinking Shots
- Max Warner and Addie Chinn with Alex Kratena, Agostino Perrone, Alastair Burgess and Tara Garnell
- Sponsored by Pernod Ricard UK
Nutmeg: The Seed That Spiced 1000 Sips
- Charlotte Voisey with Jack McGarry, Peter Vestinos and Davide Segat
- Sponsored by William Grant & Sons
Drambusters: Why Scotch Belongs in Cocktails
- Georgie Bell, Ryan Chetiyawardana, Mike Aikman and Tom Walker
- Sponsored John Dewar and Sons
Guilty Pleasure
- Claire Smith Warner with Zoey Cormier, Iain Griffiths and Jeffrey Kluger
- Sponsored by Belvedere Vodka
Talking Rot: Rancio, Scotch and MADness
- Dave Broom with Ryan Chetiyawardana and Arielle Johnson
- Sponsored by Johnnie Walker
Liquid Intelligence
- Don Lee and Dave Arnold
- Sponsored by Monkey Shoulder Scotch Whisky
Small Fish in a Big Pond
- Ally Martin with Andy Gemmell, Craig Harper, Stuart McCluskey and Mike Aikman
- Sponsored by Drambuie, Hendrick’s Gin and Monkey Shoulder Whisky
Slap it! Pour it! Crush it! Swizzle it!
- Daniyel Jones with Summer-Jane Bell and Martin Cate
- Sponsored by Angostura
Make your Mark: How to Create a Modern Classic
- Jacob Briars with Robert Simonson, Tom Walker and Naren Young
- Sponsored by Bacardi Rum
Liquipedia
- Tristan Stephenson with Jake Burger and Jeffrey Kluger
- Sponsored by Belvedere Vodka
“This is our biggest offering of seminars we’ve had in our seven years of putting on Tales on Tour. Philip and his team did an incredible job of selecting seminars that will challenge and enlighten everyone who joins us,” said Ann Tuennerman. “April can’t come fast enough.”
The festival will also partner with brands such as The Cocktail Lovers and The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) to present a series of evening events, known as Dynamic Duos, in bars throughout the city centre, which are open to the public. The SMWS event will focus on flavour in single cask whisky and takes place at Kaleidoscope Bar on Saturday 1 April.
Ticket packages to Tales of the Cocktail® on Tour Edinburgh go on sale January 9 for Tales 365 members and January 11 for the general public. Ticket packages, priced at $329, are all-inclusive and will give each attendee access to seminars and nightly events during the festival’s four days. For the full descriptions of all seminars and events, information on accommodations and to get your tickets to Tales of the Cocktail® on Tour Edinburgh, visit https://talesofthecocktail.com/events/tales-on-tour/
