A Clash of the Stills – The Return of the Distillers' Showdown

Information

A Clash of the Stills – The Return of the Distillers' Showdown
Date: Friday 1st May, 2026
Time: 7 PM
Venue: The Craigellachie Hotel

Back for another round and promising more spirit than ever (literally), A Clash of the Stills returns for its second year—where distillers battle it out over barley, barrels, and brilliance. Hosted by Mitch Bechard – Keeper of the Quaich, whisky veteran with over 20 years in the industry, and co-host of Not Another Whisky Podcast – this is a night of world-class drams, distilling know-how, and behind-the-scenes banter, all captured in a live podcast recording with you as the audience.

Each distiller will present a hand-selected whisky from their personal stash to represent their craft in this spirited face-off. Expect bold flavours, big stories, and a touch of friendly chaos as they fight for your vote.

This Year’s Line-Up:

Polly Logan – Back to defend her title after winning in 2025, Polly returns with flair, technical brilliance, and fearless creativity. Formerly of Macallan and now Distillery Manager at Tormore (Elixir Distillers), she’s known for pushing boundaries and producing some of the most exciting new whiskies in Speyside.

Kristy Lark – Straight from Tasmania, Kristy is a second-generation distiller and owner of Killara Distillery, carrying on the legacy of her father, Bill Lark—the godfather of Australian whisky. Kristy’s style is elegant, precise, and full of character—just like the whiskies she creates. This is her first time at Spirit of Speyside, and she’s here to make a statement.

Euan Christie – Distillery Manager at The Cabrach Distillery, Euan brings serious stillroom credibility to the line-up. Formerly part of the team at Dornoch Distillery, he combines deep technical experience with a genuine respect for traditional, flavour-first distilling. At Cabrach, Euan is helping revive one of Scotland’s most historically rich distilling regions—where illicit whisky once ruled—bringing it back to life with purpose, patience, and plenty of character.

This isn’t just a tasting. It’s a whisky showdown, where the stillroom heroes step out from behind the scenes to face the crowd, dram in hand. You’ll sip along with four personally selected whiskies, hear the stories behind them, and get involved in the debate—all while being part of a live Not Another Whisky Podcast recording.

Tickets: £45 per person
Includes three exclusive drams selected by the distillers themselves, and a front-row seat at one of the most entertaining whisky nights of the festival.

Spaces are limited—book now to secure your spot for this epic clash of flavour, fire, and fermentation.

Refund Policy: No refund

Getting here: Craigellachie is served by Stagecoach North Scotland bus route 36, which runs between Elgin Bus Station and Dufftown, stopping at Craigellachie (Brickfield / Fife Street / Lodge). The journey from Elgin takes around 30–35 minutes and typically runs hourly Monday–Saturday (reduced Sunday service). We recommend checking the latest timetables on the Stagecoach website or app before travel.

Our Distillery Map helps you get a sense of the Speyside region when planning your visit.