Associated DramFest Events
Fringe events taking place before or after the DramFest Main Events. These are a unique opportunity to enjoy some whisky and rum experiences at selected local hospitality spots, soaking up the wealth of knowledgeable guests while they are here in New Zealand.
Thursday 27th February
A West Coast Trilogy
A tasting with Lochlea, Ardnamurchan & Kilchoman Distillery’s
When: Thursday 27th February 5.30pm-7.30pm
Where: The Howff at Whisky Galore, 834 Colombo St.
Cost: $65.00 - Light supper included
A West Coast Trilogy is now sold out!
A very special joint tasting with three iconic distilleries and personalities from the West Coast of Scotland.
Starting off at Lochlea, a working farm distillery that is deeply rooted in Scottish history, known for being the home and workplace of Robert Burns from 1777 to 1784. Lochlea Sales Manager, Emma Kirk will kick-off the tasting showcasing the lush orchard fruit forward drams that the distillery is becoming known for. Followed by the Hon. Alex Bruce, a stalwart of DramFest, who will be showcasing two very different styles of whisky produced at the remote Ardnamurchan Distillery on the most Westerly edge of the Scottish Mainland. We conclude the evening with Anthony Wills, Founder of the Kilchoman Distillery on the iconic whisky island of Islay, who will take you through two special drams that encapsulate the now representative style of this groundbreaking farm distillery.
This is a unique opportunity to experience this exceptional trio of whisky & whisky personalities in one room.
A Rum Legacy
“A questioning, opinionated Barbadian is leading rum into the 21st century” – Dave Broom, spirits expert
Richard Seale presents Foursquare Rum Distillery
When: Thursday 27th February, 5.30pm - 7.30pm
Where: Casa Publica, 180 Armagh Street
Cost: $58.00 - Light supper included
We are delighted to have Foursquare’s Founder and Master Distiller, Richard Seale join us all the way from Barbados to host this very special tasting in association with Ōtautahi’s premier Rum Bar, Casa Publica.
Richard is the fourth generation to work in the family rum business, joining R L Seale & Co in 1993 before helping found the Foursquare Distillery in 1996 using groundbreaking engineering to create one of the Caribbean’s most renowned and admired distilleries whilst retaining the key traditional aspects of the original Caribbean Rum style. Richard is one of the most respected distillers of our time, with his wicked attention to detail and an unwavering passion for the rum industry has catapulted Foursquare Distillery to distinction, making it widely considered as one of the world’s greatest Rum producers.
This is an extremely rare opportunity to get unheard insights into this iconic distillery, and to chat one-on-one with Richard - an event not to be missed!
Friday 28th February
Dram on the Tram
When: Friday 28th February
Session #1: 12.30 - 1.20pm
Session #2: 2.00-2.50pm
Where: Cathedral Junction, 109 Worcester Street
Cost: 58.00
Dram on the Tram is now sold out!
Back by popular demand! We are teaming up with our friends at the Christchurch Tramways again to bring you another production of the Dram on the Tram.
A city tour experience unlike any other, your journey will start at Cathedral Junction before traveling the historic tramways of the Garden city with a few drams in hand, music from local Jazz band 'Silverlocks' and some canapes from the Bespoke Chef, all the while soaking up the local landmarks that Christchurch has to offer. We’ll have Ian McWilliam from Glenfarclas at the helm, handing out some delicious distillery drams and MC extraordinaire Jono Corfe providing a running commentary of the Christchurch landscape - the best way to experience our Garden City over the weekend!
Sunday 2nd March
DramFest Finale!
Your ticket includes; a welcome Macleans Nose Highball and canapes on arrival, a sample of each bartender’s cocktail creation and food platters to enjoy while watching the bartenders in action.
When: Sunday 2nd March, 7.30pm - 10.00pm
Where: Mr Brightside Bar, Level 4, 152 Oxford Terrace, Christchurch
Cost: $72.00
We’re concluding DramFest celebrations with a cocktail infused Finale at Mr Brightside bar, to reflect on a wonderful whisk(e)y (and rum!)-filled weekend.
We have invited 5 of New Zealand’s top bartenders to compose a cocktail using Ardnamurchan Distillery’s popular west coast dram, ‘Macleans Nose’ and compete in front of our judges and audience to be crowned DramFest cocktail champion.
They’ll be judged by a panel of experts, including The Hon Alex Bruce, Managing Director of Ardnamurchan Distillery and acclaimed spirits writer, Dave Broom. But, in addition to the judging panel, you will also have a part to play as there will be the audience favourite as chosen by you! As part of your ticket you will receive a taster of each cocktail and fill-in a scorecard based on key criteria such as originality, aroma, and balance. Once all scorecards are collated, we’ll reveal both the audience and judges’ winners!
Each of these bartenders are highly revered in their field, and we are so excited to see their skills and knowledge on show at this event. We welcome:
Alastair Walker - Caretaker & Deadshot, Auckland
Dany Denith – Panacea, Auckland
Alex Hudson, Wonderhorse & Neat, Hamilton
Cory Evans - The Last Word, Christchurch
Harry Findlay – Londo, Christchurch
Hosted at Mr Brightside rooftop bar overlooking the beautiful Avon river in the heart of Christchurch, you will be welcomed to the event with a refreshing Macleans Nose Highball and canapes. We’ll then settle in to watch these immensely talented bartenders battle it out, whilst enjoying their cocktail samples and delicious food platters provided by the team at Mr Brightside – all whilst soaking up the beautiful Ōtautahi sunset!
This is going to be a fun a light-hearted end to the weekend, with a bit of fun, frivolity and a healthy dose of competition – an event not to be missed!
