Caledonian Hilton, Edinburgh:

Whisky flights and Whisky events

With so much competition from local bars and restaurants, particularly in the city, hotels have a real challenge encouraging non-residents to use their facilities. In order to attract local trade, outlets need to give consumers additional reasons to visit.

The five-star Caledonian Hilton, one of Edinburgh’s Scotch Whisky Embassies, has addressed this challenge by developing a series of Scotch Whisky events.

Felix Busch, the Hotel’s Food & Beverage Manager, decided that, as a Scotch Whisky Embassy, they needed to build on their reputation for Whisky appreciation to host whisky tasting events.

As Felix says “We have over 183 Scotch Whiskies on sale in our bar and we offer an extensive range of Whisky Cocktails. With our knowledgeable staff and membership to the Scotch Whisky Embassy network, hosting whisky tasting events seemed the obvious step to take to reach a wider local audience.”

“Working with our Whisky suppliers we have already held a Whisky and canapés tasting with Bunnahabhain. In October we have the honour of hosting an event with Benromach distillery”

The Caledonian’s Whisky Tastings cost £25 per person and are being promoted via the Caley bar’s own “Caley Newsletter” which is sent to an exclusive and growing group of Whisky connoisseurs in Edinburgh.  

In addition to these events, the bar offers a selection of ‘Whisky Flights’ or ‘Do-it-yourself’ whisky tastings. These give guests the chance to try a whole selection of single malts by themselves, aided with tasting notes and sold as a package. Flights include: An introduction to malt whiskies; a tour of the lowlands and the robust malts of Islay. The bar offers eight different flights and as a result can offer an in-depth whisky experience even when they have few staff working.

For more information about the Caley Bar’s whisky tastings, please contact Felix Busch at the Caledonian Hilton, Princes Street, Edinburgh. Tel: (0)131 222 8883.

ScotlandWhisky is lead by Chris Conway, who is based at the Scotch Whisky Experience, Royal Mile, Edinburgh. Chris can be contacted on tel: 0131 478 7120 or by email: c.conway@whisky-heritage.co.uk