Lockdown lock-in: virtual whisky and rum tastings, masterclasses and festivals

Pubs and bars may be closed due to the coronavirus pandemic but it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a tipple or two with friends - in the virtual world.

Music concerts, sporting events, theatre shows and even pub quizzes have gone virtual and now whisky and rum tastings are being held digitally.

So fill up the ice tray, order some miniatures and invite your drinking buddies to a virtual tasting, masterclass or festival.

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Drinks by the Dram: live rum tasting

• When: Monday 27 April at 7.30pm
• Where: Instagram live @masterofmalt

As part of the Master of Malt live series, Kristiane Sherry will be joined by rum expert Peter Holland, aka The Floating Rum Shack, to take you through this delicious rum offering from Drinks by the Dram. Join in on Instagram live and ask questions as you taste. Sets cost £24.25 from masterofmalt.com

Starward Australian whisky masterclass

• Cost: £24.95 from cocktail-connoisseurs.com

The Starward Australian Whisky Flight tasting set - “The Port Melbourne” - features 30ml samples of the following four whiskies: Two Fold; Nova; Starward Solera; and (New) Old Fashioned. Purchase the tasting set from cocktail-connoisseurs.com for £24.95 and it will be delivered to your door. You can then join the online masterclass and dive into the unique flavours of Australia.

That Boutique-y Whisky Company

• Scotch Whisky: Wednesday 29 April at 7.30pm
• World Whisky: Wednesday 6 May at 7.30pm
• Premium Scotch Whisky: Wednesday 13 May at 7.30pm

Join Dave Worthington, global brand ambassador for That Boutique-y Whisky Company, as he takes you through the wonderfully weird world of Boutique-y. Working your way through the dram sets, Worthington will go through each and will be on hand to answer questions live as well as discussing tasting notes. An exclusive Zoom link will be sent to those who have purchased the sets. The Scotch (£27.95), World (£41.95) and Premium (£43.95) sets can be purchased at Hard to Find Whisky.

Teeling Trinity Tasting

• Thursday 30 April: Master of Malt at 7pm

Experience a live Teeling Trinity masterclass with global brand ambassador, Rob Caldwell, from your living room. The Teeling Trinity pack contains three Teeling whisky miniatures, a tasting mat and tasting notes. Purchase a pack from Master of Malt and a link to the closed Zoom group will be sent. Packs cost £19.95.

The Live Virtual Whisky Masterclass with Felipe Schrieberg

• When: various dates from Tuesday 5 May
• Tickets: from £35 to £65 at designmynight.com

World Whisky Awards judge and Forbes whisky writer Felipe Schrieberg leads a two-hour tasting tutorial session on Zoom. Tickets start from £35 and include five premium Scotch whisky drams (5x25ml), one premium world whisky miniature (1x10ml) and tasting notes. It’s advised to book at least a week in advance so the whisky arrives on time.

Summerton Virtual Whisky Festival

• When: Saturday 30 May from 12.30pm to 10pm
• Ticket price: from £38

The Summerton Whisky Club celebrates the world of whisky with its virtual festival on 30 May. The festival programme includes tastings, masterclasses, Q&A sessions, cocktail recipes and live entertainment. A festival ticket gives access to the virtual tasting room and delivery of a festival pack which contains a range of goodies, expertly curated whisky samples, mixers and snacks. A link to the private live feed will be emailed the day before the festival commences.

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