It All Adds Up...
Chaired by an enthusiastic former accountant, numbers are growing at the Spirit Of Speyside Whisky Festival
WE have a saying here,” says James Campbell, chairman of The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival. “One and one equals three.”
A curious statement from a highly respected accountant, perhaps. Yet one that does stack up.
“When you bring two people or organisations together, combine their skills and resources and drive towards a shared goal, the results often surpass what you’d hoped for.”
Indeed, it’s with this ethos that James has led the Festival from 2012.
Each May, some 50 distilleries – along with many local businesses – throughout the famed region collaborate to create a diverse, varied and imaginative programme which draws visitors from over 40 countries to the area.
As well as a variety of events, glittering dinners, tours and open days James has also overseen the development of The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Awards, now among the world’s most fiercely fought contests.
The Scots Magazine is, once again, proud to have played a key part in setting the scene for the forthcoming competition, back in November. As part of a panel of industry experts and commentators, I helped select eight finalists. We’ve now handed over the difficult task of crowning the best of the best to the global public.
Final judging sessions take place at the festival itself, but in recent years worldwide views have been sought.
A whistle-stop tour is under way with the uisge beatha shortlist being taken to New York, Malmo, Cologne, Rome, New Brunswick, Amsterdam, Oslo, Dublin and Paris, as well as Edinburgh, Glasgow, Belfast and London. Competition is fierce – so impartiality is absolutely key.
“I was born in Speyside so whisky has always been around me – but I’ve never had any connections and loyalties to one company or brand,” says James.
“I was coming up to retiring from my business, where I was a partner at Johnston Carmichael Chartered Accountants. I was planning on winding down but then I got the invitation to come along and to become the chairman of the festival.
“A clear goal is to make sure the process is completely independent – and I seemed to fit the bill!”
Impartial and objective, James’ contribution has been also been so prolific that he entered 2018 having just been made Keeper of the Quaich – one of the industry’s top honours.
He was recognised for outstanding commitment and is