Whisky Seminars
From bar service to whisky masterclasses, ImpEx Beverages, the Official Whisky Sponsor of the 2026 Games, will showcase the best small batch whiskies being distilled across Scotland today.
Whether you are a new whisky drinker or a seasoned aficionado, there is something for every style, palate and level of expertise. Review the four immersive masterclasses planned. Sessions will cover lowland single malts, sherry and wood cask finishes, and, of course, the best peats from the highlands and islands. Tickets are $40 per masterclass. This is a great gift idea for Father’s Day! All classes are in Building 5 at the Fairgrounds. Your support benefits Chicago Scots mission of culture and care.
Seminar One: Single Cask Nation
Friday, June 12 at 3:00PM
Join us as we explore unique offerings from on of America’s premier independent bottlers, Single Cask Nation. Independently bottled whiskies are great opportunity to try delicious drams from distilleries you don’t normally see on the shelf like Macduff, Knockdhu and Rhuad Mhor, and this year we are very excited to have a Chicago Highland Games exclusive bottling, a very small batch 12 year old Glen Moray that is only being sold to attendees of this years Highland Games.
*Note: Friday’s SCN masterclass will be led by brand ambassador Kevin Obis and Saturday’s will be led by founder Joshua Hatton.
Pour list:
SCN Glen Moray 12yr Highland Games Bottling
SCN Knockdhu 9yr
SCN Loch Lomond Inchmurrin 14yr
SCN Macduff 16yr
SCN Pluscarden Abbey 16yr
SCN WOLF Island Collaboration
Seminar Two: A Road Trip Through Scotland
Friday, June 12 at 5:00PM
Join us for a road trip through Scotland as we “visit” six independently owned single malt whisky distilleries; GlenAllachie, Lochlea, Wolfburn, Isle of Raasay, Ardnamurchan and Kilchoman. We’ll discuss the Scottish Heritage Sights we’d see along the way, castles, lochs and other highlights as we cruise through the lowlands, highlands and islands in our land rovers, (all from the comfort of a folding chair at the Highland Games!)
Pour list:
GlenAllachie 8yr Scottish Oak
Lochlea 6yr
Wolfburn 12yr
Ardnamurchan 10yr
Isle of Raasay Dun Cana
Kilchoman 13yr
Seminar Three: A Road Trip Through Scotland
Saturday, June 13 at 12:00PM
Join us for a road trip through Scotland as we “visit” six independently owned single malt whisky distilleries; GlenAllachie, Lochlea, Wolfburn, Isle of Raasay, Ardnamurchan and Kilchoman. We’ll discuss the Scottish Heritage Sights we’d see along the way, castles, lochs and other highlights as we cruise through the lowlands, highlands and islands in our land rovers, (all from the comfort of a folding chair at the Highland Games!)
Pour list:
GlenAllachie 8yr Scottish Oak
Lochlea 6yr
Wolfburn 12yr
Ardnamurchan 10yr
Isle of Raasay Dun Cana
Kilchoman 13yr
Seminar Four: Single Cask Nation
Saturday, June 13 at 2:00PM
Join us as we explore unique offerings from on of America’s premier independent bottlers, Single Cask Nation. Independently bottled whiskies are great opportunity to try delicious drams from distilleries you don’t normally see on the shelf like Macduff, Knockdhu and Rhuad Mhor, and this year we are very excited to have a Chicago Highland Games exclusive bottling, a very small batch 12 year old Glen Moray that is only being sold to attendees of this years Highland Games.
*Note: Friday’s SCN masterclass will be led by brand ambassador Kevin Obis and Saturday’s will be led by founder Joshua Hatton.
Pour list:
SCN Glen Moray 12yr Highland Games Bottling
SCN Knockdhu 9yr
SCN Loch Lomond Inchmurrin 14yr
SCN Macduff 16yr
SCN Pluscarden Abbey 16yr
SCN WOLF Island Collaboration
Seminar Five: Sustainability in Whisky
Saturday, June 13 at 4:00PM
Scotland has long been a leader in sustainability efforts across all fields, and whisky is no exception! Join us as we talk about how some front runners in the field are ensuring we have delicious whisky to drink for generations to come through sustainable farming, innovative use of casks, biomass boilers and more.
Pour list:
Herb Garden Lemon Verbena Gin & Top Note Tonic welcome cocktail
Lochlea Sowing Edition
Nc’nean Huntress Lemon Meadow
Filey Bay STR Cask
Ardnamurchan Sauternes Cask
Kilchoman 100% Islay 14th Edition
Whisky Drams and Flights at the Bar
The Highland Games Bar will serve these single malt whiskies from the Lowlands, Speyside and Islands all weekend. Come enjoy a dram!
Kilchoman Machir Bay Gold Eagle Select
Nc’nean Organic Single Malt
Lochlea Ploughing Edition
Wolfburn 10 Year
Herb Garden Pink Elderflower Gin
$10 per dram. $30 per flight of four expressions
Official Whisky Sponsor
Thank you to ImpEx Beverages, the Official Whisky Sponsor at the Chicago Scots 40th Annual Scottish Festival & Highland Games.
Every year at our Scottish Festival & Highland Games, the Chicago Scots feature a family or an organization as our Honored Clan. This year, to recognize and celebrate its’ strong Scottish roots, our Honored Clan is Rotary International. We are proud to announce that Rotary International’s Scottish President, Gordon McInally has agreed to lead our Parade of Tartans at 12:30 p.m. Gordon will also receive the Salute to the Chieftain from the Massed Pipe Bands at approximately 6.30pm on Saturday, June 15, 2024.