Taking Yorkshire Whisky to the Campbeltown Malts Festival

Last month, Whisky Director Joe Clark and Brand Ambassador Amy Teasdale travelled north to Scotland. Specifically, they hit the road for the 2026 Campbeltown Malts Festival. The main destination was the highly anticipated Watt Whisky & Friends event. Glorious weather held out for the entire trip, making the visit to this iconic coastal region feel genuinely special. Campbeltown boasts a deeply rooted distilling heritage, providing the perfect backdrop for sharing great whisky.

What is Watt Whisky & Friends?

For anyone new to the hosts, Mark and Kate Watt founded Watt Whisky back in December 2019. Between them, they share over 40 years of experience in the Scotch whisky industry. Their philosophy is brilliantly simple. If a spirit tastes great and has spent time in a cask, they will bottle it.

Crucially, the ‘Friends’ element is what makes this event tick. Mark and Kate go beyond just showcasing their own fantastic releases. They invite a carefully chosen lineup of guest producers and independent bottlers to pour alongside them. The whole atmosphere is built entirely around community, bringing passionate makers and dedicated whisky fans together in one room.

The Masterclass Panel

The highlight of the day came during the closing panel tasting. Joe had the opportunity to present Filey Bay to an engaged crowd of 50 dedicated whisky fans. He shared the stage with an incredible lineup of industry friends.

Sitting alongside Mark and Kate Watt, the masterclass panel included:

• Little Brown Dog Spirits

• That Boutique-y Whisky Company

• Brave New Spirits

• Elixir Distillers / Tormore Distillery

Pouring Filey Bay Porter Cask #2

For this specific tasting, Joe poured Filey Bay Porter Cask #2.

Campbeltown is globally renowned for its whisky heritage. Taking a Yorkshire single malt into the heart of that region is always a big milestone. Pouring it for such an enthusiastic crowd, and getting such brilliant feedback, was the perfect way to finish the festival.

A massive thank you goes to Mark, Kate, and the entire Watt Whisky team. They delivered a brilliant invitation, outstanding hospitality, and a genuinely superb community event.

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