Ask a busy person
It is one of my favourite adages and in my twenty-five years in the Scotch whisky industry, one that I’ve witnessed many times. Two busy people spring to mind – Justine Hazlehurst and Karen Somerville, co-directors of the annual Fife Whisky Festival. They are good friends, we have been on many a whisky adventure, and lived to tell the tale.
I first met Karen at the Aberlour Hotel in 2014, where she was attending my whisky tasting as part of the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival programme. Karen and her late father, Tom Young MBE, established The Angels’ Share, producing beautifully crafted glassware; now she runs her own consultancy.
‘Every year, the festival builds on what came before. We are so delighted with our loyal following and also being able to showcase Scotch Whisky in all its glory, especially in the Kingdom of Fife.’
Justine is the founder of the tasting and events company Kask Whisky. I’d enjoyed one of Justine’s walking tours of Leith and signed up my parents – my father wasn’t terribly enthusiastic about walking and history. He’d misheard and visibly brightened when he discovered history was in fact whisky.
Justine reflected ‘This year’s Fife Whisky Festival proved to be another huge success. The support shown by whisky enthusiasts from both near and far – not only for the Fife distilleries and independent bottlers but also for those outwith the Kingdom – seems to strengthen year on year. The wonderful whisky community make this festival so special.’
It was my first time attending the festival as a volunteer, one of the merry band donning brightly coloured aprons (woolly bonnet optional), and helping to make the event run smoothly. In return, we volunteers were well looked after with the infamous toffee doughnuts from Fisher and Donaldson. These are a thing.
During the breaks of volunteering duties, I took time to speak to some other busy people. Fellow whisky adventurer Nicola Young established The Spur Whisky Club in Cumbernauld. In her spare time, she has her own business creating and developing websites for technophobes like myself, is an ambassador for The Scotch Malt Whisky Society and one half of the Whisky Boys with her father. The Spur runs monthly tastings where ardent whisky lovers congregate and welcome a variety of speakers.
Behind the shop stand where the festival bottling, and merch was being sold, I spoke to Claire Irvine, who had the same idea and was with the Crieff Whisky Collective. The genesis of the club was that there wasn’t one locally, so she brought like-minded whisky enthusiasts together. I was reunited with Graham, Steven and John of BAWS (Boness Whisky Appreciation Society), who hatched a plan along similar lines in a pub following a tasting in Linlithgow. I’ve met them many times at similar events, but the Fife Festival is their favourite. Graham explained ‘This outweighs the other shows because it’s so friendly. There is plenty of time to speak to the distillers and stand holders.’
Emma Walker, Master Blender for Johnnie Walker was the speaker at the festival opening dinner hosted at Lindores Abbey Distillery on Friday, and attended the show before flying to the US on Sunday. Another busy person. Emma explained that she would be introducing Black Cask, the newest member of the Johnnie Walker family, which reminded her of toasted marshmallows.
I tracked down Charlie MacLean at the Daftmill stand, where festival goers were appreciating not only the spirit but Hazel’s legendary tablet and fruitcake. I called it the win-win table.
The expression “It taks a lang spoon to sup with a Fifer” couldn’t be further from the truth, Charlie told me. ‘The suggestion that Fifers are hard to get to know is rubbish. The show is like a close-knit family party.’
Whisky, doughnuts, fruit cake and friendship. I know what made Fife tick on Saturday.
Justine Hazlehurst
In addition to writing Opening The Case: The Affairs of Pattisons’ Whisky, Justine is the founder of Kask Whisky – a tasting events and tour company. Her passion and enthusiasm for whisky has led to her being selected as a judge for a number of whisky awards, including the World Whiskies Awards and Icons of Whisky Awards as well as a number of tasting panels.
Her knowledge of Scotch whisky history has led her to work with a number of distilleries, organisations and publications delving into the heritage of brands.
Justine’s written work has been published in Unfiltered, The Keeper, Whisky Magazine and The Malt Whisky Yearbook.
Karen Somerville
Karen has a passion for business, whisky and Scotland, from running a successful manufacturing whisky glass company to now offering business consultancy and mentoring. She has many years of championing women in business and using her experience to help others grow and succeed.
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